I found a 1984 z31 on Craigslist for 3k. It has around 100k miles, t3 turbo, 5 Spd, red interior, t tops leak a little. The owner doesn't know when the timing belt or water pump were replaced. I am 17 so I don't have a lot of money and would need to use the car as a daily driver after I sold my current one. Would the 300zx be cheap/reliable? Would I be able to work on it being a novice car enthusiast, or are they difficult to work on?
Thanks!
Should I buy it? Z31
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evildky
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Re: Should I buy it? Z31
The Z31 is a reliable can and fairly cheap to own. unfortunately if the timing belt age is an unknown you can plan on spending a couple hundred on parts and a days work replacing the belt and other bits and getting to know your car 
at 100k miles the clutch should still have plenty of life unless it was abused, as should the turbo. The timing belt could snap tomorrow or 60k miles from now but when it does snap it bends valves so it's cheap insurance to change it unless it's known. The waterpump it just makes since to do while you're in there. these aren't complicated cars and the timing belt job can be handled by someone with a decent toolset and decent grasp of mechanic's. If you find fluid changed and brake jobs to be challenging then the timing belt isn't a job for you, if you've done a timing belt on other cars then you should be able to handle this one.
at 100k miles the clutch should still have plenty of life unless it was abused, as should the turbo. The timing belt could snap tomorrow or 60k miles from now but when it does snap it bends valves so it's cheap insurance to change it unless it's known. The waterpump it just makes since to do while you're in there. these aren't complicated cars and the timing belt job can be handled by someone with a decent toolset and decent grasp of mechanic's. If you find fluid changed and brake jobs to be challenging then the timing belt isn't a job for you, if you've done a timing belt on other cars then you should be able to handle this one.-
BadQ45t
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Re: Should I buy it? Z31
I would seriously consider having a mechanic look at the car. While 3k isn't a lot, if the timing belt, water pump and while you are there cam seals need to be done, that is just a start. Then you could have issues with the transmission, turbo, power steering rack starters, alternators, etc. That doesn't mean the previous owner hasn't already dealt with those issues.
My 84' with 165k on it has had 3 timing belt overhauls that included the cam seals and water pump. I have also had to rebuilt the transmission, replace the power steering rack, alternator, starter, EGR, catalytic converter radiator and belts and hoses. This is not out of line for a 29 year old car. I have NOT ever had to rebuild the motor.
Post up your location, add that to your profile so we can tell where you live. Maybe there is a shop we can recommend depending on where you live too.
Last thing, mother rust. If the car doesn't have any rust I would be very surprised. To look for signs examine the outside of the car and look for obvious rust. Then open up the rear hatch and pull off the spare tire compartment on your right side with the little plastic bolts. now remove the spare tire and see what you have. 99% of the Z's out there have rusted in this area. This can be repaired by a body shop by cutting it out and replacing it with stainless steel and then undercoated. While my Z was a garage queen for nearly all of its life, this rusted on me. But the main frame rails, outer body etc have never had a lick of rust.
Best bet for 3k is to find out what they can show you in terms of work done, post that up here along with your location...inspection would be a good idea, not because your spending 3k on a car, hell I spent 3k on the Leather Digital Package in 1984 when I bought my Z (I know my car is older than you are) but the additional 3k you might have spend afterwards, or maybe just timing belt stuff which isn't that bad.
My 84' with 165k on it has had 3 timing belt overhauls that included the cam seals and water pump. I have also had to rebuilt the transmission, replace the power steering rack, alternator, starter, EGR, catalytic converter radiator and belts and hoses. This is not out of line for a 29 year old car. I have NOT ever had to rebuild the motor.
Post up your location, add that to your profile so we can tell where you live. Maybe there is a shop we can recommend depending on where you live too.
Last thing, mother rust. If the car doesn't have any rust I would be very surprised. To look for signs examine the outside of the car and look for obvious rust. Then open up the rear hatch and pull off the spare tire compartment on your right side with the little plastic bolts. now remove the spare tire and see what you have. 99% of the Z's out there have rusted in this area. This can be repaired by a body shop by cutting it out and replacing it with stainless steel and then undercoated. While my Z was a garage queen for nearly all of its life, this rusted on me. But the main frame rails, outer body etc have never had a lick of rust.
Best bet for 3k is to find out what they can show you in terms of work done, post that up here along with your location...inspection would be a good idea, not because your spending 3k on a car, hell I spent 3k on the Leather Digital Package in 1984 when I bought my Z (I know my car is older than you are) but the additional 3k you might have spend afterwards, or maybe just timing belt stuff which isn't that bad.