coldel

What belly button... :w00t:

Super, good knowledge that!

Interested in the explanation of how the engines are different? Coming from a Skyline, the autos had less power because the gear box is in effect a torgue convertor which gobbles up some power - the engine is the same. Are the 300zx's different then?

One of the advantages of a forum is the geographic diversity of the owners - if one is properly far away, I am sure an incentive (beer?) could be offered to a friendly member who is very local to the car to give it a once over before you invest in a £150 round trip - nothing better than having an enthusiast look a car over for you in any case.

So what happened, your insurance company has simply said they will stump it up? Split costs?

How does it have more power than a 350z if its effectively the same VQ35DE engine? What modifications does it have? EDIT: aaaah you said 'your Z' I presume you have a 300zx NA then :thumbup1:

Not wanting to *&%! stir but I was in contact with the seller of this car and never quite trusted the car. The car looked under-used and advisories sat on the MoT history without being dealt with. I emailed about the cars details and looked into it but then I didn't email them about the car for about a week then I got an email from them boasting that they had sold it to someone else for more than they were offering it to me for and that it was the 'best car the buyer had ever seen' and generally gloating, why would someone in their right mind do that? I didn't reply but when I saw this thread did reply and told them that the belt has gone, they replied to say that it was your fault for racing and drifting it and driving it wrong. OK, I am stirring it, but the general message is that I would have a VERY good look over the rest of the car before you go throwing money at it, who knows what else is hiding away in there that hasn't been properly maintained.

Really, so a turbo car had no boost gauge, seems a bit of an odd decision, even if it was crap!

Either that or you have bought an NA :wink: That sounds really odd, that you have NA clocks in an TT - have you got an aftermarket boost gauge hooked up to monitor the boost pressure?

...if only I had a driveway to stick it on!

As your links say though, its generally the paint job that causes that rather than the cover - the cover will exacerbate any poor paint work and cause the blisters that would have come about eventually. Covers cant cause the underlying problem of blisters as the problem is in the dampness that is either in or under the paint or in the bodywork itself. The VX220 was highly susceptible to paint blisters because the panels got damp during production in one of the warehouses storing them. So around half of VX220s have paint blisters that will appear regardless. Mine was one that didnt, put a cover on it for six months, no problems at all. If the cover is properly breathable, a paint job that does not contain moisture will not blister, but if you have had a paint job where water has contaminated then it will likely accelerate blistering that would have come about at some point I would have thought. As per your comment, just opinion mainly based on the chaps views from VX220 forum where paint issues are one of the top things to consider when buying them!

Then you did it wrong mate, a breathable 4 layer cover should not cause blisters to paintwork - if the car was damp underneath the cover i.e. the rain got in then you would get the damage, I can only imagine that's what caused it. Or that you inadvertently bought a breathable indoor one? I know many people that use covers with no problems on 350z and VX220s both of which have very thin paintwork. As long as the car is clean, free of contaminates and not damp underneath then its fine.

Covers are fine - I used a Halfords premium one on my VX220 for 6 months and had no problems at all. I live on a heavily tree lined street, yes paint is waterproof but I didnt have the time to be endlessly outside cleaning tree sap (which is in fact aphid poo), leaves, etc off the car. As long as you clean the car properly before applying a good cover and secure it so it doesnt flap about it wont scratch the car.

Thanks guys, was hoping to see some not so immaculate views as well as the immaculate ones! Yes was annoyed at that, I asked him if it had any serious signs of rust and he said no. Fortunately it was only a 35 min drive and I very quickly scratched it off the list.

Had a look at it today, its on ebay and auto trader, it wasn't that far away so thought I would have a look - definite no though, so much more of that on the car.

Skylines used to suffer the suspension turret rust issues also - I saw in the rear arch this today even without going under the car...you can only imagine what the underside looked like.

Went and had a look at a 300zx today and had a good nose underneath, looked pretty rusty and I am sure the chassis looked twisted...anyway, just so I know what to expect when I look under these cars in terms of typically what rust I might expect to see, where, etc anyone got a few photos of their cars underneath? Set me a precedent for what I should be looking for. Ta very muchly in advance :w00t:

Don't be giving him ideas like that :huh:

No worries, we were out on the road half the time anyway. Took a few shots of Mikes car, heres one, hope you don't mind Mike but its a very pretty thing!

I should have realised the rugby was on before I set off from Richmond to Wraysbury, Twickenham is right in the way! Got there eventually and had a good drive out in Mikes NA, very nice car and great to get a serious owners view as well - many notes taken and will be referred back to! Cheers Mike!

Just to confirm still good for this, see you tomorrow guys. Col

To confirm Mike, got the all clear, see you Saturday 1pm at the perseverance (along with anyone else who fancies a swift half who is in the area!)

Looks good mate, will confirm asap and will join your Zed with our old faithful beat up family Ford Focus (the missus refuses to sell it!)

That would be awesome Gio, let me check with HQ whats happening next Saturday and will let you know...Col

Morning all, I wonder if I could ask a cheeky question - I am seriously thinking of getting a 300zx but would like a look around one for the first time in a non-sales environment so I get my bearings with the car and know what I am looking at. I wonder if anyone is close by I could drop by and have a look (maybe give me a passenger ride!) over their car with them and listen to their advice - will come armed with beers of course to compensate you for your time :wink: I am in Richmond, TW10 and will drive to you within reasonable distance. Thanks in advance Col