Station Posted January 30, 2012 Posted January 30, 2012 This type (the crappy one nobody likes): Has anyone driven one or owned one for a bit? I remember them being sold at the time, and recall them being 'panned' by the critics, which doesn't mean much to me.They're pretty cheap at the moment for t&t examples.
RoadworkUK Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 I can see no earthly reason that you shouldn't want one of these. I reckon everybody's forgotten about them enough for them to be half publically acceptable again. A bit like one of Andrew E's shirts.
STUNO Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 I agree with roadwork, the 240z was the pure model, then they grew up and put on size and weight. There is nothing to suggest they are really shite, and they probably ride and handle quite well. No doubt a good one will be a pleasant and trouble-free experience.In shorter words--- just do it
Minimad5 Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 Dave, have you seen the blue one local ?You should buy it
Negative Creep Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 Very thirsty, can rust badly, roof seals leak and pretty barge like to drive
Volksy Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 Very thirsty, can rust badly, roof seals leak and pretty barge like to drive Sound fabulous!
cort16 Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 300ZX you say. This one for 400 quid would make you the ultimate council estate hero. The bodykit is described by the seller as "honkin" http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1985-nissan-300-zx-rwd-non-turbo-MANUAL-drift-track-car-old-school-/190624405432?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c621997b8
steve austin Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... ead=121384 Nice cheap one localish to me.
CIH Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 Rear brake discs are bloody hard to find. The engines go on forever though, as you might expect.
Pete-M Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 I've driven one. Hated it. This, of course, means that you lot will love it. The one I drove was an auto. The engine wasn't a bad old lump but the whole car just felt very wrong to me. Barge running gear in something that looks vaguely like it was trying to be a sports car. Everything felt massively overservoed and the whole car felt as if someone in the Datsun parts department had discovered a load of Laurel bits knocking about in a shed and they'd designed something around them to keep the Yanks happy. Interiors are properly Autoshite spec with half an inch of nylontastic velour everywhere. Drive a 300ZX in a woolly jumper and the first time you touch something earthed will possibly start a lightning storm. DavidB 1
eddyramrod Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 That's the key, Pete: it was designed for the American market, for the mid-life-crisis brigade. Bruce Willis drove one in Blind Date, IIRC... I'd certainly take one on, as long as it came with enough T&T and a proper gearbox. None of this outmoded shift-it-yersel business!
HillmanImp Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 The only way you could make one of these cars look good is by parking it next to Jocelyn Wildenstein. But for the money you cant really go wrong I suppose.....
Station Posted February 1, 2012 Author Posted February 1, 2012 I test-drove a turbo manual the other night and was impressed by the handling for such a big car. Felt quite solid, the plastics/vinyl are very Japanese, I like the way it looks, it's quite bland but unusual.Steveaustin, I've seen that one, if it's still around next month I'll go and have a look.Minimad, I don't know where that one lives - I know a middle aged woman drives it, and it might live on Borough Road, but haven't seen it for a while. That 'honkin' one doesn't look too bad, isn't that body kit standard? I would never get used to that colour though - angel delight orange? no tax or test, no thanks!
Station Posted February 8, 2012 Author Posted February 8, 2012 Minimad, I found that birkenhead bruiser "Z31" for sale.It's rough looking (bumper scrapes, arches) but it's MOT'd and tax disc until end of March 2012. I've seen it being driven round by a 30-40 year old woman for the past four or so years, so obviously 'well loved'.Says no timewasters, no price and has a land line number. Excuse the 'fear of getting caught for no reason' photos. 1989 Nissan 300ZX by Jibijib, on Flickr 1989 Nissan 300ZX by Jibijib, on Flickr
Minimad5 Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Thats the one Dave ! Shame you couldn't capture the true fucked-ness of the front arch, it is a fibreglass whores spunk dream If i had the disposable income, then i'd buy it for "shits and giggles" - Plus the chance to find out how well they drive and handle
Guest Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Thats the one Dave ! If i had the disposable income, i'd crash it off the roundabout near Stone Manganese while Wat filmed it EFA. If a manual and stripped to within an inch of its life (the rust has already helped) then it might make a cheap d***t machine.
Minimad5 Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Thats the one Dave ! If i had the disposable income, i'd crash it off the roundabout near Stone Manganese while Wat filmed it Jon you cheeky B , i'd like to think i don't drive like a tw*t
STUNO Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 On Top Gear US version right now, Nissan 300ZX in a buy a cheap $1000. car and go through the tests thing. It is against a Cadillac and a Thunderbird. What will last the distance ???P.S. I have no idea how old this episode is. EDIT... Nissan was the only one that lasted the trial out
gtd2000 Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 On Top Gear US version right now, Nissan 300ZX in a buy a cheap $1000. car and go through the tests thing. It is against a Cadillac and a Thunderbird. What will last the distance ???P.S. I have no idea how old this episode is. EDIT... Nissan was the only one that lasted the trial out You don't get much car for US$1000 these days - certainly unusual to buy anything at that price that actually runs in Florida. I have to say it's very hard to buy an honest used car in the USA - most offerings are totally shagged out crap with stellar milages they describe as "low mileage"
Station Posted February 9, 2012 Author Posted February 9, 2012 Plus the chance to find out how well they drive and handle They felt alright to drive, but not expecting Elise, I've been told they go OK for a big car, not bad mpg either.
Station Posted March 11, 2012 Author Posted March 11, 2012 About 2pm on a Sunday and the prospect of driving another 300 miles this week in the Felicia made me do something silly and buy this: 1988 Nissan Fairlady Z31 by Jibijib, on Flickr It's taxed and MOT'd till the end of the month, and insurance is a mere 240 quid per year. It feels totally solid, it sounds meaty, but it really, really needs a clean. As Pete said, it's blue vinyl heaven. I think the seats are leather, but they could also be vinyl.I really love the Felicia but I can't do another motorway run in it. I'm hoping I have no trouble doing the M6 journey tonight.
scooters Posted March 11, 2012 Posted March 11, 2012 I've had a semi for one of these babies for years....ubershite indeed
RoadworkUK Posted March 11, 2012 Posted March 11, 2012 Excellent work! Whatever you do, don't get rid of the three-spokes. I reckon they've done the full 360 degrees and become irono-cool.
Station Posted March 11, 2012 Author Posted March 11, 2012 Thanks!It's a manual with cruise control, although I have no hope that CC actually works. The rust isn't as bad as I thought, it needs a new thermostat as it's blowing a bit lukewarm. There's no air-con, which I'm pleased about (they never work on cars of this age anyway). Seats are electrically controlled with three pneumatic pumps. I'm sure they're leather. Whole car smells of vinyl. It's the same sensation as sticking you head inside an Austin that's been stored in a hot garage for a decade. Vinyl.The boot toolkit hasn't been touched, nor has the weird spacesaver spare wheel.Thankfully there's not a lot of electronical stuff to go wrong.Also, apart from oil changes, it hasn't seen a service since 2000. I don't think it's actually had a wash for that long either. I think the algae/tree sap/bird lime has prevented rust from spreading.
John F Posted March 11, 2012 Posted March 11, 2012 Nice. I've also been nursing a semi for these for quite a long time.
Tetleysmooth Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 Nice. I've also been nursing a semi for these for quite a long time.Well, you can buy it now, it's over on Retro Rides.
John F Posted March 16, 2012 Posted March 16, 2012 Nice. I've also been nursing a semi for these for quite a long time.Well, you can buy it now, it's over on Retro Rides. Hmmm, like I said, I'm only nursing a semi. Realistically, it would need something special like a Yugo 55 or a Schwimmwagen to finish me off.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now