Hi - I need some help here.

 

Having finally got bored of my MR2 funday car I think I want to get

a 300SX. In the past I've had a Supra Turbo and Caddilac Seville STS (300bhp lashings of tourqe) so I know I want a big engine and a smooth ride. It would be a pampered pet and not a daily driver unless of course the grin factor is too high in which case the MPV can sit and rust.

 

I'm no boy racer I just want to be able to accelerate smoothly and

overtake with ease. Is it really worth my while going for the twin

turbo over the NA model? I guess leather is better than cloth, and

I have a hankering for an auto rather than a stick (getting old).

 

The biggest stumbling block was going to be insurance - it seems

impossible to get classic / restricted mileage on these cars but

then I came up trumps and got a ball park quote agreed value for

£300. So all I need is the car (and of course to sell the MR2 come on Autotrader do your stuff...).

 

So to my initial questions (there will be more - hopefully).

 

What are the common problems to look for on an early 90s model

(assume about 65K miles)?

When should the cam belt be done - and is it an expensive job?

Any colours not sell well (I'm thinking I want black or nimbus grey)?

Whats the life expectancy of the catalytic converters?

On a test drive any thing to do that an insider/owner would know

about?

 

Much obliged for all the help you can give, and sorry if I've

repeated some questions already asked.

 

Cheers,

 

Barry

Originally posted by BarryD

Is it really worth my while going for the twin turbo

Yes. 0-60 in over a seconds quicker.

Easier to modify if you want too.

over 80bhp more.

 

I have a hankering for an auto rather than a stick (getting old).

Most 300ZXs are Automatics

 

The biggest stumbling block was going to be insurance - it seems

No you can get classic insurance. You can with a UK 300ZX and if you have another car, but I think it is a lot harder to get classic with an import.

 

What are the common problems to look for on an early 90s model. (assume about 65K miles)?

Most of the troubled parts would have been replaced by then. YOu will be lucky to get a UK 300ZX any where near that mileage, you could get an Import with that, but then you will struggle with Classic insurance.

 

When should the cam belt be done - and is it an expensive job?

Should be done every 60,000 miles. Cost depends on what you change. Just the cambelt probably around £200 mark. If you chagne the pump, seals, the smaller belts etc etc, it can cost between £400 and £500 depending on the place.

 

Any colours not sell well (I'm thinking I want black or nimbus grey)?

The most comon colour is probably red, then black, silver then grey.

 

Whats the life expectancy of the catalytic converters?

My car still had the originals on when I got rid of them last year, so thats 12 years. I only got rid of them for the performance gain.

 

On a test drive any thing to do that an insider/owner would know

Look out for the normal things like, car pulling, noises which done sound right. Also look under the car for rust and oil leaks.

There is a huge list of thing to check for as in any car. You are better reading the site for a while and learing as you go. Its the best way really.

 

Stuart

Have a read through all of these buying guides....

 

http://www.300zx.org.uk/tech_20.htm

 

Oh, I am 31, have a Jap Z TT and my classic insurance is.....£250. Lovely.

Thanks for the hints. I've been reading the buyer guides and I guess that's it for the non trubo car - everyone seems to want to upgrade (and the one I've looked at had cloth seats but was otherwise OK).

 

Another question:-

 

She is likely to sit in the driveway for a week or so at a time whilst I cannot drive her due to being a train commuter and busy family stuff. My MR2 is happy to be ignored for a month and then fires up and once the engine is warm we go play (yes it is possible). Will a 300 be generally as reliable?

I have a Jap TT, auto, and I leave mine standing for weeks sometimes and no probs. Having said that mine is a series 2, supposedly better than the series 1 in some ways and it has only done 53k miles.

Smooth ride? not really but who cares?

 

Smooth, powerful acceleration - heh, heh, you'd better believe it.:dance:

 

Apexi intake first thing to do, polyurethane bushes, de-cat,

ss exhaust. (etc.)

 

Only prob sitting out will be battery drain running

the alarm system (and the petrol gauge is always on.)

 

James! is that ins on a second car?

Originally posted by Simmo303

James! is that ins on a second car?

 

Yeah, I do have use of another car if thats what you mean. That was part of the deal for that quote.

I've looked again and its actually £270. But I was paying £750 previously just or the Z, so the money I saved went towards a runaround for work and surf trips! Its limited mileage on the 300 too.

NA does not accelerate fast enough to overtake with the smug superiority of a TT driver. You can rev it's boll0cks off and overtake, but not with the blast into the distance like a TT.