Thinking of a change - anyone had a z31 300ZX?
Discussion
Ive had a BMW 330ci for about 8 years and for a while I've wanted to change it and try something Japanese. I'm really liking the z31 300ZX - very 80s, a bit of an underdog, still a sporty/GT coupe like the 330, still the antithesis of all my neighbours in their crossovers...
I've got my eye on a nonturbo manual (manual is a must) but unfortunately most of the videos online are American with the digital dash (or was that a prefacelift thing not a market thing?)
What I'm really after is how they are to live with everyday. Like, do they have power steering? ABS? Dont need special oil or anything? would be commuting maybe once a week and an evening or weekend trip too, so mpg not a problem.
Would you recommend importing one or buying from the limited UK stock which I think are all 2+2s (I don't need backseat if that model is better...)
I've got my eye on a nonturbo manual (manual is a must) but unfortunately most of the videos online are American with the digital dash (or was that a prefacelift thing not a market thing?)
What I'm really after is how they are to live with everyday. Like, do they have power steering? ABS? Dont need special oil or anything? would be commuting maybe once a week and an evening or weekend trip too, so mpg not a problem.
Would you recommend importing one or buying from the limited UK stock which I think are all 2+2s (I don't need backseat if that model is better...)
Hello,
Can't help you with ownership other than general pointers you'll already know; keep it garaged, get it undersealed. Import/UK doesn't make much difference to my import except when it comes to insurance which is abit dearer. I got mine through TorqueGT and am very pleased with both of the cars I ended up with.
Can help with further research though:
Regular car review I know this is a US one but I do like their reviews.
Goo-net Like a translated Japanese autotrader if you wanted to check what's about and different models available there.
GT Memories these Japanese magazines are very cool and have alot of detail about the model it's covering, I've almost finished my collection and use the googletranslate app to read it. Also available on ebay.
Can't help you with ownership other than general pointers you'll already know; keep it garaged, get it undersealed. Import/UK doesn't make much difference to my import except when it comes to insurance which is abit dearer. I got mine through TorqueGT and am very pleased with both of the cars I ended up with.
Can help with further research though:
Regular car review I know this is a US one but I do like their reviews.
Goo-net Like a translated Japanese autotrader if you wanted to check what's about and different models available there.
GT Memories these Japanese magazines are very cool and have alot of detail about the model it's covering, I've almost finished my collection and use the googletranslate app to read it. Also available on ebay.
I used to run a Datsun Nissan GZ31 as my daily - 20ish miles to the office and back - in all weather...
Basically a JDM Z31 with a 2 litre V6 Turbo engine, manual gearbox.
It had power steering, and was reliably as a Micra...it was a 1983 model, can't remember if it has ABS..
Honestly, nothing ever went wrong with it... it was a really good car.
Basically a JDM Z31 with a 2 litre V6 Turbo engine, manual gearbox.
It had power steering, and was reliably as a Micra...it was a 1983 model, can't remember if it has ABS..
Honestly, nothing ever went wrong with it... it was a really good car.
I owned 2 of the Z31 300ZX, both were turbos and both 2+2. I had an 86 model which had the digital dash and I had the 88 model which was a restyle with flared wheel arches. Both cars had power steer, ABS, cruise control, AC, 6 speaker sound.
I drove these as daily drivers and never had anything out of the usual in terms of maintenance, I would recommend the turbo versions as they go quite well, not fast by modern standards but then not slow either.
I drove these as daily drivers and never had anything out of the usual in terms of maintenance, I would recommend the turbo versions as they go quite well, not fast by modern standards but then not slow either.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I went to look at a NA one this week, in the UK we only get a 2+2 targa. There are like 3 for sale in the country and this was the most expensive and lowest miles one (and only manual one which is why I went to look).
Here is the car: https://i.ibb.co/pjSYJ0z/PXL-20220928-124015814.jp...
The dealer has priced it opportunistically at £12,000 hoping to get onboard with JDM pricing, and it's been for sale for 6 weeks now with only two serious views including me. Whilst the car is probably in as good condition as you're going to come across for a 33 year old Japanese sports car (55,000 miles), its rarity and condition mean pricing is really based on how much someone is willing to pay for it in isolation rather than say a Ford hatchback that you can compare several of different trim levels/condition/engine. And ultimately for me the price is too much.
there is slight diversion in me getting married and going on my honeymoon next week but if the car is still for sale after that I might give the dealer a call and chat through what I am willing to pay
However a couple of questions:
The cooler at the rear behind the bumper - is that a diff oil cooler?
What are the normal volts, oil temp and oil pressure?
Did they come with a spare wheel?
Here is the car: https://i.ibb.co/pjSYJ0z/PXL-20220928-124015814.jp...
The dealer has priced it opportunistically at £12,000 hoping to get onboard with JDM pricing, and it's been for sale for 6 weeks now with only two serious views including me. Whilst the car is probably in as good condition as you're going to come across for a 33 year old Japanese sports car (55,000 miles), its rarity and condition mean pricing is really based on how much someone is willing to pay for it in isolation rather than say a Ford hatchback that you can compare several of different trim levels/condition/engine. And ultimately for me the price is too much.
there is slight diversion in me getting married and going on my honeymoon next week but if the car is still for sale after that I might give the dealer a call and chat through what I am willing to pay
However a couple of questions:
The cooler at the rear behind the bumper - is that a diff oil cooler?
What are the normal volts, oil temp and oil pressure?
Did they come with a spare wheel?
Can’t answer your specific questions but at that price you could consider importing one from Japan.
They have the Fairlady Z 200ZR, it had the RB20DET engine, better suspension and a LSD, they come as 2 or 2+2 seats and are really cool. I was very close to getting one, they turn up quite often at auction and the JPY is very low these days
They have the Fairlady Z 200ZR, it had the RB20DET engine, better suspension and a LSD, they come as 2 or 2+2 seats and are really cool. I was very close to getting one, they turn up quite often at auction and the JPY is very low these days
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