Hey folks,

 

I've had a good look about the forum and can't see anywhere specific to post this sort of thread so here goes.

 

I've signed up today basically because I'm looking to pick up my first 300zx within the next 2 to 3 months.

 

I've had a good look about and a good search but I'm only finding myself more and more confused. :(

 

I've seen terms banded about like LWB/SWB: Which I assume means Long Wheel Base and Short, respectively, but I can't actually find out what the difference is. I'm not sure what a slick top is nor what the difference between a Targa and a T-Bar is...

 

ARGH!:confused:

 

So really, the point of my post is this:

 

With a 5k budget what realistically should I be looking to get?

I'd love to get a Uk spec TT as at 23 insuring a J-spec import is unreasonably expensive. The insurance isn't much of an issue so long as I keep it UK spec as I have a family member who works for a large insurance broker and I get a healthy family discount.

 

So any and all help would be greatly appreciated and if this has been posted to the wrong section then I apologise but I just didn't know where else to go and/or look for this kind of help.

 

Thanks.

LWB more stability on longer faster corners.

SWB more responsive round the shorter corners, its also lighter so slightly better braking and acceleration.

 

Targa T-tops= same thing, the roof can be disasembled in two pieces which leaves you with a T shaped bar in middle and no roof so you can stick your hand out and wave to all the woman. heellloooo

 

Slick top= a roof with no sunroof or targas which in turn gives the chassis less flex and makes it more rigid better for handling etc.

 

 

Bear in mind when buying a uk 300zx as they tend to have alot more rust than a jap import due to salt laying on the roads.

 

But you can of course find a very good example for 5k with no rust fsh etc etc

 

 

I bought myself a jap import for 2000 which needed some work but this way i was able to modify it with the extra £££ to how i liked it and recondition alot of the mechanical parts: suspension steering etc

but its your choice what you do with the money.

if its a uk car your after you cant go wrong, they only come in long wheel base twin turbo and targa tops

Ahhh excellent, Twin-Turbo Targa it is!

mine is a uk car, although it has changed a lot lol

This I can see, does look awesome though!

I'm really liking the leather interior, determined to get one with leather, not too keen on the tweed at all.

Only the uk versions came with leather i think.

most uk cars (if not al) came with leather

Woohoo! This keeps getting better and better!

Now I just need to get rid of my current car and then find myself a 300!

My biggest peice of advice bud, if you going for a UK, check very VERY carefully for rust! ;) Because it'll be a b4stard to put right!

have a read through this, oh and i nearly forgot, welcome to the forum

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/tech/BuyingZ.htm

you'd be best off buying one from this site, least then you can see what problems its had in the past and will be able to get views from other people that have seen it :)

Have a quick look at this bud, the last thing i want to do is put you off buying a zed, just be careful with the UK ones :)

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=90246

if you do go and look at one, take someone with you who knows about these cars, or if you see one i a certain area post it up on here and see if anyone on this site is close and could meet up with you to take a look at it with ya

Have a quick look at this bud, the last thing i want to do is put you off buying a zed, just be careful with the UK ones :)

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=90246

 

I don't have permissions to view that thread, probably because I'm not a "paid" member, but no point in doing that till I've got a 300!

 

I'll more than likely be using this site to buy one now, I'm willing to travel basically anywhere to get my hands on a good example so I'll be sure to keep the advice in mind and ask someone on here to come with me for a look.

I don't have permissions to view that thread, probably because I'm not a "paid" member, but no point in doing that till I've got a 300!

 

I'll more than likely be using this site to buy one now, I'm willing to travel basically anywhere to get my hands on a good example so I'll be sure to keep the advice in mind and ask someone on here to come with me for a look.

 

It basically shows what a rusty 300 looks like!

 

If you need to go for a UK one, then just be very diligent when you view it, go in scruffs and get underneath it, check the sills, wheel arches etc.... ;) :)

Will do, thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

This won't be the first "classic" car I've owned.

 

I've had a look through the Buying a Z link StellaZ posted and that's certainly given me quite a few things to look for, so I'll just add "rust" onto the list.

 

Hell I've got rust on my current 2005 Accord Type-S, can't believe it! (one of the reasons I'm parting with it, the other being it's a bit slow)

Here are the pictures. Like i said, i'm not trying to put you off, just be very diligent when looking it over otherwise you'll end up with this. Personally i would never buy a UK zed as i looked at a few and they did'nt come close to the condition of a Jap car. Have you had a proper look for insurance quotes for a Jap zed???

 

To be honest, not really, I've taken a note of some numbers from the insurance thread specifically for Adrian Flux and Sky insurance, gonna give em a call and get a rough quote.

 

Just easier for me to get insurance if it's a UK model or an import which is "identical" to the UK spec.

try elephant .co.uk, put as many drivers on the policy as possible, i got a good deal with them

Well try your best to get some quotes for an import, as really good UK zeds are quite hard to come by. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of Japs that are not up to standard, however the bodywork on them tend to be good :)

:D have not got any advice, just welcome to the club, hope you find a good one and have great plesure in owning it. :D

Thanks!

Really desperate to get my hands on one but I've set myself a time frame that means I can sit and look at a few and pick one I know is right.

:nana2: best way to do it bud do not rush into it. :dance:

A very big welcome to the Club Dude.Mine is a UK Spec car no rust and never let me down in 9 years of ownership.Might sell you my engine bay for 5K Lol.;)

You can have my UK manual TT for £4,500 (might haggle), if you like. Out of tax and MOT, but had an engine re-build 9,000 miles ago, new turbos less than 20,000 miles, snf new brake pads and Falken tyres less than 1,000 miles ago. Should go straight through an MOT - has done the past 3 times. You can e-mail me at j dot mcphail at sky dot com, if you like, and I can send pics.