I'm contemplating buying a ZX. I currently have a very modded NA MR2, but fancy more power and some turbo boost :D Since I've had the MR2 for a number of years I fancy changing to something else rather than get a turbo version. Few things I'm not sure about though and wondered if anyone can give me some advice, I have read the buyers guide which'll prove helpful if I go and see one. Firstly, I'll probably only have around £3k to spend, and will I be able to get a decent one for that sort of money, I suspect I'll have to go for an older one and are there likely to be any issues/problems with buying an early one? Also, from what I gather manuals are rarer and therefore cost more, so what is the autobox like? My only experience with autoboxes was on a Ford, and a friend's Supra, so do you get as good performance from the autobox? I can imagine it's pretty handy on a motorway cruise, but am I likely to find it's losing out on performance a bit on a hard drive round twisties etc?

Cheers guys :)

so do you get as good performance from the autobox

its probably the best auto sports around unless you got enough for an XKR

there is a guide for buying under FAQ i think and a few for sale on the forum....try and get a red one...much quicker...:)

there are a couple for sale at the moment in the for sale section which are real bargins imho, and twinpiper meant to say silver :rofl:

http://www.300zx.co.uk/tech/BuyingZ.htm

 

thats the link...i knew it was here somewhere

The auto is quicker 0-100mph than the manual.

 

£3k is low, but Zed prices are at rock bottom at the moment.

 

Check out the Events and Meets sections for any Meets near you, Im sure somebody can offer you a test run.

its probably the best auto sports around unless you got enough for an XKR

there is a guide for buying under FAQ i think and a few for sale on the forum....try and get a red one...much quicker...:)

 

OK, so I probably shouldn't let an autobox put me off then? One thing I don't want is a red one! My MR2 is red, or should I say was red, it's now a faded pink in places, bright red where I've had aftermarket kit on it, looks like a patchwork quilt ;)

The auto is quicker 0-100mph than the manual.

 

£3k is low, but Zed prices are at rock bottom at the moment.

 

Check out the Events and Meets sections for any Meets near you, Im sure somebody can offer you a test run.

 

More confirmation that I shouldn't worry whether I get an auto or a manual then ;) Are prices rock bottom just cos they're starting to come down now, or is cos the t tops never sell well in the winter? I know MR2 prices have plummeted down, and this ain't a good time of year for selling the t bars either, but a good time of year you want to buy one! Catch 22 for me though, I'll be selling the 2 which is a t bar, to hopefully buy a t bar zed. Good idea about the meets section, cheers :)

OK, so I probably shouldn't let an autobox put me off then? One thing I don't want is a red one! My MR2 is red, or should I say was red, it's now a faded pink in places, bright red where I've had aftermarket kit on it, looks like a patchwork quilt ;)

 

auto is a blast shouldn't be a barrier to ownership...but stick around i'm sure a few manwell devotees will chip in with their 2p's worth...as to colour...beauty is in the eye of the beholder...:)

Are prices rock bottom just cos they're starting to come down now, or is cos the t tops never sell well in the winter?

 

i think it sommit to do with lots of zed owners having kids right now...xmas pressies and lack of kid seating and the odd partner who doesnt share the thrill...:)

If you do go down the road of an Auto, its not that difficult to convert to manual ;) Quite a few people on here have done exactly that. Usually when the box pops and requires a £1400 rebuild, oh look, thats about the same as a conversion to manual ;)

OK, so I probably shouldn't let an autobox put me off then...

 

definately not. i was always lead on by the stereotype of auto cars (which may well be close to reality in the majority of cases) but the zed is another story. after having had an auto, i would never let that make me decide against zed

Hi Gemma,

 

Prices are just rock bottom - it doesn't seem to be a seasonal thing with Z's, although the season has affected them even more like it has all car sales..

 

I've had an auto and a manual, and I preferred the later - more fun to drive round the twisties and easier to get the hang of, but a properly driven auto can still be a serious weapon on the roads (including the twistes) so I'd say don't let it put you off - but do try and drive both so you can make your mind up :) (Try and blag a drive in a members Z like I did ;))

 

There's quite a few coming up for sale at the moment - though the one that sprang to mind (Andy's SWB slicktop) is slightly over £3k, and red.. so I guess that's out of the question :)

 

Anyhow - welcome :)

 

Aaron

Lots of helpful advice guys, cheers. Certainly putting my mind at rest over the auto/manual box thing. Are there any things to be cautious about if I end up having to buy an older model? My 2 is a '93, and it seems from prices on Autotrader that for the money I'll have I'll end up with something a couple of years older. Spose they're like all Jap cars, reliable as anything so age and mileage rarely matter as long as it's been taken care of! Speaking of which, what kinda service intervals do they have and are they expensive to service or will I find it pretty comparable to my current car? Not too bothered on petrol consumption, as I'm used to it being pretty poor from caning the 2, also again insurance costs are high since mine is heavily modified, so don't think it'll be too much of a shock for me ;) Are the zeds likely to need a specialist garage or will any competent garage do, I have a set one who are the only ones I trust with the MR2, so would plan to take it there.

Are the zeds likely to need a specialist garage

 

your close to ztech (see baggins post above)...pop down and see them

Are there any things to be cautious about if I end up having to buy an older model?

 

Not really there are a few changes in later models, PTU springs to mind but nothing to loose any sleep about. very early cars dont have HICAS (4 wheel steering gubbins) but lots of people remove it anyway (mine doesnt have it, at least I dont think it does :D ) just make sure you get one thats been looked after lots of dogs for that price...

 

Spose they're like all Jap cars, reliable as anything so age and mileage rarely matter as long as it's been taken care of!

 

sort of, will look after your wallet if you look after it! :D much more to go wrong on a zed than a lot of other turbo cars... and you will always have the 14yr old car niggles (perished rubber hoses stuff like that) a lot of it isnt rocket science to do yourself, some bits though are much better left in the hands of a pro

 

Speaking of which, what kinda service intervals do they have and are they expensive to service or will I find it pretty comparable to my current car?

 

you'll be wanting to change the oil on a regular basis (anywhere between 3-6k miles) if you're buying an older high milage motor make sure the cambelt and ancilary belts were changed and the water pump replaced (5-600sheets if it hasnt been done) this is a MUST or you may be looking at a new engine/rebuild

 

Not too bothered on petrol consumption, as I'm used to it being pretty poor from caning the 2,

 

expect low teens per gallon for a tt

 

also again insurance costs are high since mine is heavily modified, so don't think it'll be too much of a shock for me ;)

 

subscribe to the forum and get a brilliant quote from houghtons (member discounts I think) they do classic car policies which are cheap as chips even with mods (if you have a garage/drive to put the car on, no on street parking)

 

 

Are the zeds likely to need a specialist garage or will any competent garage do, I have a set one who are the only ones I trust with the MR2, so would plan to take it there.

 

you'll be wanting to take it to a specialist every time, Z-tech have not had a bad word said about them, SE / Nisstek / Silvia Engineering get a mixed bag of feedback so do Zedworld

 

just take your time when you come to buying and with prices like they are now 3k will get you a pretty tidy car, make sure you look at lots before you part with your hard earned!!!

 

You certainly wont regret buying a zed they are bags of fun!! :D

Gemmau as you coming to the pub meet this sunday ( crown & cushion )have a look around the members cars and talk to as many people as you can..

 

All I can say is a Z32 has a spirit that is very very hard to let go the looks the way it goes the people in the club.. well I guss am say it,s the best car I had :)

 

jay

 

P.S one to many beers :hyper:

It certainly has spirit ... First time I drove mine it frightened the life out of me ..

 

I couldn't part with it now ... I'ts part of the family ..... in fact it makes the family.

 

It really is a drivers car

First time I drove one I was scared witless too - but then I was driving someone elses car :D

 

Fantastic cars to drive, though - I haven't driven another car quite like it.. The Mk3 MR2 might be a fun gokart, but the Z was just so.. so.. good .. heh :)

the z IMO is a masterpiece feels like your driving a proper bo sports car :)

 

drove 150 miles today on average 100-150mph smileing all the way there,the throttle is my best friend :D

I bought a n/a auto 300.

 

Plenty of folk would say that's not the best choice at all. And maybe they're right, maybe not.

 

But I still LOVE it.

 

Just don't get a rough one as it'll cost a sh1t load to keep going.

Gemmau as you coming to the pub meet this sunday ( crown & cushion )have a look around the members cars and talk to as many people as you can..

 

All I can say is a Z32 has a spirit that is very very hard to let go the looks the way it goes the people in the club.. well I guss am say it,s the best car I had :)

 

jay

 

P.S one to many beers :hyper:

 

Yeah I think that's the best I can do, come and have a chat and a good nosey round them and see if someone will take me for a spin too :D

 

I'll try and get there for 12, and have a chat with you all.

First time I drove one I was scared witless too - but then I was driving someone elses car :D

 

Fantastic cars to drive, though - I haven't driven another car quite like it.. The Mk3 MR2 might be a fun gokart, but the Z was just so.. so.. good .. heh :)

 

Sounds awesome. Mine's a MK2 so more poke than the MK3, but I've had it for two years, modded it as much as I can and it's no longer enough for me. Drove an EVO VI but it was too lardy, and too much body roll although the sheer grunt from it was amazing. Guess that's why I'm looking at a zed, it's got the power I want, but it's got the shape I like too, 2 seater RWD low to the ground sports car.

Sounds awesome. Mine's a MK2 so more poke than the MK3, but I've had it for two years, modded it as much as I can and it's no longer enough for me. Drove an EVO VI but it was too lardy, and too much body roll although the sheer grunt from it was amazing. Guess that's why I'm looking at a zed, it's got the power I want, but it's got the shape I like too, 2 seater RWD low to the ground sports car.

 

I've not driven a Mk2 MR2 so I can't really compare - although I did toy with the idea of getting one for a while (it'd have had to have been a tubby though ;)).

 

My first Z didn't feel at all lardy, despite it's (enormous) size and weight - it felt like.. well, I guess like a bigger (more powerful) version of my Roadster :) I think it felt more 'planted' on the corners too, even though the Roadster is very chuckable it tends to feel a little floaty on high speed curves.

 

My current Z does feel a little barge-like, though - but that's mainly down to it having four practically nonexistant shock absorbers.. d'oh! :)

I've not driven a Mk2 MR2 so I can't really compare - although I did toy with the idea of getting one for a while (it'd have had to have been a tubby though ;)).

 

My first Z didn't feel at all lardy, despite it's (enormous) size and weight - it felt like.. well, I guess like a bigger (more powerful) version of my Roadster :) I think it felt more 'planted' on the corners too, even though the Roadster is very chuckable it tends to feel a little floaty on high speed curves.

 

My current Z does feel a little barge-like, though - but that's mainly down to it having four practically nonexistant shock absorbers.. d'oh! :)

 

Sounds good, the MR2 is very sure footed round corners, but then a lot of that with mine is down to the suspension and strut braces, so there's always room for improvement. I do know what you mean about feeling a little floaty though, sometimes you kinda feel you literally only just held it on the edge ;) I don't like really big cars that have masses of body roll and feel so lardy though, find it off putting but that may be just cos I'm so used to the 2's handling. Guess I need to feel how the Z handles round corners etc, but from what you and others say it'll probably suit me anyway :D

Sounds good, the MR2 is very sure footed round corners, but then a lot of that with mine is down to the suspension and strut braces, so there's always room for improvement. I do know what you mean about feeling a little floaty though, sometimes you kinda feel you literally only just held it on the edge ;) I don't like really big cars that have masses of body roll and feel so lardy though, find it off putting but that may be just cos I'm so used to the 2's handling. Guess I need to feel how the Z handles round corners etc, but from what you and others say it'll probably suit me anyway :D

 

Hi Gemmau

 

Remember the ZX is not mid-engined and weighs about 250kg more than Mister 2 so it won't feel quite as agile.....

 

.....having said that if the suspension is in good order or has been uprated it will handle just fine. The ZX is a GT car (in the same ilk an an XKR or Pork 928) not a pure sports car (like the 911). It was designed for comfortable, very fast cruising for 2 people and their (limited) luggage.

 

I reckon it is a good step-up from an MR2, it is a great driver's car. It may not be as advanced or polished as the Mk4 Supra but it has a heart and soul and according to Evo mag it is the enthusiast's choice.

 

My favourite aspect is the mid-range grunt. That torque goes on and on - brilliant for fast safe overtaking. You really can exploit any little gap in oncoming traffic when the turbos are singing in tune :bow:

 

Richard :cool:

Yep its back Auto v Manual!!!!

have had both and i tend to faver the

swb manual,but they do have there problems!

Gear box crunches on 1>2 3>4

up the power and your stock clutch will suffer.

even tho, the swb man is on the boost all the time!

giving you the thrill, all the time!

 

any z is better than none!

 

best of luck in your search

 

allan