tHINKING OF BUYING A '88 300ZX N/A AUTO

[daprezz]

wELL EVERY ONE OVER AT ZCAR.COM IS SAYING DONT BUY IT IF IT HAS AN AUTO TRANNY. oWNER IS ASKING $800 DOWN FROM $1K. DROVE IT AND DRIVES GOOD, BRAND NEW TRANNY, SEE PICTS

[overdrivex]

i dont know how much those are worth in denver. thats something you need to research for your self. if theres nothing wrong with the car and you have to ask than you probably dont even want the car. who cares what anyone else thinks about the car your the one thats going to drive it.

[BD240Z]

Auto versus stick is a personal choice. For me a sports car is more fun to drive with a manual transmission. At the same time I wouldn't want anything but an automatic in my suv.

The engine in this car might be in better condition since it has an auto transmission.

I would rather buy a used car where the "rebuilt" engine or transmission has some miles on it as opposed to "just rebuilt". This way I know the work was done the right way and it has passed the test of time. But you never know what might happen.

I've owned two Z31's and liked them both, I'd like to get an 1984 turbo AE.

Good luck with your decision.

[DeesZ]

In my area for a car that runs and passes the state safety inspection $1K is about the starting price. I agree with BD240Z about the "just rebuilt" point. Ask the seller how many miles are on it since the rebuild - the definition of "just" means different things to different people.

[vercingetorix]

I'm with Overdrivex, if you lke it get it and let anyone else whistle.

If you decide not to buy it,let me know,my son is looking for a car and I could slide up from Santa Fe.

[bigoak]

As an owner of a Z31 with an automatic:

1. The automatics tended not to get quite as beat up as the manuals.

2. The automatic transmission is a notorious weak link. When driving the car, look for sloppy gear shifts, a sure sign that a rebuild is required soon. The rebuild on a Z31 transmission is a complete bitch. One of my good friends is a performance transmission guy and he wouldn't even look at it because he hates them so much. The rebuild on my transmission cost 50% more than your intended purchase price.

3. Another other weak link is the timing belt (not exactly a weak link, but if it goes, you're done...). Find out when the last time it was changed (very often noted under the hood).

4. A couple of other consistent weak links are the t-tops (take the car through a car wash, you'll find out in a hurry) and the vacuum system that runs the cruise and AC.

5. Assuming the car is rampant with rust, the price seems pretty good.

Contrasting the Z31 to the S30, what you get is a cushy grand touring car vs. something that feels more like a performance go kart (you can really throw around a S30). Between the extra weight and the power steering, the Z31 just doesn't give the pure driving pleasure of the S30. On the upside, pulling out the t-tops on a great summer day sure is awesome.

For $800, you could part out and be ahead...

Cheers,