What to look for when inspecting a 300zx?

Discussion in 'Technical' started by zxing, May 19, 2013.

  1. zxing

    zxing New Member

    Hey guys, I've been lusting after a z32 for ages and i've finally scraped together the cash to buy one! I've already inspected one but it sold before i had the chance to put down a deposit unfortunately

    So I'm wondering if anyone can give me some tips for what to check when inspecting a 300zx? What are some common faults i need to keep an eye out for and so on?

    Thanks so much for all your help in advance and sorry if i posted this in the wrong place!
     
  2. black baz

    black baz black 'n blue Bazemy

    Check out the Tech Section ... there is an article there covering what you are after.
     
  3. scottyoz1962

    scottyoz1962 Active Member

    A bigger bank balance than what you already have, ahhh more hair so you got something too pull out, lots and lots of patience or plenty of prozac and booze oooh and lots of replenishable skin for days when you decide too work on it yourself.
     
  4. stumagoo

    stumagoo Active Member

    the ability to take the purchase price, subtract from a figure of around $10k possibly double and then spend to keep the car a viable form of transport.
     
  5. zxing

    zxing New Member

    Everyone is putting me off buying a 300zx with all this talk about spending :( hahaha
     
  6. scottyoz1962

    scottyoz1962 Active Member

    Ahhh grasshopper, as my grandfather once said too me in a moment of wisdom " if it has breasts or wheels , a man will never be able too afford it " .

    Seriously though we aren't trying too put you off, but you must understand depending on the year of car you will be dealing with a 20 year old + car, it is going too cost money too maintain, parts are not cheap, and the moment you walk into a mechanic or auto electrician especially one who does not know the cars well, have a close look at how many times his eyes spin with dollar signs in them. But once you get it right, they are a pleasure to drive, loads of fun, lots of looks especially if you don't over bling it. And expect lots of attention off the wonderful guys and gals in BLUE.
     
  7. zxing

    zxing New Member

    Thanks man i appreciate your honesty! I love these cars so much, and i think it's worth sacrificing a few nights out etc for it :D
     
  8. zxing

    zxing New Member

    I loved that quote by the way!
     
  9. scottyoz1962

    scottyoz1962 Active Member

    LOL that quote is one my Grandfather actually quoted too me many years ago, and it wasn't until i was old enough too understand what he meant.
     
  10. stumagoo

    stumagoo Active Member

    lol it was not my Grandfather but the guy was close to his age when I heard it.
     
  11. foremannz

    foremannz New Member

    Ok, to start off, it is a 20yo car, so its had 20 years for things to go wrong, and they will.
    Anything electrical will have brittle wiring and connectors
    Anything with rubber in it will probably be worn out - thats the entire suspension and subframe systems, intake systems, hell maybe event fuel systems.
    The engine is probably in dire need of a rebuilt - do a compression test
    Frontal impacts are easy to spot - if the bar holding the radiator has a twist in it above either headlight, it may have had a frontal impact in its life.
    I've started to see rust appear above windshields in jap imports in NZ - check carefully, as the cost to fix is NASTY!

    BUT, once you have gone through all of that, I'm telling you, as a man who has owned 5 working Z's plus more than 5 other parts cars, there is NOTHING like a Z32 300ZX, and I do mean nothing.
    My favorite bit is the lines from the back of the door though to the dash, then following on to the centre console - they seem to be designed as a single flow, not like an evo where they threw in a dash, then oh crap, lets make some door cards now ...
    I've also had girls come up to me, magnetized by the car - they don't know what it is, but it draws them in like a big-ass diamond in a gold display case ...
     
  12. stumagoo

    stumagoo Active Member

    Do be aware that this advice is not just a Z thing as a lot have mentioned its a 20 yr old car most cars this age have the chance to be in this condition. Unfortunately for us parts are expensive so often people buy the cars cheap run them into the ground and then flog them off to unsuspecting buyers.
     
  13. East Coast Z

    East Coast Z Well-Known Member

    If you have a read of the posts in the technical section, it will give you an idea of the types of problems encountered by forum members.
    If you buy at the lower end of the market you can expect to encounter many of these problems.
    If you find a Z that interests you, it would be worthwhile to have one of the forum members check it out for you, or get it inspected by someone familiar with these cars.
    DON'T believe the milage on the odometer!
     
  14. zxing

    zxing New Member

    Thanks so much guys! I'll take everything you've said into consideration and i'll have a read of the tech section articles on this :)
     
  15. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    Don't be put off, there are some great cars out there.

    If you spend a little extra up front for a genuinely good example you can enjoy years of relatively hassle free motoring.
     

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