Faults:

Master cylinder needed to be replaced. Only because the car was rarely driven and the seals started to 'weep'. Total cost for supply and fit (genuine nissan parts) was $550 from a Nissan dealership.

General Comments:

The Z32 300ZX is one on the 'sleekest' looking looking sports cars ever to come out of Japan.

I fell in love with the cars looks, the first time I saw them on the road and in magazines.

It reminds you of a Ferrari, a Lambo', a Porsche, a 'Vette', but it is none of these.

It looks nice and handles exceptionally due to its low centre of gravity.

Performance will not 'snap your neck', but it is more than adequate.

The turbo version is much quicker @ 204kws compared to my normally aspirated (NA) engine @ 166kws.

However, the turbo version was never released in Australia. Only the 4 seat NA version.

My car is a genuine 1 owner with VERY low kms and a stamped service book.

Therefore, I am expecting a good run from my car.

Be aware there are many imports around with non-verifiable service and kms histories - buyer beware, and get your car CHECKED by someone that understands ZXs.

Look on the Australian www.300zx.com website for info.

Buy the best example ZX that you can afford.

Preferably with no modifications.

These cars can potentially be a 'money pit' if you buy a 'lemon'.

Don't let that put you off though .... It is one of the most rewarding cars to drive, and the shape is 'timeless'.

Faults:

All of the few things that have needed replacement are what I consider general maintainence.

The oil pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and radiator overflow needed replacing. The total cost of those items was under $150.00.

The tension rods also showed heavy wear and were replaced as well as some coolant system hoses. I went aftermarket and do not have the costs for those, but it would be $250-$350 installed. The motor is from a different model and only has 60,000 miles so the turbos and injectors aren't applicable to the chassis mileage. The previous owner did have to rebuild the turbos for an unknown reason, which was over $2,000.

General Comments:

Within reason, the car is fast as any car made today on the straights or turns. Yet it is a decade older.

One of the most beautiful cars ever constructed, and it gets attention from the right people every day.

Very high performance potential. You can reach 400 rear wheel horsepower with about $1,800 on a twin turbo model if you install the parts yourself, and up to 600 rear wheel horsepower on the stock motor.

Potentially one of the worst financial decisions you can make. Only about 17 mpg and you can dump $10,000 easily into the car on maintenance if you don't know what you are doing.

Also one of the greatest buys in history. I bought my car cash for under 8,000, added about $1200 in performance modifications, and can go 180 miles per hour if I got the urge without much trouble.

Do not buy a 300zx without service records, especially of the 60k interval maintenances which are crucial to the motor's life and about $1,000.

Lastly, if you decide to buy one of these rare jewels, take good care of it and it will take good care of you! These are very reliable super cars if you do the maintenance at the correct intervals.

Faults:

I recently bought a 5spd non turbo 300ZX, and I'm getting really bad gas mileage. I know that the 300zx isn't known for its fuel economy, but this is crazy. I'm getting about 13 in town and 18 on highways. Would someone let me know how their gas mileage is. Thanks, Dave (sirdave4@hotmail.com)

General Comments:

Does anybody know how to run the diag on the car (ODBE). Thanks Dave.