Hi aguys

I'm looking for a new car on really like the idea of a 300zx.

I think an N/A will be more than quick enough for now and i'd struggle to pay the insurance on a TT anyway.

My main concern is finding a manual one, what is the auto like to drive? Are there any problems with the box kicking down mid corner etc (i've never driven an auto and i'm a bit worried about not being in full control when the engines making 200BHP+!).

 

You guys clearly love your 300's but how do they compare with the 200sx? Insurance and performance (of the N/A 300) seem similar on paper but am i missing something.

 

Anything I else I should know before trying to buy one?

 

Sorry about the basic questions but any help would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

Russell

I do'nt know how they compare with a 200sx but I love my N/A Manual and now I am doing even more to it I will never want to sell it. I am glad I started with an N/A as I think if I had a T/T I would probably of crashed it by now, as my N/A is very tail happy.

used to own a 200sx s14 manual now got a 300 (TT auto), both nice cars, but the 300 is a lot better to drive on longer distances. Both pretty tuneable if thats what your after, or quick standard.

 

The auto box is very good IMHO, and I was always a manual man myself previously. S14/14s gone up in ££ recently due to the drifting scene, and to be honest the 300 offers better value for money. Insurance was pretty much the same in my case as my s14 was modded to stage 2.

 

If your going for a 200 get the 14a (facelift) model, nicer car and tends to have a few under the bonnet slight improvements. I wouldnt go back to one though having driven my zed for 3 months. Always feels special driving it, and when you press the GO pedal really puts a smile on my face..

 

Any specific questions feel free to ask, but i hope this helps.

Remember also that a NA is an import and insurance companies load them anyway so a UK TT prolly costs same or less to insure. As to losing traction mid corner in the wet well you need to add traction control or have the wits to lift off smartly if you do begin to lose it. You also hopefully learn not to be a pratt when its wet - hopefully, or you wont have it long. Had my TTauto about 6 years now. Had some "nipper offer twitching" moments along the way!

Thanks for the replys guys. I'll start looking for a good one.

 

I'm a little worried about the oversteer (I've not had alot of experience with RWD), is traction control common on N/A's? How much does it cost to retro fit?

Thanks for the replys guys. I'll start looking for a good one.

 

I'm a little worried about the oversteer (I've not had alot of experience with RWD), is traction control common on N/A's? How much does it cost to retro fit?

Mine does'nt have traction control, and as long as your carefull you will not need it, like one of the above comments go easy in the wet and know when to punch it around corners its all part of the fun in owning one of these beasts :D

traction control is more of nice thing to have for the track in a standard 300, TT or N/A. They are powerful but as said above drive carefully in the wet and dont do anything too stuipid in the dry and it will be fine. The back should break away fairly predictably in the dry as long as you dont slam or lift off in a hurry.

 

To be fair to the zed, its not going to be any different to a 200sx either in the wet! Take it easy and build up experiance before opening her up.

 

After some practise, when its working good RWD and power is the best fun you can have on the road!!

for insurance, my UK spec TT cost less to insure than the import NA I had.

My two cents

Make sure you have good tires if you plan on driving in poor weather. Since putting good tires on my TT it drives like a dream in the rain. I also echo drive it with respect or she will bite your a55.

agree with what's been said..

 

I used to have an N/A and the uk TT would have been cheaper to insure but may end up costing more in maintenance costs (turbos etc). The TT is by far the faster car but both are great to drive. The N/A's handling was very predictable and you could feel the back end break away very nicely, it's not as scary either!

 

Depends on what you really want although finding a manual turbo in good condition may take some time? dare say there's a few for sale in this forum though.

 

good luck!

300ZX looks a million times better than a 200SX. The road presence of the ZX has people stopping and turning, something the 200sx just doesn't do.

christ if your worrying about back end out dont get an 200sx! my s13 would hang its arse out in the dry! but then again i loved it! its scary stuff but it can only make u a better driver

Might give the 200sx a miss then!

 

I'm not sure if I could handle a TT straight away, I'm a fairly sensible driver but I recently had a bad experience in a modded MR2 Turbo!

I'm looking forward to driving a RWD car but I want one that's as predictable as poss to learn in. Turbos (and lag!), SWB and mid engines aren't the best cars for beginners!

 

Therefore i'm still going to look for an N/A even if the insurance is the same.

 

Cheers again for all your help guys, you're more friendly than the MR2 lot!

 

:smw:

You wont regret getting a Zed, even if it is an N/A.

 

I love my N/A to bits even though I've spent an arm and a leg keeping it on the road...

My two cents

Make sure you have good tires if you plan on driving in poor weather. Since putting good tires on my TT it drives like a dream in the rain. I also echo drive it with respect or she will bite your a55.

 

This is so true - the 300ZX is no worse in the wet than any other powerful RWD car. Just fit decent tyres and be aware of the signs of the back letting go. When it does go, it is predictable and easy to bring back into line.......

 

.....although for inexperienced drivers previously used to FWD hot hatches it could be brown pants :D

 

Richard :smw:

I had a 200sx S13 for six years before getting my 300ZX (NA, auto).

 

Both are equally tail happy - it's fine if you're aware of it.

 

They're both similar in terms of performance - maybe the S13 was quicker off the line and the 300 is faster at higher speeds.

 

I was wary of driving an auto but it's fine.

 

Some people who've had a TT go on to get an NA as it's a better power delivery for everyday use and a more reliable car.

I used to have a S13 and it was quicker off the mark than my 300 TT Auto Import. But, I did a lot to the SX to get it that way (including new engine, FMIC, Bigger Tubby and 17 PSI boost. Blew up the first engine, :mac1: ). My TT is prety standard at the moment so may be being a bit unfair on the Z. Insurance was cheaper on the SX for me but not by a mad amount ( About £250 TPFT on the SX and £380 Comp' on the Z) if I remember right with the SX. I lost the back end a couple of times when getting used to the SX and did the same again getting used to the Z (some people never learn. lol). But I don't reckon one is worse than the other in that respect. The Z does turn heads but so did my bright purple SX with Mongoose fitted and the Blitz SS DV, :D . IMO the Z is a step up from the SX in quite a few ways and even though I realy liked the S13 I wouldn't go back from the Z to one. Parts are cheaper for the S13, easily so, and if you want something to throw around I'd say the S13 is a excellent choice. M8 of mine changed his S13 for a Z TT auto about the same time as me and he says prety much the same re' performance etc.

Oh, I was pleasently suprised at the TT auto box, the best auto I've driven easily and seems quicker than my M8s R33 Skyline Auto. Hope this helps.

Its probably easier to get back control of a zed when the rear goes than it is an MR2. The MR2s whip round due to the weight in the rear.

Its probably easier to get back control of a zed when the rear goes than it is an MR2. The MR2s whip round due to the weight in the rear.

 

Dave, what the bl00dy hell has happened to your sig buddy???!!! :rofl: ;)

ginger warrior,what is your email ,can send you some pics of a n/a 300, cheers woody

Its probably easier to get back control of a zed when the rear goes than it is an MR2. The MR2s whip round due to the weight in the rear.

 

I can agree with that..........!!!

 

You have probably seen the video of me at the Ring writing off my MR2T back in 2001.

 

Silver MR2T ....... If you havent Ill sort out a link someone must be hosing it these days.

I can agree with that..........!!!

 

You have probably seen the video of me at the Ring writing off my MR2T back in 2001.

 

Silver MR2T ....... If you havent Ill sort out a link someone must be hosing it these days.

Oh lets have the link bud!

 

Dave, what the bl00dy hell has happened to your sig buddy???!!! :rofl: ;)

 

You like it? Thought the surf one of me was getting a bit long in the tooth and nothing to do with Zeds!

 

Dave

More sound advice guys. The N/A seems like the car for me :hyper:

 

My email address is

 

russellcromack@hotmail.com

I do'nt know how they compare with a 200sx but I love my N/A Manual and now I am doing even more to it I will never want to sell it. I am glad I started with an N/A as I think if I had a T/T I would probably of crashed it by now, as my N/A is very tail happy.

 

I think they all are my auto is nutts in the wet.....ice is just a.... :nono:

You like it? Thought the surf one of me was getting a bit long in the tooth and nothing to do with Zeds!

 

Dave

 

Yeah, it's ace!!! Good to have a change every once in a while!!! Did like the surf one though, oh and just to make you feel home sick have you seen this website??? http://magicseaweed.com

 

Gives you the latest surf reports, swell, weather data, surf charts all over the world and you can up load yer own surf photo's (I've done a few of Gwithian & Godreevy... Check it out!!! (Having a few lessons from my sisters boyfriend at the mo as i'm still a surfer wannabe!!! Don't like the cold much though :( )

 

Jon

Ive been away from the list for about a week

 

Ok Ok so you want to see it

 

Only if you promise to take the piss :mad:

 

Now I gotta find it or get the original re-hosted

 

Youll like this......... not a lot.......but youll like it

 

John

 

Oh lets have the link bud!

 

 

 

You like it? Thought the surf one of me was getting a bit long in the tooth and nothing to do with Zeds!

 

Dave