I am looking at importing a short wheel base 300Z (2 seater) form Japan through Bonsai Cars. Has anyone had any experience of this? Are there any potential problems in running a short wheel base 300z in the UK?

 

Your comments would be appreciated.

 

Regards

Matt

I have a SWB (only NA, though), and not had too much trouble. Some parts have to be imported, of course (remember to *warn* people it's a SWB when you order stuff!), which can be annoying - some bugger smashed my quarterlight when the doorhandle didn't give in to his pathetic scratchings, and the replacement took a few months to arrive.

 

Other than that, it's just the impracticality of having *no* rear seats and a tiny boot. If you've got a second car already, this shouldn't be an issue, right?

SWB's........lovely. :D

 

Go for it!

Hi

 

I have a SWB TT (check the link under my sig) and have had no problems at all. Of course you can only carry one passenger but it has been said the lighter weight of car and passengers can put less stress on the engine and maybe a little quicker ;)

 

Only major thing to look out for is not to break the targas as these only fit the swb and would be a bitch to replace. Otherwise I have had no problems in getting parts or kit. Just note the exhausts are different.

 

Cheers

Martin

Hi Matt!

Been running my swb TT for a few months now. No problems so far - everything under the bonnet is the same as the lwb, so servicing is just as 'easy'!! Obviously from there on back things get a little different, but when it comes to panels and some other things, mjpauto sell them for the same sort of price you can get bits for the 2+2.

Then, of course, us 2 seaters get to look better, drive faster and get more responsive, albeit more twitchy, handling!! Everyone should have one! No......wait a minute, then we wouldn't look so good!!

Enjoy it mate!

Simon

I'm looking to get another one at the minute.

Ran mine for 2 years and other than the obvious stuff like exhaust and propshaft etc all the bits are the same as the 2+2.

The boot's bigger too!

Looks are a matter of opinion but I think the SWB looks 10 times better. TBH I didn't find it twitchy, was nice and progressive when it stepped out.

hi matt,

if u r interested i have a swb non turbo manual in silver with 70k on the clock in silver ,91h, going for sale let us no if u r interested ,they look the biz imho,

cheers

Many thanks for the replys. It's nice to have contact with people who know, rather than just the Skeptics .

 

Cheers,

Matt

martinfa, got any more pictures.... bloody lovely.

 

engine etc...

 

Cheers

Junior bayarno

 

I may be in the market for an NA (insurance cheque is on its way!) and could be very tempted by a SWB. Any more details? any pics?

 

Cheers

 

David

I was just flicking through and saw that you have been looking for a SWB 300ZX. I have one for sale. It is a 1992 (K) only 28,000 miles (with service history and Japanese auction sheet grade 4, proving mileage authenticity, although when you see and drive you will know that the mileage is correct). Twin turbo, 5-speed manual in lovely metallic midnight blue. It drives as good as it looks and has the handling to match. It has been imported by myself only 3 weeks ago for the purpose of selling http://www.japcity.com

 

 

John Dixon came to see it the other day, but decided that he would maybe import one himself. I think he would agree that it is a lovely example.

 

It has a slight blemish about 2 inches long on the front spoiler (been quoted £175 to have it professionally repaired although I think it could be a lot less), and needs a new plastic thing between the rear lights (what is that called?) as it has warped in the heat at some stage. Apart from that it is in pristine condition.

 

I am looking for £9995 but will take £9500 and maybe less if you can convince me.

 

There is a photo here: http://www.japcity.com/300zx8.htm and I can send more if you want.

Fantastic car, unfortunatly out of my price range.

I have two cars I need to sell before buying a Z, even then my budget will be around £5k.

SWB look better ????????

I think not, but then I am biased.

 

That's why I hid the missus SWB in the behind my car LMAO !!!!

 

Hope you do not mind me asking but, your cost of maintenance, what have you included in this and over how long?

Was that question to me?

The question was to Jap-City. On the bottom of your signature, it states you have spent over 3k on maintenance since Oct 02. Does this include petrol, insurance etc?

that silver Zed looks beaut.

I'm not JapCity but I imagine you were talking to me :D

 

Nope it doesn't include the petrol, tax, MOT or Insurance.

 

Well the maintenance is on my car which is a 300zx 2+2 TT Manual Jap spec has been since October 2002, but allot of the money spent on it was really to get it to tip top condition.

I first spend about £1000 on a full major service having cam belt and all other belts replaced along with a new set of plugs, water pump, thermostat and oil change also had all new discs and pads all round along with Stainless Steel braided brake lines. After that I replaced bits that didn't really need replacing, like the PTU, temp sensor and harness, injector connectors, coil pack connectors. I then went on to replace fuel filter, window trim, targa blinds, headlight (which received a stone chip), 4 new tyres, tension bushes, rear shocks.

 

Basically I bought the first 300zx I saw purely because I fell in love with it. I knew there were bits wrong with it that needed sorting but I knew I would be spending money to sort these out.

 

Don't let my Maintenance since October scare you too much, My missus has a short wheel base NA and in the last two months since she has owned it she hasn't had to spend a penny on it apart from installing a rear fog light to pass it's MOT (which is did with flying colours).

 

If you are worried about the maintenance and don't need one right this minute, then I'd hold out for a good one.

 

Nelson,

Thanks mate ;) appreciate that :D I think so too :)

No maintainance on my one. Just been in the country for 3 weeks, first registered last week. I believe that as long as you get it serviced at regular intervals maintainance should be low. Dont modify it too much. Keep it simple.