Those of you who have spent big $$ on mods

I first fell in love with a Z32 in 1989 when they were used as course cars for Adelaide GP, I paid 16.5K for one back in 2002 and used for a daily, and then a car club car, great time at Oran Park GP, but not really a race car and a daily, got dedicated track car and trailer now, zeds still turn heads because they are like a japanese ferraris, still looks better than skylines, and I will get another one for cruising one day soon.

 

While this is true once you throw it at a zed you know it will last (if done properly) and not cost an arm and a leg to maintain or if something were to go wrong at least have the money to fix it.

I think a lot of people could afford the cars but maintaining them or if something were to go wrong then you are seriously up shit creek without a paddle.

Even the old Porsche's etc, while cheap to buy cost a fortune to service unless you know what you are doing yourself.

 

I doubt there would be much difference in OEM parts from the dealers. BMW gear is availably cheaply from the states same as Zeds. Haven't looked at Porsche parts as yet.

 

Haha Chrispy, all this sensible talk will have everyone one on here selling their zeds before the week is out :rofl:

 

EVO never got past (yes yes I know my Z isn't stock either)

My Z isn't a pig but I will admit it has crossed the line IMO and become less fun on the road than it used to be BUT a few tweaks of the tune and electronic controlled dampers would sort that out.
It's only stupid because you barely lean on the loud pedal and your doing 100kph before you wanted to :br:

Does the BMW coupe have a club dedicated to just that model? What about the Porsche? the Lotus?
Do you care if there is not a club? :rofl:

How cool will the BMW look in ten years? most of them date VERY VERY quickly and look old as hell as soon as you get them dirty.
I worked at a European specialist place for a short while and the crap that goes wrong with the Euro cars is more of less the same as the Jappers - just more expensive and in some cases harder to fix.

 

My response?

I regret it. Two reasons. One is more personal, the other is situational.

I regret dropping so much cash into a 20 year old car, not specifically a Zed. Would be the same if it was a '93 Supra or something.

Second, when I discovered the poorly repaired chassis damage half way through my build and was forced to deviate and repair properly myself (not myself, but hiring a professional), that killed a lot of the spark for me.

MoulaZX

 

different kettle of fish.

Exige is in no way comparable to a zed. That thing would be a weapon though. After owning 2 light cars in a row it (~1000kg) it's really won me over and I'd pick the Exige out of that lot. Or just buy a old Elise and do a K20 swap.

Call me a grand scheme of things guy but I wouldn't have a coxter. Sure it's probably a good car but if I were buying a Porsche (which I wouldn't) it'd have to be a 911 GT3. Nothing less.

As for the M3, it's got the same problem as a 911. There will always be another one, it will always be better than the last. If you were buying a car for what it can do, then things like M3s and 911s will be a endless upgrade cycle. That's how you become a yuppy.


Find something you like, buy it for how it makes you feel not for what it can do. Once I changed my thinking the zed became a keeper. It also made future purchases much clearer too.

Throwing logic around is pointless. If we were all logical bean counters then we should all just scrap our zeds now since they are money pits.

Just lastly on the whole mountains argument... you don't need the best handling or more power. Whoever has the most usable power and willing to take more risks will pull away. Any car can be modified to suit this purpose and you DON'T need a lot of cash to do it. Certainly not some expensive car. Couple of years ago I went with a group of BMWs and a 911. Started at the back of the pack obviously, blew them all away and got let through by each car and ended up leading the pack.

 

Ditto


and I have several drives in said cars aswell including a Maserati & a Lambo

The zed isnt in their league but the right mods will see it certainly hold its own, driver ability is a major effect.....

 

Secret to a bad back is Seats.
Kitty came with Monza racing seats and a firm suspension, also 2+0 short wheelbase.
I can drive this long distance and not suffer too much.
My wifes car (The Brat) has std seats, a softer suspension, and 2+2 long wheelbase.
I tend to get out worse for wear after driving her car.
Good after market seats are well worth the investment.

As far as spending big dollars? I am not yet qualified to fully answer that question.
I am putting in money over a period of time to bring Kitty up to a show quality.
Don't know if I will get to the finishing point or how much I will put into it (dollars).
The one sure thing is I will never get the money back what I put in, but as the others have said, its the experience and the tinkering enjoyment your get from doing these things.

 

Isn't B-road driving about having the car that is the most fun and rewarding to drive too? You don't need the fastest one if you aren't going to track it. If that would be the case i would buy a classic 70's car like 240Z, Skyline, RX-3 coupe, RX-7, Celica etc. Much more rewarding to just drive in them than a modern car even if you aren't going fast.

 

So from the perspectives given it seems that Z's:

1. Can be money pits.
2. Still look good and modern, even today.
3. Are owned by fanatics and not your average driver.

So it still seems like a good enough reason to own one then, because what car isnt a money pit if you love it.

 

I dont think ill ever sell it (says single 22yo me) but im done with mods. And i certainly dont subscribe to the whole " but $20k later and youll pretty much have a 458..." business. I do have other car plans - but they will come and go, my zed will always be mine :zlove:

 

My Z will now always be mine as well - even if I own other cars.

couldnt agree more whopper!

 

I've been doing a lot of poking around and the Exige is looking like the sort of thing I want. Pity there are none in Qld for sale I can play with at the moment The old elise's don't do it for me, and the S1 Exiges are rare. I'm in touch with someone with one to sell, but I think it's a bit rich for my taste There is a S2 Elise down the road for sale, add says no time wasters, but I might go down and waste his time anyway :rofl:

Agree with the hooning around in the mountains argument. I smashed a guy in a Evo 8 MR in my old NA Zed on the mountain. He actually spun out Ham fisted numpty. An average driver in a new sports car like the Evo's will look amazing. Also Mike, you are what I would call an above average driver in the hills

I suppose I'm a bit over the tinkering, I've enjoyed it and learnt a lot, but its wearing thin. I reckon I've had the various engines in and out of my car more times than I have driven it in anger. At least I got my money's worth out of the engine crane I'm also running a lot shorter on time than I used to, I work away and have other commitments that require attention as well.

Every car this side of million dollar collector cars are money pits. The looks are subjective, and IMO the zeds looks are starting to date. Def onwned by fanatics (or people who want a sports car and ask "What can I get for $1200 and a fish tank"), they're the only ones prepared to make them work

I'm less saying that $20k = supercar, I'm saying that $20k extra into a zed with too much money in it already will = $15k zed if I'm lucky. I could part it out, add the extra money I was going to spend and I'm a good portion of the way to something a lot more desirable, and arguably much much better.

 

+1

I haven't done a major engine pull, but I've put plenty of money into the car since I bought it from Japan in 2005 - from the necessary (eg. 100k service and turbo seals) to the unnecessary but desirable personal touches (eg. bodykit and exhaust). The car is certainly old and the technology is dated, but a well-maintained Z doesn't look 20+ years old, as most cars on this forum are. Maybe I'm just biased and others would disagree but there's lots about the Z that I still love to look at and gets noticed. I've got two girls aged 3 & 5 and the plan is to drive them to their Formals and Weddings in my Z. The only other acceptable option would be classic Mercedes - if they choose a pink stretched Hummer or Falcadore limo I know I've failed as a parent.

I see a bit of the Z lines in the Lexus LF-LC concept car (deep angled front lights, raked windscreen, roof curve, subtle rear wing, shape of the door, curve over the front wheel arch):

 

Chrispy, there's too "much" discussion in this thread already. If the Zed no longer interests you then its time to move on. If the passion of tinkering and modifying is gone its time to move on. If the money exists to buy something deemed more fun and exciting, then its time to move on.

From what you've said and indicated, its time to sell the Zed and get something else.

Yes, there are better cars out there. The Zed is powerful and looks great, but is also now 20 years old. You only keep it if the passion is there and you love the car.

Cheers

 

haha I said this same thing at aged 24 with my first zed, an N/A.
met my now wife, she didnt like it, wasnt driving it, so I sold it and vowed to buy another. Which I did, and now I own a TT.
Now on the look out for a collectable, unmolestered stock manual slicktop TT.

Its scary to be forced to sell your zed as you will get itchy feet and WILL one day buy another to finish unfinished business - or buy a few

so its cheaper to keep your current zed.....

 

I think that is the point I have reached now in my mind...

Haha! Well if you are interested in a molested S2 manual TT slicktop come by for a chat Likely be selling a rolling shell less suspension/brakes/engine/gearbox

 

How dare you say what we all know is true!

Shame on you Z hater!

You're just a hater hater!



A couple of subtle cosmetic tweaks is all it takes to keep them from looking too old, stock wheels are crap and should only be used to help dead rolling bodies move around IMO :rofl:

 

Ah massive too hard basket for me right now! I justt want to throw a cover over it and take it off in 20 years time -matching numbers and all.
Its a race to see who owns the first appreciating zed......ever :br: