Japanese 1993 Fairlady Z

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DarkKent74
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Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2017 2:58 am

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Hello,
New to the forum. I'm currently stationed in Japan and I fall under the import rule to PSC with a 25 or more year old car back to the states, for free. By the time I leave here I can take a 1994 or older vehicle, two possibly because my wife is also military. The vehicle I'm looking to purchase next week is a 1993 Nissan Fairlady Z Convertible with low miles. I'm looking for opinions if this a good option, mod ideas, and any other cool s*** I can do to it. Appreciate any help. Thanks.

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p.s. Yes I know its not a turbo, really like the convertible.


Dino V
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Welcome! I have a manual '93 convertible and have always liked the convertible lines and exposed roll bar. It's interesting to see people's expressions as many didn't know a convertible existed. That specific one you posted pics of looks great, nice color and clean mods.
My question though is, why not just buy one in the US when you return? Is there a significant difference in price? Unless you want the right hand drive. Also, I would recommend a manual as they seem to retain value much better. But if you're looking for performance mods, I'd recommend starting with a TT.
That color must be specific to jdm market as I have never seen one in US but it looks beautiful!

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NolimitZ32
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The color is not specific to Japan, it is however the rarest color of Z32 ever. Its a gorgeous car and if you are really all about the car I would say do it, I personally hated driving RHD even in an RHD country so I couldn't imagine driving one in an LHD country. If you want to get something AWESOME, I would say hunt down an R33GTR, sadly you'll be 2 years to early for a series 2 whic IMO are the sexiest GTR built to date. Also look at maybe getting something rare like a GTiR or pretty much anything else that was never sold in the states and flip it once you get back. The money you make could be used to get a number of awesome USDM vehicles. Thats my 2 cents and change.

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DCaff300ZX
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NolimitZ32 wrote:The color is not specific to Japan, it is however the rarest color of Z32 ever. Its a gorgeous car and if you are really all about the car I would say do it, I personally hated driving RHD even in an RHD country so I couldn't imagine driving one in an LHD country. If you want to get something AWESOME, I would say hunt down an R33GTR, sadly you'll be 2 years to early for a series 2 whic IMO are the sexiest GTR built to date. Also look at maybe getting something rare like a GTiR or pretty much anything else that was never sold in the states and flip it once you get back. The money you make could be used to get a number of awesome USDM vehicles. Thats my 2 cents and change.
So TOTALLY agreed, the R33 GTR is the sexiest GTR IMO (glad to see we are always on the same page Anton!) and if possible, that would be MY choice to import as you really don't get anything special with the JDM Z versus USDM, unless as noted you enjoy RHD even in a LHD country. Honestly you'd have the same with the GTR so RHD seems in your future!

Back to the Z32 though, that is a true beauty there and as noted, the rarest color for the Z32 (only used on the 1993 convertibles) and the condition seems as pristine as possible. The car is a worthy buy, but as also noted the AT does drop the value quite considerably and if wanting best value retention, the TT is that while the verts usually are more on the specialty side- only someone really really wanting one will go to much trouble/expense, while all kids and most others would do that only for a TT. Read that as saying that the AT vert will not be an investment in any way and even a TT is barely able to hold it's current value, but at the current mileage/state so driving it reduces the value every day, per se.

Good Luck!

DarkKent74
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Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2017 2:58 am

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Thanks for the responses! I went ahead and bought it. Turns out its awesome, but I have to replace the top, windows are bad. Other than that its great, I paid a little under 3 for it after JCI.
Of course I'd love to get an R33 but the timing isn't right.

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NolimitZ32
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3k USD? its a steal and you will make money on it if you decide to sell it once you're back stateside. Or seeing as you haven't invested an arm and a testicle keeping it around as a weekend runner wont ever hurt. Conrgats.

BenWP
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Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 5:56 pm
Car: 1993 Nissan 300zx convertible
Location: MI

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That is a low price. I own the American market model just like yours. There were 103 built in cocoa bronze metallic, of which 55 were sticks (I have one). Note several mods from the pictures: exhaust, hood (I think) and wheels. Not sure where it is, but there is a guy who keeps track of convertible parts no longer available and parts for the top are definitely mentioned. Nothing like having a car that people spontaneously photograph with their phones.

Dino V
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Congrats and enjoy! You definitely have a beautiful example.
If that's $3k USD, that's an amazing deal!

BenWP
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Car: 1993 Nissan 300zx convertible
Location: MI

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I found the thread on convertible parts I mentioned here:
http://www.300zxclub.com/showthread.php?t=220738

On the 300ZXClub, which you can join, the thread is called: "More Unavailable Convertible Parts." On a positive note, one poster said that these parts may be available in Japan. You may need to ask your commanding officer for more time off (to improve your language skills and to go parts hunting, LOL).

BTW, the top doesn't look too bad in the pics you provided.

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DCaff300ZX
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NolimitZ32 wrote:3k USD? its a steal and you will make money on it if you decide to sell it once you're back stateside. Or seeing as you haven't invested an arm and a testicle keeping it around as a weekend runner wont ever hurt. Conrgats.
Wow, if this was a $3K USD car then I really missed something...or you got a super-great deal.
Congrats!

DarkKent74
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Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2017 2:58 am

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Yep, it was 3K. Exhaust was replaced and a fiberglass hood. I already replaced the top with a new one. I've had 3 people try to buy it already so I'm excited. Thanks for all the inputs!

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DCaff300ZX
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Frickin' WOW, looked over the pics again and wow, 3 grand???? I'd say no way but obviously, here you are...congratulations in a BIG way, sir!
$3K plus a new top for a pretty minty-looking cocoa vert...best deal I've ever heard of.

Dino V
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Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 10:16 pm
Car: '93 CRP 300zx convertible
'14 Pathfinder Platinum Premium AWD
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'90 Vette
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^+1 What a STEAL for that price! Congrats again on stealing that bad boy!


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