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| Time For A Change (maybe) | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 24 2008, 10:23 AM (285 Views) | |
| Paulinho | Aug 24 2008, 10:23 AM Post #1 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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So where do I start, just over a year ago I bought my first Japanese car, it was a 1.8 Mk1 Mazda MX-5. The car had already been lowered with different springs, along with adjustable shocks. It had also been fitted with a Jackson Racing induction system, a different exhaust, front strut brace(s) (upper & lower), along with a rear lower strut brace. There was also a set of nice 15" alloys fitted along with some grippy 195/45x15's (now not so grippy) and the car drove really well. I haven't been able to use the car as much as I would of liked, but each time I get in it, well it feels like a good pair of old shoes. It's not ultra quick, just nippy, but it handles like a Go-Kart with a fat block on it (me) lol. Anyhow, here's the thing, I've just fitted a "Garage Vary" type front splitter, which makes the car look demonic, and I have plans to fit a hard-top, small rear wing, and to also get the rear of the seal and arche cut out, replaced and resprayed. The car has done 137,000 yet I'm assued by many people in the owners club that it's fine (one memebers car has done 300,000+ miles and is still faultless). Well I've saved up about £1k (and growing) and was planing on some new 205 tyres,hard,top,and de-rust.. but I've had a local guy wave a Nissan ZX 300 turbo under my nose! and having looked at them on ebay and on the auto trader site they go for around £1700 - £3500. So here's the problem, do I finish my car, and have the ultimate little buzz box, which I do love driving, or do I change it for a monster sized turbo blaster. I know the ZX300 is almost twice as heavy as my car, but it does go a LOT faster. Can anyone on the froum tell me how the car handles, how does it feel.. etc Pro & Cons really.. I was warned about the parts being costly, but I work for an independent chain of car parts company, so parts are at trade.. Some one also said the Nissans suffer from over heating issues etc.. Please people... enlighten me. Thanks Paul |
[GK-customfield]Paul[customfield-GK]For all the chat on Dorset visit
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| justin666 | Aug 24 2008, 06:26 PM Post #2 |
Smoother than a pornstars privates!
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300's are ok but couldnt really be in a different league to the mx5 tho!!! Remember the 300 was built for the US so never really designed to go round corners :lol: :lol: Which is a problem over here :lol: The VG engine is not one of nissans best tho and if it has been mistreated in anyway it will let you down! However, there are quite a few 300's making very good power but if you want that aswell as reliablity then a hefty expensive rebuild will be needed. Personally tho, love the look of them, they sound fab and with a few mod go like stink.... However, it may well be cheap to buy but running costs complared to the MX will be massively different...especially if (.....When!) it goes wrong.Drive it and see what you think... then be a real man and buy a 200 instead J. |
[GK-customfield]Justin G[customfield-GK]![]() Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved S body, but rather to skid in sideways screamin woooohoooo watta ride!!! | |
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| Paulinho | Aug 25 2008, 06:21 PM Post #3 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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I never knew the 300ZX was made for the American market The main thing I like about my MX5 is the driveability, it's a very capable car. Although I would like a little more power from it (wouldn't we all), but understand the 1.8 engine is expensive to tune. The 200 sounds nice, but there a little bit more costly to buy, so maybe I will just finish my 5? Thanks again for the info though. |
[GK-customfield]Paul[customfield-GK]For all the chat on Dorset visit
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| hellraiser | Aug 25 2008, 06:24 PM Post #4 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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i dont agree at all about not going around corners
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[GK-customfield]gaz[customfield-GK]![]() If NISMO stands for Nissan Motorsports, does HOMO stand for Honda Motorsports | |
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| hellraiser | Aug 25 2008, 06:24 PM Post #5 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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it wasnt |
[GK-customfield]gaz[customfield-GK]![]() If NISMO stands for Nissan Motorsports, does HOMO stand for Honda Motorsports | |
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| paullen | Aug 25 2008, 06:29 PM Post #6 |
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Paul Lennox
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The 300zx car is a great car, but VERY different from yours. In your situation I would go for the 300zx, but IMO the better car is the MX5 It all depends on what you want from a car, the ZX will cost you a lot more to run, in fuel, servicing, insurance etc. |
![]() Gone is the 200, New project...1987 L200 www.lennoxservices.co.uk | |
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| hellraiser | Aug 25 2008, 06:30 PM Post #7 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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right i have a non turbo 300zx and i can quite honestly say i love it. i bought it back in 2005 and still every day i drive it it puts a smile on my face. albeit a rather loud exhaust now and a few tweeks here and there it performs well too. the z handling is very capable with the tt sporting hicas rear wheel steering to enhance high speed manovering. the na's dont come with this option . i have sports shocks and springs on mine and adjustable upper links and tension rods and i can honestly say it really corners!! you are welcome to come out in mine one day just to show you around it really (no illegal speeds) just so you can get an idea of what it can handle like. the tt is a monster and can catch you out if your not careful. there are a few tyhings to watch out for and costs can be high if you buy a bad one. so beware. £1700 - £3500 is dodgy ground for a good one imo. the less you spend on the inital purchase price means the higher you will pay when something goes kaput!! there are a lot of ebay dogs out there with uk specs being rotten 85% of the time now. boy racers buy them thinking they can afford to run them and then complain when there tt is only returning 15-18 mpg around town and between 20-27 on a long run hence low prices i personally can't wait for all of the dogy ones to be either written off or scrapped to increase the value of this undersated car imo! has your mates one had the turbos replaced ? |
[GK-customfield]gaz[customfield-GK]![]() If NISMO stands for Nissan Motorsports, does HOMO stand for Honda Motorsports | |
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| Paulinho | Aug 25 2008, 09:44 PM Post #8 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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I'm unsure if the 300ZX has had it's turbo replaced, but will ask. My cars are only for fun, as I'm lucky enough to be able to walk 10 mins to work. I do really love my MX-5, but have reached a point where either I sell it on, or put more money into it and keep it. The ZX caught my eye based just on the size of the engine and the twin turbos. In the past I have owned a few cars that were expensive to run and was really looking for info on that side of the things with the ZX. The extra money I would need to put towards buying a ZX would actually by my MX5 a turbo etc but I'm unsure as to what to do lol. I think maybe I will have a think on this one, as I have until late October to decide. I do like the offer of a ride in one though Thanks again for all the useful info. |
[GK-customfield]Paul[customfield-GK]For all the chat on Dorset visit
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| hellraiser | Aug 25 2008, 09:57 PM Post #9 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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some more useful info http://www.300zx.co.uk/tech/BuyingZ.htm http://www.300zx.org.uk/z32_info.htm |
[GK-customfield]gaz[customfield-GK]![]() If NISMO stands for Nissan Motorsports, does HOMO stand for Honda Motorsports | |
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| justin666 | Aug 26 2008, 10:20 AM Post #10 |
Smoother than a pornstars privates!
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My understanding of the 300 was that it was initially designed to boost dwindling sales of all things nissan out in the US back in the early 90's. The like of the 240 and 280z were hugely popular out there so Nissan got busy with 300 to bump sales.. They released 2 cars to up sales in the US.. The 300z and the q45 infiniti. The 300 was to go head to head against 2 strong rivals at the time.. The Corvetts of the time and the mitsi GTO also marketed and designed for the us if im wrong im wrong but thats how I understood it As far as the handling goes... 15 year old Hicas does not make for a good handling car by todays standards and its summat else that is hugely expensive to replace if it goes wrong, especially on a cheap car in the first place. Having been in both the LWB and SWB versions stock and modified my personal opinion is that stock they handle like a barge Modified tho... Loadsa fun and very drivable.All in all, I like um, Just think they need money thrown at them to make them fun by todays standards. J |
[GK-customfield]Justin G[customfield-GK]![]() Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved S body, but rather to skid in sideways screamin woooohoooo watta ride!!! | |
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| Paulinho | Aug 26 2008, 11:16 AM Post #11 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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They do sound like lovely cars, but it just seems like I could end up with a whole lot of problems if I buy a lemon. I would love the S30 but that's just a dream, so I think I will continue with my MX5 plans. A rusty seal and lower O/S rear arch needs cutting out and rebuilding, a hard top, a rear roll cage.. then some mild tuning. Thanks again for all the usefull information, I will take it all on board (So to speak) and have a long hard think. |
[GK-customfield]Paul[customfield-GK]For all the chat on Dorset visit
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| Paulinho | Aug 29 2008, 06:40 PM Post #12 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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Somebody did point out to me today that maybe a MR-2 Turbo rev 2 or 3 would be better suited to me... lol |
[GK-customfield]Paul[customfield-GK]For all the chat on Dorset visit
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| rob99 | Aug 29 2008, 06:48 PM Post #13 |
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Dead rising
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Sounds like you need an RX7! ![]() (waits for the flak about not having a proper engine or not working etc etc etc... :lol: ) |
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Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Peter David Edwards. 15/10/1947 - 26/05/2008. R.I.P. | |
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| Paulinho | Aug 29 2008, 07:17 PM Post #14 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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An RX7 would be lovely, but I would need some extra pound notes
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[GK-customfield]Paul[customfield-GK]For all the chat on Dorset visit
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| Paulinho | Aug 30 2008, 11:19 AM Post #15 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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I was also thinking about how much my MX-5 is worth? as I may sell it first, then sit on my hands for a few months and get my next car then. It's an M'reg 1.8, with 137,000 miles on the clock. The MOT is about to expire but needs the rear seal doing, along with a O/S front tyre.. it has 10 months tax left, wear to the drivers seat, and a few little marks etc... About £1k? |
[GK-customfield]Paul[customfield-GK]For all the chat on Dorset visit
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| b1ker | Aug 30 2008, 11:21 AM Post #16 |
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a car is worth almost nothing unless it has atleast 6 months MOT. thats they only reason i haven't sold mine just yet. put a fresh MOT on it and it will be woth around £1500. |
| [GK-customfield]Craig Morton[customfield-GK] | |
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| Paulinho | Aug 30 2008, 06:33 PM Post #17 |
Doesn't have a home to go to!
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I think that will be the most sensible thing to do.. who knows I may just keep it, finish a few things off whilst still saving for my next car. Mighty tempted to buy some 16" alloys, get the seal sorted and be done
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[GK-customfield]Paul[customfield-GK]For all the chat on Dorset visit
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![]](http://z6.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)



However, it may well be cheap to buy but running costs complared to the MX will be massively different...especially if (.....When!) it goes wrong.



Modified tho... Loadsa fun and very drivable.

9:24 AM Jul 11