i am going to look at a '90 TT manual tomorrow. The mileage is 120k, the car is a uk model, leather..blah blah blah. Does anyone know of anything in particular that i should look out for with the car at this mileage.

 

i used to own a rover V8 and this sort of mileage means nothing for an engine of that size, but for the nissans i am not so sure when factoring in turbo useage. Any tips or comments are welcome.

 

cheers

 

Steve

There are a bunch of buyers guides linked here, should cover most things :- http://www.300zx.org.uk/tech_20.htm

 

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Z32 technical article index - 300zx.org.uk

cheers Andy,

i had read some of these and even printed some out to take with me when i was looking at other cars. the notes dont tell you what to look out for when the mileage gets high, ie does the head gaskets get tired? does the body rot out anywhere? do the axles on have x amount of life. hopefully no one will have any bad news to tell me!

 

cheers

 

Steve

Look at the history. Look if its had regular oil changes at the correct intervals. My car has 150,000 miles and stull orginal turbos.

Look for rust on the rear sills. The drain from the t tops comes out there and if its blocked the water settles on the inside of the sill.

I suppose the first thing that springs to mind is the 2nd 60K service i.e. Cambelt water pump etc, then I guess you're looking at turbos, although having saidf that Craig,s car is 100K+ and still on the origianl blowers I believe.

 

As with any car of that mileage and probabally more importantly with the zed is proof of service history and care by the previous owners.

 

Added to the above is the dreaded rust, Zeds do rust and I believe that sills are very expensive to replace.

 

HTH and good hunting

 

Tim

cheers guys, will be looking at the car tomorrow, will keep thoswe points in mind

 

steve

Well - I bought my UK TT last September with 108K on the clock.

 

The advice I would give you is check for turbo smoke straight away. Try and get to the car when the engine is stone cold. Turn the ignition on, turn the A/C to Auto and REC and start her up. If you get looks of white smoke - RUN FOR THE HILLS!

 

If you get there and the engine is warm, do a rev test. Take a mate with you and get him to rev the car at 2500 revs and you stand at the back. If after 10-20 seconds you get blue smoke coming out of either banks of exhausts - RUN FOR THE HILLS!

 

* MAKE SURE THE REAR TYRES ARE ATLEAST 245'S AND BE SUSPICIOUS IF THEY ARE BRAND NEW.

 

* CHECK FOR REAR END WOBBLE AT SLOW SPEEDS - I.E.BUSH WEAR

 

* CHECK THAT TICK OVER IS LIKE SILK.

 

* IF YOU GET REAR END WOBBLE (LIKE FISH-TAILING)UPON ACCELERATION - LET HIM DRIVE IT BACK.

 

AND LASTLY....

 

* WHILST YOU TURN THE IGNITION ON, HANG YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE CAR AND KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE REAR WHEEL. IF IT DOES A LITTLE WIGGLE, HICAS PROBLEMS COULD BE ROUND THE CORNER SO TAKE THE CAR FOR A SPIN ANYWAY AND GIVE IT SOME THRAP!

 

Hope this helps - apologies for the caps!

How did it go then?

 

Any good?

the clutch was seriously on the way out and the gear lever was REALLY stiff, but the action was smooth. it had had 11 previous owners, which i didnt like, but the current owner had had it serviced frequently since he owned it (all at nissan as well). the price was cheap 3.5k, age = 1990. just didnt feeL right though, so never went for it.

 

However, i bought Philyctt's car, much better, 92, man, not modified really, service history, very nice, chuffed to bits to be honest. best manual i have seen.

 

just have to pop out again for another spin on those lovely yorkshire country roads..wahhooo.

Philly has sold his Z???

 

 

 

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yeh bought it from phillyctt, nice car.