Supra or 300ZX
Supra or 300ZX

Poll: Supra or 300ZX

Total Members Polled: 51

Supra: 59%
300ZX: 35%
Another MX-5: 4%
Honda Preulde 2.2: 2%
Author
Discussion

chunkymonkey71

Original Poster:

13,140 posts

222 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
Right people, here's the dilemma.

I sold my MX-5 a few years back as we had a baby and we really didn't need it. Currently driving a C-Max which is dull dull dull but does everything I need it to do. I've been swithering for a while about getting another jap sports car (when the time is right, and as a second car) and I've whittled it down to the three above. I loved the MX-5, it was brilliant, but I've always fancied the other three. Still not quite ready to buy one, may be next year; but given the option, which would YOU choose and why?

More to the point, would you avoid any of them? And why?

AJI

5,180 posts

241 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
chunkymonkey71 said:
we had a baby and we really didn't need it.
Should have used protection then wink
(j/k)


300ZX's are not really the same level of sports/gt car that the Supra is.
In comparison the Supra is much more agile, faster accelerating and braking than the 300zx.
(Talking purely about the manual turbo versions here).
If you're thinking of non-turbo and automatic versions then forget them and go for a more recent MX5 for similar price.

Just in my opinion of course.
I have driven 300ZX, Supra and Mx5 and TwinTurbo Supra MANUAL is much the best of that selection.
I've never been a fan of automatics and would never wish to own one, non-turbo Supras would not give any real thrill of ownership, but non-turbo recent model MX5 with such a lightweight body would be a fun drive.


Edited by AJI on Tuesday 30th March 11:51

GravelBen

16,375 posts

254 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
As a sports car - MX5 no question, add FI if you want more power.

As a GT car the Supra will be much more comfortable and longer-legged.

300ZX will do a similar job to the Supra but probably not as well, and feels much more dated when you see them together.

The Prelude isn't a sportscar, more like an Accord in drag really. wink

Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 30th March 11:54

Wadeski

8,875 posts

237 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
300ZXs are also fairly horrendous to work on, meaning big bills can be routine.

chunkymonkey71

Original Poster:

13,140 posts

222 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
I'd really like a turbo Supra, but realistically it would be a N/A.

If I was going for an MX-5 I'd like another MK1. Been in a mk 2 with a supercharger and it was plenty quick... would certainly consider doing that!

What kind of figures do the NA Supras produce? BHP, 0-60, top speed, MPG etc... Anyone know?

Does anyone have one that they can tell me about?

chunkymonkey71

Original Poster:

13,140 posts

222 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
Gaz. said:
chunkymonkey71 said:
I'd really like a turbo Supra, but realistically it would be a N/A.

If I was going for an MX-5 I'd like another MK1. Been in a mk 2 with a supercharger and it was plenty quick... would certainly consider doing that!

What kind of figures do the NA Supras produce? BHP, 0-60, top speed, MPG etc... Anyone know?

Does anyone have one that they can tell me about?
220bhp, mid sixes to 60, 145mph and 30mpg.

I'd rather have a twin turbo auto than a manual 3.0i btw.
I see you've had one Gaz. What did you like best about it? What problems commonly arise with them? Do you like your 944 better? if so, why? If not, why not?

SmoothRB

1,700 posts

196 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
The Supra is a bit of a heavy boat in its own way, but the engine is super good.

300 ZX is a barge that has the most cramped engine bay ever.

How about an R34 GTT Skyline?

T_Pot

2,542 posts

221 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
300zx are good cars, but you will find it hard to get a good one now. very few can work on them, and those who do, are mostly (with exception of 2 or 3) st mechanics, playing at it.

also, the forum for the 300zx is useless, and a waste of time for anything

go get a supra

chunkymonkey71

Original Poster:

13,140 posts

222 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
SmoothRB said:
The Supra is a bit of a heavy boat in its own way, but the engine is super good.

300 ZX is a barge that has the most cramped engine bay ever.

How about an R34 GTT Skyline?
Only looking to spend about 5k tops. Can you get a GTT for that? I know I'm a hypocrite as I'd like an NA supra, but with an R34 Gtt I'd feel like I was "making do."

SmoothRB

1,700 posts

196 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
chunkymonkey71 said:
SmoothRB said:
The Supra is a bit of a heavy boat in its own way, but the engine is super good.

300 ZX is a barge that has the most cramped engine bay ever.

How about an R34 GTT Skyline?
Only looking to spend about 5k tops. Can you get a GTT for that? I know I'm a hypocrite as I'd like an NA supra, but with an R34 Gtt I'd feel like I was "making do."
I dunno actually. Maybe not.

You could probably get a 4 door 34 GTT, but 90% are auto, and the manual ones are conversions. Factory manual 34 GTT taxis are rare as hens teeth.

You could get a 33 GTST but good ones are hard to find.

chunkymonkey71

Original Poster:

13,140 posts

222 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
Gaz. said:
chunkymonkey71 said:
I see you've had one Gaz. What did you like best about it? What problems commonly arise with them? Do you like your 944 better? if so, why? If not, why not?
I liked its raw ability, it could carry tremendous speed and its depth and range is like nothing I have ever driven, before or since. The brakes are immense and faultless. It was incredibly reliable although the battery is tiny and struggles with modern alarms if you leave the car for too long.

They don't have problems common enough for there to be a watch list like you see on most buyers guides imo but each car may have a niggle or a problem depending how it's been looked after. When buying, aside from the usual second hand checks you need to see who has done what and as they are involved in a lot of SVA's you need to see any signs of repair. They also hide their mileage very well, mine had 112k on the clock but I could have advertised it with 40k and got away with it.

The 944 was a more rewarding drive as its abilities were a lot lower so you could feel you were finding its limits at sensible speeds, you could feel it move about where's the Supra was rock solid and planted even at a higher speed relative to the 944. I loved driving both but as an ownership prospect the Supra is the better car, it required less preventive maintenance, parts were cheaper and less labour intensive.

The Supra was dynamically superior and cheaper to run, the 944 was more rewarding but at a price.

Edited by Gaz. on Tuesday 30th March 15:50
Good bit of advice there. Cheers man!

Does nobody like the Prelude???

Medic-one

3,137 posts

227 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
If you've been thinking about a 300ZX why not consider a GTO/3000GT ? They also got a 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo engine and 4wheeldrive but (in my opinion) they look far more stylish.

And most are standard already close to the 300 BPH mark, but with a couple modifictions (easily to get hold of via GTO club) you can have yours up to 400 - 500 BPH without to much fuss.













And here's one next to a supra



chunkymonkey71

Original Poster:

13,140 posts

222 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
Medic-one said:
If you've been thinking about a 300ZX why not consider a GTO/3000GT ? They also got a 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo engine and 4wheeldrive but (in my opinion) they look far more stylish.

And most are standard already close to the 300 BPH mark, but with a couple modifictions (easily to get hold of via GTO club) you can have yours up to 400 - 500 BPH without to much fuss.


And here's one next to a supra

Got to be honest, I've heard a lot of bad press about them, and I think the Supra is a better looking car. I'm also put off because my first ever boss had one of them, and he was a snivelling little balding old tosser!

I'm sure its a top car though...!

Medic-one

3,137 posts

227 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all

Ok no worries mate. If you like the look of the Supra better then that would be the one (from your list) i'd go for as well, as i think it's far superior to the others you've got listed.


Wadeski

8,875 posts

237 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
Do you need back seats? 5 grand would get you an extremely minty late model MR2 Turbo.

chunkymonkey71

Original Poster:

13,140 posts

222 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
Wadeski said:
Do you need back seats? 5 grand would get you an extremely minty late model MR2 Turbo.
I do like them, but I think that the Supra looks a bit more special.

GravelBen

16,375 posts

254 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
chunkymonkey71 said:
What kind of figures do the NA Supras produce? BHP, 0-60, top speed, MPG etc... Anyone know?
Others have given figures already but on a different angle I've seen them once or twice on trackdays... going slower than standard MX5's (over a lap that is, quicker on the straights of course). wink

SmoothRB

1,700 posts

196 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
GravelBen said:
chunkymonkey71 said:
What kind of figures do the NA Supras produce? BHP, 0-60, top speed, MPG etc... Anyone know?
Others have given figures already but on a different angle I've seen them once or twice on trackdays... going slower than standard MX5's (over a lap that is, quicker on the straights of course). wink
Can you just stop this MX-5 propoganda.;)

Ryan80

32 posts

193 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
Medic-one said:
If you've been thinking about a 300ZX why not consider a GTO/3000GT ? They also got a 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo engine and 4wheeldrive but (in my opinion) they look far more stylish.

And most are standard already close to the 300 BPH mark, but with a couple modifictions (easily to get hold of via GTO club) you can have yours up to 400 - 500 BPH without to much fuss.


And here's one next to a supra

Technically thats a supra being hidden behind a gto. :P

Both the 300zx and the supra will give big power gains with simple breathing mods as well, if anything i would have thought bits would have been easier/cheaper to get hold of for the supra than the gto? (i've never priced bits for a gto)
A friend has a SWB 300zx manual twin turbo t-bar (very bloody rare) that dyno'd at 395bhp with an induction kit, fmic, turbo back exhaust (no cats) and standard turbos reconditioned with 360deg bearings. The guy at the dyno reckoned it would get more power with an uprated clutch. Heres the video-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dEuPlCTOi4

One of the guys in the boot lost his eyebrows with the flames!!! biggrin

GravelBen

16,375 posts

254 months

Tuesday 30th March 2010
quotequote all
SmoothRB said:
Can you just stop this MX-5 propoganda.;)
No. tongue out

The OP was asking about them as well and knows how they perform, so a comparison between the cars gives him a frame of reference on the Supra which might be useful.

And that wasn't a 'look how fast MX5's are' comment but an 'NA Supras aren't as fast as they look' one.