Insurance?

[spewboyz]

Hi all,

I'm very seriously considering buying a 300ZX (turbo, of course&#33<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>. &nbsp;I have had a good quote for a UK spec model (about £650). &nbsp;Anyone know roughly how an import model would rate, relative to the UK spec? &nbsp;Or anyone I could try to 'phone?

Anyone know of good low mileage cars around? &nbsp;I've seen some ar Ram City (via the web) - they don't respond to me via e-mail!

Are manuals or autos better?

I want in to the 300ZX phenomena!

 

[john-boy]

Go ahead and do it .. you won't regret it!

As for a nice looking low mileage example, I've seen there's a silver manual on e-bay ... just try typing in Nissan and you'll find it ... it's an import BTW (I think all silver ones are).

As for this insurance, I'm not sure, since I've had two UK ones, but as far as I'm aware, I think you're probably looking at an extra 25%-ish ... but it's worth shopping around.

It's also worth trying the "for sale" section of 300zx.co.uk, they seem to come up on there pretty frequently.

Finally, as for auto v manual - at the risk of starting a war, I think the manual's streets ahead in terms of driving pleasure and the ability to stick the occupants to the back of the seat! I had an auto first, and now have a manual, and although I loved the first one, this one really is the dog's danglies. Unfortunately they are somewhat rarer than autos.

Stick it out for a goodie and you'll be well pleased.

CheerZ,
John. <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[STEVE BURNS]

Hi JohnBoy
Nothing to do with the thread but almost a quick responce, almost changing the forest into better than tumbleweed.
(private joke) <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[john-boy]

Hi Steve,

One can but try!!! <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

See you've joined up on 300zx.co.uk ... I always think of this as the more gentleman-ly forum, after all, it took me a long time to start posting to 300zx.co.uk, when I first started reading it, seemed all people did was slate each other!! <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>

Here's to de-forestation (on the net only, of course&#33<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

CheerZ,
John.

 

[spewboyz]

John,

Thanks for the response - I do value feedback on a subject for which I am a mere beginner!!

Your reasons for the manual gearbox are exactly what I would have thought as well (more control). &nbsp;Its just some people reckon the auto responds better to the turbos.

Some of the import specialists reckon on paying an additional 10% for the equivalent import - I'm just going to have to suck it and see!!

I'm going to sit tight and wait for the right car to come along. &nbsp;But I'm hoping to be ZXing it up by end Nov! &nbsp;I think I would prefer to buy from a garage - the warranty factor appeals for cars that can be expensive to repair - but I might be being naive?

Anyway, hopefully soon I'll be posting technical questions for my own motor!!!

 

[john-boy]

No worries, m8ey!

Hope you find what you're looking for in the not-too-distant.

I can see the appeal of going to a garage, but it does limit your choice, I wouldn't rule out a private one - there's usually someone around on 300zx.co.uk who'd go an look at it with you for some added peace of mind. Some of the guys on there have encyclopaedic knowledge of the car! <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> (Doesn't include me yet - relative newbie)

You're quite right that the repair bills aint going to be cheap. But, having tried it a few times before, running a super-car on a shoestring isn't really an option, I'm afraid. There's plenty of ways of reducing potentially enormous bills by using these forums.

My advice would definitely be to stick it out for a manual. I reckon this should be more of a deciding factor than import/UK question.

CheerZ & Good Luck,
John.

 

[harbinger]

It took me 9 months to find a good UK manual turbo 300. &nbsp;I just kept an eye out on Autotrader, and ended up buying private. &nbsp;If you do decide to buy private i would recommend the AA car check service. &nbsp;For £245 i got an AA mechanic to carry out a 2 hour check, covering absolutely everything from paint work to clutch, brakes, hpi check etc. &nbsp;Not only did this give me peace of mind, but also allowed me to negotiate down the price. &nbsp;Good luck

 

[grandadg90]

Hiya all im a newby to this forum. &nbsp;The z is a classic car and i have already experienced it. &nbsp;I had a twin turbo auto import a few years ago and now im back again looking for a manual, as i think the manual adds to driver involvement and is definetly quicker. &nbsp;Ive had many super cars but the Z had a lot of character and this brings me back.

Im thinking about importing directly from Japan. &nbsp;A good idea?
A lot of cars on the autotrader have been clocked back, thats why im going the safe way.

A good site for insurance is www.liverpoolvictoria.co.uk they are very competitive especially with modded cars.