Hi to everyone and very pleased to be a part of this community.
Just bought my first 300ZX on Monday (29/06/09), although I have to say that I have been in love with the car since it was launched in 1990 and I was doing my GCSEs!
Anyway, finally my heart ruled my head and I got myself an imported 1993 non-turbo manual, in pearlescent white.
What I now need is expert guidance from yourselves!
As for initial impressions/views:
- car still looks stunning, even after nearly 20 years. Everyone in the office is very envious and imagines that it must be soooooooo expensive.
- interior is equally modern and still beautiful.
- on the road however, I have to say that I am very disappointed and this must be due to the example I have as I am sure when new or well maintained, it's a delight. This is where I need your help.
Engine : idles smoothly and is quiet. However, when revved, becomes somewhat rough and noisy.
When on the road, is noisy, inconsistent and rough up to 3000 revs and then a surge of smooth power comes in between 4000-6000 revs.
I also have a Mercedes E280 Auto with 165,000miles on the clock, and I have to say that though no sports car, it is much faster than this Z and also handles better!!!
Gearbox : Stiff and clunky. Again, probably only this specific example.
Nissans are famous for great gearboxes, and I have driven a R34 Skyline which had a very sweet gearbox.
Ride & Handling : Wallows along, which suggests the shock-absorbers need replacing.
You may by now wonder why I bought it?
Positives:
- Immaculate body. Even better after I washed and waxed it. Will post some pics later.
- Clean interior for the age.
- Engine idles nicely.
- Targa roof, that looks great and does not leak.
- Non-turbo. Scare stories regarding leaking and expensive turbos deterred me from the turbo version.
Basically, the things that cannot be replaced easily (body and interior) are sound.
Question is:
- Any comments on the above?
- Any suggestions on how to tackle these issues?
- Where is the best place to get a Z evaluated and serviced?
- Where is the best place to buy things like oil filters, fuel filters, spark plugs, shock absorbers etc?
- How many MPG can I expect on the motorway? My E280 does 15 in town but 30 on the motorway, so am used to dreadful MPG.
- Where can I get instructions on how to use the fan/air-con controls on the instrument pod?
- Does this car have cruise control?
All help and advice greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Pervez.
Thanks for the quick response. I'm actually in Basingstoke, near Reading. I appreciate that responses to many of my questions are probably on this site somewhere but it is probably going to take me a while to learn my way around. In the meantime, hopefully you guys won't mind helping me. Regarding the pod, I definitely have the 2nd generation as you describe it. Handling - how much would an overhaul of the springs and shocks cost? What's the best way to get this checked out? Gearbox - understand what ur saying about the oil, but could it just be worn out? How long do these boxes normally last? Finally, the car has a Pioneer Carrazzerio DEH-500 audio system, which I can tell was probably awesome in its day as I'm fairly good with these things, but an hour later am still trying to fathom it! Any idea where I may be able to find a user guide? Searched the internet but no luck. Oh - and the power antenna doesn't come out. I can hear it whirring though... Pervez