Hello, I'm in the market for a second/project car. I was looking for a third gen camaro, but came across a NA 5 spd Z32 in silver. I'm looking for something thrilling to drive so this seems to fit the bill nicely. But I have a few questions for you more seasoned Z32 owners.

1. Gas mileage - Even with $4 a gallon, I actually don't care what kind of mileage I'm going to get, just curious what I can expect. I'm just assuming these things want premium.

2. Common problems - As these cars are getting old, what sort of problems are common and what do they usually cost? Are there places online to get OEM parts on the cheap?

3. Timing belt - I'm just going to assume these cars run a belt and that they're an interference engine unless told otherwise. When do they need to be replaced and how much does it usually cost if it's not DIY.

4. Manual Transmission - Coming from SAABs I'm used to some truely horrific things that they call transmissions. How is the tranny in a Z32 supposed to shift? Are they slick trannies? Does it have a nice, mechanical feel? What about the tranny strength? Can they take a lot of HP/TQ and/or abuse or do I need to be gentle?

5. Handling - How is the handling on these cars? Are they good stock or do they need a lot of suspension mods?

6. How do you like your car?

Thanks for your input

 

i get 23 mpg driving moderately light.

no where to get parts cheap. they are pretty expensive for the most part. z1 is good for aftermarket, and courtesynissan is good OEM. can't think of any specific weak spots right now.

i did my own belt (most do). about $250 for belt and idlers i think. 60k intervals

tranny takes a lot of abuse. not a common trouble area. my short shifter makes the shift a little stiff, (a tiny bit), but i like the shift. they are fast at any rate

handling is pretty good. i've only just really found my breaking point after about 6 months of ownership while it was on the road (i've had exeptionally bad luck mechanically). it's the fastest car all around that i've ever driven. other then the 1 TT i drove. but mods can help if you need a stiffer rear.

i love my car. it's the only reason i get up to go to school in the morning. it's the only thing that gets me positive attention. i'm always finding new areas that it can impress me in. i know how fast it can accelerate, but i'm playing with handling now. and it's quite reliable now that i got the stupid PO stuff taken care of

the bad thing is that the N/A's are scarcely upgradeable. really, the money is NOT worth the power with an N/A. look at the "how to make the N/A faster" stickey to see this. but i like it for what it is.

buy mine! i'm going to a bike. i can't afford gas while i go to college.

 

Hello, I'm in the market for a second/project car. I was looking for a third gen camaro, but came across a NA 5 spd Z32 in silver. I'm looking for something thrilling to drive so this seems to fit the bill nicely. But I have a few questions for you more seasoned Z32 owners.

1. Gas mileage - Even with $4 a gallon, I actually don't care what kind of mileage I'm going to get, just curious what I can expect. I'm just assuming these things want premium.

My commute of 34 miles a day is split between highway and surface streets. All told I get about 280 - 300 per tank. I have an automatic N/A 93.


2. Common problems - As these cars are getting old, what sort of problems are common and what do they usually cost? Are there places online to get OEM parts on the cheap?

You cannot go cheap on these cars, you just can't. I've tried, it costs more in the long run because these cars absolutely destroy rebuilds and cheap after-markets. Adding insult to injury Nissan has stopped making a lot of parts these days. I rarely get out of the shop for under 600 bucks a trip, but with regular maint an dsome TLC I thankfully rarely have to go.


3. Timing belt - I'm just going to assume these cars run a belt and that they're an interference engine unless told otherwise. When do they need to be replaced and how much does it usually cost if it's not DIY.

I replaced mine at 75k and it was the original...Im not a DIY guy but it wasnt too bad cost-wise.

4. Manual Transmission - Coming from SAABs I'm used to some truely horrific things that they call transmissions. How is the tranny in a Z32 supposed to shift? Are they slick trannies? Does it have a nice, mechanical feel? What about the tranny strength? Can they take a lot of HP/TQ and/or abuse or do I need to be gentle?

I have an automatic but I've heard the manual tranny described as "bullet-proof". Take that for what its worth.

5. Handling - How is the handling on these cars? Are they good stock or do they need a lot of suspension mods?

I run mine bone stock and with new tires it handels like a dream. It's a heavy car, over 3000 pounds, but it will stick tot he road like it's nailed there if you're driving smart.

6. How do you like your car?

I ****in' love it It's hands down the most fun car I've ever owned. Yeah it's hot on gas and maint, but it's a sports car.

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/tech/BuyingZ.htm

 

Expensive repairs don't disqualify the car, I just wanna know what I'm getting into is all. If they need regular TLC to stop major issues then they're no worse than my SAAB.

Thanks, that's exactly what I need.

 

i'd say you'll have a lot less trouble with a Z32 then with your saab. from what i hear...

 

Except this will be 10 years older than my saab, but I'm sure it'll be way more reliable than my buddy's 91 9000.

 

Good ol' Saab... I just sold mine. Whew!

 

1. Gas mileage - Even with $4 a gallon, I actually don't care what kind of mileage I'm going to get, just curious what I can expect. I'm just assuming these things want premium.

if you want gas mileage.... stay away. expect city driving to be under 20mpg expecially if like most people you like the pull of the car then expect much much less.

2. Common problems - As these cars are getting old, what sort of problems are common and what do they usually cost? Are there places online to get OEM parts on the cheap?

welll...... there are some common problems with different years and turbo or non turbo but nothing to shitty to worry about and nothing really all that common other than the earlier year cars do enjoy ****in up injectors if you let any alcohol in the gas system other than that no big really if you take proper care and maintenance of the car

3. Timing belt - I'm just going to assume these cars run a belt and that they're an interference engine unless told otherwise. When do they need to be replaced and how much does it usually cost if it's not DIY.

timing belt is done every 60k and isnt cheap but isnt insane unless you have someone else do it for you. if you have a mechanic do it with all the proper and good parts it will be a 1k job. if you do it yourself, i think more around 3-4 hundred

4. Manual Transmission - Coming from SAABs I'm used to some truely horrific things that they call transmissions. How is the tranny in a Z32 supposed to shift? Are they slick trannies? Does it have a nice, mechanical feel? What about the tranny strength? Can they take a lot of HP/TQ and/or abuse or do I need to be gentle?

these cars manual trannies have been the most comon swapped tranny into high horse power cars and have routinley taken 700 and more hp no problems, only thing is the synchros tend to go out after a good amount of mileage is built up between 2nd and 3rd then 3rd and 4th

5. Handling - How is the handling on these cars? Are they good stock or do they need a lot of suspension mods?

all i did was get larger rims (17 inch is perfect) and new shocks and is still imho the best handling car i have had. once i get bigger sway bars and less tire more rim on my S30 to get rid of the side wall flex im sure that will QUICKLY change my opinion.

6. How do you like your car?

still my fav car though the S30 is basically tied with it i cant help but miss my Z32. the interior setup freaking rocks the seats are amazing they handle great and even the NA makes pretty good power. though i'd never buy one again. lol. TT or bust for me just cause i had the NA and though a great daily car because of everything it is and more, i just want more power. and the NA is not a car worth modding for power.

 

Do these cars have LSD and if so what kind?

 

1 way viscous

 

Does that need a special kind of fluid if I change the diff oil?

 

it requires an additive. i recommend redlines diff fluid with the additive already in it

 

are you sure about that? the viscous part is a closed system that has no fluid interaction with the gear oil. most LSD additives are friction modifiers, that affect how the clutches engage each other. i am pretty confident that no additive is required in these diffs.

 

yea youre right. i was thinking of the diff in my truck. even tho i used some redline fluid with the friction modifier that i was given for my old Zs