Hi,

 

First off ill say hello, since I havent posted before ill just say my names Seb and I currently drive a Rover 600 2.0 Ti but am planning on trading it in for a 300ZX.

 

Im specifically after a 3.0 V6 Targa 3d (280bhp?), I dont like auto gearboxes, they take the fun out of driving imo.

 

What should I look out for when buying? Any tips? Any frequent faults to look for, bad signs etc?

 

I just basically need to know everything there is to know! :)

 

On another topic, the reason I came here is because I saw a 300ZX (red I think) at the island (round-about) in coventry (where theyre building the new football stadium) and it had 300zx.co.uk stuck all over it. :D Im assuming that would have been one of you guys?

 

Anyway any help is much appreciated. :bow:

Seb I'm a new guy to this site too but been a Zed Hed for a few years, when you find a Z it will be the best thing you ever did. Have a look whats for sale here 1st as after a couple of weeks visiting this site I can tell you these guys are dedicated to the point of insanity and I'm pretty sure you'd be gettin a proper car. What ever you do don't rush into anything, there seems to be plenty about. I have no real tech knowledge myself but post any querries here and I'm sure you'll be ok......Good huntin ;)

Welcome :D

 

and a fine choice ;)

 

There is a excellent buying guide here : http://www.300zx.co.uk/tech/BuyingZ.htm

Perfect. Top Stuff. Ill print it out :hyper:

all are 3.0 V6 3d, & 99% are targa tops too!, there are a few rare convertables & slick tops.

 

the 280bhp version is the good old Twin Turbo model. available in UK & Import models (a few differences between the 2, the biggest problem is some insurence co.s dont like imports & either charge a premium or refuse to insure at all!)

 

check out our for sale section as buying a members car is prob the safest bet :)

Welcome.

it'll make you cry to your bank manager when it breaks (it is an older, turbo'd sports car after all) but when its working there isnt much that'll give you the same rush. even ignoring the fact that they waste imprezas like they're kids toys you get the feel of a real sports car and not a tuned road car (impreza, all hot hatches, dare i say skyline?) as it was designed as just that. other cars in the same league are things like the BMW M3 evo but they are again a big box, costly and dont give the same feeling as the Z.

Things to be wary of, in my small knowledge:

1. Dodgy connectors, etc. every second post on here is cured by this.

2. Turbo's are a weak point on any older turbo car and its best to budget for replacement unless they have been done recently.

3. Accident damage. the nature of these cars means a lot of them get driven hard and some will have been crashed.

4. rust on UK models or jap cars that have been in the country for a while. same as any other car really

5. any knocks, rattles, smoke, strange noises or anything which doesnt seem quite right. as i said, these cars usually get driven hard and when something breaks it will cost a lot to fix it.

6. poor fuel economy. @17mpg on a run is the norm but considering the power on tap its not really innefficient. just powerful.

i hope this little list doesnt put you off. they are deffinately no worse than any other turbo sports car of this age (Toyota Supra, RX-7, Mitsubishi GTO, etc) and are usually faster than them too. get yourself a good one and you'll have one of the best sports cars money can buy (even today-its quicker than the new 350Z) also, when you eventually get bored, there is a LOT of tuning and styling stuff out there for the Z. 500bhp is quite obtainably and some have seen quite a lot more. good luck and happy hunting. si.