nissan 300zx tt reliable?

[Spoolin18]

Looking for ppl who knows anything about a 300 zx tt, several questions..like how reliable are they? Crankwalk issues? Maintenance.....easy modded...Bov vented or circulated...blah blah...you get the idea.

 

[Hideki]

I've been a Z32 TT enthusiast since I was 5, literally 5. My dad bought one brand new in 1990. I've been tuning and toying with Z32's both TT and NA since 16. They are stone reliable, the problem? Maintenance on those cars is both expensive and a pain in the ass. Seriously just look at that engine, timing belt change will take you eons. Injector swap? that's gonna take you the rest of your life. Basically most of the maintenance stuff you gotta do you need to do from underneath so I hope you got a comfy creeper. On the plus side changing the fuel filter is the easiest I've ever had to do But they create forward momentum like nobodies business

If you get an automatic car, the first thing you NEED to do is get an aftermarket transmission cooler no exceptions. And replace at least your lower radiator hose with a silicone one (they'll crush under pressure, happened to me more times than I'd like to admit)

From a modification standpoint, exhaust and intake mods do wonders. Things like aggressive cams are an easy thing for a DSM but take forever when you gotta change all four in the VG30. The MAF in the Z32 is finicky when you put a big K&N on there.

If I was searching for another Z32. 1990's have teething problems, and the 1996 dropped variable valve timing so they make less power out of the box. It's honestly like tuning and caring for a Ferrari. They're amazing, but if you can afford a $15K-$20K 20 year old Japanese sports car you need to understand you'll need a budget just as high to maintain it (because no previous owner did)

 

[Tanro]

The engine will hold up to the test of time if you maintain. So you either gotta have deep pockets or like doing stuff like pulling the engine to change the timing belt. I wont ever work on another 2g 300zx ever. I had to help my buddy change the alternator on one, we had to remove have the ####ing shit under the hood to do it.

 

[DSM Boosted]

I've owned a 93 NA 300zx, thing was a tank, never once let me stranded, and I beat on the poor thing...even on the NA models maintenance is pretty annoying on these things...As for the TTs, my buddy had one and it kicked his ass, I'm not sure if he just got screwed but it was always in the shop..

 

[TRSblader]

As mentioned before, maintenance blows, but they are very reliable from what I've seen. My friend had one basically bone stock from what I remember, and beat the living piss out of that thing 12 hours a day on the highway, backroads, track, and everywhere else. Thing only left him stranded once in about 6 years.

He was one of those guys that got in, turned the key on, and never let the thing even get down to normal idle before the pedal was on the floor. I've never seen a car take the amount of abuse he gave that poor car and survive with so few problems.

 

[KmDAVIS6705]

There great cars, try to stay away from the early 90's & the 96. Like Hideki said they lost variable valve timing. But overall VG30DETT motors are awesome.

 

[Spoolin18]

crap, this one was a pearl white 90z 5spd and 90k on the odometer. The lot wants $4900.00 obo. I'm torn between it and a 98 f-body with 78k 6spd. Which would you guys go with considering the maintenance issues with the Z? I'm thinking F-body. The f-body is a z28 as most of u know, hence the 6spd.

 

[cookmeup272]

Id rather work on a F body

 

[90moneypit]

What do you want to use it for? If you're looking for the cheaper one to beat on, go with the F-body. If you want one to restore for future investment, get the Z-car. I hate to say it but the Camaro will be more reliable and while not easy to work on, easier to work on and cheaper performance parts and a higher HP limit with that LS engine. Plus if you really want twin turbo's, you can do that with the Camaro too... You might even get better MPG with the 6 speed.

 

[KmDAVIS6705]

Z-28 = cheap to maintain, easy to mod, one on every corner
300Z = $$$ to maintain, takes skill to mod, timeless rare car.

Checkout a couple of z32 forums. Also 32 motorsports. If those were my choices I'd take the 300 any day. Plus it will hold it's value if kept in good shape. 90's are not so bad, they mainly just had bugs that needed worked out being a new body style. Try to stay away from 4 wheel steering, not even sure it was a option on a early Z.

 

[EclipticalGS]

Go look at some threads on the camaro forums..They are all about E-penis and street race kills.

300zx TT is an enthusiast car. I still remember one 300zx that caught my eye, it looks so bad ass I was going to buy it for $3000 but the deal fell through.

Seriously though I cant believe I missed out on this shell..It had 65k on it and all it needed was some different rims.

 

[dsm03]

Nissan=


Dont like em,

any of nissan sports cars are always HEAVY girls and underpowered.

 

[EclipticalGS]

Nissan=


Dont like em,

any of nissan sports cars are always HEAVY girls and underpowered.

Oh I forgot the R34 was underpowered and heavy.

 

[spydergstftw]

modding = not easy unless you know the car really well. my friends experience from this

 

[burkgonzo]

Look under the hood and try to see the pavement .

 

[dsm03]

Oh I forgot the R34 was underpowered and heavy.

Go buy one then.

 

[yukiz]

one of the hardest engine to work on... tight space.....

 

[sag1441]

with the above. most cars will treat you right when treated right, 300zxs just happen to be a huge pain to work on so many go neglected. get the f body though, ls1 and t56 combo is the shit plus its just newer and a wiser choice

 

[newTSIguy]

This is crazy, im in the market for a new car, and I am holding out for a z, dont know if I wanna go n/a or tt yet though, but god dam there sexy

 

[Straycat]

I love mine. I'll never sell either one of them. They are a pain in the ass. And these cars are finicky when it comes to the engine electrical stuff. The statement about the MAF with open air filters is correct. Sometimes they wont affect it, most of the time they do. They are also real bad about electrical connection corrosion, and the underhood fuse panel having problems where they overheat and melt,( and thats with all factory stuff). I spent A LOT of money with Z1 motorsports over the years on 1 piece aluminum driveshafts, adjustible front and rear contol arms ect. Also keep in mind, the way the Z's suspension is designed if you put larger than 16in ( factory size) wheels on it, you camber withh get thrown out .35 for every 1 inch of wheel size you increase. Alot of noobs to the Z32s dont know this and wonder why thier car all of a sudden handles like shit and their tires are shredding 10k after having them put on new. Also, if you get an automatic, if you have shifting issues, the most common problem is that the OD unit has a failsafe in it that will not allow the car to go into overdrive untill the car has reached operating temp. So to keep from ruining your trans you will have to let the car warm up before getting on the road with it. If you have any more ?s or you want some good pics of mine,( i have internal engine shots, auto to 5 speed shots, even shots of a melted and smoking fuse block...) let me know.

crap tried to get the pic of my black 1990 on here but it keeps posting the pic of my hearse. oh well, cool hearse huh? (sorry)

 

[Zdrummer15]

I agree 100% with the general consensus. They are a bi*** to work on, but are great cars. All things considered, I would go for the Z in a heartbeat. You have a DSM for cheap, easily obtained performance. The 90-96 300ZX's have a timeless look that I love. I always wanted one before I bought my Talon. I found one once for $6,000, but I couldn't bring myself to go for it considering the mileage and unknowns regarding the condition. That said, I would still love to own one someday.

 

[GsXdSmKingGsX]

My buddies 91 300zx TT is nice but CONSTANTLY blowing water pumps and fuel lines are going to hell. Its the hardest car to do maintainence on I've EVER worked on.

 

[dsm8883]

I would say f body with a ls and a 6 speed and never look back!!!!

 

[JStrateger]

one of the hardest engine to work on... tight space.....

Not an understatement, Z's are retarded hard to work on. My friend that works at monroe has one and we worked on it there, with it on a lift, and everything was still a pain in the ass.

I would never daily drive it if I had one though. It would be a project car for sure.

If you can find a 240sx that isn't rusted to hell, get that. The KA24 is a very reliable motor, I can't exaggerative this enough. My current KA is at 283,xxx miles and still running strong, my previous was at 233,xxx and ran great as well. The engine gets about 28mpg, the car handles great, it's light and fun to drive, not really much bad to say about them except their pretty underpowered.

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[GsXdSmKingGsX]

Oh I forgot the R34 was underpowered and heavy.

Just beacause one wasnt, doesnt mean the rest arent.