RE: Nissan 300ZX: Spotted

RE: Nissan 300ZX: Spotted

Author
Discussion

toby-w8jtf

113 posts

91 months

Sunday 17th December 2017
quotequote all
Used to love these as a kid!

Not sure if already mentioned but the 300ZX headlights were shared by the Lamborghini Diablo..... Pub trivia

diddy_p

36 posts

236 months

Sunday 17th December 2017
quotequote all
I'd pay 15k for one but despite being low miles an unmodified id want to make take a close look at the maintenance file as z experts are thin on the ground these days. While standard oil changes and the like are simple enough there are loads of z specific things that fail over time and cost top money to put right no matter what. That is on the assumption that for 15k the car has been maintained properly, else you're better off getting something cheaper and restoring it instead. Examples:

- check that a series 2 Ptu fitted
- pcv vavles (noticeable if there is a gurgling sound on idle)
- do the hicas actuator test, hydraulic in this car's case
- evidence of suspension bush refresh, esp the rear subframe bushes are prone to splitting and leaking. Polybushing or nismo (if still available) bushes are best
- check hicas arms
- targa drains not blocked
- turbo pressure/psi as expected on full boost
- make sure that the foam spoiler isn't fully waterlogged and corroding the boot
- Ensure a proper 60/120k service had been done recently - as in using a proper nissan parts kit and replacing everything as mandated by nissan for that particular service.

Some might call me anal with those requirements but rightly or wrongly this is because 15k is top dollar, and is still a performance car that requires money spending to keep it in top form. Else you end up with a car that happens to be unmodified and relatively low mileage which starts and drives but handles like a dog and might not be running optimally. Major corrosion aside, cosmetic wear and tear can be expected.

Z32s are very sensitive to worn suspension components, hence why people reckon they wallow etc. Cars with skittish rear ends usually have suspension bush and or hicas issues. A sorted z32 will defo feel planted as roadtests from the era will attest.

I wonder though would someone like JM imports be able to bring down an unmolested 1999 spec car from Japan? If so I'd personally go that route as in Japan they aren't anywhere near as expensive as R32 gtrs... Yet!

Hmm I might look into the import route


J4CKO

41,286 posts

199 months

Sunday 17th December 2017
quotequote all
Seems better value than that mangled NSX !

Perhaps should have bought it myself when offered it a couple of years back, could afford it then.

TwinExit

532 posts

91 months

Sunday 17th December 2017
quotequote all
coldel said:
TwinExit said:
Not quite.

If you bought a low mileage 'auto' for 7k it is likely to be a grey import car, the manual conversion will cost far more than £1k if you want a proper healthy box, clutch,misc parts and labour.

Then the car will be simply regarded as an auto with manual conversion, not quite the same as an ORIGINAL manual car so the price will reflect this.

False economy.

Edited by TwinExit on Friday 15th December 11:14
Nothing wrong with an import - will not have been driven through winters of salt filled roads especially if its a new import. Imports come with great cover if you use an import company - the idea that a UK car is superior is a bit old hat. Costs for manual conversions are around that when I was researching on the 300zx forum. I havent done it myself as I dont own the car, but thats the advice given.

But yes, its not a UK manual off the bat - but save yourself six grand and you will end up with something pretty much where you are with this overpriced example.

I guess we will see if its still on here in a few weeks!
You save yourself 6 grand because it is a less desirable auto converted to a manual outside of factory. That's falls into a modified automatic car and an imported one at that.

You might be happy with the DIY / replica route, but any collector or enthusiast looking for a genuine UK market model will not be fooled by that trick.

I own various Japanese grey imports and they dont take long to rust once they live here unless you treat them (same goes for a UKDM model)

It's not that UKDM cars are 'superior', it's that you buy into its relative rarity and history of it being specifically sold and owned here since the beginning, which helps when verifying its history. A grey import's mileage and paperwork are likely works of fiction to get them off the boat.



Edited by TwinExit on Sunday 17th December 14:22

coldel

7,733 posts

145 months

Monday 18th December 2017
quotequote all
TwinExit said:
You save yourself 6 grand because it is a less desirable auto converted to a manual outside of factory. That's falls into a modified automatic car and an imported one at that.

You might be happy with the DIY / replica route, but any collector or enthusiast looking for a genuine UK market model will not be fooled by that trick.

I own various Japanese grey imports and they dont take long to rust once they live here unless you treat them (same goes for a UKDM model)

It's not that UKDM cars are 'superior', it's that you buy into its relative rarity and history of it being specifically sold and owned here since the beginning, which helps when verifying its history. A grey import's mileage and paperwork are likely works of fiction to get them off the boat.



Edited by TwinExit on Sunday 17th December 14:22
It wasn't an effort at a trick. Its more of a point that if you want a 300zx manual turbo you can get there in a much more efficient way and have the same thing. If you want to 'collect' these then sure buy one and stick it under a cover in a warehouse and be done with it.

As for imports, its such a shame the UK market is so blinkered to it. If you import through any of the reputable importers undersealing comes as standard and you can do cavity work to make it even more robust - UK cars are just as prone I saw plenty of rusted tired UKDM 300zx's when I was looking, many with suspect miles and history, clocking/cutting etc was rife in the 80s and 90s in the UK even on cars with 'full history' - I would also challenge the comment about getting imports off the boat, there is as much chance of fiddling going on there as on old UK cars and its naive to think a print out with a stamp on it from a UK garage dated 199x gives you any sort of bomb proof reassurance of history on a UK car.

I was looking at 300zx's just 2 years ago, I could have picked up a very good clean one for less than £6k. I do occasionally look at these and have seen over the last few months UK manuals go for £8k-£9k but cannot believe they have appreciated in that time by 170%

coldel

7,733 posts

145 months

Saturday 22nd December 2018
quotequote all
That time of year you end up killing a bit of time scouring the classifieds and look what I found! Pretty sure its the same one. Still for sale, six thousand pounds less than it started at...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-J-NISSAN-300-ZX-3-...

...apologies for the thread revival! laugh

J4CKO

41,286 posts

199 months

Saturday 22nd December 2018
quotequote all
coldel said:
That time of year you end up killing a bit of time scouring the classifieds and look what I found! Pretty sure its the same one. Still for sale, six thousand pounds less than it started at...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-J-NISSAN-300-ZX-3-...

...apologies for the thread revival! laugh
Same reg so yes, same car.

At nine grand it’s a bit more palatable.

Dave.

7,324 posts

252 months

Saturday 22nd December 2018
quotequote all
Hardly moved in 6yrs, poor car!

I nealy bought on in 2005 for £1300, but they offered me a crap PX and no test drive, so I left.

coldel

7,733 posts

145 months

Sunday 23rd December 2018
quotequote all
Obviously the dealer is happy to just leave it sat there. Can only imagine what the cars mechanics are like - cars like to move.

Probably close to a decent price now, think at £7.5k it will shift. Stupidly overpriced given the market conditions for these at £15k.