Formerly Rotary

Understood about convertibles 'generally' being wobbly. However (and hopefully not to be too pig-headed) I was told by a number of reputable sources that I would 'never' get my RX 7 Cabriolet to 'handle right', particularly if I modified it, because it was much less rigid than the Coupe. One set of uprated suspension parts, strut braces front and rear and a significantly uprated engine (roughly 330 bhp, so about 230 bhp/tonne) and I have to say that there wasn't anything much that I came across on the road that could live with it through a series of bends (or, very often, in a straight line). I switched from this to a 986 Boxster 3.2 (roughly 200 bhp/tonne, but a significantly lighter car - roughly 1295 kg versus roughly 1495 kg and with the advantage of being a 'true' mid-engine, as opposed to the 'engine sits way behind the front wheels' layout on an RX 7). OK, I am not that good a driver, however the Boxster wasn't that much faster around bends (proves that '80's Japanese engineering was ahead of its time !). Plus, having had a series of fully open cars, I would very politely personally not regard a Targa top as a 'fully open' car (although I imagine Ferrari 246 Dino Spider owners etc. would disgaree strongly). Although I accept that a 300 ZX Targa top would be more rigid. Anyway, from what I have seen so far, it looks like my biggest challenge is going to be finding a car to get modified - unless I can arrange to get one imported from Japan.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. A few comments from my side: (i) I believe that the 300 ZX Convertible has a kerb weight of 1500 Kg ? To put that in perspective, a Porsche Carrera 997 Carrera S Cabriolet is also 1500 Kg. So is a Ferrari F430 Spider. The Lamborgini Mucielago is 1690 Kg. Even the latest Porsche Boxster is 1345 Kg - and that is light by modern car standards. Does this mean that these cars aren't 'sports cars' ? I have heard that, if you are a purist, a true sports car should not weigh more than 1000 Kg kerb weight. That means even the TVR Chimaera and Griffith (around 1059 Kg miss out. In fact, the only two that sneak in are the 1999-2004 MX 5 (1000 Kg, I think) and the MR 2 (a tad under 1000 Kg). My interpretation is that the 300 ZX is closer spiritually to a 997 etc. (i.e. a GT) than a MX 5 or MR2. If you uprate the engine to a turbo, then sensibly modify this with increased boost pressure etc. then I imagine that the Convertible would seriously worry some much more expensive machinary (including a normally aspirated 997). Which is exactly what I have in mind. (ii) Personally, if someone gave me a 997, Murcielago etc. i would sell it as I wouldn't want the hassle of owning one, knowing how (in the UK anyway) you are an immediate target of envy and hate. I doubt that a subtly modified 300 ZX would attract anything worse than admiring glances and the odd traffic lights Grand Prix. (iii) Assuming that the base vehicle is sound and not too cosmetically awful. it seems to me that spending 5000 pounds or so converting a NA Convertible to a Twin Turbo, so that the whole lot costs you around 11,000 pounds, isn't such a bad deal. What else will you get for this money ? A tired-out Porsche 944 Turbo Convertible or mega-mileage 968 one ? A bottom-of-the-price-range Chimaera or Griffith, with big question marks over longevity ? OK, maybe I am am justifying a semi-made decison, but (assuming that I can find the right car and someone to do the work to a high standard without ripping me off) the 300 ZX with a TT swapped for a NA sounds pretty good to me.

I have been interested in the 300 ZX Convertible for some time (after seeing nice one near work) and I am now thinking of buying one (if I can find a good example !!). However, having owned a couple of previous cars with around 200 and 230 BHP/tonne respectively, my ideal starting point would be a twin turbo manual - no offence intended, however I think that the NA version would not be what I am looking for performance-wise. (particularly an automatic) As what I know about them technically would just about cover a postage stamp, please bear with me if this a stupid question, but roughly how costly would it be to pick up a decent secondhand engine and manual box and have them fitted professionally ? I do not have the time, inclination or ability to attempt this myself. I am willing to spend a reasonable amount of cash doing this on the right car. Particularly after sinking over 7000 pounds into having my old RX 7 not despeartely well modiifed.