Should be buying this in 2 weeks!

[caa337]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://winchester.craigslist.org/cto/1903989310.html">http://winchester.craigslist.org/cto/1903989310.html</a><!-- m -->

So excited, The lip looks eh in that pic from the back but looks good from the side, ill have to see it in person. He has the stock white nose panel and i think i might put the normal one back on it, gonna find out when I see it in person. Im getting it for 3k.

[JustinG]

take someone with you to look it over. a fresh unbiased eye will bee a good choice and keep you from making a bad decision. Hope it turns out ok. KBB value is under $2k in fair condition which is what I would classify it as with the PS leak, if he tries to say the modifications add value tell him to piss off.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.kbb.com/used-cars/nissan/300zx/1990/private-party-value/pricing-report?condition=fair&id=12810&mileage=168000">http://www.kbb.com/used-cars/nissan/300zx/1990/private-party-value/pricing-report?condition=fair&id=12810&mileage=168000</a><!-- m -->

[caa337]

Well my dad is very mechanically knowledgeable and he is coming with me. Almost no 300zx's are 2k unless they are auto's or they have multiple problems. If someone can find a good 300zx for 2k let me know, lmao.

[JustinG]

Word, just tryin to help, is this going to be your DD?

[Jake]

KBB is a good negotiating tool... but it doesn't take into account the "cool old car" factor that a lot of our type of cars have. I'm not saying either of you is "right" but it's something to keep in mind. Justin is dead on saying that mods don't add value. They only add value IF they are exactly what you would want in the car.

Would I want blue gauges and white painted interior trim? Helllll no. For me, those take away value; they certainly don't add it. Are the Nismo seats legit or cheap eBay knockoffs? Are the harnesses properly installed? I know we chatted earlier and I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but I (and others) are trying to play serious devil's advocate and we do it to everyone.

Looking at it "objectively" as you should... it's a 20-year-old Nissan that has a P/S leak, "some" rust (look over it in person) and needs a new paint job. Ignore every single "mod" he's put on the car and be smart about what's left. A half-assed Maaco paint job will be $500; use that for leverage. Take $100 off for the P/S leak. Look up the price of stock used seats in case the "Nismo" ones are knockoffs. I wouldn't trust an integral safety component to eBay Generic.

Like I said, we're not trying to kill your spirits here. We just want to make sure you aren't getting an utter pile of doodoo for $3250. It's tough to take the emotion out of the car buying process, but you'll come away from it either with a better deal or an "OMG I'm glad I didn't buy THAT" thought.

[caa337]

KBB is a good negotiating tool... but it doesn't take into account the "cool old car" factor that a lot of our type of cars have. I'm not saying either of you is "right" but it's something to keep in mind. Justin is dead on saying that mods don't add value. They only add value IF they are exactly what you would want in the car.

Would I want blue gauges and white painted interior trim? Helllll no. For me, those take away value; they certainly don't add it. Are the Nismo seats legit or cheap eBay knockoffs? Are the harnesses properly installed? I know we chatted earlier and I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but I (and others) are trying to play serious devil's advocate and we do it to everyone.

Looking at it "objectively" as you should... it's a 20-year-old Nissan that has a P/S leak, "some" rust (look over it in person) and needs a new paint job. Ignore every single "mod" he's put on the car and be smart about what's left. A half-assed Maaco paint job will be $500; use that for leverage. Take $100 off for the P/S leak. Look up the price of stock used seats in case the "Nismo" ones are knockoffs. I wouldn't trust an integral safety component to eBay Generic.

Like I said, we're not trying to kill your spirits here. We just want to make sure you aren't getting an utter pile of doodoo for $3250. It's tough to take the emotion out of the car buying process, but you'll come away from it either with a better deal or an "OMG I'm glad I didn't buy THAT" thought.

Yeah thanks to both of you, I'll def be running it over and hopefully everything looks really good.

[Mike]

as much as i've always loved these cars, i recommend you run far away if you're on a budget and/or need to rely on the car.

[ViPER1313]

as much as i've always loved these cars, i recommend you run far away if you're on a budget and/or need to rely on the car.

+1. Ask forum user JohnC how much he loved working on his 300ZX.....

[CaptainHenreh]

as much as i've always loved these cars, i recommend you run far away if you're on a budget and/or need to rely on the car.

+1. Ask forum user JohnC how much he loved working on his 300ZX.....

In his defense, the NA is *alot* easier to work on.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Ive hated every 300ZX ive ever worked on, NA or not. If he is looking for a "tuner" japanese RWD car, he could do alot better in reliability and simplicity. (although personally the 300ZX is one of the most beautiful japanese cars ever made).

[D_Eclipse9916]

Spent the extra $1500 and get a really nice example (probably could talk down as well do 4000 or 4250):

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/1943550795.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/1943550795.html</a><!-- m -->

[Goodspeed]

I guess I can join in on the crotchety old-man routine, as I was once you, at that age, with a similar car - take it for a thorough test drive (highway, back roads, stop n go traffic), brake with your hands off the wheel from a slow speed to make sure it tracks straight, hit some bumps and listen for clunks and other odd noises, get it up in the air and push and pull on all 4 wheels and look around, and most of all, don't be afraid to completely walk away from it.

Good luck and hope it works out!

[Dave]

Spent the extra $1500 and get a really nice example (probably could talk down as well do 4000 or 4250):

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/1943550795.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/1943550795.html</a><!-- m -->

+1


I almost called Chapin into the fray on this, but I think a lot of the crap he went through was as a result of his be a TT. He spend a lot of time deleting complex and unnecessary systems (rear wheel steering) and cleaning up old and busted stuff I think. I remember being impressed by the pile of parts that never made it back in as he worked on his.

All that said, I think Nissan made extra efforts to make that V6 look as huge as possible and use every inch of space in the engine bay. Not the type of engine bay I like to spend much of my time in...

[JohnC]

Ah, the impetuousness of youth :lol:

My TT was crammed full of over-engineered systems that provided minor benefit at the expense of major headache. At least the NA doesn't have HICAS (4-wheel steering) or all of the turbo crap.

Something else to consider - parts for these cars are not cheap, and even 5 years ago it was getting hard to find some specific OEM bits (interior trim, instrumentation, among others). Aftermarket parts tend to be expensive as well, because the market is relatively small. I agree they are beautiful cars, and a pleasure to drive when in good repair, but I couldn't possibly recommend a high-mileage example to a college student on a budget. That particular one sounds like a POS that the seller can't wait to get rid of.

Good luck.

[caa337]

Ah, the impetuousness of youth :lol:

My TT was crammed full of over-engineered systems that provided minor benefit at the expense of major headache. At least the NA doesn't have HICAS (4-wheel steering) or all of the turbo crap.

Something else to consider - parts for these cars are not cheap, and even 5 years ago it was getting hard to find some specific OEM bits (interior trim, instrumentation, among others). Aftermarket parts tend to be expensive as well, because the market is relatively small. I agree they are beautiful cars, and a pleasure to drive when in good repair, but I couldn't possibly recommend a high-mileage example to a college student on a budget. That particular one sounds like a POS that the seller can't wait to get rid of.

Good luck.

Yeah. I want a tuner that can be somewhat dependable and fast without being over 3k. Sounds impossible doesn't it? I'll be going over every inch of this car and he should be emailing me more pics soon and ill post em when I get them. Hopefully this turns out to be a really good 300zx that can be dependable but we shall see. I was tempted to get a 1995 E420 benz, the interior is in perfect shape and he said he would send me any pics I want.

[ViPER1313]

Yeah. I want a tuner that can be somewhat dependable and fast without being over 3k.

Fast, reliable, cheap - pick any 2. I would recommend a 1G DSM, Sentra SE-R, MK3 Supra or any Honda/Acura over a 300ZX any day of the week. I would recommend an SHO but don't feel like putting on my flame suit today.

[Mike]

Yeah. I want a tuner that can be somewhat dependable and fast without being over 3k.

Fast, reliable, cheap - pick any 2. I would recommend a 1G DSM, Sentra SE-R, MK3 Supra or any Honda/Acura over a 300ZX any day of the week. I would recommend an SHO but don't feel like putting on my flame suit today.

oh stop it... you know you suit up every morning

[caa337]

I wouldn't mind a GSR but I don;t really like how it is FWD,

This 300zx looks really clean:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://winchester.craigslist.org/cto/1934400892.html">http://winchester.craigslist.org/cto/1934400892.html</a><!-- m -->
im gonna email em and get pics. If that first one turns out like shit this one might be a good alternative.

[Mike]

that one looks like 100x a better choice.

[Jake]

I wouldn't mind a GSR but I don;t really like how it is FWD,

This 300zx looks really clean:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://winchester.craigslist.org/cto/1934400892.html">http://winchester.craigslist.org/cto/1934400892.html</a><!-- m -->
im gonna email em and get pics. If that first one turns out like shit this one might be a good alternative.

If you are dead set on a 300zx, go look at that black one. I'm with Mikey, it's a way better looking car. Shit, I'll drive you to Luray tonight.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk