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Nissan 300ZX, all models

171 messages,  Last post on Sep 22, 2009 at 11:44 AM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan 300ZX, Hatchback

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#29 of 171 by verozahl Aug 18, 2002 (3:24 pm)
Found a 1985 300ZX for sale in Cheboygan last night at a used car lot. White.
#30 of 171 Timing belts by jcliffro Aug 22, 2002 (11:33 am)
Anyone know how often one is supposed to change the timing belt on the 1985 300ZX? I thought it was at 40,000 miles but my very knowledgeable mechanic said every 50,000. I think I had it changed the first time around 40,000 so I was going to wait until 85,000 miles, but don't want to push it to that if the correct time to change is every 40,000 miles. Thanks in advance.....
#31 of 171 91 300ZX by cevans2 Aug 27, 2002 (1:51 pm)
Looks like this discussion has been dead a few days but hopefully somebody will take a look. I'm looking at a mint condition 91 300ZX 5speed fully loaded except for turbo. I hear people mention that these cars sometimes have electrical problems. Can anyone tell specifically about some of these problems. I think I can get the car for about $7500 - it has 94K on it. Is that a good price. Any insight would be appreciated.
#32 of 171 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Aug 28, 2002 (9:00 am)
Check out Edmunds True Market Value feature on the HOme Page. Just click on the "Used" button up top on the www.edmunds.com homepage. Their prices are pretty accurate.
#33 of 171 Electrical problems by jcliffro Aug 30, 2002 (12:26 pm)
Response to #31. When I bought my 300ZX new in 1985, I read in Consumer Reports that the Z cars had "electrical problems". My electrical problems to date (in 17 years) have been. The "dual function" fuel gauge broke within about 2 years. I found the secondary fuel gauge to be near worthless anyway. Second, the timer for the interior courtesy lights works erratically....just an occasional annoyance. And once last year the tail lights or brake lights stayed on and I did not notice it when I left my garage. Dead battery the next morning and some type of inexpensive fuse or breaker that had to be changed. That is the extent of it. Not too bad for 17 years. But that is just one satified Z owner's personal experience.
#34 of 171 I would by isellhondas Sep 08, 2002 (7:00 am)
Avoid the turbo models. very complex and expensive to fix.
#35 of 171 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Sep 08, 2002 (7:54 am)
It's the problem with all "old tech", be it Japanese or German or whatever.   Many of these older complex cars are simply not worth fixing if something major gives up the ghost. You will see more and more modern cars junked as they age because of this problem--their repair bills equalling or exceeding their Book Value.
#36 of 171 Right... by isellhondas Sep 08, 2002 (12:11 pm)
All it takes is one major thing to go worng and te car is effectively totalled.
#37 of 171 Repair costs vs. totaled by jcliffro Sep 08, 2002 (4:37 pm)
It all depends upon the cost. I recently replaced the manual transmission in my 1985 300ZX at $1250 and then took it to a bodyshop and had every parking lot ding or scratch taken out of it. I guess I spent $1750 on it in a month. I don't really care what someone would pay me for it, because to me I have an incredibly beautiful and reliable car that I love. To equal that, I would probably have to spend at least $25,000 and then my insurance would go up. So if you find the ideal Z out there, I say get it and keep it well maintained. That 3.0 liter V-6 is supposed to go forever. But, as per the above notes, avoid the problem areas: don't get a turbo, don't get a 1985-1989 model that has the electronic juke box dash and hold out for one that has been treated with TLC like I have treated mine.
#38 of 171 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Sep 08, 2002 (7:13 pm)
Actually a 1985 300ZX with a bad transmision and parking lot dings and dents is just about totalled at $1,750--that's about what a ZX with those needs is worth.   Now, of course, you've raised the value to what an '85 ZX with a good trans and good body and paint should be worth....around $3.5K-4K.   So in that sense your investment comes back to you at least...a break even move and it makes sense.   But a new engine would cost more than the car is worth and would be a questionable decision.

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