You know? For about 2 months now, i've been reading up on Z32's and Z's all day long, trying to gather as much info as possible..

You guys certainly know how to scare me..but the truth about these cars can be scary. Timing belts busting off and costing engine rebuilding...lack of water pump and tension thingie being changed and forever screwing the car...this stuff scares me..I tell people that i've set aside 4-5K for repairs...they tell me that ought to last me a long while...whilst some of you tell me no...that will last me barely a year, and that it cost $5000 a year just to keep it up and running...what??! investing $15,000 over 3 years to keep it running?.. And when looking for that special Z...you guys tell me to find one that has all the service records...what if i cant find a Z with service records all filed and kept?

Someone told me in an earlier thread that these cars are reliable, and that they are not to be feared, as in a buyers beware standpoint....but i'll tell you...im getting more and more scared, more weary....im starting to wonder if its even worth considering anymore.

Jim

 

The people saying $5k a year are full of it. I've spend $1200 on my 93 N/A in the past two years I've had it. The only problem with these cars is the cost of labor if you cant DIY. Of that $1200 about $500 was in parts. The only major work that needs to be done is the 60K mile maintenance which should cost at the most $1000. Which includes water-pump, tensioner, t-belt, all hoses, seals, etc. TT are slightly more expensive because of the obvious reason that Turbos wear out. In the Z they typically last 130-150K miles. Costs about $3k to replace, once again lots of labor.

And the service records,baaaaa. Just find one that has proof of the 60k maintenance. People should keep that record if they are not an idiot.

 

Well hey man...

Thanks for the assurance..

I was figuring it shouldnt be that much to maintain..

Anyways..come the time i find a decent Z....what if the owner somehow cant produce the records for the 60K maintenance? Move on? or deduct a grand from the asking price?

Thanks!

 

The best advice you can get is to take your time and find the right car, with the lowest milage you can, that hasn't been hotdogged or cowboyed, and you'll save yourself a lot of grief and bucks. You may well pay a premium to get that car, I did, but it will be worth it in the long run. My own 90 NA I searched for for the better part of a year and a half. I found it with only 36 000 km ( 22 000 mi) on it three years ago. I only have 64 000 km on it now ( Yes, its only one of my toys and doesn't get a lot of use ) and I've had to replace a set of tires, the master brake cylinder, pcv valves, plugs, and the battery since then, and that's it. I don't race the car and I don't abuse it. And I do all of my own maintenance unless I know its beyond my capabilities to do so. To give you an example of what I'm talking about...in the last 3 months in the on line Auto Trader and the Asian car version of the Toronto Region Auto Trader (Ontario, Canada) there have been 3 or 4 Z's, 90 - 94's, some even TT's, all with less than 60 000 km (37 000 mi) on them. Take your time, shop around, save your money up, and wait for that cream puff to pop up. They're out there. Good luck, and welcome to the fraternity!

 

If they cant produce proof of 60k maintenance ask where they had the work done. Every shop keeps records of service. Take in the vin tell them your situation (you may have to have the owner call the shop and tell them it is ok to release the info) and they will provide you records of all the service they did on the Z.
If the owner can't produce this, then I would get an estimate and subtract from the price, or move on.

 

Word to that man...

Thanks for being a great, re-assuing help..

 

I have an 87 Turbo, and I have spent most of my money on labor instead of parts. I purchased it with most of the problems that it had. Proper maitenance of your car will save you a lot of cash, also doing the repair work yourself. Also the reason why it cost a lot to repair these vehicles is due to how uncommon they are compared to other cars. Most of the repairs can be done yourself if you have the proper time, tools and patience. I would purchase a Nissan any day over a Honda, Acura, or Eclipse (Also I would never buy any of those unless my life depended on it.) The reason why you see ZX's for sale with such high mileage is because they last, and people love to drive them. Any car you buy your going to have problems with, just depends on the amount of problems.
My personal opinion: The ZX is probably one of the most reliable car to buy for your money, not to mention they are fun as hell to drive.

Robert
<pre>"I **** people off daily, its one of the many perks of my job."</pre>

 

I had an 89 300 with 189000 mile with no known timing belt change, not to say you need to replace it as needed, but my 17 year old boy drove the hell out of this car with very little maint. These cars are pretty damn tough, don't be scared, if it breaks fix it and go on.

 

Data point:

1990 300zx (inservice 11/89 ) 106k miles auto, leather, autoclimate
All records, no major system failures.

Total spent to date $7500.00 Do the math, thats around $50.00 a month you should budget. This included all work and consumables such as brakes and tires. The exhaust system was replaced three times due to the low mile commute to work. It never got hot enough apparently. (Yes, SS would have been a good investment)

 

I have a 93' 300 ZX convertable I bought with 60k on it from a dealer with know recordes at all. I know have 108k. The thinks
I have replaced are the brakes, tires, timing belt/water
pump and all hoses, clutch, main oil seal, and a water
temp sensor. Sounds like a lot but these are all routean mantenance. I you take care of it keep your oil changed
and get to know the car you will love it!
My last Z before this was an 83'. Got 270k out of it before the body rusted out but the engine was alsome. As far as mechanical changing only fuel injectors twice.

Dave

 

Hey..thanks for all your post guys....keep 'em comin...

Still continuing my quest for that perfect Z, as im pretty picky with what i want..but, im definitely not scared now. I have about 3000 set aside for repairs in the immediate future...so i ought to be able to handle anything that comes my way.

thanks again!

 

these cars are not expensive to keep and they are very reliable in my opinion. yes as everyone else said the labor is where they get you, and definitely do your homework before you buy your car. i looked at three different Z's before i bought mine and im glad i did my homework, they guy i bought from gave me all the maintenance papers including the 60k maintenance, a vehicle history report, and the service manual. i have had the car for about 6 months now and the only thing i needed to have done to it was the accessory belts and that was only 150 dollars. but be careful when buying there are a lot of people just trying to get over on you.