Stivva Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 I am looking to buy a new round about. My dad has taken control of the 200b, so I want a new zed. It has to be a four seater and I am tossing up between a s130, z31 or z32. I know that generally newer is better, but hear me out. I am really tossing up between the z31 and z32, but I really know my way around the L series engine so I think the 280zx is great for the low mechanical costs. I love the z31 and this is high on my list but the z32 is more refined however I am worried that the mechanical costs will be too high with the packed engine bay. Anyone has experience with any of the models can you give me the pros and cons. Budget is under 5k and all of the models can be bought for that. Quote
G Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 My mate had a Z32. Great car, handled really well - I still remember going sideways into Chapel Street in it. The problem is when they let go. You're looking at BIG $$$$$ for engine work. It's basically the only reason he doesn't have one anymore - the ever-looming threat of a massive bill was just too much to bear! Wasn't there a particularly nice looking 280zx floating around in the "For Sale" ads a few weeks ago? Quote
Retro Z Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 I reckon a z31 is pretty cool for a daily and shouldn't give you too much trouble. Z32's as said before can give you some grief and empty your wallet, as seen from several of my friends who had one. Quote
potter260 Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 I had a z31 for awhile 5 years ago. It was a good car comfortable, cruise control, power windows, all electric dash...... that was the problem in one year i replaced the dash, drivers power window button, had the cruise control fixed and the air-conditioning compressor went. Even though i had those problems, I loved it and wished i still had it. Just make sure all the electrics work first before buying one!!!!! Quote
JDSM Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 I drove my S130 daily for the better part of 4 years, not a problem, it's nice to be able to fix anything that goes wrong yourself with relative ease. Having said that, there are quite a few nice Z31s for sale at the moment. In my experience, Z32s are like 90s Skylines and Silvias often owned by people who don't maintain them properly and thrash them, I've really only seen a few nice ones in person... most of the ones I flipped were pigs. Quote
Moderators Zedman240® Posted October 21, 2013 Moderators Posted October 21, 2013 I'd be going after that low kay 280 that was advertised not long ago. A friend has recently done some major work on a Z32 and after seeing what can and will go wrong eventually, unless you know how to do some serious rebuilding yourself, I'd highly recommend the 280. Plus as you said you know your way around the L motor. Quote
Linton Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 well to be honest my 260 4 seater has more room in it than my z32 4 seater it is almost impossible to sit in the back, yes it is expensive to repair and a bitch to work on but I luuuuuuv it to bitz I am going to take off the intake plenum next week to wait for it .... change the tappet cover gaskets LOL probably going to take me 3 days on and off Linton Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted October 21, 2013 Administrators Posted October 21, 2013 I've seen some nice Z32's about lately and that 90s supercar look has it's appeal. I'd want a 2 seater turbo though, not a 4 seater. Just looks nicer and the N/A versions don't inspire me much! If you can find a good Z32 I'd go for that, Z31's in good condition now would be hard to find and their styling hasn't come back in vogue just yet, at least not for me. I know a Z32 could empty your wallet but if you buy a good 1 they should be fine, you'd think? It's a bit of a gamble, but $5k isn't much to play with and I'd say a good 1 will be more expensive than that. But you never know, you could get someone desperate to offload their car for cash and grab a bargain? A 280zx would be far cheaper to run, but you have to worry about rust and that can be expensive to fix! Damn you though, you got me looking at Z32s on Gumtree haha. These 2 caught my eye. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/northfield/cars-vans-utes/1989-nissan-300zx-coupetwin-turbo/1030145519 http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/northgate/cars-vans-utes/nissan-300zx-twin-turbo-fairlady-/1029953079 Having never owned 1 I don't know what goes wrong and what it takes to work on it? What usually goes wrong? Motor go boom boom? I know they can have ECU issues and faults that are a bitch to diagnose. They remind me of 90s era lambo's in terms of their stance and width, but I've always felt they are a bit of a Fat Lady Z as opposed to a Fairlady Z Quote
Moderators Zedman240® Posted October 21, 2013 Moderators Posted October 21, 2013 Expensive thing that I have seen is the hydraulic section on one of the cam belt pulleys apparently is only pressed together as an assembly and after a period of time, starts to work loose then you get an unexplained oil leak that seems to come from the back of the cam cover. To replace a pulley new is around $700, or a good s/h unit is about half that but again, it's only a matter of time before that one goes. I had a NA 2 seater manual and I loved it too! but the lure of a chunky 260 2 seater made me go back. If I did find a good 2 seater again, I would buy it to tell you the truth; they do have a timeless shape! Quote
d3c0y Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 I've got a highly modified Z32 which started out life as a stocker. Get one with an engine problem for what $1 - $2k and swap in a late 90's VG30DETT and you can fix some of the common issue while you are doing it? I think it's like any car really, if you keep the maintenance up to it you will be relatively trouble free. I think as most people have said they suffer badly from being thrashed and not serviced like the $130k+ car they were. This is amplified by the fact they are hard to work on, but seriously with the mechanical knowledge you have you will be able to do most things to it. Every car hits that age where everything needs replacing and they aren't much worse than GTRs for needing work done. Find one that has had all the money spent on it, that has an after market filter (they make a big difference on these cars), boost controller exhaust and an intercooler. They are a seriously quick car on 12-14psi with the mentioned mods. Hands down blows away a Z31 in every regard, handling, power, looks, better interior. It's also the least 2+2 looking of the three and they are enjoying a small surge in popularity of late. It really is a ridiculous amount of car for the money. The only Z31s i would consider would be post 87 200ZR or 300ZR. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted October 21, 2013 Administrators Posted October 21, 2013 Yeah they are dirt cheap right now for what you get. I can't believe what the 300zx and FDs sold for new in Australia. Never thought I'd own 1 of either just always seemed out of reach. I also think the 2JZ Supras are good value. Another car I've considered. Man I wish I had a bigger garage lol.... The 300zx appeals more than a 350z especially the twin turbo versions. Just don't get 1 with a ghastly bodykit . Quote
Cozza Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 I don't know much about these model Z's but I do have a '96 Navara with a VG30 motor. It has just clocked over 317K's on the odometer and pulls like an OX. Never had any problems with the motor, or computer etc. I'm pretty sure they are the same motor to the Z31 & 32's. Mick Quote
Stivva Posted October 21, 2013 Author Posted October 21, 2013 The 300zx appeals more than a 350z especially the twin turbo versions. Just don't get 1 with a ghastly bodykit . I really would be chasing a stock version of any of the models I was chasing, and also an N/A engine. Quote
d3c0y Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 I'm pretty sure they are the same motor to the Z31 & 32's. Mick Z32 motor is completely different. The N/A will be reliable but pretty slow. You should drive a turbo model and then make up your mind! N/As will also be more expensive thanks to P plate rules. Quote
Stivva Posted October 22, 2013 Author Posted October 22, 2013 Z32 motor is completely different. The N/A will be reliable but pretty slow. You should drive a turbo model and then make up your mind! N/As will also be more expensive thanks to P plate rules. Fuel Efficiency different much on the N/A and turbo? Quote
d3c0y Posted October 22, 2013 Posted October 22, 2013 I don't know off the top of my head, Aus300ZX.com has all of that info. Obviously the turbo is going to be worse, especially if you give it the berries which is hard not to do lol. I think you get bored with the N/A, it's no contest for me. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted October 22, 2013 Administrators Posted October 22, 2013 1 advantage of the old 280ZX would be to modify the EFI system and update it using something like a cheap MegaSquirt (replace AFM or MAP sensor?), I've always wanted to do something like that for the learning experience and the old ZX has very basic EFI which makes it ripe for it in my opinion. I know you didn't ask about other cars, so you may not be interested, but I've always fancied a 510 (AKA Datsun 1600) - you get the simple L-series and they are cheap too! 4 seats, L-series, it's a Datsun . Quote
Linton Posted October 22, 2013 Posted October 22, 2013 my 300zx z32 turbo auto does 10.5 L/100 highway and 16-20 L/100 around the town and I dont flog it nothing over 100kph my 260z is doing about 11 it has 280zx fuel injection Quote
zedevan Posted October 23, 2013 Posted October 23, 2013 since when are 1600's cheap Gav? I've always fancied a 78 240k for the same sort of reason Quote
d3c0y Posted October 23, 2013 Posted October 23, 2013 They are compared to a zed $10k with a full engine conversion no worries. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted October 23, 2013 Administrators Posted October 23, 2013 They are compared to a zed $10k with a full engine conversion no worries. Exactly, with an SR20 this 1 is listed at 12K. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ipswich-region/cars-vans-utes/datsun/1030144202 With an L20B at 5k http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/campbelltown/cars-vans-utes/1971-datsun-1600-with-3-months-rego/1026514735 Another at 6.5k http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/doncaster-east/cars-vans-utes/1972-datsun-1600-sedan/1013442949 Plenty of projects for $1-2k also.... Compared to early rotor coupe's they are dirt cheap... Another car that has become dirt cheap is R33 GTST - but they are common as muck. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kaleen/cars-vans-utes/97-nissan-skyline-r33-gtst/1030216626 (looks clean) Still about 10 years ago 300zx's, 180sx, 200sx, RX7s, GTO's etc.. were all big money. Now you can get them all relatively cheap it seems. Quote
zzzzed Posted October 23, 2013 Posted October 23, 2013 Z32 TT will pants an R33 GTST Yes but only in a straight line. Quote
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