What to look for?

[jrt8222]

Fixin to buy a 91' 300ZX TT with 87k miles on it, lightly modded. The exterior is in great condition but I dont know jack about Z engines. Ask me about a honda and I can tell you but I honestly dont know what to check for as far as what a car with X amount of miles on it. Any ideas? Someone said Fanbelts on Z's but other than that what should I check for? Help me out here guys (girls) need some pointer so I dont buy a lemon. :help

[skydragoness]

First off, you should have posted this in the 300zx section.

anyhow, while i was in the market for another car i was madly (and still am) in love with the Z31 (84-89 300zx)

check on the recalls for the car and find out if the owner has addressed them, because there are many, and DEFINITELY BY ALL MEANS check out http://www.z31.com they have a faq about what to look for in a z31, and there are enthusiasts on the board there to help you out

hope that helps

[ninjak84]

Yeah, check out 300zx forums to see whats up.The best thing to do is test drive it. Learn from it first hand, and make sure it has a clean record.

[Mayhem_J30]

Fixin to buy a 91' 300ZX TT with 87k miles on it, lightly modded. The exterior is in great condition but I dont know jack about Z engines. Ask me about a honda and I can tell you but I honestly dont know what to check for as far as what a car with X amount of miles on it. Any ideas? Someone said Fanbelts on Z's but other than that what should I check for? Help me out here guys (girls) need some pointer so I dont buy a lemon. :help

First thing realize that aging cars, especially twin turbo aging cars are fairly expensive for maintenance on a yearly basis. Luckily about 75% of the things that will eventually if not already need to be replaced are easily DIY'able.Hmmm..things to look for.Stumble under WOT.(could be a half dozen different sensors)Max Boost under WOT, Boost during cruise. Just pay attention to the boost gauge a lot.Floating during high speeds and dipping during braking(dampers)You said "lightly modded", is there a turbo timer, this could be a good sign as the owner was interested in the vehicles health. Ask for maintenance records.

FYI, I've also made a copy of this thread in the 300zx/VG30DETT section for maximum exposure.

[UncleBen]

yea do what these people have said. just try and get records of the car, and try and find out how well it was maintained. this could be a great find, if its not a POS

[skydragoness]

WHOA! did i just think that it was a z31? my bad

check out http://www.z32.com instead!!!

whoops, i guess i mistaked the 87k for 87' model year. shoot. my mistake. (me and my old school loving' self)

[deesolballs]

Check out http://www.300zxclub.com. Use the search button and all your answers are there. Great site for the Z32.

[drifter]

Hey Dees, haven't heard from you in awhile....! How are ya doing?

[deesolballs]

All is well drifter my old scrapping buddy. I' ve been around here posting as usual. Well...not as usual but posting.

[drifter]

Haha yeah, I've seen you post a couple of times already, but didn't notice it was you because I didn't see the "Brown Hornet"....!

[jrt8222]

Thnx for all the help and advice guys Im really feeling the love =) So if all checks out this would be a good deal at 9,500?

[jemil118]

That sounds like a really good deal...check with the owner to make sure it's had it's 60k mile maintence...if not I would ask another 1,000 dollars of his asking price, becasue that is how much the 60k mile maintence is...what they do is:Change timing belt(muy importante-about 600 dollars!)Change Spark Plugs(Platinum-last 60k miles-60 bucks for 'em)Replace Water Pump(might as well since everything is pulled out)Check all linesReplace Belts

As an ex(:() Z32 owner I can say that the best place to go is http://www.twinturbo.netThe owners of the shopSpeed Gear Performance Racing are also the prominent moderators on this forum.Check out http://www.SGPRacing.com to check them out.They own the fastest streetable Z32 TT and Z32 NA in the US. They also have a stage chart which really helps out in planning modifications. I would definetly consider getting a boost gauge setup on you A-pillar...the stock one is notorious for being innaccurate...