They are fun to drive but the stock suspension leaves a lot to be desired. Mine currently only has F&R sway bars and front sturt bar. It's decent but compared to my friends old 300x it sucks. My friend had his 300zx with lower springs, sway bars, poly bushings all the way around. He also had the toe and camber set up for a cross between street driving and auto-x. let me tell you, that car was sick around a turn. I mean the car has potential, you just have to put the time into it. Stock for stock it will not compare to a 370z. Modified to stock, it will be hard to compare. Even though both are Z's the 300zx is vastly different in feel compared to the 370z. It comes down to what you prefer. Then again I'm one of the odd Z people that loves the Z31, while most Z enthusaist hate the Z31.
As for maintenance in 2012, it's hard to say. It's honestly going to come down to how good of shape you buy one in. As with all old cars the better the shape the car is the less you will have to worry about. I mean you can tell by the amount of miles I have on my 300zx that I don't drive it often but I've never had to sink major money into it. Over the last 13 years I've had to replace the valve cover seals, rear main seal, oil pan gasket, heater went out and bypassed, a/c connections replaced, hoses replaced due to age, fuel sending unit replaced, new shocks, tires, oil, filters, power steering pump, alternator, starter. Thats about it. Not bad considering the cars age. I'll also say, knock on wood, that in the last 5 years she hasn't needed anything.
Lastly it helps if you are mechanically inclined or have a mechanic familiar with older cars. Most mechanics now and days really don't know much about the Z31. Not that the Z31 is special in any case, it's a car like most others, but you don't want a mechanic using your Z as his first attempt.
Like I said, spend the time and extra money to find a Z31 thats been cared for. From there things should be pretty easy, that is unless you start to modify. Adding mods you start to find out quickly that it's a slippery slope to repalcing everything as support for the previous part. I found that out with regards to my 280z. Finally one day I said I had to stop. Before mods it's always best to have a game plan from the begining so you know just how far you want to go so you can prepare the best.
Anything else, let me know
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