Ok I think ive decided to go for a 300ZX TT over the Skyline GTS, However Ive just spoke to my local importers and they say they have had a few reliability problems with the 300ZX, but I figure no one is going to know better than everyone on this forum.

 

So, has anyone out there had any problems with there 300ZX's, what should I look out for? Is one year of the model better than any others? (I want a manual one, without leather seats as well)

 

Once again cheers in advance

 

Wootley :dance:

one of the members on this furum has a quote ( you know who you are) and it goes a bit like.. IF ITS A MANUAL, PREPARE FOR AN ENGINE REBUILD, IF ITS AN AUTO THEN PREPARE FOR A GEARBOX REBUILD"

I reckon its about par for the course!

 

but dont let me put you off ! :)

 

At the end of the day any car you buy has the potential to be unreliable, the only problem with the zed is that when it does break is it will take your bank account with it, however i feel you will be no better off in the wallet dept if you buy a skyline as nissan will probably fleece you even more.

 

If you get an import, get one of a decent auction grade, that way its half the battle won, run it on optimax and change the oil often, then hopefully the only bits that youll have to replace will be the usual wear and tear stuff.

 

As with all turbo cars, dont hoof it when cold and let it cool down when you have hoofed it. But then soon youll want it to go faster, so youll wind up the boost then somethiong will break so youll uprate it, then youll go for a bit more power then something else will break.

 

If soemthing does break on it, then this forum is the place to be as i'd say most of the possible faults that you can have with these things have happened to people on here so the answer to your probs is only a question away.

 

Oh and find yourself a decent zed mechanic to do all the nast stuff you cant be arsed to do!

Every single car has problems. Only yesterday I saw a 53 registered Pug broke down.

 

Some people have problems with their car and some dont. Its like all cars. You may just be unlucky and get a bad one.

 

I have a one which has 168,500 miles on it, and I am just starting a rebuild. The car still runs and runs quite will. Its just a little worn out, its not broken.

 

I have noticed that the standard imported cars have very little problems if any while the people who have serious/recurring problems are the modified imported ones.

 

Stuart

Anyone else out there had any problems or got any advise?

When i was looking for my Z 6/7 months ago i just did the same as you. Asking is the best policy. Ive got a jap import (auto) and the only problem ive had so far was the speed limiter on the gear box but that wasnt a hastle to change. Watch out for leaky targa tops and try and get info on cam belt change. I havent looked back... never realised how boring driving had been until i found my 'Z'. Go for it!!!

Hi Wootley

I live in folkestone Ive own a Z for nearly three years

If you want a chat we could meet up.

UK TT 91 standard Auto.

Arthur

Ok I think ive decided to go for a 300ZX TT over the Skyline GTS, However Ive just spoke to my local importers and they say they have had a few reliability problems with the 300ZX, but I figure no one is going to know better than everyone on this forum.

 

So, has anyone out there had any problems with there 300ZX's, what should I look out for? Is one year of the model better than any others? (I want a manual one, without leather seats as well)

 

Once again cheers in advance

 

Wootley :dance:

 

Wootley,

 

I've said this a hundred times and will keep saying it (until someone finally listens ;)) - try to buy an unmollested, un-modded, low mileage Z. This may sound boring but trust me on this you'll have a lot more fun in the long run. Perform a major service (ie, cambelt, ancilarry belts, plugs, oil, brake pads, etc, etc) and make sure it runs sweet first. Then and only then should you start considering bolting on modifications, boost upgrades, etc. It is far more likely you'll end up with a good car if it is in stock condition (as it is less likely to have been thrashed about by the previous owner(s). Of course there are exceptions to the rule so don't hold me to this.

 

The Zeds you can buy today for £4-5k are litterally 10~13 years old and you "should" expect there to be some problems. However, they are likely to be smaller annoyances - like corroded connectors, split hoses, etc - on standard cars then the big money sucking epic problems - like blown gaskets, ceased tubos, heads, etc, etc - on modified cars.

 

Anyway, I can go on and on but to answer your initial question - are there reliability issues - my opinion is "no more than you'd expect from any 10-13 year old performance car. The key is to find a good unmollested example and try and pre-empt any problems by maintaining the car well. Priority should be to get the car running properly first, then you have a good foundation to build modifications on.

 

HTH

 

Regards,

I've spent a lot of money on my Z since January 2001. This is a car that's over a decade old and because it goes very fast people tend to drive them very fast (go figure). It would be naive to think that you won't have to put your hand in your pocket on a regular basis especially if you want to mod it and use it every day.

 

I don't want to put you off because they are a fantastic car but you need to be realistic. If you stretch yourself to buy the car and you don't have a reasonable maintenance budget I would look elsewhere.

 

Having said all that I'm about as much use under the bonnet as Hitler was at public relations. If you're a bit tasty with a spanner you can save yourself a lot of cash. Most of my money has been spent on labour.

 

Jonno.

Hi Wootley

I live in folkestone Ive own a Z for nearly three years

If you want a chat we could meet up.

UK TT 91 standard Auto.

Arthur

 

Hi Arthur, meeting up for a chat would be great.

Give me a shout via my e-mail. wootley@hotmail.com

 

Cheers in advance

Wootley