Thinking of getting a Z31...

Stewcumber

New Forum User
I'm after a bit of info on these cars.

What appeals to me is that they're old and interesting and "cool looking" with targa tops especially but with enough power to keep up with modern traffic and creature comforts that I take for granted (mostly power steering and windows). I've test driven one and I got on with it fine.

First of all obviously there's not many left and after a bit of research there doesn't seem to be much part availability at least in the UK (I think this a is UK based forum?) which is putting me off. In the US there seems to be a lot more options, are LHD and RHD cars generally compatible?

For instance the Speedo and fuel gauge seem like common points of failure but there doesn't seem to be a straight forward fix for this (or is there?) What else is a common problem with the obvious exception of rust?

The wheels are a weird size with very limited tyre choice. Quite a few have aftermarket wheels which I would be exploring too for daily use to be honest.

Finally the prices seem everywhere - I looked at a nice NA manual in September which was £12k there is a £9k NA auto which has been available a similar amount of time. But when they pop up on eBay auctions they only go for a couple of grand for poor to average condition ones. I've watched a red na auto one go through auctions for under 3k but gets relisted as buy it now for 5.5k. then there are the premium dealers listing them for 25k so I'm struggling with how much they're worth.

So I guess my questions:
Does part availability prohibitively hinder maintaining one?
Are they actually reliable (in the context of a 35+ year old car that is)
Does anyone have a manual car for sale?
 

mrM

Club Member
hi,a lot of parts are compatable on us and uk cars but some are not,a lot of parts are easy to find from uk or usa but a few are virtually impossible......the fuel sender unit failing in the tank is a very common problem but it is not hard to remove...the problem can be finding a new replacement,i tried about 4 old original used ones of the tube design none of which worked till i managed to get hold of a brand new,new design one which is perfect,the gauge itself rarely gives trouble,the front windscreen commonly is found to be cracked i have seen this on many cars,airflow meters can knacker,bonnet and boot struts are old and may have lost pressure to hold up bonnet or boot,rust can be anywhere even on the bulkhead so check carefully,the wheels you have come across are the 15" metric jobs which are best put to rest and 16" z31 alloys with standard tyres subsituted or aftermarket rims which may need longer studs as the standard ones are pretty short,the most common uk z31 is the 87-89 n/a auto ,the rarest the 84-86 prefacelift turbo,prices are everywhere as you say but your looking at 10k minimum really for a decent turbo and there are not many,all are manual 228bhp prefacelift /205bhp facelift due to different turbos,n/a auto and manual are 170bhp .....the rule is the same as any car buy the best one you can.... because with the exception of service parts, things secondhand or new may not be cheap these days.....service maintaining one is not a problem (with the exception of 84-86 305mm turbo front/rear brake discs which are not available)and they are reliable its just that like any old rare car in the uk some parts depending on what they are may be very hard to find
 
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mrM

Club Member
*edit,*new style fuel senders seem to be available now,when i was after one they was virtually unobtainable new no one had one.....but ive had a look about and with import duties your looking around £285-300 for the ones ive seen
 
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