With everybody looking forward to the FR-S/BRZ I am looking back. I am now looking at selling the tC for a platform thats AWD or RWD with slightly more power potential. This is all inspired by the renewed passion the car ethusiast community has because of the FR-S.

A little back story, I own a tC1 that I have invested a lot of time into. It has almost every performance upgrade short of tearing into the internals of the motor, ptuning turbo kit, lsd, etc...

So with all that said I need so opinions/experiences. I am seriously considering the 90-96 300zx Twin Turbo. It seems to be the last real car to encite as much enthusiasm as the new FR-S has. Also seems like a good power platform with good reliability and can be had for fairly cheap (unlike its rival the mid 90's supra). My tC was my DD for 5+ yrs but now its my garage baby. The new car would have the same roll, so probably less than 1k miles a year. The reason I am looking at this platform and not at an FR-S or used STI is because I don't want another car payment, plus the cost of modifying. The Z is cheap enough and the parts can be had for much less than a newer car, plus there are tons of them available.

So, with all that said here is where I want your opinions (personal experience is prime!) Is this car as great a platform as I hear? Any catasrophic issues? Also, I am a big guy, 6'4" tall, and I hear these are great for us of a larger persuasion, is this true?

Thanks in advance! Sorry for rambling!

 

http://rockford.craigslist.org/cto/3061906239.html

Yeah you can get them dang cheap and boy do they move. It's funny you just posted this because I came across this post on Craigslist like an hour ago. You can never ever go wrong with a Nissan my friend. There is no need for advice. Haha.

 

My list of cars that I would not mind owning, that are cheap/great enthusiast cars: just to note, the 300zx turbo is a good car, but almost 20 years old. I would get a 350z instead - parts are still there, the motor is solid. Here is a list of RANDOM cars I would totally drive, which can be had from $4k to $14k . Always try and buy the last model year too, your going to get revisions that other earlier cars might not have, and it makes it that much better to sell to enthusiasts when your ready to sell the car.

350Z
RX7
VR4 3000GT. I would stay away from the dodge stealth variant.
Gen 2 OR Gen 3 supra (both are good, but the later supras are expensive, even in NA trim).
Integra TYPE R
Prelude
1999/2000 civic SI (160hp= 100hp per liter) - I own a 2003 civic SI ep3 hatch, and I think the 99/00 Si's were the best SI's made for some reason. I just wish I would of gotten a 2005 instead of 2003.
Del Sol (Vtec trim, comes with 160hp= 100hp per liter)
S2000 (Ap1's can be had ***** cheap. Great car, but if you can swing the extra $$ go for the ap2)
VW corrado
VW R32
Mustang Cobra R
Celica GTS
Acura RSX TYPE S
95-99 gen2 eclipse GS-T (turbo)

So there is a good base of a lot of imports that span a decent time frame. I would own a clean example of ANY of those cars.

 

I'm not positive, but I think my dad works with the guy that's selling that zx in Rockford. If that is in fact the one, he's been going back and forth on selling it/keeping it for years.

 

Criminal- I agree hard to beat a Z car!

Torque- The 20y.o. factor is def weighing on me but there are still sooo many prime examples left out there.. Plus look at the 280z they are now picking back up in value, which I expect the 300's to do in about 10yrs.
As for the 350z I would love one, but
A) The best year to have is 06+ when they upgraded to the new higher reving VQ and those are not cheap. We're talking 25k+..
B) And even if I could find a good deal on one, the parts are rediculously expensive..

As far as your list of cars to own, its a very good list but I am not looking for any more FWD cars so 3/4 of that list is out. RX-7s people value too highly and parts are insane, plus its a rotary... S2000 is expensive-ish but its also a sardine can.. litterly the 2nd smallest car i've ever been in (lol miata's a joke!) Plus no mustangs or VW's for me.. not a fan.

 

My friend got his 91 twin turbo with 59k on for like 10k a few years ago and it is an amazing car! definitely a lot better than the new z's of today(well I cant say about the 370 since I havent driven one.) it puts the 350z to shame!! One thing about them is they are hard to work on as far the motor goes due to lack of space but they are fun to drive and look sexy as hell!

here is a pic of my friends as of now.

 

See that right there... wow! And with my favorite wheels of all time... (assuming they are true volks?) What is your friends opinion of it now that he has had it for a while? I think I am very close to letting the tC go but I want to know what he loves/likes/hates about the car and mods..

 

Does anyone else have input? I'd really like to hear it. DJ does your friend have any suggestions cautions etc..?

 

What about mr2 I always loved them

 

The fact the engine has to be pulled for what otherwise would be less of a hassle on other cars is a big drawback.

 

Nothing like owning a car that swings. And aside from doing a few short pulls in the n/a auto and powersliding....I have no other experience with this car. That said, it's more fun than the tc. Definitely handles better, but like you said...it's a 20y/o car...but you know them Nissan engines are bullet proof. I think this would be a great step away from the tC, personally. When I have enough money I'd probably be going towards the RWD platform direction as well.