Thinking about getting rid of my 370Z for a 94-95 300ZX TT T-top...

Nikon FM · 10-27-2010, 11:03 PM

After reading this thread I'm buying one

Mt Tam I am · 10-28-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

I don't like T-tops. I know lots of people that don't like them, either. None of them are 15, and neither am I.

T-tops: Just another thing to leak/lessen structural rigidity/rattle/require $1K in new seals/James Bond into the road at 70mph when your buddy pulls the lever after you forgot to lock it, etc. etc. etc.

All for what? Because you didn't pony up and buy the 'vert when you wanted open-air experience?

No thankyou. I am a fan of hard-tops and 'verts (although I don't like 'verts, they serve a large market of people who do).

Your conclusion is incorrect. I walked in to buy a TT convertible. The 1994-95 300ZX TT was not offered in a rag top. The T Tops seemed standard, as everyone I test drove had them. By buying the TT you were "ponying" up for the most expensive model Nissan made. HICAS may have only come with turbo too. The choice I had was standard convertible or twin turbo. I chose the later in 1995. T tops are a great compromise between rag top shortcomings and hard top practicality.

Did anyone ever have leaky T Tops on their 300's?

Mt Tam I am · 10-28-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderZ34

For maintenance, it's really not much. I only do a timing belt job every 5 yrs for $600 and that's about it. They're very reliable as a daily driver.

For troubles- you might have problems w/ injectors dying if you let your car sit, but you can also just replace them for a $500 w/ the 1995 version.

Just try to find one that was garaged and well taken care of... like mine. LOL

Good luck, either way you'll have a nice Z.

Having owned both. Keep your 300 and wait until the 370 becomes more reliable, like your 1995.
Why do you change your timing belt so frequently? If the belt fails on turbos, the valves will not contact cylinders as on standard model.

ThunderZ34 · 10-28-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

Having owned both. Keep your 300 and wait until the 370 becomes more reliable, like your 1995.
Why do you change your timing belt so frequently? If the belt fails on turbos, the valves will not contact cylinders as on standard model.

Hi. I change the T-Belt, all other belts, water pump, etc. every 5 yrs and well below the 60,000 interval just so I have peace of mind. By doing it in that 5 yr. interval, I avoid having to do any other work for 5 yrs., and at any time feel confident enough to drive it across country if I had to. BTW- the valves will hit the pistons if the tbelt breaks- not a pretty sight.

Forgot to mention that the Z32TT also has a factory oil cooler, not sure why they didn't include it in the Z34.

FuszNissan · 10-28-2010, 04:25 PM

60 and 120K service is cheaper than a new motor.

Mt Tam I am · 10-29-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderZ34

Hi. I change the T-Belt, all other belts, water pump, etc. every 5 yrs and well below the 60,000 interval just so I have peace of mind. By doing it in that 5 yr. interval, I avoid having to do any other work for 5 yrs., and at any time feel confident enough to drive it across country if I had to. BTW- the valves will hit the pistons if the tbelt breaks- not a pretty sight.

Forgot to mention that the Z32TT also has a factory oil cooler, not sure why they didn't include it in the Z34.

Can't go wrong, or argue with any of your reasoning on maintenance. Your car is the one somebody wants to buy. You would miss your Z32 if you ever sold it.

Mercennarius · 10-29-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

Having owned both. Keep your 300 and wait until the 370 becomes more reliable, like your 1995.
Why do you change your timing belt so frequently? If the belt fails on turbos, the valves will not contact cylinders as on standard model.

Not true.

The 370Z is a newer car and without the turbos it is indefinetly going to be more reliable then a 20 year old twin-turbo sports car. Not to say the 300ZX wasnt reliable, it was, but its not going to be more reliable then a brand new car.

And ALL 300ZXs had interference engines, so if the timing belt broke the odds of your valves bending was very high.

Mt Tam I am · 10-29-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercennarius

Not true.

The 370Z is a newer car and without the turbos it is indefinetly going to be more reliable then a 20 year old twin-turbo sports car. Not to say the 300ZX wasnt reliable, it was, but its not going to be more reliable then a brand new car.

And ALL 300ZXs had interference engines, so if the timing belt broke the odds of your valves bending was very high.

I guess it is all personal experience regarding reliability. My 300 never spent one night in the shop. Zero warranty work. The only major service I had was a one day, all day, $850 service. The 370 has already had eleven nights in the shop, with more warranty work coming, another rental. I can't belief I actually bought a Nissan. I wanted a 7th Nissan, its just that I seemed to have bought a Yugo compared to my 300 or other Datsun/Nissans.

Mt Tam I am · 10-29-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderZ34

BTW- the valves will hit the pistons if the tbelt breaks- not a pretty sight.

Forgot to mention that the Z32TT also has a factory oil cooler, not sure why they didn't include it in the Z34.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercennarius

Not true.
And ALL 300ZXs had interference engines, so if the timing belt broke the odds of your valves bending was very high.

Sorry for misinformation I was sure, so I looked it up and found this at Twinturbo.net :

I was just re-reading a copy of Road & Track's write-up of the 90-96 Z as a used car classic. In it, the author says "The engine is free-wheeling; that is, valves won't collide with pistons should the [timing] belt break."
Can't believe that made it past an editor; you'd think SOMEBODY would've known better!

I knew I was not just shooting from the hip, but wrong is wrong. Sorry again.

.

Mercennarius · 10-29-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

I guess it is all personal experience regarding reliability. My 300 never spent one night in the shop. Zero warranty work. The only major service I had was a one day, all day, $850 service. The 370 has already had eleven nights in the shop, with more warranty work coming, another rental. I can't belief I actually bought a Nissan. I wanted a 7th Nissan, its just that I seemed to have bought a Yugo compared to my 300 or other Datsun/Nissans.

The 300ZX was a very well built car no doubt, theres a reason they were $40-$50k in the mid 1990s. But they were also fairly complex cars for their time, that coupled with around 20 years of age means that as a whole they will not be as reliable as a new Z. Not everyone is going to have a problem free car, even with new cars. This was the same when the 300ZX came out as well. I can assure you a used 300ZX is going to need more care and maintenance then a new 370Z.

NIZMOZ · 10-29-2010, 03:48 PM

Yes the 300zx has a non interference engine while the VQ is and will cause damage if that chain ever did break which is almost impossible. But either way, for how old the Z32 is, it's aging well and not having a crap load of problems. Can't say the same for the 350z with oil consumption issues throughout the years. The 370z also might have similar issues but we will see.

Zsteve · 10-29-2010, 06:00 PM

25k miles on my car and no nights in the shop, no problems that couldnt be fixed in a few minutes, ie. rear hatch fix.

Mercennarius · 10-30-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIZMOZ

Yes the 300zx has a non interference engine while the VQ is and will cause damage if that chain ever did break which is almost impossible.

No. The 300ZX is an interference engine, if the timing belt breaks while the engines running the valves are going to hit the pistons.

NIZMOZ · 10-30-2010, 09:48 AM

K, I stand corrected. Then just replace the valves if it happens.

|samu · 07-26-2012, 09:38 AM

I have both. Z34 is better

10-27-2010, 11:03 PM	#61 (permalink)
Nikon FM Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snoqualmie WA Posts: 973 Drives: 03 996TT Porsche Rep Power: 606	After reading this thread I'm buying one __________________ Buddy Revell: "One man's sooner is another man's later"

10-28-2010, 04:25 PM	#65 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 542	60 and 120K service is cheaper than a new motor. __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012

10-29-2010, 03:48 PM	#71 (permalink)
NIZMOZ Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 634 Drives: 07 NISMO 350Z SA M6 Rep Power: 491	Yes the 300zx has a non interference engine while the VQ is and will cause damage if that chain ever did break which is almost impossible. But either way, for how old the Z32 is, it's aging well and not having a crap load of problems. Can't say the same for the 350z with oil consumption issues throughout the years. The 370z also might have similar issues but we will see. __________________ SOLD: 2007 NISMO 350Z #0044 Silver Alloy New DD: 2010 Titan Pro4X CC

10-29-2010, 06:00 PM	#72 (permalink)
Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 3,298 Drives: the 2 balled club Rep Power: 22	25k miles on my car and no nights in the shop, no problems that couldnt be fixed in a few minutes, ie. rear hatch fix. __________________ 2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

10-30-2010, 09:48 AM	#74 (permalink)
NIZMOZ Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 634 Drives: 07 NISMO 350Z SA M6 Rep Power: 491	K, I stand corrected. Then just replace the valves if it happens. __________________ SOLD: 2007 NISMO 350Z #0044 Silver Alloy New DD: 2010 Titan Pro4X CC

07-26-2012, 09:38 AM	#75 (permalink)
\|samu Banned Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Minot Posts: 69 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 0	I have both. Z34 is better

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