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.

make sure you got a daily runner to go along side the zed if you doing lots of miles, they are great to drive but not everyday. 1 they take the piss with petrol and 2 you cant hear the radio when you boot it. you will love it though, so much fun on a quiet motorway, not come up against anything as quick yet!

make sure you got a daily runner to go along side the zed if you doing lots of miles, they are great to drive but not everyday. 1 they take the piss with petrol and 2 you cant hear the radio when you boot it. you will love it though, so much fun on a quiet motorway, not come up against anything as quick yet!

 

Hi, I'm a new member, had my N/A jap import for a month and its pefect as a daily runner. Done about 2000 miles already and no problems at all. Its thirsty, but worth every penny.

Hi mate, like everyone says, be careful when buying a uk spec 300 as I used to own one, when I bought it it looked fine, as the months went by, bubbling started around the rear arches, had the rear spoiler removed because the paint was cracking and had to have a plate the width of the boot welded in as it had rotten all the way through. I now own a jap spec tt and the differance in condition is remarkable, insurance is not bad on the import either, i'm also 23, all modifications declared, £600 a year fully comp with Sky insurance, give it a shot.

Welcome to the club mate. I have a uk zed with no rust and it has never let me down yet. Just a bit of info not all uk zeds came with leather some had cloth but it was not the nasty tweed. The only tweed you will find on a uk one is on the early ones they had tweed round the bottom of the dash and door cards. If you go for a model made from 1993 onwards you wont get any tweed you will have alcantera on the bottom of the dash and door cards and it looks so much better. Good luck with your search mate and if you have any more questions all you have to do is put them up on here and as if by magic you will have your answers.

Welcome :cool:

 

Definatly shop around for insurance, it makes a big difference...some insurers sting you for Imports, others dont. One insurer can quote you £2500 and another will quote you £600 for the same car. :rolleyes:

 

All pre 93 cars Jap or UK have tweed panels and tweed or leather seats. 1993 onwards changed to either Leather seats with Suede panels or to Velour seats and Velour panels.

 

It then changed back to Black tweed from 95 onwards.

 

UK cars were available from 1989-1994 and Imports from 1989-2000.

 

As said check for rust, an import that has'nt been in the UK long will look like brand new underneath, whereas most UK models are rotting away......thats not to say there are'nt some well cared for and/or restored UK models out there, and the same applies to uncared for Jap models that have been here most there life too.

 

UK models limited to 2+2 Targa TT only. Jap models came in Twin Turbo and Normally aspirated - LWB(4 seater), SWB(2 seater) and Convertible(NA only). . Slicktop is the rare Hardtop version, and if your after a Targa model then no problems as nearly all Z32's are targa.

 

£5k is a decent budget but test drive as many as you can before choosing one, there are big differences between an Excellent example, a good example and a bad example but unfortunatly there are far too many bad examples out there.

 

Dont be afraid to ask questions, better to be well prepared before you purchase than to end up with a car that will cripple your bank balance shortly afterwards.

Dont be afraid to ask questions, better to be well prepared before you purchase than to end up with a car that will cripple your bank balance shortly afterwards.

 

...until he gets the "modding bug"....;)

 

Oh - and welcome...:D

Once again, thanks for all the information folks, I'll be giving some insurance companies a ring tomorrow to see what I can do in terms of UK/Jap spec insurance, I'm going to start drawing up a shortlist of exactly what I want and then get properly hunting.

Biggest issue is currently finding out when Honda want me to hand back my Accord as I've managed to get them to agree to end my contract on it due to the number of problems I've had with this piece of crap.

Sorry to double post but I felt a wee update was needed.

 

Had a call about insurance companies today and Sky came in the cheapest at: £1400, great thing is, the price was the same for either a UK or a Jap model so this really opens up the horizons for me. Just gotta keep my eye on Honda till they say it's okay to punt the Accord then I can get myself a new toy!

Excellent news! :nana2: :nana2:

 

It'll be much easier to find a nice jap one, in good nick. With your budget you should be able to get a Very Very nice example :D

Sorry to double post but I felt a wee update was needed.

 

Had a call about insurance companies today and Sky came in the cheapest at: £1400, great thing is, the price was the same for either a UK or a Jap model so this really opens up the horizons for me. Just gotta keep my eye on Honda till they say it's okay to punt the Accord then I can get myself a new toy!

 

£1400:x: that over £1k more than I'm paying, you should try a few more!

£1400:x: that over £1k more than I'm paying, you should try a few more!

 

One big difference between you and him, is you're 39 and he is 23! ;)

 

I don't disagree, a few more quotes should be obtained, however he is not going to get insurance as cheap as you can :)

Sorry to double post but I felt a wee update was needed.

 

Had a call about insurance companies today and Sky came in the cheapest at: £1400, great thing is, the price was the same for either a UK or a Jap model so this really opens up the horizons for me. Just gotta keep my eye on Honda till they say it's okay to punt the Accord then I can get myself a new toy!

Welcome.

 

You have done the right thing looking at insurance for a Jap import.

Even if you find a good UK model it is likely to be modified in one way or another which you should declare on insurance and this can push the cost higher than a non-modified jap example.

 

even when looking at jap models check for rust. it is much less likely to be there but check anyway.

 

if you had been a little quicker you could have had my old zed. that went for a bargain.

 

good luck with the search...

you're 39 and he is 23! ;)

 

I don't disagree, a few more quotes should be obtained, however he is not going to get insurance as cheap as you can :)

 

He should hope to pay around the same as you, I currently use Admiral so give them a try. UncleScar if you are coming along to the Scottish meet on the 24th I will see you there, I can show you where to find all the rusty bits on my UK ZX:(

Considering I'm just over 1k p/a for my Accord I don't think an extra 400 a year is bad at all considering how much cheaper it is than my other quotes, I've had a damn good shop about today and Sky is coming in at the cheapest so far.

 

But yeah, gonna keep my eyes peeled till such time as I actually physically pay the cash for a 300.

 

And yes Berrica, I'll still be along for the meet.

i was 26 when i got mine and insurance was only £600 dropped steadily every year only paid £300 last year :)