Hi people. Just thought I would reintroduce myself. My name is Scott.... I have owned & driven Japanese cars for many years now including MR2, Prelude, 200 sx etc etc..... To cut a long story short I have always loved the 300 but never felt brave enough to own one as I know there are alot of dogs out there & I don't want to get bitten.

 

Basically I will be in the market to buy in the next week or two with a budget of 4 - 4.5k..... I have been keeping my eyes on the for sale bit as well as Autotrader. Thing is Im not the most mechanically minded person in the world...... :rolleyes:

 

Anyway I guess Im asking if there is anyone in my area that would fancy coming along with me & pointing me in the right direction as far as the heakth of the vehicle is concerned!? Obviously a pint or 2 in it for you :duffer:

 

Im just round the corner from Ztech too.... Never been a better time for me to own one eh!? :bow:

 

Look forward to your replies :dance: :dance:

Can no-one help me with this!? awwww..... Hoping to join the fold very soon guys! I have read through the buying guide... I guess I will have to rely on that & hope for the best!

Can no-one help me with this!? awwww..... Hoping to join the fold very soon guys! I have read through the buying guide... I guess I will have to rely on that & hope for the best!

would ryan from ztech go with you??

i would but i really wouldn't know what to look for on a tt sorry bud!

Hi there, bought my first Zed 10 days ago. Like yourself, always fancied one. Do it Dude. You will not be dissapointed

By the way, sourced mine on e-bay. Looking for about a month. Try and get a phone no so you can ask questions direct.

Make sure you go and test drive as many as you can to get a "feel" for what they're like. Try and a get along to a local meet. check out the Events and Meetings section.

Also have you decided on the type you want eg auto or manual, SWB or LWB, TT or N/A?? As with any car as long as it's been well serviced with regular oil changes things should be OK. Of course you do have to remember that the majority of them are now 15 yrs+ so bear that in mind.

Take your time and hopefully you'll end up with a good car in the spec/colour/style that you want.

 

Oh, hello and welcome

hi scott , just out of interest ,there is a meet this sunday at thurrock , its in our south east section , i no it may be a little far from you but could save you a lot of money in the long run , as you could see many different zeds there ..

And im sure most of us would only be to glad to take you out for a spin , or even let you have go ,good luck with looking just remember to be patient and dont buy the first zed you see unless its a goodun of course , you can pick all of our brains at meet to any qestions and what to look out for, all the best paul

Hi guys & thank for the advise & replies.

 

I think I know what I want as I've already asked a few questions, but feel free to correct me if Im wrong.

 

Im after an Import (always had imports as generally higher specced, lower milaged, less rust issues) TT (the whole reason I changed cars is for a faster more refined car) LWB (I read that the handling characteristics can be different on the SWB & although I think the SWB looks slightly better & is a 2seater, the LWB will be less twitchy!?) I also want the T-Bar (I have a Del Sol so the roof coming off is a bonus & glass roof is always nice) Oh question about this... Do the TTops leak, sqqueak or rattle much!? On the Sol 100% silicon grease solved most probs, but the squeaking was very annoying.

 

Colour isn't too much of an issue as the car will be kitted & resprayed at some point.... Most important thing is to find a mechanically sound one with decent bodywork!

 

Oh & I would prefer a manual... Im not that against an Auto, just I have heard the auto can be problematic & may need rebuilding!? Also I like to work the gearbox as opposed to have it do it for me if you know what I mean!?

 

Oh & thanks for the invite to the Thurrock meet... Unfortunatley it may be just a little too far for this Sunday :(

shame you cant make it some nice zeds will be there ,you might of pick up info so you werent so green buying one,my own personal oppinion is uk car manual,full service history,decent milage, check for smoke when you kick it,

Awww the Beast is gonna be there! Now thats a car I'd like to see in the flesh!

 

I can understand why you'd say go UK with FSH but we are talking about a 15 year old car right (or thereabouts) Im assuming that most UK cars of this age will be rust buckets & Im not sure how much value FSH holds if the engine is nearing rebuild anyway!? Just a thought..... I hope Im not being stoopid! lol

Im assuming that most UK cars of this age will be rust buckets & Im not sure how much value FSH holds if the engine is nearing rebuild anyway!?

Hi Scott - it all depends on maintenace and care bud! I have seen some shocking UK rust buckets, but don't assume that a Jap import won't have these sort of problems (or worse)!

 

Good, low mileage cars that have been garaged for their entire lives in the UK are rare I'm afraid :( (and mine's not for sale! ;) )

 

Shame you can't make Thurrock!

 

CheerZ

 

Steve :)

Oh flinkin blip..... You all got me thinking now. Maybe I could make Thurrock? So there will be people there that might let me have a little sit or a ride in their Zed? I can be a little shy around people I don't know. Don't look at me ..... I'm shy!! lol

 

Can anyone tell me about the roof panels? do the squeak or leak etc? Its just that I want the new car to feel solid & refined... clunk as opposed to a tinny slam of the doors etc.

I've had a Zed where the Targa tops leaked a little, only drops though. Nothing of any major concern. The same one made a few noises but again not of any concern. My current one has no problems at all.

Its a long way to Thurrock but if you can do it it'll be worthwhile to see what a good nick Zed looks and goes like. As you say there are a lot of dogs out there and its not always obvious with the excitement of buying.

Dave

Cheers Royal..... Im afraid it's a little too far & as Im moving next weekend, I really should be thinking about packing (oo ek).

 

I had a quick look at your car too.... Looks very nice (in your rides I mean)... I like red & even like your rear lights... Ive never been sure about those style rears but they look nice. I think I will prob go for 99 spec stuff on mine when I get it (well front bumper & rear lights anyway) also if I get one with the standard rear spoiler can I just remove it & get the bodyshop to smooth & respray? Only I keep hearing tailgate skin & wondering if this is not quite so simple.