300zx vs 350z vs 370z

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Yeah that's a great deal on a well maintained clean 96TT.  Sad to see you are selling it.  It will definitely be a sought after car in a while.  It's so rare to see a 96.  I'm surprised you aren't getting more interest.  Maybe it's because of your location?

I think it has more to do with price. There are lots of other cars available for much much less. While they may not be as nice or as clean they everything always comes down to price. I'm guessing i'd do even worse on Ebay, so i'm not even going to try.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I want that 300ZX. It needs lowered, though.

Yes, it does need that. Since I have no buyer interest I will probably keep the car.

The suspension is the first thing i'll address, then wheels, upgraded turbo's and finally redo the exhaust.

What's on the radar for your next purchase, FBC?

I'm looking at lots of things, none of it is to replace the Z but I'll probably have less time for it. Granted selling the Z would provide more money for the more expensive choices.

I'm looking at:

Fiats, spiders mostly
Alfa's, spiders mostly
Porsche's
-914's
-911's
-boxsters
-944's (track car)
some older british stuff
some older japanese stuff(first gen rx's)

[Eye of the Tiger]

If you get a 914 and put a V8 in it, I will kiss your shoes.

[Vinsanity]

Yes, it does need that. Since I have no buyer interest I will probably keep the car.

The suspension is the first thing i'll address, then wheels, upgraded turbo's and finally redo the exhaust.

what with Barrett-Jackson in town this past weekend, it got me thinking that it would be pretty cool to hold on to a nice car as it becomes a classic. your Z would be a pretty awesome car to hold on to as it ages like fine wine

[68_427]

If you get a 914 and put a V8 in it, I will kiss your shoes.

LS SWAAAAAAAAP

[sportyaccordy]

FBC, how much of a pain is it to get to the turbos? You don't have to drop the motor like in an S4 do you?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

FBC, how much of a pain is it to get to the turbos? You don't have to drop the motor like in an S4 do you?

I've seen it mentioned both ways. It seems that many tech/owner sites recommend pulling the motor. However the Nissan Factory Service manual says you don't have to. IMO it looks like they can be dropped out from below with minimal removal of surrounding parts.

[Raza]

You took the 355 off your list?

Early 996s can be had for about 20, or even less.  Turbos are dropping below 50!

[FlatBlackCaddy]

You took the 355 off your list?

Early 996s can be had for about 20, or even less.  Turbos are dropping below 50!

That 355 won't happen for awhile, it's always "on the list" though.

[sportyaccordy]

You took the 355 off your list?

Early 996s can be had for about 20, or even less.  Turbos are dropping below 50!

Question here is, are the potential headaches of an early 996 worth the slight performance hit you'd take getting essentially pristine E46 M3?

And 16K is a lot for a 300ZX, even one as perfect as FBC's. With old, non collectible cars, after a certain point in time you just have to eat it and keep it, unless you can hold out for the enthusiast with the coin & enthusiasm to get this. Then again, at 16K, ironically there aren't too many modern competitors. WRX? Beat E46 M3? Z3 M Coupe? 3000GT VR-4? Actually it's kind of interesting the more I think about it.

[Raza]

Question here is, are the potential headaches of an early 996 worth the slight performance hit you'd take getting essentially pristine E46 M3?

No way a 911 is going to be less reliable than an M3.  80% of all Porsches are still on the road.  Ancient 911s still run and are driven hard without consequence. 

[sportyaccordy]

No way a 911 is going to be less reliable than an M3.  80% of all Porsches are still on the road.  Ancient 911s still run and are driven hard without consequence. 

They're still on the road cause they're super valuable, and are generally bought by enthusiasts. M3s are too, and I'm almost certain they have a similar rate of remaining. I mean really, who would junk an E30 M3?

Early 996s get the from me because of their engine oil problems & high maintenance costs

[MX793]

They're still on the road cause they're super valuable, and are generally bought by enthusiasts. M3s are too, and I'm almost certain they have a similar rate of remaining. I mean really, who would junk an E30 M3?

Early 996s get the from me because of their engine oil problems & high maintenance costs

E46 M3s had engine oil burning issues as well, IIRC.  And maintenance isn't going to be cheap by any means.

[giant_mtb]

Have I got a deal for you......

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/1808358319.html

Of your detail job, I approve.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Of your detail job, I approve.

Thanks, but I need to redo it. I still have some very minor swirls in it only visible under dim shop lights.

[hotrodalex]

Of your detail job, I approve.

srsly.

That car is sweeeeet.

[TBR]

No way a 911 is going to be less reliable than an M3.  80% of all Porsches are still on the road.  Ancient 911s still run and are driven hard without consequence.  

Only because their owners are able and willing to put a shitload of cash into maintenance, and they don't drive them much anyway.

[Raza]

Only because their owners are able and willing to put a shitload of cash into maintenance, and they don't drive them much anyway.

The 911 itself has been around for over 40 years (and even GRM put some classic 911s on track and praised them for their lack of issues) and Porsche before that.  If that number isn't impressive, then you can't be impressed.