Looking at a '96 N/A 300ZX -- opinions?

"Garrett Davis" (GarrettDavis)
01/30/2015 at 12:18 • Filed to: None

I've been on the hunt for a cheap car to drive for a while before getting back into a car payment after !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and after scanning Craigslist tirelessly and soliciting advice from you lovely people, I landed on this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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I went and drove it yesterday and it's probably the cleanest 300ZX I've seen. It's an older gentleman who owns the car, driven Z's since the 70's and has been a member of the Z club just as long. He's selling it because he's got a nice G35 now and doesn't have the knees for a clutch anymore. It's at 125k miles, had all the 120k mile maintenance done at 108k including the timing belt and water pump.

The interior is seriously gorgeous, 9/10 with some minor wear showing on the shifter, driver's side bolsters and center console — the seat foam is in perfect shape just some wear on the fabric. Power everything and it all works perfectly, A/C blows cold (DeMuro would be proud), no leaks from the T-tops (it's been raining here lately), and the stereo doesn't sound completely awful. The paint is nice for the year, no sun spots, he had all the little dents and dings removed, and no major scratches at all.

The engine is a bit dusty, but clean. Hoses are all pliable, no cracks in the vacuum lines, belts and fluids look great, tires have 75% tread on them at least, and zero rust to be seen — as to be expected from a SoCal car. The exhaust sounds fantastic, isn't too loud, and no annoying drone. The exhaust and intake are the only two mods, which is nice and tasteful.

A few minor issues/concerns:

Very minor drain plug oil leak since last oil change

Slight steering wheel vibration at speed, feels like wheel balance as there is surprisingly little slop in the steering for such an old car.

A little bit of valve ticking audible when hovering over the engine. It's an even and regular sound, doesn't sound like there are any sticky valves, but I'm not sure how much you usually hear from these engines.

The clutch has a very high actuation point. It was replaced at 90k miles and according to the owner it has felt that way since he's owned it. It grabs well and shifts smoothly.

It's not what I would call quick, and didn't feel like 220hp. I'm test driving another today to make sure that this one isn't down on power or anything. I think I might just be spoiled by the ST though, and certainly don't want to deal with the maintenance of a twin turbo model.

Power antenna doesn't work sometimes (don't care)

Basically, the car is solid. I'm just trying to get a handle on what maintenance is going to be like. The plan was to buy something cheap to drive for a year at least before I want to get back into another car payment, so it would be nice to not have to touch much during this time. If it stays this solid and I really like it, there's a good chance I might keep it as a second car. Also, it will be nice to get back into a correct wheel drive car, as fun as the ST was.

Any Opponauts with experience or insight on these? From scouring forums, some say these cars a very reliable (what enthusiast forum doesn't say the same), but there are nearly as many saying that these can be finicky. Honestly the engine bay looks so packed that maintenance doesn't look fun, but not sure how this translates to cost of upkeep.

I have a feeling the first comment is going to be something along the lines of: "You idiot! What are you doing? Go buy that thing before someone else does!"

DISCUSSION (21)

jkm7680 > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 12:21

Paging Dsscats.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 12:26

I owned an Infiniti J30 awhile back, which has the same engine. I loved the way it drove, and if this drives the same way, I think you'd do well to buy it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 12:30

Timeless design.

Rock Bottom > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 12:34

I only have this: one of my engineers in a former life drove a car just like this for years before replacing it with a Ferrari 355. He once admitted to me that he enjoyed driving the Nissan every bit as much as the Ferrari, despite the power difference. He said it was just a perfectly balanced machine that sounded great and felt like more than the sum of it's parts.

When a 355 owner tells you he thoroughly enjoyed driving a Nissan, you take notice!

EDIT: I should state that neither the Nissan nor the Ferrari were/are daily drivers. He uses trucks (yuck) for that.

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 12:38

If you aren't satisfied with the power, don't get it. My buddy is very involved with the Nissan enthusiast scene and says working on them is hell due to the cramped engine bay. There aren't any huge reliability problems, but basically you'll just be paying for the styling. The price isn't horrible but I would go for something that has the handling and comfort but is easier to work on or faster.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 12:40

I'd say the price is a tad high, maybe even CP.

even in excellent condition KKB puts it at 5100.

also this

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/486541…

Garrett Davis > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
01/30/2015 at 12:45

Agreed, I would definitely be talking him down.

Damn that thing is gorgeous...

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 12:47

That blue BMW just says "I'm a car enthusiast but I'm also a damn gentlemen. "

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 12:54

As for the Z I'd offer him 4500, wait for him to get back up on his feet, and then see what he does. I wouldn't pay over 4700 for it. and even that seems too high for a non turbo. Altho it does look very clean. Bottom line is how bad do you want it I guess.

Garrett Davis > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
01/30/2015 at 12:55

I think that will insult the poor guy, but you're not wrong.

Ej8gUy > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 13:01

http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/NISSA…

treesmakewater > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 14:14

I only know about the TT model. Paging dsscats!

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 14:28

My overly thought out and biased opinion:

BUY IT!

End of opinion.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 14:30

He's been at this game long enough, he won't be insulted. Give it a shot

Garrett Davis > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
01/30/2015 at 14:58

Any experience with them?

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 15:00

Not with a 300. I had a 350. I've just always been a fan of Z's. I would talk to Dascats if you need some input.

Garrett Davis > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
01/30/2015 at 15:09

I talked to him a bit in another thread, he thinks this is a good buy if I go the 300zx route. I agree, if I get one, it will be this one.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Garrett Davis
01/30/2015 at 15:21

Nice choice. It looks damn good

Dsscats > Garrett Davis
01/31/2015 at 16:51

Slight steering wheel vibration at speed, feels like wheel balance as there is surprisingly little slop in the steering for such an old car.

Yep, mine has that too. Very doubtful, but may be warped brakes.

So many Z32s have a slight lifter tick. I've been lucky to get one without, but a lot of guys switch to Rotella T6, IIRC, which seems to fix it.

Garrett Davis > Dsscats
02/01/2015 at 12:37

Thanks for the info. Would you say that the lifter tick is indicative of something in these cars? Some cars just have ticking lifters after a while and doesn't really mean much. Jeep 4.0s for example.

Dsscats > Garrett Davis
02/01/2015 at 14:39

Not generally. It's just kind of a thing.