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View Full Version : A potential Z32 Purchase for me.


Myrrors
03-25-2016, 02:08 PM
Pretty simple question.

Shortly I may be making a craigslist purchase of a 1992 300ZX.

I've been eye'ing this car for a while now.
It has been on craigslist for about 2 months. It's N/A and has a 5 Speed Trans.
It is a South Florida Car.
States he has put a little bit of work into the car when I spoke with him on the phone. He said he bought the car in a pretty rough state and has replaced the Timing Belt, Water Pump, New Clutch, A/C, New Rear Main Seal, and New Tires.
This car has 140k miles on it and It looks to be in pretty good Condition.
I plan on DD'ing this car to and from school and to work.
He is selling it for $3500.
Just need to know if it's a good investment.
I know it's hard to make a decision when you haven't even seen the vehicle but just as a generalization I need to know how easy these things are to fix and if there is any known problems with these vehicles.

I do not plan on beating this car to hell. I'd like to almost restore it to it's original state, while modding it tastefully to my liking.
Thanks!

XMcEvilson
03-25-2016, 02:17 PM
well anytime you daily a 1992, have some funds set aside for repairs

LockOn!
03-25-2016, 02:18 PM
Any used car is a terrible "investment". Z32s are not the easiest car to work on either. Ask for receipts of the parts or work, otherwise it never happened.

5280VertDET
03-25-2016, 02:22 PM
Pretty simple question.

Shortly I may be making a craigslist purchase of a 1992 300ZX.

I've been eye'ing this car for a while now.
It has been on craigslist for about 2 months. It's N/A and has a 5 Speed Trans.
It is a South Florida Car.
States he has put a little bit of work into the car when I spoke with him on the phone. He said he bought the car in a pretty rough state and has replaced the Timing Belt, Water Pump, New Clutch, A/C, New Rear Main Seal, and New Tires.
This car has 140k miles on it and It looks to be in pretty good Condition.
I plan on DD'ing this car to and from school and to work.
He is selling it for $3500.
Just need to know if it's a good investment.
I know it's hard to make a decision when you haven't even seen the vehicle but just as a generalization I need to know how easy these things are to fix and if there is any known problems with these vehicles.

I do not plan on beating this car to hell. I'd like to almost restore it to it's original state, while modding it tastefully to my liking.
Thanks!

Short answer is no.

Z32's are a bitch to work on and it's 25 years old (although the NA ones are slightly less cramped). Meaning, it needs to be gone through, seals, bushings, suspension. Plus you have no idea what the motor is like or trans. Take it to a mechanic and have them do a used car inspection. But, any car over 25 years old isn't a great choice for a reliable daily.

This seems like a good secondary car if you have a back up vehicle.

Just get it inspected first. ideally with a compression test... Save yourself the heartbreak later.

Myrrors
03-25-2016, 02:25 PM
Any used car is a terrible "investment". Z32s are not the easiest car to work on either. Ask for receipts of the parts or work, otherwise it never happened.

Will definitely be asking for receipts no doubt. Just worried about other problems that may come out of this vehicle. Really don't want to deal with a blown head gasket a week after my purchase.

Myrrors
03-25-2016, 02:29 PM
Short answer is no.

Z32's are a bitch to work on and it's 25 years old (although the NA ones are slightly less cramped). Meaning, it needs to be gone through, seals, bushings, suspension. Plus you have no idea what the motor is like or trans. Take it to a mechanic and have them do a used car inspection. But, any car over 25 years old isn't a great choice for a reliable daily.

This seems like a good secondary car if you have a back up vehicle.

Just get it inspected first. ideally with a compression test... Save yourself the heartbreak later.

I'm aware work will come with it, I just don't want to be out of a car for more than a day or two while I work on it. Why so long? Well I can't just drop school or my job to work on the car. Needless to say, I know this car won't be perfect.

5280VertDET
03-25-2016, 03:30 PM
I'm aware work will come with it, I just don't want to be out of a car for more than a day or two while I work on it. Why so long? Well I can't just drop school or my job to work on the car. Needless to say, I know this car won't be perfect.

No offense, but I don't think you do. Parts aren't always stocked and a lot of places require a 3rd elbow to access a bolt. If you know what is wrong and how to fix it 1 or 2 days is not out of the question. First a first timer, a week isn't anything to be ashamed of to get it working. Z parts aren't the cheapest, even if it's a nissan.

Myrrors
03-25-2016, 03:35 PM
No offense, but I don't think you do. Parts aren't always stocked and a lot of places require a 3rd elbow to access a bolt. If you know what is wrong and how to fix it 1 or 2 days is not out of the question. First a first timer, a week isn't anything to be ashamed of to get it working. Z parts aren't the cheapest, even if it's a nissan.

Don't worry about offending me, I'm here to learn and take advice from people who actually have experience with these cars. So thanks for the insight man. :)