Hi All,

 

I've wanted a ZX ever since I first saw one as a teen. Finally scraped the money together and am about to buy one. I've looked at the buyer's guides etc. and feel like i'm pretty informed.

 

But, there's a guy selling them in dartford / Bexley Heath from his home, according to him he's sold a few, he goes by the name of Joe, has anyone actually bought one from him, and is he trustworthy?

 

Also, i've read bad things about Zubi motors in these forums, but the bloke there reckons he can get me on to my exact spec in about 5 weeks... has anyone else bought one from him?

 

Also, is it worth doing a HPI check if it's an import? And what about RAC / AA inspections, are they worth it?

 

...I'd really appreciate anyone's input.

No traders

I'm also 10 min's from both bexley heath and dartford. or 5 min's from my girlfriend's house if you want to come and have a look.

 

Matt

u can never prepare yourself for the prospect of 15mpg, trust me! iv jus spent 40 quid this wk doin less than 200miles around town and it hurts ur pocket! cars parked up now n aint gonna go out for at least a week (i hope i can resist for that long)

I have a good ' un !

 

£5000 or less ! It's had an AA inspection, FSH, reg. oil changes. Not been thrashed/abused. UK, stock engine.

HPi won't tell you about a foreign car.

I had a BIMTA check which claimed to verify mileage and that the car was not stolen from Japanese records. It cost about £55 all in. Find them at http://www.bimta.org

 

They said my car was not stolen and the mileage was correct but for all I know they could have just made that up. I do kind of trust them and it's another good piece of paperwork if I ever have to sell the car.

 

Oh, and because I was worried about the running cost I bought a non-turbo which is a) a bit newer than a turbo I could have got for the money and b) maybe a little more reliable / cheaper to run. ( and c) slower!)

Hi Sonix

 

There are a few good ones for sale knocking around the forum at present. :)

 

The trouble with new imports is that everyone and his dog is doing it now, so unless they are a good importer/dealer, the chances are that most will probably be the cr@p no-one else wants. The best imports are usually ones brought in a while back which are now on their 2nd UK owner.....

 

There are still a few good importers around. Contact Kent Terry at Jap City

 

http://www.jap-city.co.uk

 

Otherwise buy from someone on here. The car would most likely have been looked after and maintained by an enthusiast with a host of knowledge available to them.... ;)

 

Good hunting, mate

 

Richard :)

I have a gorgeous example up for sale in a couple of weeks when my new motor arrives...

 

There is nothing wrong with this car, bar a slight wear in the drivers .It purrs when running, growls when being driven, pulls & boosts well. Its just had a service, its all de-restricted and The Speedo reads MPH not KPH.

 

Optional is the stereo. If I get the full asking price I will let the sounds go with the car. they are a Kenwood MASK (fully auto!) Head cassette head unit, Kenwood 10disk CD changer, 10" Competition Sub and Amp.

 

The car is silver and Ive just had the rear spoiler re-sprayed as it cracked a little with the hot summer weve just had so you really cannot fault the car. I also have a TURBO TIMER on it. Brand new 255's on the rear (cost a packet) and nearly news on the front although could do with a better make on the front!!

 

Car will have fresh MOT as its down to a couple of months now. Its an auto (as 80% of 'em are!) and the box behaves impecably. Power, hold and overdrive off options all functioning as they should and changes very smooth, kickdown precise. Its been looked after mate!

 

Targas DONT LEAK which I was amazed with! Yes I have the original cloth bags and I am the first owner in this country.

 

Im not really gonna budge too much on the car because I know I looked at some real crap before I bought this one so I know its a good-un. ONLY reason Im selling her is because I have another MITSI GTO on its way over from Japan and now Ive just bought a house I cant justify keeping both. Come and see it for yourself, I can guarantee you will like her! She is a real cool ride!

 

Anyway email me for pics on cathillok@hotmail.com and text or call me 07770 967313

Thanks all those responses...

 

ya5een: Your joking about the 15mpg right? is it really that thirsty?

 

Nelson / Asroma: Thanks for the offers, but i'm really after a un-modded grey / black auto (prefer a non-turbo).

 

Richard: Thanks for the pointer, have bookmarked the site and keep my eye open.

 

Craig: Cheers for the tip, and although HPI is virtually useless for imports, this link is very useful in general: http://www.rac.co.uk/myrac/vehicle_data_check/

 

(phew)

------

Here a a couple of things i've been contemplating... would appreciate responses

 

1) because of the nature of the turbo (something about pumping exhuast fumes back in), should it not give u more mpg?

 

2) What would be the ONE MAIN THING to be weary of when buying a ZX? (It's not me, it's my Paranoia that want's to know).

HEY GUYS if only we were joking about the 15mpg eh?........

Happy dayz

if only. Zeds bloody love petrol!

Turbo's extra milage! What mag printed that!

My Z, as all Z's lurve patrol 15MPG-18MPG ?

Look at a few get someone who knows them before you buy one.

Even the N/A I assume is fast but the TT is fastest!

Arthur

ther ok on th motorway but in and around town takes th pi$$, its only tuesday and iv already taken it out (its jus too bloody tempting!)

 

no mate th turbos use the exhaust fumes to suck more clean air into th engine (the exhaust fumes spin a turbine which spins a compressor) more air in engine = more fuel

Yep, good on a run, you'll get about 30mpg, but around town, arghhh...... get about 18 max on my non turbo!!

HAND UP GUYS... who thinks that after a couple of months of the N/A our friend wishes he had the Twin Turbo under the bonnet!! (apart from the bloody costs!)

Wev'e got a TT also, so get the best of both worlds!!!!! (but havn't used the TT enough to assess the mpg yet!)

ooooooh yes, 'course he will, it's only natural :tongue:

Mileage is anything from 15 - 25mpg, depending how

you drive, mines a tt auto, i drive it with o'drive on

and power switch down, i find that the best combination

for mydriving style :p

 

As with the rest of you, i try not to drive the z during

the week, opting for my ford transit instead. Managed to

last 3days once, just to tempting!

Transit or Zed......Hmmmm thats a hard one!

I use mine almost every day. 9 mile trip to work each way, half dual carriageway, half town driving. One way engine cold on dual c'way, home engine cold for urban part.

 

I average around 18-19 mpg. I have had almost 25 on a 200+ mile trip to Yorkshire at a steady 90-95 on the M1..... :cool:

 

(UK TT auto, stock apart from induction kit)

 

Richard :)

 

 

 

1) because of the nature of the turbo (something about pumping exhuast fumes back in), should it not give u more mpg?

 

QUOTE]

 

exhaust gases spin a trubine which forces more air into the cylinders (greater pressure) so exhaust gases don't go back into combustion chambers.

 

A turbo uses more fuel when added to a car but gives you more power for your fuel use. ie. a smaller engined turbo car of same power as a larger non-turbo will use less fuel (like 4 like)

 

say a Zed does 20mpg average - for ~300 BHP car that's better than 45 MPG in a 70? BHP Focus ! Gettit ?

I have had my n/a for about 2 months now and am getting 26 mpg. combination of around town and a roads....plenty quick enough for me!

quote:

 

Here a a couple of things i've been contemplating... would appreciate responses

 

1) because of the nature of the turbo (something about pumping exhuast fumes back in), should it not give u more mpg?

 

2) What would be the ONE MAIN THING to be weary of when buying a ZX? (It's not me, it's my Paranoia that want's to know).

 

in answer to you questions.

 

1. dont know

2. main thing to be weary of is a non-turbo!!!!......lol

Main thing with a Zed is the engine - if it's about to need serious work, it's gonna cost a fair bit in labour and parts.

 

also look for false mileage on imports