Discussion
....Are they any good? 
I'd always assumed the turbo would be quick in a straight line, but I sort of had this idea that they'd be big lumbering things with slush boxes! Just browsing the PH classifieds and saw this SWB example and I think it looks rather nice:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/120619.htm
Can someone give me an idea how they handle? I must admit I didn't realise until a second ago that they are in fact not mid-engined despite the rather 'exotic' wedge shape.
Are there any major issues with them? Are they a reasonable daily driver?
I'd always assumed the turbo would be quick in a straight line, but I sort of had this idea that they'd be big lumbering things with slush boxes! Just browsing the PH classifieds and saw this SWB example and I think it looks rather nice:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/120619.htm
Can someone give me an idea how they handle? I must admit I didn't realise until a second ago that they are in fact not mid-engined despite the rather 'exotic' wedge shape.
Are there any major issues with them? Are they a reasonable daily driver?
I'm not too worried about straightline performance - overtaking oomph is good, but beyond that my license starts to look a little shakey! I'd love a 350Z, but they're about twice my (hypotheical) price range to be honest. I think being lighter and (from what I can gather) more chuckable the 350' would be more my kind of car, but the 300ZX is a hell of a lot for the money. With nearly 300bhp coming from the turbo even before you tweak it that is going to be a pretty rapid car.
the V6TT was never as reliable as Nissan's RB26 or Toyotas TT I6, and the engine bay is very cramped.
The Supra boys make jokes about exploding TT zeds, but for the money they are a hell of a lot of cars. Be aware that while UK cars are cheaper to insure, they are getting on...a lot, and the imports have less history. My purely subjective impression is that people have imported many fewer mint 300ZX TT imports than Evos, Skylines, Type-Rs etc.
Also be careful that you will notice the same Z cars pop up over and over again in the PH classifieds...this could be because interest is low, and they are being relisted....or it could be because its the same car people are trying to shift on because its a nail!
The Supra boys make jokes about exploding TT zeds, but for the money they are a hell of a lot of cars. Be aware that while UK cars are cheaper to insure, they are getting on...a lot, and the imports have less history. My purely subjective impression is that people have imported many fewer mint 300ZX TT imports than Evos, Skylines, Type-Rs etc.
Also be careful that you will notice the same Z cars pop up over and over again in the PH classifieds...this could be because interest is low, and they are being relisted....or it could be because its the same car people are trying to shift on because its a nail!
Edited by Wadeski on Tuesday 4th December 15:48
Chris71 said:
So how would they fit in compared to say an MR2 turbo and an RX7?
don't think you can really compare them. The 300zx is a competent grand tourer luxo barge, the MR2 and RX7 are 'sports cars'. Their weight is their downfall. A 200sx will give a 300zx a good run for its money, simply cos of the weight differential. Its like saying how does the 3 series BM compare with a 6 series - they are just different.
As for the ZX, dunno about auto but the manual boxes can take big power. Engine work can be a nightmare, there are horror stories of engine removal to change a £3 piece of rubber pipe and if you look at the engine bay of the TT models you can understand why.
Personally I love the shape and always have, but I will stick with my 200 for now its a lot cheaper and easier to run.
from what ive heard and read the auto box is fairly ok but if it breaks your talking over a grand for a new one!!! 
just get a lexus/toyota soarer 2.5TT same type of car big, heavy and comfortable, more reliable, tuning parts are a bit scarce but can be found with a little searching, look out for the autos they are pants
just get a lexus/toyota soarer 2.5TT same type of car big, heavy and comfortable, more reliable, tuning parts are a bit scarce but can be found with a little searching, look out for the autos they are pants
Edited by gar-type-r on Thursday 6th December 06:05
gar-type-r said:
from what ive heard and read the auto box is fairly ok but if it breaks your talking over a grand for a new one!!!
just get a lexus/toyota soarer 2.5TT same type of car big, heavy and comfortable, more reliable, tuning parts are a bit scarce but can be found with a little searching, look out for the autos they are pants
I think its more a case of look out for a manual...they are as rare as hen's teeth! And if you see a manual "converted" car with a bloody great handbrake your buying a drift slag just get a lexus/toyota soarer 2.5TT same type of car big, heavy and comfortable, more reliable, tuning parts are a bit scarce but can be found with a little searching, look out for the autos they are pants
Edited by gar-type-r on Thursday 6th December 06:05
I used my Bro's 300zx while he was out of the country (I was supposed to sell it 
) and thought it was great fun. It's an import TT manual (I wouldn't get an auto - no way never). I have a 200sx and although it's obviously not as quick what I did love was that the 300 had power down low and was therefore much smoother than my 200 and much easier to overtake. Handling wise, it is big old car but it feels well planted. I live at the bottom of the Cat & Fiddle road, and it always behaved well when going for a spritely hoon. The only thing is the brakes are the same as the 200sx (but on a much bigger car) so you may want to at least get decent pads, if not invest in a big brake kit.
I think it had a Mongoose exhaust on (twin exit back box on both sides) and it made a lovely burbling sound. Lots of people have big dustbin sized single exit Jap style exhaust on either side and I think they look awefull and sounds awefull. But that's personal preference I suppose.
It did drink petrol but you can live with that when the sun comes out, you take the roof panels off and you can hear your money pumping out the exhausts It had the boost increased a bit (not much) via mig welding valves in the pipework I believe. If you are sensible there is no reason the engine would blow. I can only assume those that do are people who ramp up too much boost without taking precautions with the engine like cooler spark plugs and better fuel pumps/injectors etc
After I gave it back and put my 200sx back on the road, my car felt mightily dissapointing. I definitely would recommend one, but I am biased.
) and thought it was great fun. It's an import TT manual (I wouldn't get an auto - no way never). I have a 200sx and although it's obviously not as quick what I did love was that the 300 had power down low and was therefore much smoother than my 200 and much easier to overtake. Handling wise, it is big old car but it feels well planted. I live at the bottom of the Cat & Fiddle road, and it always behaved well when going for a spritely hoon. The only thing is the brakes are the same as the 200sx (but on a much bigger car) so you may want to at least get decent pads, if not invest in a big brake kit.I think it had a Mongoose exhaust on (twin exit back box on both sides) and it made a lovely burbling sound. Lots of people have big dustbin sized single exit Jap style exhaust on either side and I think they look awefull and sounds awefull. But that's personal preference I suppose.
It did drink petrol but you can live with that when the sun comes out, you take the roof panels off and you can hear your money pumping out the exhausts
It had the boost increased a bit (not much) via mig welding valves in the pipework I believe. If you are sensible there is no reason the engine would blow. I can only assume those that do are people who ramp up too much boost without taking precautions with the engine like cooler spark plugs and better fuel pumps/injectors etcAfter I gave it back and put my 200sx back on the road, my car felt mightily dissapointing. I definitely would recommend one, but I am biased.
The engine is more than just cramped!
while they are rare...a 2.5TT manual soarer has just popped up here:
http://www.autobmc.com/view_specs.php?car_id=375
price seems a touch strong though, £4,500 would be more like it.
http://www.autobmc.com/view_specs.php?car_id=375
price seems a touch strong though, £4,500 would be more like it.
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