Are our cars rubbish?

[aerhead1]

I've read a few posts on this very site telling people that the Z should not be used as their daily. Are these cars so unreliable? I know they're old, but I see old cars driving around all the time that I'd think wouldn't be reliable, especially in this cold weather. I parked mine for the winter just because I think it's a better warm weather car. But is there any real reason that a 300 can't be driven year round as long as you keep it maintained?

[zcar93na]

It's not that they're unreliable, they're a high maintenance vehicle and expensive to work on. I daily mine and have no trouble out of it. It gets 23-25 mpg if driven responsibly. I see where TTs would require more maintenance, but I see nothing wrong with making a non-turbo a DD as long as you keep it maintained

[addicted4life]

Realistically, a 20 year old turbo touring car shouldn't be used as a daily driver, logically it's not there. NA maybe if you have solid car but they are old, as with any old car. Reliability isn't the question, it's age.

[DCaff300ZX]

NOT rubbish, but I agree that they are high maintenance and also more difficult to work on especially a TT. My NA gave me far less trouble than my TT has for sure.
I do DD my TT and IMO that does present issues to deal with more often than any other car I've owned, which is many.
HOWEVER, I can't think of a car I've ever driven that is as fun and relatively economical and at the cost level ($2.5-10K) of the Z32, so pick your poison IMO...and be ready to learn to work on it.

[nexus08]

..and be ready to learn to work on it.

This is my take home message for my car. Dropped $2k on it the second day I had it taking it to the shop. Decided there and then, I was going to be this car's mechanic for most stuff.

[nexus08]

Also, I'm probably one of the posters that you might be referring to.

If so, note that when I posted my "warnings" it was to newbie's who expressed little knowledge of auto mechanics and a tight budget who wanted to make a Z their only/daily driver.

I'd say these car's are not for such people.

[ThisIsSparTTa]

They are old. The 20+ year old rubber everything they used is getting worn out. Heat, cold and everything else has been taking its toll. And on top of that, they had to make everything extremely complicated and cramped.

If I were to do it all again, to have a reliable DD, and do it right the first time, I would purchase the car and then: Replace the engine harness, Delete AIV/EGR/PRVR/Carbon Cannister immediately, Replace all rubber hoses at least with new rubber (if not silicon), replace high pressure power steering line, replace all servicable fluids, replace fuel injectors if old style, replace as many sensors as feasible...and yea, then it would be pretty reliable, assuming the engine wasn't pushing over ~150k miles, at which point it seems you're just waiting to spin a rod bearing.

[z32loverboy]

They are old. The 20+ year old rubber everything they used is getting worn out. Heat, cold and everything else has been taking its toll. And on top of that, they had to make everything extremely complicated and cramped.

If I were to do it all again, to have a reliable DD, and do it right the first time, I would purchase the car and then: Replace the engine harness, Delete AIV/EGR/PRVR/Carbon Cannister immediately, Replace all rubber hoses at least with new rubber (if not silicon), replace high pressure power steering line, replace all servicable fluids, replace fuel injectors if old style, replace as many sensors as feasible...and yea, then it would be pretty reliable, assuming the engine wasn't pushing over ~150k miles, at which point it seems you're just waiting to spin a rod bearing.

Or main bearing in my case at 185k.. They act exactly as any high mileage 20 year old car should, I never understand the surprise when stuff breaks on a 150k+ car.. They're honestly made to last for ~120k at the most. That's all they were engineered for, that's the industry standard and has been for quite some time. That info comes from multiple people who've worked in the car industry for 20+ years.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Realistically, a 20 year old turbo touring car shouldn't be used as a daily driver, logically it's not there. NA maybe if you have solid car but they are old, as with any old car. Reliability isn't the question, it's age.

I agree. I would like to add that although parts are available shipping times delay repairs and for people that daily the car this can be a problem. The amount of labor for various tasks should also be considered.

[booloop]

As an owner of a 1990 TT I can tell you that this is not a practical daily driver if you aren't prepared spends thousands on maintenance yearly. I went from a non-turbo 4-cylinder to the twin turbo Z and my bank account is never safe anymore. But if you can afford the maintenance it is one of the most fun daily drivers you can have!

So yes, it can be a daily driver if you have the coins to keep playing. Otherwise it'll sit in your garage for 5 months out of the year because you are saving up for the never-ending list of parts you need lol.

[DCaff300ZX]

As an owner of a 1990 TT I can tell you that this is not a practical daily driver if you aren't prepared spends thousands on maintenance yearly. I went from a non-turbo 4-cylinder to the twin turbo Z and my bank account is never safe anymore. But if you can afford the maintenance it is one of the most fun daily drivers you can have!

So yes, it can be a daily driver if you have the coins to keep playing. Otherwise it'll sit in your garage for 5 months out of the year because you are saving up for the never-ending list of parts you need lol.

very funny and absolutely, completely TRUE

[aerhead1]

Thanks guys for all the feedback. I've had my '92 since last year and I've had timing and accessory belts changed, new clutch, suspension upgrades, and various other things. I agree it's really fun to drive and I get plenty of compliments on it. I'm trying to build a decent little project car and want maintain it as best I can. I also want to put it on the road a few times a year for some out of town meets.

[Metacom]

Its not just the Z, its the age of any car that is the question. The only kicker is, like everyone says...they're expensive and require the driver to KNOW their car.

Originally I was gonna get a NA under 100k miles and daily that. Ended up with a TT at 77k miles. Maintenance has been verified for her history, just had the rods and mains replaced because a tiny little knock showed up, only could hear it when she was on a lift and running. I still have months to go to address other things, but I still drive her around maybe twice a week depending on weather.

It really all comes down to: "How much do you love your Z?"

If you wanna daily it, then do it! these cars are made to be driven! We can always rebuild that motor...

If you want ease of ownership, go pay hundreds of dollars a month for some boring new car.

[aerhead1]

Love my Z a lot? Check.
Crazy payments on a boring car? Check.