Hi all First post here I'm looking at buying a 300ZX. It's beautiful, pearly whitey ivory sort of colour. Anyway, I've been reading up about them, trying to get a feel for them before I go and buy it. So far I've been getting mixed review - Some people say that they're unreliable and some people say that they're not, they only break because they where thrashed back in the day. The other thing I've noticed is that they're quite expensive to fix, but I suppose that's what happens when the car you drive was originally worth the same as Porsches and what not are nowadays. I think.. I read that too, somewhere. Can anyone vouch for the RAC pre-buying-a-car-sort-of-we'll-look-at-your-car-and-make-sure-it's-not-shit Kind of tests? I'm thinking about getting one done, just to make sure the gearbox isn't going to fall off on the way home (exageration) Anyway, I'll describe the car for you, and the price to give you some idea. It's Pearly White-Ivory, 1990, 2 door, 2 seat (is that 2+2?) TT, Paint looks good, no rust. Engine bay is cramped, but I'd assume thats normal. Comes with 2 month old 18" rims and new tyres, dvd player, lcd screen, all the usual fittings, Pod filter, catback, Turbo timer, blowoff valves, and apparently it's got an aftermarket front bar, but I wouldn't know because I've only ever looked at this one, and I don't know what a stock front bumber looks like. Anyway, he wants $14000 for it, but it's negotiable. Apparently the only time he really drives it is weekends, and he's never had any trouble. Not sure whether or not it's had it's 100,000km service done, but I'll ask next time I talk to him. What do you guys reckon? I'm currently driving a Ford Falcon, ED (1994), almost stock. So it's a big step, in all ways except for doors, seats, CC's, and boot space I'm not really sure whether I'd want to pay the money involved to get the thing fixed if it breaks.. But I love the car. Took it for a test drive when I went to have a look - my god, so much power. I felt all tingly when I gunned it in 1st. Anyway, sorry for such a damned long post.
First things first Welcome to the forum mate, another Perth member You've come on a Z site and of course we are going to say its a reliable if looked after right, but the Z has been steriotyped to be unreliable, overheats much, etc etc by noobs who have not even stepped foot in one, what im trying to say that if you do buy one with the right maintenance and the knowledge of who to go to, you should be fine Its always handy getting a RAC inspection but personal experience i have never got them to check my car so can't comment.. At the end of the day, its best to come to some cruises and speak to us face to face, its probably the best way to gain knowledge and to ask heaps of questions, a lot of us are a friendly bunch i'd like to think, except simmo who looks kinda scary Anyways welcome again and hopefully be seeing u around Mike
Welcome to the forums, if you buy it make sure you come back here, there's a wealth of knowledge to be had, not to mention the cruises and meets that go on. Your in a good state btw, there's a lot going on in WA for some reason with the Z guys. First, check out http://www.aus300zx.com/tech/buy.html if you haven't already, good place to start. Second, as for parts, I don't think they break down any more than any other 15 yr old car, and parts aren't that expensive as for some reason there's a few Z wrecks around you can always cannibalise (don't ask). Plus there's a huge Z aftermarket sector now so you can usually buy the replacement you need at a better price than the original and it will be a better part. For some reason Nissan charges an arm and a leg for a part that has a cheaper, better aftermarket part. As long as the turbos, engine block and gearbox are ok, most other problems won't cost that much to fix. As for the RAC, it's not a bad idea to get done, but your best option is to take it to a shop who will put it on a hoist to check. That way you can be sure you haven't had a half-cut welded on the front etc (I know autobahn in Melville do this). Though if RAC now offers a warranty with their inspection then go for it. Go for it and welcome again to the forums.
hey mate sounds like a good care just make sure u get a proper inspection and a compression test done.. 2+2 refers to the 4 seaters aswell not the two seater
In fact, wasn't it a leak test someone was saying the other day is better than a compression test? Or maybe I'm getting mixed up.
Ill definately get the check done. I hope it comes out ok, I really want this car, but I don't really want to buy it if it's going to be unhealthy.. unless he lowers the price enough so I can buy it and fix it.. then I'll think about it
well i didnt do any tests when i bought my Z...didnt even look in the engine bay just bought the 1st Z i saw.......err big no no!!! but i guess i was one of the lucky ones cos the car was in absolute perfect condition, was totaly stock and looked like a granny was the previous owner, havnt had any major problems with it but enough about me.......Axearmori rekon u should do the RAC and any other checks/inspections u wanna do.....maybe ask one of the lads on here to come down with ya and check it out anyway all the best hope it all works out....and welcone to the best place on the net cheerZ
How many km's has it done? Price isn't bad, though you should be able to knock a couple of $1000 off.
......welcome....... ........ the Zeds are a great ride if we understand, respect and love them:zlove: , and have the right folks doing the work on them All that being equal they will give you a great return Definitley have the Compression Test done Why not find the best Zed specialist in WA and have them go all over it for a fee?
Iam also lucky, 1st time i saw my Z i bought it straight away... big no no as you say, but ive havent had any major problems so im happy
err.. between 140,000 and 150,000. I'm trying to spend about 12,12.5k. Gotta pay for insurance and shit as well (My loan is for 15k)
IMHO, if you don't have 5k sitting in the bank after you've purchased the car, bought rego, and insurance, then you shouldn't buy it. Not unless its in perfect condition but that is unlikely at the price you listed. Also, from experience, RAC checks are about as useful as a kick in the groin. My parents have been burnt hard by this. Take it to a Z specialist and they should be able to help you out. Definitely get a leak down test done. Definitely get the cooling system pressure tested.
Where is the car located? If you are able to bring it to me i'll be able to do a pre-purchase inspection, PM me if you are interested.
Well, if someone reccomends a Z specialist over here in WA I'll get them to take a look at it, Pressure test, leak test, all that jazz. The other question is this - Why 5k sitting in the bank? What could go wrong with the car after it's been checked, tested, probed and prodded that I'd need to spend up to 5k on that wouldn't have gone wrong on the previous owner, and that all the checks could miss? Keep in mind, If it turns out to be complete shit and the mechanics say it's in poor condition and that there is stuff wrong with it, I won't buy it. If there are a few minor details brought to attentionin the check that aren't really a major problem, I'll tell him to drop the price or I wont buy it, then with the money I save, I'll get it fixed. But why 5k?
Personal experience tells me there always something that needs to be done that gets missed by pre-purchase inspection. I prefer to be able to fix something when it goes wrong rather than be annoyed that I can't drive my car for X amount of time because I can't afford to fix it. Part of that 5k could go towards 100,000km service, mods, stereo, refreshing interior trim pieces, exterior pieces, new tires etc etc etc. Please be aware that my thinking that there should be 5k in the bank is my opinion only. I currently have that amount just generating interest in the bank as a buffer for anything that pops up, so that I can take care of it straight away. It just helps so that you don't become one of those people that buys a Z then has to sell it 6 months down the line because they can't afford to maintain it, or fix it, and rather than look at a disfunctional Z in the garage, they sell.
It's all good. Please don't think I was having a go at you, It just made me wonder why. I reckon I'd feel frustrated if it decided to **** up on me, but I suppose that's why a person takes the car to get checked, to minimise the risks.. besides which, I've noticed that ZRATED has offered to do a pre-purchase inspection, and apparently he's like.. Z-God or some such. With any luck everything will fall into place, if not.. I can always sell my Falcon
walk before you run If money is a concern,why not buy an n/a,get used to the car and go a t/t when funds are more readily available in the future,I think most of the t/t owners will agree a t/t is alot more expensive to maintain and keep tuned than a n/a.Nothing would be more depressing than having a t/t thats not running right,it would most certainly put you off zeds in the future !! imo:zlove:
If you have a buffer like myself, you will find that it is easy enough to look after a TT without too many hassles. That is why I recommended it. Through a large proportion of this year, I was unemployed whilst going to uni, and was able to keep the maintenance up on my TT by just cutting into the buffer a bit. Now that I have another job, I can just build up the buffer again, then spend beyond what is the buffer. I'm a 19 yo TT owner.
