Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

I went to buy an Alfa, and next to the garage was a Japanese import company, and there sitting with a set of 19 inch deep dish alloys, was a beautiful black 300ZX twin turbo. I didn't even bother seeing the Alfa.

After a quick test drive, I parted with my money, put the targa tops in the boot, and made my way home thinking of how to explain to my wife why there was a brash 'in your face' car on the drive instead of a pretty Alfa... She never did understand, nor did she drive it!!! That said, I did, and what a car!!

This is the only car I've had where people knocked on my door just to talk about it...

A great driving car, and very easy to kick the rear out on a damp surface and have some fun. Very stable at speed on motorways, and with the aggressive looks in a rear view mirror, people would generally move out the way just to see what it was.

I was 41 when I bought it, loved every minute of it until someone drove into it. If I could find one that hadn't been chavved up, as I don't own a track suit or cap, I would buy another.

I had a special set of wheels and a subtle stainless exhaust upgrade (Veilside), which just burbled beautifully in tickover and growled when spanked. I loved going to car events, and again always found myself with plenty of admirers.

For overall fun, reliability and just knocking 20 years off my age, this car ticked every box.. I loved it!!!

Faults:

Air mass sensor failed - this was not particularly expensive to replace.

Lower tension arm bushes - I replaced these myself with tougher poly bushes (again not particularly expensive).

Warped front brake discs - I added new discs and pads when I bought the car although the discs are beginning to warp again (I'll probably replace them with an uprated aftermarket set). The discs and pads (provided you fit them yourself) are not expensive.

General Comments:

The car is very quick even though it is an automatic. With aftermarket modifications the car has relentless acceleration and will outperform much more expensive vehicles.

Faults:

Nothing except a drunk driver wrote it off whilst parked outside my house! Gutted.

General Comments:

Having hit slightly harder times, I had to accept that my Porsche 993 had to go. Tough call, but I waved goodbye with a few quid in my pocket and the thought of getting something exciting at a fifth of the price.

I actually went to look at a 3.0 GTV Alfa, but beautiful as it was... was it going to be reliable? As I walked away, I noticed a Black 300zx rolling out of a garage. Gorgeous gloss black with 18 inch wheels looking stunning. It had just been valeted and was being put on the forecourt for sale. 15 minutes later, after a great test drive, it was mine!

Unsubtle, but great looking twin exhausts gave this car a great soundtrack, and with a gentle, kick down all hell would break loose.

The thing I loved about this car is that as with the Porsche, it just gave you a great buzz driving it, even if some of the trim rattled a bit.

On a damp road you could have plenty of fun, and know that you could flick the wheel and put the back in place just as easily as you made it flick out.

You know if you have a great car, as when you wash/polish it, you learn every line and all the little details, and really enjoy it, much to the annoyance of the lady indoors.

If you are looking for a car that's fast, fun and slightly different, go for a 300zx. You won't be helping the environment as they are thirsty, but for cheap thrills I can't think of anything that's better.