Thinking about buying a 300zx TT
 

I am really thinking about buying a '95 '96 300zx TT. What are the major things if any to look out for? I literally just got this bug up my rear about 2 days ago as I waved to one on the express way. That car just makes me drool. Does anyone own one and can chime in on what to look out for when searching for one? I don't mind dumping some cash into it but I don't want something that is going to sink me for $15K because I didn't know any better :tiphat:

You might want to go to a 300zx forum. Im sure there are a couple of members here that have had one, and can answer your question, but you will most likely get a ton more information from a 300zx forum than a 370z forum. just my 2c.. :tiphat:

Yeah, I am already browsing around the web but I would love to hear from members here too. :tiphat:

re: 300ZXTT
 

I bought a 40th AE in Feb after driving my 95 300ZXTT since 2002, and have it up for sale. Here's the Autotrader link, and I'd be happy to answer any questions.

The 370Z being 15 yrs newer is obviously more refined, but doesn't approach the raw power response of the boosted 300Z. I love them both, but it's kinda like choosing between two kids. Ideally I would keep the Z32 to track; but the wife has other ideas.

Find out when the last timing belt change was done. A broken timing belt will destroy your motor. Obviously the lower mileage the better. Labor rates on those cars are NUTS so if it needs work prepare to pay. I've had 4, my current 91tt is my baby, major upgrades and pushing 617whp

See when / if injectors have been replaced, they are expensive. Timing belt like mentioned before. I had n/a so cant speak on reliability of turbos .

:tup: Thanks everyone. I appreciate the replies.

:driving:

It will be a project car where I can tinker with it on my days off.

I'll let others chime in here with more experience, but if you're planning to pick one up as a project car, I'd look for something else. There's many other cars that will be so much easier and less expensive to work on where you can get more bang for your time and money.

Don't get me wrong, I love 300Zs (having owned 3 and driven exclusively for 13 years), and know that there are people that have successfully done TT swaps, great restorations, etc; but more often than not they end up as abandoned projects and parted out. Just do a lot of research and know what you're in for if you decide to go this route. twinturbo.net is your source for whatever you want to know about them.

Thanks! I may have mis-spoke by saying Project car. I want to buy a fully functional vehicle in good working order but I don't mind doing some of the body work/tinkering with stuff and if something breaks I can take my time to see if I can fix it myself. And since it will be a pleasure vehicle it will be sitting around most of the time anyways, so if it takes me a few weeks to fix something on it, its no big deal. :tup:

I have a 1990 300ZX TT and it's a great car. Love it, but it's expensive to maintain and do repairs on.

Exactly, it's an EXPENSIVE car to maintain

Thanks everyone! Will check out twinturbo.net also. I appreciate all the info about the costs involved too, really helps to get a good idea of what I might be getting into :tup:

When I lived in Dallas I became friends with a parts sales guy at Courtesy Nissan, and he said we make money 2 ways, selling OEM GTR parts to the middle eastern countries (because they buy totaled GTRs here and fix them there) and 300ZXs, nothing compares to those in sales

Damn

yea, don't think you can buy a 300zx and slowly drive it and tinker with it. Mine spends more time in the shop than on the road.

Yeah, thats the info I was looking for. I guess when I win the powerball I will get one :roflpuke2: Since I don't have any kids to put through college, I might still get one :rofl2:

Thanks to EVERYONE for keeping it real and telling it how it is. It is very much appreciated.

Also keep in mind that the expense and time in garage/turning wrenches on it are proportionate to the condition the car is in. If you buy a thrashed 300ZX TT, you will be spending more time in the shop vs road. If you buy a low mile well taken cared of 300ZX TT, you will be on the road more than the garage! (This is the case for my car, I bought it with 60,000 miles on it, 1 owner and in mint shape) Hardly any problems with it. Only issues were 2 injectors, which is expected.

On the other hand if you want buy mine, it can be your daily driver as it was for me the last 11 yrs. I won't pollute this thread with an ad, but the key is to find one that has been cared for.

No worries! Appreciate your insight and what is involved in owning the vehicle.