The Life and Times of My 300ZX Turbo
 

I just want to share this thread I posted back in August of 2011 over at the Z33 page. I started to miss this car more than usual these past few days so I figured I'd post this here. The following shows the subtle transformation of my 1996 Sapphire Blue 300ZX Turbo 2+2.

It all started in April of 2010 when I saw these pictures on a Japanese website. It was love all over again.
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...20Z/Z32/01.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...20Z/Z32/02.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...2/P4091634.jpg

I was finally in a position to own my favorite car as a child. Fast forward a few months, and my Z32 finally arrived in Germany. It was mostly stock with 105K kilometers on the VG30DETT motor. It came equipped with Greddy BOVs, OEM wing, and Gracer front bumper with side pieces.
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...2/IMG_1263.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...2/IMG_1260.jpg

The car was in great shape, but definitely needed some attention. For starters, the tires had to be replaced to pass German inspection so I decided to use my OEM 350Z V2 Touring wheels for the moment.
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...2/IMG_1679.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...2/IMG_1681.jpg

That didn't look bad at all so I kept them mounted. However, the car definitely needed a drop (and some spacers).
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...X/IMG_2282.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...X/IMG_2281.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...X/IMG_2266.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...X/IMG_2275.jpg

It was an enjoyable car no doubt, but I intended on selling it. Let's face it, though the car received more attention than my 350Z, it wasn't exactly a Nurburgring track star. Then one sunny day in Luxembourg, a BMW 328 attempted to to reconfigure my Greddy front end. It was a sad day indeed :(.
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...Luxembourg.jpg

After weeks of deliberation, I decided to repair it, restore it back to original, and keep it for good. The left fender and countless seals and mouldings were replaced. Thanks to Concept Z, Z1 Motorsports, and Nissan Autohaus Dambach, Germany, everything was readily available. The work began very shortly, and Autohaus Dambach did an amazing job prepping the vehicle and executing the job.
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1012.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1011.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1010.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1009.jpg

The 300ZX was finally complete in April of 2011. Sure, a few other seals still have to be replaced, but all that can wait. The Z32 is now sporting the OEM bumper, Eibach springs, Tokico Blues, and 10mm Z1 spacers all around. I also removed the Gracer sides and OEM wing for a cleaner look. Finally, I purchased a Stillen lip but have yet to install it.
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1283.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1286.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1275.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1278.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1285.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1281.jpg

A few more pictures with my 350Z.
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1334.jpg
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1298.jpg

The car is currently in storage in Germany. It will remain there until I return to Europe or when it turns 25 years old, whichever comes first. Maybe I miss it more because in the back of my head, I know that the practical thing to do is to sell it. We'll see what happens.

Very nice.

Don't sell it man. Money can be made. A car like this is hard to come by

It's a difficult decision. I've been paying €80 a month in storage fees since Oct '11 and will continue to do so for another 9 years if I keep the car, unless I get stationed back in Europe.

On the other hand, it's a car with under 70K miles that I've spent over €5K just for the paint and numerous OEM seals and body pieces just to get it back to original. Factor in the purchase and shipping price, all of a sudden keeping the Z doesn't seem like a bad idea.

It was a foolish move dropping that much on it, specially since it doesn't have any real collector value. Euro prices for parts and labor are really off the chart, you should have sent the car to Poland for repair or restoration they are the China of Europe for cheap quality work.

Your basic decision is simple keep it and keep paying a fortune for it or abandon the money pit and cut your losses or have the car shipped to where you intent to live permamently and have a friend or relative store it for you.

^^ Why would any of us spend thousands on our vehicles? Are turbos, wheels really necessary? I know I won't get my money back when I decided to fix it, I intended on keeping it regardless of the fact it's not exactly in high demand. The question is my willingness to keep on paying storage fees for 9 years. Hmmm ...

I love it! Worth every penny IMO.

To this day I still miss my TT... Sold it in 98 work 45 kms....it was mint.... Wished I never sold it

beautiful

Thanks bro. The 300ZX Turbo is still in Germany and is currently for sale. I'd rather not sell it, but I already have too many cars as it is. Besides, it's a 1996 model so I won't be able to ship it anytime soon. I keep getting lowball offers, from $5K to $7K usually, so I'll probably end up keeping the car for a little while which is kinda cool. I keep finding an to tell my wife why we still owe this Z, and this seems to be the best one yet ;). I understand it's almost 20 years old, but it would be difficult for anyone to find a 300ZX in such a pristine condition such as this one. It has under 70K miles, and almost every seal was replaced, including badges, when it was repainted by Autohaus Dambach. I won't take anything under $8K. At $15K, I would just break even with all my expenses.

If it was LHD, I would give you what you're asking....Nothing here in any sort of condition/price is worth it....GL.

I'm confused.. Why don't you ship the car to where your at?? Sorry if I missed that part of the story.


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Unfortunately, a JDM car has to be 25 years old before you could legally import it to the US.

Are you F**king kidding me?? What if you import it lets say for track use?? then it will be here in your garage and not over in storage... Just a thought:ugh2:

That's an option for sure. But instead of being in a garage in Germany, it'll be parked outside here in Guam. Then again, better here than there, right? I really need to think about this. I just might go with a lower than $8K selling price, I can always get another Z32.

Very true but you gotta ask your self how much do you love that car?? It will not be the same if you just grab another z32... You got some thinking to do my friend.


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