15k for this Z32?

[Absolomb]

Hey everyone, I was hoping to get some opinions here. The prices of 300zx's seem to be all over the place. There is one in my area that is listed at $14,995 after being reduced from 18k(way over priced imo). I've been in contact with the dealer and they do not have records that the timing belt was changed at 60k. I was also told they will not change it as part of my conditions in purchasing The car and that a local shop quoted $600 for parts and labor. The car has 77k miles, and seems to be 8/10 interior and exterior. I guess my question is, what would a fair price for the pretty good condition 77k twin turbo Z be? What would you be comfortable paying at a dealer? Would you have any conditions?

[rgregoryb]

The timing belt quote is too low. Should be around 1k. Price of car seems high to me.

[NolimitZ32]

You are right, prices of z32s are all over the place. Dealers, especially mom and pop places try to make a killing on the cars by asking overinflated prices in the hopes that someone with nostalgia and in their midlife crisis ponies up the dough. People that were old enough for these to have been their boyhood dream are at the prime age for that. All that said there isn't a huge market for these so the market doesn't decide the price, what may be overpriced to one person may be exactly right to another. I'd say a completely virgin mint condition TT Zwith 77k on the clock is fairly priced at 15k. I wouldn't buy it because it's not what I'm looking for but good luck finding another like that without flying cross country.

[Absolomb]

You are right, prices of z32s are all over the place. Dealers, especially mom and pop places try to make a killing on the cars by asking overinflated prices in the hopes that someone with nostalgia and in their midlife crisis ponies up the dough. People that were old enough for these to have been their boyhood dream are at the prime age for that. All that said there isn't a huge market for these so the market doesn't decide the price, what may be overpriced to one person may be exactly right to another. I'd say a completely virgin mint condition TT Zwith 77k on the clock is fairly priced at 15k. I wouldn't buy it because it's not what I'm looking for but good luck finding another like that without flying cross country.

This place actually calls themselves an "ultimate garage" selling only classic and collectible cars. I was quoted $1.5k as well for a 2 year powertrain warranty. Really not sure what to do. I'm in the market for my first "real" car, something sporty and fun. Love the 300zx, was looking at c4 vetted before. This 300zx is white with red leather interior, very similar to a c4 that I was loving until I saw how bad the condition of its interior was. I want a well maintained zx that isn't a total money pit, but how well was this one "really" maintained if there's no record of a timing belt change which is a must at 60k

[Dino V]

Prices do seem to be creeping up and I too have seen local TT 300zx with under 100k miles in good condition trying to get $15-20k. Even seen a local '90 300ZX TT with 2k miles, trying to sell for $60k! Now $15k is a bit on the higher side but if all it needs is t-belt and everything else mint...some negotiation and I think it can be a fair deal. Getting harder and harder to find clean ones.
I have a manual C4 Vette also so I can do quick comparison or answer any questions you have. Quality of C4 is less than 300zx (interior, trim pieces especially!, body, etc). The manual trans in the 300zx is more crisp/direct/precise, where the C4 is sloppier/lazy. The 300zx overall(steering, suspension, ride) is much more tight, refined and connected with driver, where the C4 feels disconnected/less steering & road feel and just doesn't feel as responsive (my C4 has the FX3 ride control suspension option). But, the V8 mated with ZF 6 speed manual gets surprisingly good mpg on highway and is easy to daily drive as it revs so much lower. Maintenance for C4 is fairly cheap (dealer charged $900 for water pump/drive belts/coolant flush, $1200 for clutch slave cylinder and new clutch assembly kit). The clutch salve cylinder is internal so if it goes, it soaks clutch and need new clutch (which is what happened to mine). The C4 is a great cruiser but the 300zx is the better overall driver's car, all depends what you want.

[Absolomb]

Prices do seem to be creeping up and I too have seen local TT 300zx with under 100k miles in good condition trying to get $15-20k. Even seen a local '90 300ZX TT with 2k miles, trying to sell for $60k! Now $15k is a bit on the higher side but if all it needs is t-belt and everything else mint...some negotiation and I think it can be a fair deal. Getting harder and harder to find clean ones.
I have a manual C4 Vette also so I can do quick comparison or answer any questions you have. Quality of C4 is less than 300zx (interior, trim pieces especially!, body, etc). The manual trans in the 300zx is more crisp/direct/precise, where the C4 is sloppier/lazy. The 300zx overall(steering, suspension, ride) is much more tight, refined and connected with driver, where the C4 feels disconnected/less steering & road feel and just doesn't feel as responsive (my C4 has the FX3 ride control suspension option). But, the V8 mated with ZF 6 speed manual gets surprisingly good mpg on highway and is easy to daily drive as it revs so much lower. Maintenance for C4 is fairly cheap (dealer charged $900 for water pump/drive belts/coolant flush, $1200 for clutch slave cylinder and new clutch assembly kit). The clutch salve cylinder is internal so if it goes, it soaks clutch and need new clutch (which is what happened to mine). The C4 is a great cruiser but the 300zx is the better overall driver's car, all depends what you want.

Thanks for the information. I'm just really trying to gauge the practicality of buying this car. I'm 22, and this car would have to be my daily driver for at least the 2 years while it was under warranty and i'm not too picky but there are certain cars I really like over others. I hear these cars run fantastically when they are well maintained, and this one seems like it was, engine compartment is showroom-detailed and everything. But heard they are a nightmare to work on and repairs cost alot (i'd be buying a 2 yr warranty though). I've also been looking at a 04 Mach 1 mustang in my area with 55k miles or so, listed at $13k, wondering if a smarter move would be a 14 year newer car that can be maintained and repaired for probably alot less. The 300zx is so dreamy though, ugh

[Dino V]

Thanks for the information. I'm just really trying to gauge the practicality of buying this car. I'm 22, and this car would have to be my daily driver for at least the 2 years while it was under warranty and i'm not too picky but there are certain cars I really like over others. I hear these cars run fantastically when they are well maintained, and this one seems like it was, engine compartment is showroom-detailed and everything. But heard they are a nightmare to work on and repairs cost alot (i'd be buying a 2 yr warranty though). I've also been looking at a 04 Mach 1 mustang in my area with 55k miles or so, listed at $13k, wondering if a smarter move would be a 14 year newer car that can be maintained and repaired for probably alot less. The 300zx is so dreamy though, ugh

Depending on where you live, factor in snow tires if in an area that experiences bad winters. Regardless of warranty I would advise you have funds that would cover break downs that the warranty may deem "pre-existing" or not covered for whatever reason. If not, then I would recommend not buying one. That's great that they detailed motor BUT does the car have service records? In addition to you knowing when everything was last performed, I could also see a warranty company requesting proof that proper maintenance has been done to cover certain repairs caused by neglect in maintenance. Remember this is an older turbo car so unfortunately there will be times when it'll need some attention and loving, more so, when being daily driven. Fully serviced and regularly maintained, yes they run great, reliable and comfortable for daily driving.
The 04 Mustang more than likely will be more reliable (since newer). What I am hearing and it sounds like from your posts...you're counting on something that's reliable for daily driving so why not go with something much newer like a used Ford Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Fiat Abarth, 350Z, G35/G37, etc? All newer, still fun, fairly reasonable to work on and within the price range you're looking?
If you have records or proof that the 300zx is fully maintained, and have an emergency fund of say $2-$3k to cover any possible out of pocket expense that could potentially pop up (t-belt, water pump, clutch, injectors, etc), then I say go for it. I would not count on 2 years of daily driving with zero out of pocket cost due to the warranty.

[DCaff300ZX]

Thanks for the information. I'm just really trying to gauge the practicality of buying this car. I'm 22, and this car would have to be my daily driver for at least the 2 years while it was under warranty and i'm not too picky but there are certain cars I really like over others. I hear these cars run fantastically when they are well maintained, and this one seems like it was, engine compartment is showroom-detailed and everything. But heard they are a nightmare to work on and repairs cost alot (i'd be buying a 2 yr warranty though). I've also been looking at a 04 Mach 1 mustang in my area with 55k miles or so, listed at $13k, wondering if a smarter move would be a 14 year newer car that can be maintained and repaired for probably alot less. The 300zx is so dreamy though, ugh

Depending on where you live, factor in snow tires if in an area that experiences bad winters. Regardless of warranty I would advise you have funds that would cover break downs that the warranty may deem "pre-existing" or not covered for whatever reason. If not, then I would recommend not buying one. That's great that they detailed motor BUT does the car have service records? In addition to you knowing when everything was last performed, I could also see a warranty company requesting proof that proper maintenance has been done to cover certain repairs caused by neglect in maintenance. Remember this is an older turbo car so unfortunately there will be times when it'll need some attention and loving, more so, when being daily driven. Fully serviced and regularly maintained, yes they run great, reliable and comfortable for daily driving.
The 04 Mustang more than likely will be more reliable (since newer). What I am hearing and it sounds like from your posts...you're counting on something that's reliable for daily driving so why not go with something much newer like a used Ford Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Fiat Abarth, 350Z, G35/G37, etc? All newer, still fun, fairly reasonable to work on and within the price range you're looking?
If you have records or proof that the 300zx is fully maintained, and have an emergency fund of say $2-$3k to cover any possible out of pocket expense that could potentially pop up (t-belt, water pump, clutch, injectors, etc), then I say go for it. I would not count on 2 years of daily driving with zero out of pocket cost due to the warranty.

This is very good advice, and I'll agree that despite being a better and more fun car, the Z32 TT is not a wise daily choice and I found this out myself with my own TT after a year+ of daily work: dead turbo, and a myriad of corrosion-based issues to deal with that basically led me to rebuild the entire drivetrain as much as possible, up to the block anyway (original OEM internals still).
If you have a daily driver the TT is the EASY choice and my favorite car ever but needing a daily driver, well, I'd look elsewhere.

[Absolomb]

Thanks for the information. I'm just really trying to gauge the practicality of buying this car. I'm 22, and this car would have to be my daily driver for at least the 2 years while it was under warranty and i'm not too picky but there are certain cars I really like over others. I hear these cars run fantastically when they are well maintained, and this one seems like it was, engine compartment is showroom-detailed and everything. But heard they are a nightmare to work on and repairs cost alot (i'd be buying a 2 yr warranty though). I've also been looking at a 04 Mach 1 mustang in my area with 55k miles or so, listed at $13k, wondering if a smarter move would be a 14 year newer car that can be maintained and repaired for probably alot less. The 300zx is so dreamy though, ugh

Depending on where you live, factor in snow tires if in an area that experiences bad winters. Regardless of warranty I would advise you have funds that would cover break downs that the warranty may deem "pre-existing" or not covered for whatever reason. If not, then I would recommend not buying one. That's great that they detailed motor BUT does the car have service records? In addition to you knowing when everything was last performed, I could also see a warranty company requesting proof that proper maintenance has been done to cover certain repairs caused by neglect in maintenance. Remember this is an older turbo car so unfortunately there will be times when it'll need some attention and loving, more so, when being daily driven. Fully serviced and regularly maintained, yes they run great, reliable and comfortable for daily driving.
The 04 Mustang more than likely will be more reliable (since newer). What I am hearing and it sounds like from your posts...you're counting on something that's reliable for daily driving so why not go with something much newer like a used Ford Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Fiat Abarth, 350Z, G35/G37, etc? All newer, still fun, fairly reasonable to work on and within the price range you're looking?
If you have records or proof that the 300zx is fully maintained, and have an emergency fund of say $2-$3k to cover any possible out of pocket expense that could potentially pop up (t-belt, water pump, clutch, injectors, etc), then I say go for it. I would not count on 2 years of daily driving with zero out of pocket cost due to the warranty.

So I actually talked to an old friend (older sisters ex) who I remember fooled around with cars with his friend when they were younger and he advised me that the dealer ship actually has a really shady reputation, that it could be a 50/50 on the cars true condition, meaning it could be great or it could be a basket case waiting to happen. He mentioned that old cars like this can wear just from sitting. Now, the Mach 1 sold, (sad face) and i've been looking at 04-06 GTO's. I definitely am liking them, 350-400hp is more than fast enough, just having trouble finding one I like with low miles and a manual tran (like what?) its like more than half these bastards are automatic.

Heres the TT I was looking at http://www.flemingsultimategarage.com/v ... ssan-300zx

I actually called the dealer who maintained it from 04-08 I believe and it had, and I use these terms loosely because I don't know much about cars yet. A service for the transmission differential at 49k, The clutch master cylinder was also replaced at 49k. Spark plugs, timing belt tensioner, belt idler, pulleys, thermostats all at 53k. Im assuming all that was the recommended 60k service??

I also just practically found the N/A clone of this car very close to me, with One owner, clean carfax. Obviously lacking the leather and the TT. $9k for that

Also I'm sitting on $16k. I'm not trying to buy a $15k car and then have to dump a bunch of my savings into it. HOWEVER. If you're saying a $2-$3k fund would be your recommended amount to have aside for this car, that seems do-able for me. Still, i'd be dailying it unless I payed the $8k left on my 13 Cruze off and then tagged the z as historic for that uber low insurance rate. Financing what would end up being probably $17k just to sit as a "weekend" car doesnt sit well with me. Its so pretty I wanna DRIVE it.

[NolimitZ32]

OK i'll make this easy on you. a Z32 as a daily is a BAD idea.

[Absolomb]

OK i'll make this easy on you. a Z32 as a daily is a BAD idea.

What about a one owner well maintained N/A?

[NolimitZ32]

20+ year old car, tightly packed engine bay, brittle plastics and rubber heat-cycled by tightly packed engine bay. Mechanically the Z32 is an amazing and decently reliable vehicle, its major downfall is the same as most of the BMWs made in the last 20 years, everything plastic and rubber breaks, leaks, cracks, disintegrates. Most of this stuff is affected equally by age as it is by use so even if the car is low mileage, chances are that a lot of things will need to be replaced before it is 100%.

[Dino V]

So I actually talked to an old friend (older sisters ex) who I remember fooled around with cars with his friend when they were younger and he advised me that the dealer ship actually has a really shady reputation, that it could be a 50/50 on the cars true condition, meaning it could be great or it could be a basket case waiting to happen. He mentioned that old cars like this can wear just from sitting. Now, the Mach 1 sold, (sad face) and i've been looking at 04-06 GTO's. I definitely am liking them, 350-400hp is more than fast enough, just having trouble finding one I like with low miles and a manual tran (like what?) its like more than half these bastards are automatic.

Heres the TT I was looking at http://www.flemingsultimategarage.com/v ... ssan-300zx

I actually called the dealer who maintained it from 04-08 I believe and it had, and I use these terms loosely because I don't know much about cars yet. A service for the transmission differential at 49k, The clutch master cylinder was also replaced at 49k. Spark plugs, timing belt tensioner, belt idler, pulleys, thermostats all at 53k. Im assuming all that was the recommended 60k service??

I also just practically found the N/A clone of this car very close to me, with One owner, clean carfax. Obviously lacking the leather and the TT. $9k for that

Also I'm sitting on $16k. I'm not trying to buy a $15k car and then have to dump a bunch of my savings into it. HOWEVER. If you're saying a $2-$3k fund would be your recommended amount to have aside for this car, that seems do-able for me. Still, i'd be dailying it unless I payed the $8k left on my 13 Cruze off and then tagged the z as historic for that uber low insurance rate. Financing what would end up being probably $17k just to sit as a "weekend" car doesnt sit well with me. Its so pretty I wanna DRIVE it.

That's great news that it isn't original and dealer maintained some of the vital maintenance. But, there's also 8+ years of unknown maintenance history after that or worse, was it sitting a lot. I like to see consistent mileage/driven vs sitting (especially in more recent years), parts are getting used/lubricated/etc.
The original owner N/A you found, when you say well maintained what has been done? Does owner have all service/maintenance records? This could potentially be a much better daily driver candidate. If all the major items have already been done, then it appears you have the funds to tend to smaller issues that might pop up. I am sure deep inside you know that the 300zx isn't the best option for daily driving, but I also understand you like it and maybe want to try it for awhile. We all here just want to make sure you understand that some items may need sorting as it gets driven daily.
Actually one major question I forgot to ask, what is your daily commute mileage on average?

[DCaff300ZX]

Agreed with Dino's thoughts here, and especially that an NA is a better way to go for daily use and for getting used to the particular lifestyle that Z32 ownership provides...that being a pretty DIY style where you save $ doing the necessary maintenance and by doing so, determine whether that is something you can handle and maybe even worse (TT), which is DEFINITELY the case with a TT. As NoLimit mentions your friend's sentiment that the car ages/deteriorates whether used or not is accurate, and so you WILL be fixing the car pretty regularly for the rest of it's life...meaning a car fund WILL be necessary.
Hope this all has helped you realize just what Z32 ownership is like- Good AND Bad all at once, with the balance hanging on how much you like driving the car and modifying it as you keep it working.

[Absolomb]

So I actually talked to an old friend (older sisters ex) who I remember fooled around with cars with his friend when they were younger and he advised me that the dealer ship actually has a really shady reputation, that it could be a 50/50 on the cars true condition, meaning it could be great or it could be a basket case waiting to happen. He mentioned that old cars like this can wear just from sitting. Now, the Mach 1 sold, (sad face) and i've been looking at 04-06 GTO's. I definitely am liking them, 350-400hp is more than fast enough, just having trouble finding one I like with low miles and a manual tran (like what?) its like more than half these bastards are automatic.

Heres the TT I was looking at http://www.flemingsultimategarage.com/v ... ssan-300zx

I actually called the dealer who maintained it from 04-08 I believe and it had, and I use these terms loosely because I don't know much about cars yet. A service for the transmission differential at 49k, The clutch master cylinder was also replaced at 49k. Spark plugs, timing belt tensioner, belt idler, pulleys, thermostats all at 53k. Im assuming all that was the recommended 60k service??

I also just practically found the N/A clone of this car very close to me, with One owner, clean carfax. Obviously lacking the leather and the TT. $9k for that

Also I'm sitting on $16k. I'm not trying to buy a $15k car and then have to dump a bunch of my savings into it. HOWEVER. If you're saying a $2-$3k fund would be your recommended amount to have aside for this car, that seems do-able for me. Still, i'd be dailying it unless I payed the $8k left on my 13 Cruze off and then tagged the z as historic for that uber low insurance rate. Financing what would end up being probably $17k just to sit as a "weekend" car doesnt sit well with me. Its so pretty I wanna DRIVE it.

That's great news that it isn't original and dealer maintained some of the vital maintenance. But, there's also 8+ years of unknown maintenance history after that or worse, was it sitting a lot. I like to see consistent mileage/driven vs sitting (especially in more recent years), parts are getting used/lubricated/etc.
The original owner N/A you found, when you say well maintained what has been done? Does owner have all service/maintenance records? This could potentially be a much better daily driver candidate. If all the major items have already been done, then it appears you have the funds to tend to smaller issues that might pop up. I am sure deep inside you know that the 300zx isn't the best option for daily driving, but I also understand you like it and maybe want to try it for awhile. We all here just want to make sure you understand that some items may need sorting as it gets driven daily.
Actually one major question I forgot to ask, what is your daily commute mileage on average?

I apologize for the late reply, my daily commute on average is 30 miles total. In the near future this may about double to 60 miles. I've still been looking at cars, but at the end of the day i'm always viewing the N/A and TT zx in my area