I think I can predict the answer to this question, but I'd appreciate your honest views on this.

 

DO I BUY A Z?

 

I've had he idea for a while so I've been looking at this site. The thing I've noticed is that a lot of you have Z's as second cars, or weekend drivers. I currently run a 1990 S13 200SX as my only car (girlfriend doesn't drive so I really depend on it). It's been totally reliable in the 4 years I've had it, only requiring the obvious pad, rotors and struts. It's a bit long in the tooth now, not knackered but tatty.

 

I've got £5K together and before responsibilities overtake me I fancy one go at an outrageous car so the natural step seems an early 300ZX (manual TT). I think I'll be albe to get a 90 or 91 but will it get me to work every day?

 

Any experiences of using one every day and what the pitfalls might be would be appreciated. Also will it go for a few years without requiring £K's? I don't expect crystal ball predictions, but some thoughts from those of you with experience would be good.

 

:hyper: :confused:

i got my z from a dealer in may and had some major problems with it, started to think that it was the worst decision id made, then found a few internet sites that backed up the unreliability thing. ive had most of the usual problems with the car although mines a NA so cant comment on the TT

 

but after all that, i found this site and a few of the other forums and then found out that most of the problems are actually pretty common and most people have had experiences of them, i found help on diagnosing and in most cases fixed the problems and im not mechanical in anyway.

 

few examples were when car died on me - through forum pages i found that it was the PTU, got a new one and it was fixed, clutch was playing up, found step by step on adjusting it and fixed, car had bad hesitation and high idle, cleaned TBs and airflow reg and its fixed.

 

the wealth of knowledge and willingness to share has turned my mind from the worst buy of my life to a car that ill hopefully enjoy for along time yet!! have learnt alot in the process too. certainly wouldnt find that for a focus or something - that would have been dealer/garage whenever anything went wrong!!!

 

darren

i got my z from a dealer in may and had some major problems with it, started to think that it was the worst decision id made, then found a few internet sites that backed up the unreliability thing. ive had most of the usual problems with the car although mines a NA so cant comment on the TT

 

but after all that, i found this site and a few of the other forums and then found out that most of the problems are actually pretty common and most people have had experiences of them, i found help on diagnosing and in most cases fixed the problems and im not mechanical in anyway.

 

few examples were when car died on me - through forum pages i found that it was the PTU, got a new one and it was fixed, clutch was playing up, found step by step on adjusting it and fixed, car had bad hesitation and high idle, cleaned TBs and airflow reg and its fixed.

 

the wealth of knowledge and willingness to share has turned my mind from the worst buy of my life to a car that ill hopefully enjoy for along time yet!! have learnt alot in the process too. certainly wouldnt find that for a focus or something - that would have been dealer/garage whenever anything went wrong!!!

 

darren

 

come on then, how much of club funds went into bribing this guy? ;)

yeah wheres my cheque ?? :rofl:

If you buy an early car and drive it every day......and drive it like a 300zx Twin Turbo.....you have to expect to have your hand in your pocket on a regular basis.

 

I used mine as a daily driver for about a year and I found it very expensive. However - I drove it like I stole it!

 

Just my experience of course.

I also used my Z for a daily driver for 2 years. The petrol is the main killer. At 16-18 mpg around town £10 of petrol really quickly goes.

 

Long journies are not too bad and you can expect to get 25-30mpg

 

I have had a daily driver for about a year and I dont use it as much as I should, but it has already helped keep the costs down. :D

For a daily driver ,to keep costs down i'd recommend a non turbo probably a 92 with later style interior a grey metallic is the best colour say around 54k miles................hang on a minute i've got one of those.........and it's for sale!!!!!!

 

Better than that it's around your price range.................

Hi like Jonno said its the petrol cost!

I did 23k first year & it cost me sh-t loads of dosh! two sets of rubber,500 quid for MOT.

After first year got a second car to runaround in.

Now got new engine 4k! new auto gearbox 1400k! more tyres 500 quid, new rad 200 quid! & other bits like discs & pads front & rear, poly bushes and still standed!

I run mine as a daily drive, don't talk to me about petrol, I think i'll take up smoking 40 a day, it'll be cheaper!

 

Worth every penny though :D:D:D

 

Mental Note: Must buy shares in Shell :rofl:

..buy an Na. I would say that as I've used mine as a daily driver for nearly 4 years. There's been usual maintenance, but it's all been DIY. I do about 18k miles a year and it's been off the road for 2 days waiting for a waterpump to arrive - so no complaints.

 

The NA is about 13 or 14 stone lighter than the TT so springs and other stuff is lighter in it's construction so it drives more agile (only my opinion). So as well as more mpg, you get a car that's easier to live with (again my opinion) - tyres are cheaper and you haven't got a couple of turbos knocking hell out of everything...

 

So it's not as quick, but it's still capable of eating most of what's on our roads.

 

Oh- and don't forget the fact that the 300 has got to be one of the most beautiful cars available sub £20k and you can take the roof off - your girlfriend will love it...

 

good luck

 

Jack