I'm pondering whether or not it would be a good idea to get a Nissan 300ZX as my next car. I will 18 in half a year, and I'll have been driving for two and a half years, half a year with a stickshift. At the rate my job is going, I should have enough saved up by then to get a 300ZX NA, or maybe an early 300ZX TT. There is little to no rain or snow where I live (Las Vegas, Nevada), so that wouldn't be an issue for me. I don't plan to race whatever vehicle I get, but it has to be manual transmission, reliable, and fun to drive. So, would it be a good idea for me to consider a Nissan 300ZX for my next car, or am I too young/inexperienced to handle a car like this?

By the way, here are some other cars I'm considering:
1994-2001 Acura Integra GS-R - I don't really like front-wheel-drive cars, but this one looks nice.
1995-1998 Nissan 240SX SE - A very fun-to-drive sports coupe, but there aren't that many out there, so it could be hard to find.
1993-1998 Toyota Supra (non-turbocharged) - These are probably too rare and expensive for me, but you never know.
1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX - One of the best sport coupes ever made, but like the 240SX, they're pretty hard to find.

i got a z and i am 16. of course, i am told i am more mature when it comes to driving. i dont do anything too crazy. and that is one thing good about the 300zx, you can tell when it is about to break loose (at least i can).

That's good. I've already had a couple years of driving experience, and I got good at driving stick on a Lancer Evolution VIII. So, as long as the car doesn't have any weird handling quirks, I'm sure I'll be fine, because like I said, I don't plan on street racing it or anything. Just thought I'd ask others about their experience with the 300ZX and how hard or easy it is to drive. :)

Ok...

I was 16 when I got my first ZedX... LOVED IT.

Keep in mind I am also 6foot7inches tall... So I have to custom mount my seats in all of my cars, haha :D

Zed's are EXTREMELY hard to work on, dont beat on it. Baby the thing to death, trust me there!

It will be a perfect car for you... Fuck Mitsushitti's, and Acunta's... Get a real car, a Nissan!

-Wes

:iagree:
I got my Z when I was 19, and I love her. Ask most Z car owners and they will tell you the same thing as everyone who has posted here so far. Z's are great cars!!
Good luck! :smile:

things may be a lot different in Las Vegas...but eclipse's and 240sx's are damn common cars...either of those shouldn't be hard to find anywhere...i think the 300zx is a WAY better car...save up and get the twin turbo..

Every 240SX I've seen is sold pretty quickly, and while Eclipses are common, the GSX AWD turbo model isn't. I could save up and get the twin-turbo, but I've heard that repairs are very expensive on those, and fuel economy is lousy. I think the NA 2-seater hatchback might be just right for me. Although I know that if I don't get the twin-turbo, I'll be wishing I did later on.

No you wont... You'll be glad you dont have to deal with the BS of maintaining a turbocharged car. Trust me there... One again

You'll be fine if you get ABOVE a '90. Nineties were the problemo years for the Zeds. I had one, it was a BITCH the entire time I had it. 1991+.

-Wes

Alright. I'd prefer 94+ because it came with a passenger airbag, but I'll make sure to steer clear of 90. You're not the first person to tell me that the 90 models had problems :)

yea, turbo cars are definitly difficult to keep up with, but about the 240sx. I wanted a 240sx because w/ my budget I couldnt afford a newer 300zx. I live in new york, and couldnt find a 240sx ANYWHERE! I know it snows and all but they can be garaged and drivin in the summer, which is what I do w/ my old 300zx. But 240s are very rare. Ive only seen about 3 so far.

I got my Z32TT last month just after my birthday. I paid it myself, insurance, gas, everything! It's good to buy your own car man. I give more repect to a person with a crappy car that he/she paid himself then a person that has a showcar that was handed to him/her by their parents. But anyways, if you were going to get a Z get a NA man. If you won't be using the power then it might be overkill to get a TT, NA is also the same engine just not turbocharged. So you can still work on the internals if you do want to beef it up in the future. And the TT will require a bit more knowledge if you plan on fixing it yourself. And not to mention the insurace will raise quite a bit between the NA and TT. And keep in mind that you would have to get premium gas if you get a TT. What ever you choose, goodluck to you and hope the car makes you a happy man. Mine is a '90 and the previous owner had no problems with the car what so ever but it could also be becuase he well maintance the car. As long as you treat it right their won't be any problems or you might be lucky to get a lucky batch of the '90 that wasn't defected hehe.

Yeah, I am gonna pay for this car myself. My mom wants me to get an automatic sedan, not a sporty manual coupe, but if I pay for it myself, she can't tell me what to get. And also, it's a fact that when you pay for a car yourself, you take better care of it. But anyways, I've decided that if I get a 300ZX, I'm going to get the base 2-seater model, 1994 or newer (dual airbags as opposed to driver only). It's a few thousand cheaper than the base Supra, and easier to find as well. It's also a bit slower, but that can be fixed with a few mods, I hope :)

And keep in mind that you would have to get premium gas if you get a TT.

you have to get premium gas also if you have a n/a. i unaccidentaly put regular in my z on my 2nd tank of gas because i was used to getting regular and my z ran like crap with regular. and it also says to put premium gas into it on the fuel gauge and the fuel cap.

anyways, a n/a is enough for us younger guys. i almost get into trouble with a n/a, i can't imagine what i would do with a tt. 222 hp is enough for me right now thank you.

if you say your not going to race it, then dont bother with the tt. if there is one thing i hate, its seeing some rich dude or his wife driving a tt, when you know they rarelly open it up. what a waste.

I just waited and got a TT because I knew that a few months with a NA would have me wanting a TT. If it is not exactly what you want, don't buy it.

If you're going to go out, go all out! Just like me :)

Well, when I say 'not race', I mean not do anything stupid like street racing. I may take it down to the drag strip every now and then, just to see what I can do with it. Still, I don't think it's worth it for me to get a TT. 222 horsepower is more than enough for someone my age.

Neo... Man I give you props too!

I bought my first car with lawn mowing money (1990 ZedX) and I loved it to death.

All of my rich friends drive $70,000 Range Rovers that their parents went into debt just to get them... It's silly really.

If you want something... Work and get it yourself people!

-Wes

True that Wes!

i have to agree with everyone above. if u dont plan on racing it at all then dont bother with the healthy amounts of money you have to spend to keep the TT running. go for the N/A. definitely pick the 300 over the rest of your choices, in my opinion it looks by far the best stock or with visual upgrades. upgrades me a be a little more expensive but the look is definitely worth it.
by the way im 17 with a N/A and i love it. wish i had a 5 speed but i live near chicago so winters are crazy so i will probably do the swap this comin winter.
good luck on finding ur car.

Well, I really wouldn't recommend driving a Z in the winter due to the RWD, power it has, and keeping the baby out of the snow. I plan on buying a winter car as soon as it starts snowing. I woudn't be too happy if I found some rust on my car ;) Now, what's a nice FWD that's dirt cheap for the 80's-90's model. To bad the AE86 aren't FWD :(

real quick i just wanted to say, have some extra money saved just incase, cause you NEVER KNOW what can happen on them and they are a pain to repair, Dont get a 90. Dont get TT if you wont race. and also if you dont want to race and want a cruiser, GOOD LUCK you WILL have the urge. all in all, good luck

i have an 87 oldsmobile calais for my winter car and for when the z is in the shop. but when i get in it it feels like i am going to roll over.

my dads got a black TT 300zx. finely tuned by him too. i love borrowing it... which he rarely lets me. and i love using it on occations like your first dat with this or that girl. my dads car has tremendous amount of power and i just love it!

... Avatars gotta go man! Haha

-Wes

speaking of horse power, how much hp does an old z31 na have?

175hp I beleive?

-Wes

Yea...about 175 at the flywheel. It'll be hard to drive that car and not get into it a bit with those annoying civic and shitstain...er...sorry...I always do that...mustang assholes. The first car I ever bought was an 86 2+2 5-speed and I loved that car dearly. I think it's plenty for anyone of that age as it did go pretty well.

As for the ritch bitches using mommy and daddy's money, screw that shit. $50,000 range rover or whatever...you've gotta be kidding me.

I have an 86 Celica GT-S that I use for a beater. I deliver pizzas and don't wanna use my 86T for that. Also, the 86T is friggin horrifying in the rain. I was on a hill today in the rain and almost couldn't leave a stoplight cuz the tire kept spinning. It'll kick out completely sideways in 2nd gear...and that's on DRY GROUND...my sister wanted to go for a ride...boy did I deliver...:-D

All in all...just get a Z...you'll thank all that's holy that you did when all your friend's caviliers and sunfires and neons and whatnot keep breaking down. The Z31 is damn good as far as maintaining it goes...Z32...dunno...I didn't think they were bad...but I'm kinda starting to think they're not as good as I thought. Not even cuz they break down often...just because of how much it costs to fix when they do.