I've been looking for a 300 zx for a while now and finally found what looks like a good one but the numbers showing the mileage are not in line like i think they should be; is this normal?? please help

 

 

cheers, martyn

Misaligned numbers can imply it's been clocked but not necessarily. Are you looking for a UK or J Spec?

thanks for your reply; looking for a uk spec 93 onwards.

It is pretty much an urban myth that mis-aligned numbers = clocked cars

Gear driven odometers (as in the Z) all, at some time, look mis-aligned if you have ever owned any car for more than say 30k you will have seen this. I did 70,000miles in my first car bought from new and it always had some number looking odd.

 

Having said that my Z has been clocked. I know cause I did it !

 

When I converted the speedo to MPH I 'corrected' the odometer to its exact Mileage equivalent. I did this mainly to keep an accurate track of servicing which I do religously and the fact that 101,000km of its life it was a KM odometer and now it is Mileage.

 

It is not an easy job at all and I would suggest that most rogues who wanted to do it for the wrong reasons would rather fit second hand clocks !!!!!!

 

If you are about to buy a Z I would suggest history is as important as condition, I would only buy from an enthusiast with a fat file of receipts and a genuine reason for sale. At a pushI would go with a standard import from a reputable importer perhaps off this list.........

The Z is way too much of a mechanical marvel to risk anything else.

A bad car could be an absolute money pit.....

It is pretty much an urban myth that mis-aligned numbers = clocked cars

 

...............A bad car could be an absolute money pit.....

 

Both very true statements!

 

Most odometers with old analogue digits look misaligned at some stage - like when just clocking over the next 1000 miles. Julia's W reg corsa does and we have owned it from a few months old. Bought from a main dealer, guaranteed 6k miles at the time, now up to 48k.

 

My ZX occasionaly shows uneven odo digits as it clocks over to the next 1000 miles until about 10-30 miles have passed. After that they are perfectly even.

 

Ultimately though (as with any used car) unless you buy a mint UK spec car with perfect history, etc you cannot believe the mileage reading. On a 10-15 year old car the general condition is more relevant than mileage. Try and take a club member with you when you view a ZX.

 

Good luck

 

Richard :smw: