Convince my parents that Zeds aren't junk!

Parents aren't budging :/ Dad just seems to believe it's not practical, which it's probably not but i want a zed so bad maybe I should just look at cheap ones, but then, like everyone has been saying, the less you spend, the more you spend on repairs :/ thats why I'm so interested in zxboss' one (recently rebuilt) I could buy it, it will just take me a year to work enough to get all the cash, at least if I buy it the parents can't complain.

 

You forgot the 'BOOM!' after the 1st gear clutch dump in that second smiley. :rofl:

MoulaZX

 

When i was younger there was there was things ( cars/bikes/jet ski's ) i wanted and had to have so i bought them. A lot of older ( wiser ) people tried to talk me out of buying them but did i listen HELL NO. Do i believe a Zed is a wise buy for a first car HELL NO. It will cost you a lot of money to run and keep going for sure. A better choice for a first car would be a clean 4 cylinder . I know it will not impress your mates but think of these few things. You will have more money for other things , why ? - you will get further on a tank of gas and should have a lot lower repair costs. Also it will be more pratical for carrying mates around. Not much point having a great looking car siting at home and you have to walk every where because you are always broke. So in the end it's your life and your decision. Your parents are only trying to give you good advice and help you using wisdom gained from there own lifes journey. I know it sucks to think they know more than you but sometimes they do. I'm in my 40's and look back and laugh now at the things i did against my parents wishes and relise just how right they where but one things for sure you cannot change the past. I will leave you with a saying that pretty much describes young males.
YOUNG - DUM - AND FULL OF COME

 

Dont get one, you will probably kill your self in it.

 

Just get one.
I was in essentially the same boat, rents didn't want me to get one, I still got one.

Verdict? I wouldn't have many other cars for my first, bar an s2k really...

Sure its cost me a shit ton and sure theres a lot more coming (my choice), but for the sheer experiance of driving a Z32, its worth it.

 

got my z32 as my first car, had it for almost 3 years now. yeah its cost me a little in maintenance and upkeep but like bracket said, its worth it. treat it right and it will look after you too. steer clear of a tt as ur first one though

also theres a FS thread with my name on it if u wanna take a look

 

I can about 550km to a tank in my N/A if I'm only doing conservative highway driving. If you're driving it like the sports car it is then co sider that figure to drop considerably.. About $75 for a tank of 98 octane out here in central NSW...

I spent A LOT of money on my car from buying the wrong one. Have somebody who knows Z32s specifically to come with you or perhaps get a forum member with a clean example to come around and show your parents... Probably still won't work

 

My Z is the first car I've owned and I've had it close to a year now, without any of the drastic problems that some are describing. I've had one injector die and that's it, in which I decided to replace all 6 of them to be safe. Fair enough that cost me about $1K to do, but it could have cost me 10% of that if I really wanted it to. So for the year that I've owned it, it has only forced me to spend an extra $19.23 a week to keep it running. All other expenses were of my choice.

I'm not at all saying you would have the same first run as me, it all depends on how clean the car is that you get.

 

Seems so far you've got some great tips & pointers to help convince those parents of yours :rofl:

But if they're more the visual types, a couple of pics might help your arguement!


These cars can actually fly... just briefly











...all the best

 

WHOA!!! Haven't seen this pic before!!!

Whats the story here?

 

My bet would be that a collectors warehouse got burnt down

 

Luv it.

 

Funniest thing with the crash pictures though, no one actually killed, or seriously injured, these cars are somehow impossibly safe (alot more than other cars of the time) in dangerous situations.
Also, a TT as a first car... definitely go with what Warren said and do a defensive driving course, or three. :br: [TIS]

 

Aidan you should post up a pic of your first zed...the aftermath

Abraham

 

My View

Your dad is right in one thing, the 300zx is not by any stretch of the imagination a practical car. The following argument applies:

SPACE -
It is difficult to fit more then one passenger (or impossible to if you had a 2 seater), the boot is still quite small (even if you fold down the 2+2 seats).

FUEL CONSUMPTION -
The 300zx as you would know was designed as a performance sports car, and it acts like one by guzzling petrol like it's free. Which ever way you look at them, the consumption figures are still pretty poor compared to newer cars of the same capacity and cylinders.

MAINTENANCE -
Parts are always available, though some may be harder to get then others and some parts cost quite a bit of money compared to others. Keep in mind, the 300zx is about 20 years old. (most examples anyway), and no matter how immaculate the previous owner was or how good an example you managed to get, maintenance cost will still be higher then most newer cars very simply it is an older car and due to wear and tear, more bits need replacing. At the same time, you should know the engine bay is tight and not exactly access friendly. At the same time, taking them to the workshops tend to cost more for that reason (more work to get to various sections of the engine). And at the same time, you will also realise that you can't send these cars to just any mechanic. You will want someone with experience and recommended by forum members.

Looking at that, it will seem like I am discouraging you. In some ways, yes I am. But I am not doing this with any malicious intent, I am just stating the facts of this car. I owned my Z for 8 years now and I love it. The Z was my dream car and I wanted one ever since I saw it at a motor show when I was 12!

But I have to concede the facts above. I used to use my Z as a daily run around, but for the practical reasons, I ended up getting a 2nd car for a run around and my Z is now a weekend/project car.

The 300zx is a beautiful car, and it has a classic shape which still turns heads 20 plus years on. It is not the fastest car around any more (yes even some newer 4 cylinder cars can outrun you) but it still is considered a reasonably fast car. It requires alot of looking after, and quite a bit of research prior to even owning one.

My real advice to you will be to really think about it before committing to getting one. If you really decide to go ahead, you need to really research it before buying and of course convincing your parents. At the same time, if you are committed to owning one, I will also advice you to start learning some basic mechanical skills. (either online, or even from fellow forum members) Trust me, this will go a long way to helping you look after the car as well as reducing some maintenance costs (ie instead of sending it to the workshop for everything).

Hope this is helpful. (yes I know in some ways discouraging and I apologize.) Good luck with this decision mate!

 

Just tell your parents it will help you in getting a nice good looking wife They have a lot of attraction

Abraham

 

only advice you need

Save what you can to get a roof over you head. <-- THIS is the way to go first. After that, given the way house prices increase faster than what you earn each year, you can get any car you like, go on holidays etc EASILY.

If you get an expensive car first (dont let the initial price fool you), kiss goodbye to the dream of owning a home anytime soon.

Here is some other points to think about.

It's a car. For you, it is built for the same purpose as any other car out there. You clearly don't have the money to make it into motorsports for a while (another purpose you will probably never use)

You can only go as fast as the speed limit on the roads if your smart. Otherwise, you'll only be going as fast as the Sherpa, Charade or Lancer in front of you anyway.

Fuel prices are ridiculously expensive enough as it is. Why pay $100 to go 500km when you can pay $50??

How about insurance? Get a zed and you will want full comprehensive. Get something cheap for now and stick with 3rd party property. That saving alone could buy you a cheap car in itself.

Servicing. A zed cant be neglected and expected to get away with it. Cheaper econoboxes can go 3x as far and twice as long and the servicing can be half the cost.

You're young. You'll get a zed and modify it. Almost all of us do. Nice wheels, exhaust, lower, bodykit etc. Doing all that is a lot of money!

Think long term. If you saved your money and went for a house... (remember the initial cost means nothing) How much would that house be worth in 20 years? How much will your zed be worth?? You probably wont see it through half that time. It'll be scrap in 20 and what will you have to show for that money spent?

Your parents are not silly, use their wisdom. In a few years perhaps you will be giving out the same advice people here are giving you now.

I love zeds too. I wish I still had one, they are one of the only cars I like. If I had taken the advice I'm giving you I'd have my house AND the zed of my dreams. Now I have a house and a Smart car. Cheap as hell to run but it's no Zed Still fun and unique, body kitted and sick exhaust so thats okay I guess.

Do the right and 'smart' thing.

PS. Chicks don't care about cars nearly HALF as much as a guy who owns (or paying off) his own home.

 

Things required when owning a zed (or any 20 year old performance car)

1. Spare car (in case of a roadside picnic situation)
2. Mechanical ability or money
3. Money
4. Good source of technical information (Should be OK there)
5. Understanding GF/wife/other who will not get shitty when you spend all your time working and thinking about your car
6. Large pack of condoms
7. Money

You are young so remember all good things come to those who wait.....

 

This was a huge fire years back at a huge Z workshop in the US. It 'could' have been Z1, but don't quote me on the name.

MoulaZX