looking at a car tomorrow

[numbnuts240]

i told myself to stop spending money, save up some, then spend it on the datsun. but i don't listen to anyone else, so why should i listen to myself? anywho, came across a white z32, n/a, 5-speed, 1991, 2+0. guy is selling because of a newborn. previous owner told him the timing belt was done at 100k (it now has 110k). says the shifter linkage is getting sloppy and one of the struts feels like it's on its way out. he's firm at $4500 (i wonder how much of that i can recoup selling the s14). i'm not familiar with z32's, so what should i be looking for in particular?

and before anyone says anything about it being an n/a, after some thinking, it's probably in my best interest to not have a tt as my dd. i doubt i'll be driving it during the winter, but i don't need those kinds of headaches when i need to rely on my car to not go to s***. that's what the datsun is for.

[MellowZ32]

N/A? epic phail y0!

JK

I hope it all works out!

[AppleBonker]

Make sure it is actually t-top

[Kompresshun]

Just from previous experience with my 90 Z32, check all of the wiring under the hood. Mine looked good at first glace but with further inspection it became a nightmare quick, I got took on mine because I got it from a friend though so hopefully you won't have those problems. Make sure it's running good too of course, the sensors on them suck to replace when they start going out. If it has T Tops make sure they don't leak, and make sure all of the electronics work right on the inside. For that price it should be in pretty good shape I would hope, i've seen them around here for that price that are very clean and ones that need a little work are usually $3000 and up. Other than that they're great cars, a girl I knew had one very similar to the one you're looking at, it was a blast to drive and made me wish I would've fixed mine instead of dumping it. I've never driven a TT but the N/A was pretty impressive to me with the 5spd.

[numbnuts240]

there's the type of info i need. the guy says he bought it with every intention of turning it into a track car and that he's owned several in the past. take that for what it's worth, but he claims it runs very well and aside from those couple of things, it's solid. i'd be doing a tune-up on it since he's never even gotten around to registering it, so idk when the last time it's been done. plus i'd need to smog it.

[Koshin]

why would you opt for a N/A Z32 tito? Just asking....4500 could be spent very well on your S14 and be much more effective in teh long run....

[MellowZ32]

because it will be his DD.

[Koshin]

but a DD is supposed to be somthing like....not an NA Z32 imo

...winters up there suck, get something cheap and 4WD...save the funds

A bronco II or a S10 blazer or something....

just my thoughts on the situation

...good luck if you pursue it, but to me 4500 for a DD/beater is just way to much

[numbnuts240]

why would you opt for a N/A Z32 tito? Just asking....4500 could be spent very well on your S14 and be much more effective in teh long run....

i refuse to spend any more money on the s14.

because it will be his DD.

this.

[Koshin]

I just re-read everything, and I dont think I understand why you would be making the purchase....youre not going to drive it during the winter??? so youre gonna have to buy another winter beater AND sell the S14 for a NA Z32 DD

makes no sense to me bro, or maybe Im high

or a combo of the two

[Koshin]

dont buy the Z32. Throw a motor in the S14. Buy a cheap a** winter beater.

done and done

NA Z32's a dogs

[numbnuts240]

but a DD is supposed to be somthing like....not an NA Z32 imo

...winters up there suck, get something cheap and 4WD...save the funds

A bronco II or a S10 blazer or something....

just my thoughts on the situation

...good luck if you pursue it, but to me 4500 for a DD/beater is just way to much

i don't have to drive in the winter. i don't want an suv and pickups need v8's and 8' beds, anything less is a waste of metal. and it won't be a beater, just a nice, fun daily i can drive around. i don't race, i don't track, no need for anything spectacular. it's a 30 mile commute (round trip) every day, 98% highway, but sometimes, i like to take the longer, more winding way home.

[numbnuts240]

dont buy the Z32. Throw a motor in the S14. Buy a cheap a** winter beater.

i can't afford 3 cars and the upkeep on the house. nor can i afford (not monetarily) the downtime associated with a swap. i also don't care for the 240 "scene" all that much. i love my s14, but i have no desire to build it.

NA Z32's a dogs

really can't be any worse than a stock ka...

[HashiriyaS14]

but a DD is supposed to be somthing like....not an NA Z32

^^
Precisely.



A DD IS supposed to be something like.....a Chevy V8-swapped Jaguar XJ:













You can find these for $4-4.5k pre-swapped. It's reliable, it's cheap to fix, it looks smashing, it's comfortable, and it's cooler than a polar bear's toenails.

Just don't buy an N/A Z32. You could have a million other better things for the same money, this included.

[AppleBonker]

What if he always wanted a Z32? And never had an interest in the Jag?

[numbnuts240]

i'm either going to fall in love with it and buy it, or not buy it and drive the piss out of the s14. i'm not interested in any other cars. i'm not interested in making a project out of my daily. just looking for people experienced with them who can throw out some pointers as to what to look for. i don't care waht anyone else would do in the same situation.

i don't NEED to buy it. i don't NEED to have any funds tied up if i buy it and sell the s14. i just came across it and decided to check it out and see if it was worth it.

[HashiriyaS14]

What if he always wanted a Z32? And never had an interest in the Jag?

Everyone makes mistakes.

[numbnuts240]

says the guy with the cressida...

[HashiriyaS14]

says the guy with the cressida...

[fiznowler]

The cressida fad amazes me. I like the z32s alot. With the mad tyte drift craze you should be able to get a good chunk out of your s14. So money wise it isn't really going to be that big of a deal initially. My uncle has had a ton of the z32 cars. It seems like maintenance s*** and upkeep can be kinda a pita or costly if you dont' do it yourself. I am sure the parts are higher than the s14 parts but I still don't see them costing too much. Not that it matters but I was trying to trade my car for a z32 a while back on craigslist. I wouldn't do it unless it is a good leakless t-top car those are sexy as hell.

[numbnuts240]

it is a t-top, which i will inspect closely. if everything else seems to check out, i'll ask him to hose it down while i sit in it.

[fiznowler]

I would drive it to an auto carwash. Worth a few bucks and a wet a** to see if it is going to leak under heavy rain. Also check the tires for cupping and crap. It seems like those cars springs had a tendancy to wear bad and cause that. I am not sure on that one but seems like one of the things he had lots of issues with.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Tito, a much better daily driver could be had with $4500 but if your heart is set on a Z32, so be it.

What draws you so much to an N/A Z32? I've ridden in one and they aren't impressive at all.

[numbnuts240]

My 240 isn't impressive but to me its still fun. I've just always loved z32's. Here's an opportunity to possibly have a clean one without the hassles of a tt. Sure I'd love a tt, but as a toy, not something I need to rely on. Where's that video of the two dudes talking about what car one of their female friends should buy when you need it?

[AppleBonker]

Dude, it's after 4 Eastern and you're posting. Get out of here.

please see this link

[tm1218]

Z32 for a DD? not such a wise idea, but if that is what you want then go for it. they are not so great in the gas mileage department, and a little bit of a maintenance whore.

but I like them... slick top of course.

[numbnuts240]

That's what I was after Adam. And I'm home. Just waiting for the grill to heat up so I can shove a beer can up this chickens a** and start waiting for it to finish. And drink more beer in the mean time

TM, like I said, I typically drive 30 miles a day. fuel consumption isn't one of my concerns. Why do you say they're maintenance whores? I can see a tt needing lots of attention, but the n/a?

[AppleBonker]

How's typing on that PS3 controller doo-dad working out for you?

[Kompresshun]

The biggest nightmare with maintenance from my experience is the sensors, mainly being the crank and knock sensors but it doesn't seem to be a common issue if the car isn't neglected. They're a little steep to replace, I think I looked into the knock sensor and it was $250-300 which turned out to be the issue because the new owner took the risk and it fixed the problem. I didn't know enough about the cars or how to test the sensors at the time to try to track down the problem, plus I didn't have the funds at the time to play test the sensor or pay someone to do it for me. I had this car 5 years ago though and as I mentioned earlier it had a long list of problems for a Z32.

If you stay on top of the basic maintenance of the car I think you'll be fine, the one I mentioned earlier was bought by her father brand new and as far as I know he still uses it as a daily driver to commute 60-70 miles round trip a day. He said he got in the low 20's as far as fuel mileage goes and I never recall it having to be in the shop for anything major other than just basic maintenance.

I'm not quite sure why people think they're such dogs as far as power, compared to the 2 91 Mustang GT's(I started out as a Mustang guy) i've had it felt like it had comparable if not better power but tons better handling. Now compared to my 88 RX7 Turbo II, no comparison in my opinion. I have quite a bit of love for all generations of the Z though but the Z32 is one of my favorites along with the 240-280Z. If it turns out to be a good buy, I think you'll be pleased with it.

[Bwana]

NA, 2+2, T top... Throw in an auto trans and you have THE least desirable z32 in existence.

The z32 is an excellent car, though heavy and somewhat over-teched for it's time. Just don't ruin your experience by getting the worst trim available. I've driven a NA, T top, 2+2. They're dogs.

Get a 5speed, NA (if that's what you want), slicktop and enjoy!