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Tom_Spangler
Tom_Spangler GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
12/11/18 2:50 p.m.
clutchsmoke said:

Another avenue to help give you an impression of each car and a better look and feel of the inside of each is look up The Smoking Tire YouTube channel. Matt Farrah has done a few episodes on different 300zx builds and at least one Porsche 944.

Just skip the Regular Car Reviews video on the 944. I love Mr. Regular, but he doesn't get 944s. The example he had was not a great one, either.

80sFast
80sFast New Reader
12/11/18 3:20 p.m.

Everyday Driver was the video I was talking about...thought it was pretty good.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kM1QNyalUx0

spitfirebill
spitfirebill MegaDork
12/11/18 6:17 p.m.
Shawnb said:

The 300zx isn’t fun to work on, keep that in mind. 

That is an understatement.  I had a friend get out of the auto repair field because of the 300zx.  The TT’s in particular.  

80sFast
80sFast New Reader
12/11/18 7:13 p.m.

In reply to spitfirebill :

The 944 doesn’t sound like a dream to work on either. I’m aware and cool with this. 

GIRTHQUAKE
GIRTHQUAKE Reader
12/11/18 11:58 p.m.

It's strange to me that nobody posted the build log of a 300zx turbo from Jalopnik here to give a good idea about how complex these cars can be. Still, It is a damn fine looking car.

80sFast
80sFast New Reader
12/12/18 9:51 a.m.

In reply to GIRTHQUAKE :

Thanks for the link. I’ll check it out. 

kanaric
kanaric SuperDork
12/12/18 5:48 p.m.

944 has bad 80s turbo car response. 300zx is a very complex car. 944 isn't much better on the complexity side. 

I weighed both of these cars back in the day the moved on to Turbo MR2s and ended up importing a Skyline GTS-T after two shady MR2 sellers. It has the same power and less weight than a turbo 944, better response, and good suspension geometry. I ended up ruining it with a turbo upgrade but that is another story, lmao. 

There are a lot better turbo cars than either of these but if I was picking between the two i'd go 300zx. 

80sFast
80sFast New Reader
12/12/18 6:22 p.m.

In reply to kanaric :

Yeah, I know there are better cars out there. I just like these two. Having said that an R33 R400 is one of the first cars I fell in love with. If had those kinda funds I’d be typing this from the right side of a Nissan right now. 

c0rbin9
c0rbin9 Reader
1/3/20 11:22 p.m.

Did you ever decide?

There's really no wrong answer here, I have a 300ZX NA and enjoy it very much. It has that quintessentially 90s clean styling and an excellent interior.

You do notice the weight on track/autocross, especially under braking. I think the 944 would make a better track toy.

OjaiM5
OjaiM5 Reader
1/4/20 12:27 a.m.

I've owned  and enjoyed both but the 944 is much more of a drivers car. Feels much lighter and more nimble. 

MrFancypants
MrFancypants New Reader
1/6/20 6:24 p.m.

For $15k I'm not sure I'd get either of these. I love them both, but I'd be concerned about getting a basket case and not having enough in reserve to deal with the issues.

I think I'd have a hard look for the nicest, cleanest non turbo 944 I could find or, curve ball here....  an FC RX-7. $15k buys a time capsule quality FC RX-7.

clutchsmoke
clutchsmoke UltraDork
1/7/20 12:05 a.m.
MrFancypants said:

For $15k I'm not sure I'd get either of these. I love them both, but I'd be concerned about getting a basket case and not having enough in reserve to deal with the issues.

I think I'd have a hard look for the nicest, cleanest non turbo 944 I could find or, curve ball here....  an FC RX-7. $15k buys a time capsule quality FC RX-7.

This is the right answer. 

Kingkong
Kingkong New Reader
1/7/20 3:24 p.m.

I'd vote Z32 but what about Turbo MR2. Drove a T-top version with big turbo one time, was a blast!

ProDarwin
ProDarwin UltimaDork
1/7/20 8:05 p.m.
MrFancypants said:

For $15k I'm not sure I'd get either of these. I love them both, but I'd be concerned about getting a basket case and not having enough in reserve to deal with the issues.

I think I'd have a hard look for the nicest, cleanest non turbo 944 I could find or, curve ball here....  an FC RX-7. $15k buys a time capsule quality FC RX-7.

If NA 944 is on the table a [faster] NA Z32 should be on the table as well, and you can get one wayyyy under $15k

AnthonyGS
AnthonyGS Dork
1/7/20 9:07 p.m.
ProDarwin said:
MrFancypants said:

For $15k I'm not sure I'd get either of these. I love them both, but I'd be concerned about getting a basket case and not having enough in reserve to deal with the issues.

I think I'd have a hard look for the nicest, cleanest non turbo 944 I could find or, curve ball here....  an FC RX-7. $15k buys a time capsule quality FC RX-7.

If NA 944 is on the table a [faster] NA Z32 should be on the table as well, and you can get one wayyyy under $15k

It's only significantly faster than the early 944s.  The 944S, 944S2 and 944 2.7L can probably hold their own or beat an NA 300ZX.  The 924S is the real sleeper because it came with the 944 2.5L but is much lighter. 

Honestly if picking from all of these for reliability and ease of maintenance I might pick something else entirely like the MR2 since it has Toyota reliability. 

 

 

mr2s2000elise
mr2s2000elise Dork
1/7/20 9:19 p.m.

As a long time MR2 T owner, the 300Z makes a great GT car. That 6 is fantastic . But I don't want to work in the Z s engine bay 

MrFancypants
MrFancypants New Reader
1/7/20 9:58 p.m.
ProDarwin said:
MrFancypants said:

For $15k I'm not sure I'd get either of these. I love them both, but I'd be concerned about getting a basket case and not having enough in reserve to deal with the issues.

I think I'd have a hard look for the nicest, cleanest non turbo 944 I could find or, curve ball here....  an FC RX-7. $15k buys a time capsule quality FC RX-7.

If NA 944 is on the table a [faster] NA Z32 should be on the table as well, and you can get one wayyyy under $15k

For me, personally....  the primary draw for the 300ZX is the twin turbo engine, the draw for the 944 is the chassis. I'm sure the naturally aspirated 300ZX is a fine car to drive, but I have zero interest in it. I can fully enjoy a 944 without a turbo. 

Olemiss540
Olemiss540 New Reader
1/8/20 4:00 a.m.

I love how someone bumps a year+ old thread for an update and the conversation starts back up without missing a beat.

I am pretty sure there are only two outcomes: 1.) OP is dead by now 2.) OP has purchased a challenged priced BiTurbo.

Oh, and this is the best forum on the internet by a wide margin (not that its saying much).

racerdave600
racerdave600 UltraDork
1/8/20 1:11 p.m.
Olemiss540 said:

I love how someone bumps a year+ old thread for an update and the conversation starts back up without missing a beat.

I am pretty sure there are only two outcomes: 1.) OP is dead by now 2.) OP has purchased a challenged priced BiTurbo.

Oh, and this is the best forum on the internet by a wide margin (not that its saying much).

Or...Or...option 3, he now has horded 17 Miatas of different flavors and levels of completness, and has 2 P71's and a Yugo stuffed somewhere in a barn.  

mr2s2000elise
mr2s2000elise Dork
1/8/20 1:15 p.m.
Olemiss540 said:

OP is dead by now.

Sorry to hear of a death of a member.  Means less competition on BAT for a ZXTT. 

Olemiss540
Olemiss540 New Reader
1/8/20 2:42 p.m.
racerdave600 said:
Olemiss540 said:

I love how someone bumps a year+ old thread for an update and the conversation starts back up without missing a beat.

I am pretty sure there are only two outcomes: 1.) OP is dead by now 2.) OP has purchased a challenged priced BiTurbo.

Oh, and this is the best forum on the internet by a wide margin (not that its saying much).

Or...Or...option 3, he now has horded 17 Miatas of different flavors and levels of completness, and has 2 P71's and a Yugo stuffed somewhere in a barn.  

Think the miatas are towed to the track/autocross with an astro van that doubles as a sleeper with integrated shower/water heater?

ebelements
ebelements Reader
1/8/20 3:28 p.m.

Z32s have started to be pretty regularly imported. Low mileage, relatively stock, and reasonably cheap. Thing is, most I've seen are autos, lame.

Here's one in a killer color, already stateside.

pointofdeparture
pointofdeparture GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
1/8/20 3:34 p.m.
ebelements said:

Z32s have started to be pretty regularly imported. Low mileage, relatively stock, and reasonably cheap. Thing is, most I've seen are autos, lame.

Here's one in a killer color, already stateside.

Someone I know looked at that car and said it is hiding a lot of issues. It is also a not-that-good repaint...check out the white engine bay.

fatallightning
fatallightning Reader
1/9/20 11:56 a.m.

The trunk audio system in that is making me twitch

80sFast
80sFast Reader
1/9/20 12:16 p.m.

Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated...

I actually bought a 2016 explore sport of all things lol. I need a second vehicle for my business so a car got pushed back. 

 

Funny an MR2 and FC Rx7 have been mentioned, I've actually been looking at both since my time frame for a car got pushed back...really liking a turbo II FC.

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