View Full Version : What to do
Now I know I havent posted on here in a long while, and I am at a bit of a crossroads with my car.
I have two choices now, and im undecided as to which way to go. I could sell up and move on, for the money I have I know of a 300ZX Twin Turbo going for 11.4 grand, but the running costs will be... large, and Im not entierly sure if thats what I want. I took one for a long hard thrash up nebo the other night (big cheers to the Aus300 community for coughing up a manual TT Z) and it preformed, well, better then I expected from a 1600 KG RWD. However, towards the end of the samford way down I was seriously running out of breaks, and I hear this is a large problem with them.
My other choice is to punch on with the astina. I am in a position now where I could book it in to have serious suspension work done, tommrow (Current package I have investiaged is tein externally adjustable shocks with king springs and whiteline bars). A month from now I will also have the cash for a full respray and repair. A month and a half after that, I will have the cash for a full leather retrim of the interior. But my problem with all this is, its money that I will never see again.
If you go to www.uniquecarsales.com.au theres a TX3 Turbo with 300 HP (Off the top of my head? Might be wrong) at the wheels and a beautiful exterior, aftermarket ECU etc etc and its all going for 9,000 whole (BPT Conversion, it was a NA car I believe). Now, If I follow a similar path with the astina, Im still going to be lucky to get what its worth when I go to sell it, whereas if i stick with a completly stock car I can at least get what its worth. Also, I must start to ask where the limit of FWD is?
I had a look at a GTS4T skyline, but after a few dilemas (No oil or break fluid in it when I inspected it) it seemed mighty slow for a 2L 6 Cylinder turbo. Bearing in mind that it is a 1600 - 1700 kg car on an AWD drive train, this might account for it, but it still felt drastically underpowered. But the car is still an RB20DET and the drivetrain is still a GTR drivetrain. The bolt on options are there, and the box will stand for it, and I think we will all aggree when I say AWD is much more preferable to FWD.
So to sum it all up, the question in my mind is, do I continue with my plans and wind up with a BG astina that looks, drives and rides the bomb but isent worth much or do I stick it up for sale and move on?
Cheers
Ian
twilightprotege
18-07-2006, 10:31 PM
imo, why waste what you've already started?
also think of it this way - imagine the astina you'd have spending all that money on the car. would kill any 300ZX. handling wise for sure and probably power wise. gtxwgn is in the mid 12's down the 1/4....
also, any money spent on cars you'll never see again. it's an expensive hobby.
skippy
18-07-2006, 10:49 PM
Your financial Advisers would tell you to drive a 1987 barina and run it into the ground.
and a couple of decades old sports car would be about as high on the maintence cost scale as possible.
I would take a guess that modding your astina would be about as expensive as keeping a 300 running.
bourbon
18-07-2006, 10:57 PM
i say sell up the astina...keep modin it and you wont get much more for it...compared to what you spend on it...why not by a newer car...have all the extra gizmos and all that...
W.A.I.
18-07-2006, 11:34 PM
i would say.. keep the astina...
coz after you get another car.. all you do is just keep spending money modding it while you also have a higher running cost.
at the end of the day, you are just facing the same problem.. ain't getting much outta any cars really...
boostedbatman
19-07-2006, 03:53 AM
After all the research youhave done on the Teins I hope that someone has told you that they wont fit your car
If not I will
Teins wont fit your car
But good luck with whatever you decide
Not according to fulcurm? I asked them for a quote on an adjustable shock setup and thats what they came back with... However I will ring and confirm it again later today.
LordWorm
19-07-2006, 08:56 AM
If you've got $11400 to throw at a 300ZX, why not throw it at the astina?
I mean - fix it up. Get it to the point where its bullet proof. Think about the reasons why you want/need the car. Do you want to race it? Do you want to race it seriously (like get into the sport compact drag racing scene, or an equivilent circuit racing scene)? or is it just a fun run around.
If its a fun run around - ask yourself if you really really need a faster more expensive to maintain car. REALLY ask yourself. I bet you'll come to the conclusion that it is plenty fast enough. Spend a couple of grand sorting the suspension and other bits and pieces out, maybe even respray it, make it look pretty....
If you want to get into racing or serious racing... then thats a different kettle of fish. I'd reckon you'd be best off spending money on the astina. You know the car. I assume you like the car. You know alot of people here with BPT conversions, you know what the BPT is capable of with the right amount of money spent.
There may be issues with what class the car would be able to be entered into, but if I was going to fork out for leather retrims and glossy resprays, I wouldnt want to race the car in anymore more then drag events or light road events, nothing where theres serious risk of any body dammage to the car.
One of the reasons the 300 was so attractive to me was that it was a good looking car with a *very* comfortable interior. But the running costs on such a car will be huge, which has been said here, and a car like that has no doubt had the tits flogged off it by now.
LordWorm
19-07-2006, 09:38 AM
There may be issues with what class the car would be able to be entered into, but if I was going to fork out for leather retrims and glossy resprays, I wouldnt want to race the car in anymore more then drag events or light road events, nothing where theres serious risk of any body dammage to the car.
One of the reasons the 300 was so attractive to me was that it was a good looking car with a *very* comfortable interior. But the running costs on such a car will be huge, which has been said here, and a car like that has no doubt had the tits flogged off it by now.
Get comfy seats for the astina. I can source you a pair of Bride Racing buckets if you like (they wouldnt be overly comfy for long drives, but would rock for the twisties.... plus there is the inevitable e-wang factor....) :)
Another point to consider - you know your astina. You know where its f*cked and where its not. Sell it and buy another car, and you dont know where the problems are going to crop up. its always the risk with used cars.
If its comfy you want, why not consider something a bit more up to date, and more practical. Say, an SP23, or something in its class. Sure, not turbo. So what. If its just a street car for bending around the twisties and the occasional drag race.... *shrug*
something to think about.
Yeah. As per the testdrive of the GTS4T, I really was disappointed in just the drive of it. And the 300 was a nice drive, but the breaks on it were woefully inadequate, pulling it up was a real worry. The astina on the other hand is the absolute bomb to drive, a heap of fun, but they really arent all that comfortable and they dont look anything special.
Hmmph. All things considered, I think I may just stick with the astina. I did consider a GTiR Pulsar (AWD, SR20DET Redtop) but I dont really like the boxy look of them. Also, their gearbox is not terribly strong.
LordWorm
19-07-2006, 09:57 AM
Yeah. As per the testdrive of the GTS4T, I really was disappointed in just the drive of it. And the 300 was a nice drive, but the breaks on it were woefully inadequate, pulling it up was a real worry. The astina on the other hand is the absolute bomb to drive, a heap of fun, but they really arent all that comfortable and they dont look anything special.
Hmmph. All things considered, I think I may just stick with the astina. I did consider a GTiR Pulsar (AWD, SR20DET Redtop) but I dont really like the boxy look of them. Also, their gearbox is not terribly strong.
Yeh - invest the money you would otherwise put into a missin-nissan into making the BG absolutely bullet proof.
Really all depends what you want to do with it though as to where you go with it. Using my car as an example: I want to drag race it. I only want to drag race it. Whilst I enjoy spirited runs through the twisties, its not a track car or a mountain goat. So I'm not putting nearly as much into making it handle like a god as I am into other aspects (still planning to do the usual bar, spring and shock work....just nothing over the top).
chipa
19-07-2006, 10:44 AM
The other thing is that the VG30 aint the best motor, at least in terms of long life. Even ones that haven't been thrashed can be in need of a lot of TLC. Then there is the problems that occur with the turbo setup... I really like the cars, but there is a ****load of things that can and do go wrong with them. Finding one for a good price that wont leave you with a constant headache.... Good luck!
Rupewrecht
19-07-2006, 10:53 AM
And another thing to consider with a 300 - there's 2 of everything - two turbos, manifolds..it all adds up.
I'd say stick with the Astina. With some suspension mods it'll be like a new car.
MAztinA 323
19-07-2006, 12:44 PM
also, the 300zx would be about the same age as the astina-not really progressing if u buy one
chipa
19-07-2006, 02:31 PM
I'm told they stopped producing the 300zx TT in 1992/93 but some were called '94 models when imported.. Not 100% sure on that as a few years ago I thought they stopped in 92.
Fro-Daddy
19-07-2006, 04:02 PM
my mate might be selling his ke tx3 with a bpt conversion...pm me if you are keen...
Not really. I allready have an astina with a BPT, I dont see a TX3 as an upgrade.
Besides, for 9 grand I could have this:
http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!unique_content.enquiry?current_rec=1&page_number=1&vehicle_id=2828489&total_rec=3&sort_type=1&ucategory_id=8&keywords=TX3
Thanks for the offer tho :)
boostedbatman
19-07-2006, 06:05 PM
Ian if its coilovers you want then Hotbits have a set for you
Theyre made in Melbourne and start at $1900 for non adjustable (only height) up to $2300 for full damper, height and pillowball upper mounts
project.r.racing
19-07-2006, 06:27 PM
VG30 = death, it's a waste of time buying a car with that motor, 300Z are al good but extremely hard engine bay to work in as there is no room to move in there.
not a fan of older R33s also, heavy and unless you are gonna really make the engine go, it'll be slower than the astina.
GTiR = weaker gearbox than astina. you can get 220kW atw if you spend 10k on it.
plus you already started working on the astina. think about it and get back to us.
ryan
Astro Boy
19-07-2006, 07:04 PM
start at $1900 for non adjustable (only height) up to $2300 for full damper
For that kinda money you may aswell start looking at Proflex...
boostedbatman
20-07-2006, 04:35 AM
I dont agree with their prices I just thought I would post it as thats the only off shelf coilover for the BG that I have ever heard of
project.r.racing
20-07-2006, 06:07 AM
they are high prices, but since they are the only coilover that are off the shelf items, the that's what you gotta pay.
D2 36 way damper/120mm height adj. coilovers will fit but you are unable to use the top ball mount provided and need to get 4 new custom 1s made up. prolly about $400.
ryan
Hmmph
Ive just had a offer on my car that I am considering taking and then saving for a bit, selling a few things, but provided the offerer (Is that a word?) comes through, I should be in a position shortly to buy a familia, id be looking for a GTR.
It all depends on the guy whos buying my car. I will know if he can come through with it tonight.
LordWorm
20-07-2006, 09:53 AM
Hmmph
Ive just had a offer on my car that I am considering taking and then saving for a bit, selling a few things, but provided the offerer (Is that a word?) comes through, I should be in a position shortly to buy a familia, id be looking for a GTR.
It all depends on the guy whos buying my car. I will know if he can come through with it tonight.
whos offering? another forum goer?
Why the sudden urge to get rid of it? over the unreliability etc?
Actually, the unreliability is non-existant. Its more the fact that ive been an old woman. Each and every problem the cars ever had has been a non-event and I have just over-hyped it cause I was paranoid.
The only problem the cars actually had since the conversion was a dodgy radiator cap and a dodgy wiring job on the fule pump, and they have both been fixed. Other then that, its been just maintaince and servicing. The noise I complained of a few months ago turned out to be a loose nut on one of the mounts that was vibrating at a specific RPM range (2000 - 2200).
The sudden urge to sell it was when I saw a car I liked and wanted, then changed my mind, but by then the motions of selling it were allready going through - if it doesent sell I dont really care, im happy with it as it is at the moment, but new suspension would be the bomb. The reason id be happier with a GTR familia (appart from the fact that its a GTR familia) is that there are more off the shelf options for them.
LordWorm
20-07-2006, 10:11 AM
Actually, the unreliability is non-existant. Its more the fact that ive been an old woman. Each and every problem the cars ever had has been a non-event and I have just over-hyped it cause I was paranoid.
The only problem the cars actually had since the conversion was a dodgy radiator cap and a dodgy wiring job on the fule pump, and they have both been fixed. Other then that, its been just maintaince and servicing. The noise I complained of a few months ago turned out to be a loose nut on one of the mounts that was vibrating at a specific RPM range (2000 - 2200).
The sudden urge to sell it was when I saw a car I liked and wanted, then changed my mind, but by then the motions of selling it were allready going through - if it doesent sell I dont really care, im happy with it as it is at the moment, but new suspension would be the bomb. The reason id be happier with a GTR familia (appart from the fact that its a GTR familia) is that there are more off the shelf options for them.
Fair enough..
i still reckon for your money you are best off turning the astina into a party machine.
Want a twisties god? spend big cash on suspension
want a dyno queen? spend big money on power upgrades and the bits requried to handle them.
I personally reckon you'll get more bang for your buck..
Think about it, if you (say) get $9k for your ride, and a familia costs you (say) $11k to buy... you've already lost $2k to get a car that is probably no more modded and probably only slightly more powerful than your existing ride. Or, you can take your $2k and make some headway with it.
Thats what i'd do at least...but at the end of hte day its upto you mate... good luck with it - good to see you're sticking with mazda at least :)
Theres also the FWD -> AWD issues, and associated gearbox considerations, to take into account. But yeah. Its an option.
Its all hypothetical (sp?) at the moment as im not sure if the guy whos buying my car can get finance for it.
Rupewrecht
20-07-2006, 10:39 AM
Just remember that a Familia GTR is heavier and might even be a bit slower, but has a bit more grip.
and the AWD mazda boxes are no stronger but more expensive than FWD ones ;)
Cincinnatus
20-07-2006, 02:19 PM
Always have to be careful when buying 15 year old AWD gear boxes. Bound to be some issues with them. Don't know all that much about mazda AWD boxes, but from what i read thay aren't all that tuff. Not quiet as bad as the exploding Calibra Turbo boxes, but no where near as good as the subi ones (which also have a tendency not to last much beyond 150k).
Any one whom bought a Familia GTR new what thay were getting. Wont be too many examples driven by grannys, so be wery wery careful.
project.r.racing
20-07-2006, 08:22 PM
the BFMR AWD gearboxes are accually weaker then the "G" series boxes because of the transfer case putting more strain on the gearings. the same parts that are available for the AWDs are available for the BG also. I know of no part the AWD can have that the BG cannot get also.
ryan
boostedbatman
21-07-2006, 04:29 AM
The reason id be happier with a GTR familia (appart from the fact that its a GTR familia) is that there are more off the shelf options for them.Whatchu talkin bout Willis?
Explain please!
Suspension options is mostly what im talking about, there is a wider range availible for the familia... Just about every suspension shop I have rung and told them I wanted parts for a BG astina has gone "thats not the same as the BG familia is it? Because we have xyz for the Familia"
I suspect that fulcrum has gotten my car confused with the Familia if what your saying about that shock not being availible is true, however I havent had a chance to ring them yet.
project.r.racing
21-07-2006, 11:07 PM
fulcrum are a waste of time, they cannot help you out. if they cannot find the product required within 5 seconds then they say, "sorry but there is nothing available for your car." BULL****!!! they don't wanna look hard enough. A BG, BA, BFMR, GTX, GTR, 1.8L TX3 + KF + KH lasers all have the same mounting points on the wheel hubs for the shocks.
everywhere told me that the was nothing available for a TX3 laser. haha i proved them wrong. i am currently fitting "my" new D2 coilovers into it. (should be going into my car, but that's another story.)
normally you need to go to someone that know the car the you wish to modify. not a supermarket suspension place that only sells commonwhore, falcrap and ricer suspensions.
and i'll say it again - there is just as much available for the BG is there is for the BFMR. please try to prove me wrong...
ryan
chicaboo
21-07-2006, 11:55 PM
Damn, 626 and MX6 susp components would fit the BJ if the endlink positions were in the right place...
Ryan - I certainly would not like to proove you wrong - it would be much better for me if you were right! :D
However when investigated the familia rear struts were shorter then the astina ones were they not?
project.r.racing
22-07-2006, 07:08 AM
Ryan - I certainly would not like to proove you wrong - it would be much better for me if you were right! :D However when investigated the familia rear struts were shorter then the astina ones were they not? unsure about that, but if you went and fitted coilovers, then that wouldn't matter because you are just adjusting the height difference to suit. my/pete's current rear coilovers still have 40mm of play downwards still if it was ever required of them.
if you are really serious about modding the astina and wanna see with your own eyes whether the coilovers will fit or not, you and other BG owners are more than welcome to organise a fitment day somewhere (either my place or in brissie) to check out D2 coilovers and see whether they will fit your car. I'll have another set arriving within 14 - 21 days.
ryan
boostedbatman
22-07-2006, 03:44 PM
Would need to weld on some complete new strut tops for any coilover to be fitted to a BG thats meant for a BA as they cant just redrill the boltholes as the strut top opening is too wide on the BG to do so
Might be worth the effort of welding new tops on, at the end of the day...
platypus
22-07-2006, 04:37 PM
meh just burn it and claim the insurance....
project.r.racing
22-07-2006, 04:39 PM
custom strut tops - to do that option can/could cost big dollars, something like $800-$1000. a cheaper option would be to fit the coilovers into the original strut tops already in the car. they may require some modification to fit but would work out alot cheaper.
ryan
boostedbatman
22-07-2006, 05:09 PM
Trust me when I say that you cant redrill the stock strut tops to fit. The hole in the centre is right on the edge of the bolts to the struts on the BA shape/size, If you dont want custom strut tops you will have to throw away the pillow ball tops on the coilovers and mount directly to the rubber type top from the stock struts and thats just not worth it IMHO
mcwilly
22-07-2006, 05:43 PM
i've also been thinkin the same things whether to continue with the astina or whether to stop now sell it for wat i can get and look at a series 6 or 7 rx7. but unsure atm as id probably kill myself in the rx7
you have a BPT driven BG dont you?
Its not like their slow man... if I sold mine id miss it terribly, esp. if the one I got after it was a lemon.
Heh
The guy who was going to buy my car just totaled his silly supercharged commonwhore. Id post the pics he sent me, but if you have seen one screwed commo you have seen them all. Anyway we was gona use that car to get the cash to buy mine, and now he cant, so appart from one last potential buyer, id say its not going to sell any time soon and I will crack on with repairing the body and continuing to work on it.
LordWorm
24-07-2006, 10:52 AM
Heh
The guy who was going to buy my car just totaled his silly supercharged commonwhore. Id post the pics he sent me, but if you have seen one screwed commo you have seen them all. Anyway we was gona use that car to get the cash to buy mine, and now he cant, so appart from one last potential buyer, id say its not going to sell any time soon and I will crack on with repairing the body and continuing to work on it.
woohoo =)
One less commonwhore on the road!
Yeah he couldnt drive, straight up. He took me for a ride in it out to samford and back at too-high speeds and he was doing everything wrong. When he lost it he lost it in the wet doing 150++ (180+ I think he said?). He went into a corner too fast and stood on the breaks under the belife that his traction control and ABS would save him. 900 degrees (round twice, then half again to wind up ass-first), a ditch and a pole later and hes still not ready to admit that it was driver error.
Was auto too. Nice interior tho. He wanted to do a trade on the cars before he crashed it, I was happy to do so as I could sell a stock 2002 supercharged commonwhore easier then I could sell a highly modified 92 astina.
LordWorm
24-07-2006, 11:07 AM
Yeah he couldnt drive, straight up. He took me for a ride in it out to samford and back at too-high speeds and he was doing everything wrong. When he lost it he lost it in the wet doing 150++ (180+ I think he said?). He went into a corner too fast and stood on the breaks under the belife that his traction control and ABS would save him. 900 degrees (round twice, then half again to wind up ass-first), a ditch and a pole later and hes still not ready to admit that it was driver error.
Was auto too. Nice interior tho. He wanted to do a trade on the cars before he crashed it, I was happy to do so as I could sell a stock 2002 supercharged commonwhore easier then I could sell a highly modified 92 astina.
And you were going to trust your astina to this fool? dude... if you are gunna sell it, make sure it goes to a good home ;)
project.r.racing
24-07-2006, 11:19 AM
And you were going to trust your astina to this fool? dude... if you are gunna sell it, make sure it goes to a good home ;) word ma brother!
keep it, drop it, paint it, race it!!!
LordWorm
24-07-2006, 11:23 AM
word ma brother!
keep it, drop it, paint it, race it!!!
Agreed. Strip the guts out of it. Full cage. Buckets, 4 point harness, suspension that'd make most of the twisties bandits here cream their jocks, and get it on the track.
chicaboo
24-07-2006, 11:23 AM
Now you're keeping it, get some Whiteline and an LSD to put that power down and improve your handling and car control.
Watch out for those guardrails!
Gav.
89sp1.8
24-07-2006, 05:18 PM
good to hear u will be keeping the 'stina. too bad bout the guys commodore,lets just hope he learns from it ey,n doesnt take someone out with him next time.
how much body work u have to do?
LordWorm
24-07-2006, 05:23 PM
Now you're keeping it, get some Whiteline and an LSD to put that power down and improve your handling and car control.
Watch out for those guardrails!
Gav.
Agree with this! what tranny does the BPT have (not really up on it...)? either way, there are Phantom Grips available if you are on a budget..from what I can tell they pretty rock solid if installed correctly.
Then there is the quaife if you have the extra moolah to sling at it....
and if its the G series box theres always the mazdaspeed LSD....
Fro-Daddy
24-07-2006, 05:48 PM
i might be able to source you an lsd :)
oooooh LSD
details? And yeah, I have a G series box on there. What elese was I going to put on?
Rupewrecht
24-07-2006, 08:33 PM
I *can* source you an LSD ;)
twilightprotege
25-07-2006, 07:38 AM
i can as well - new ones at that too ;) $750ish aud (currency dependant)
forgive me for my ignorance, but what are the advantages of an LSD?
I have driven cars with LSD's and they dont seem any different to normal cars.
Rupewrecht
25-07-2006, 09:45 AM
i can as well - new ones at that too ;) $750ish aud (currency dependant)
Same place as me ;)
LordWorm
25-07-2006, 09:53 AM
forgive me for my ignorance, but what are the advantages of an LSD?
I have driven cars with LSD's and they dont seem any different to normal cars.
Get on the wikipedia mate and have a look around.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_slip_differential
twilightprotege
25-07-2006, 10:51 AM
appears so dan, appears so.
mcwilly
09-08-2006, 08:27 PM
my cars only na. had plans of continuing down the turbo track but am steering away from it as an rx7 is more appealing and less of them getin round the boosted astinas. still keen to stay in the mazda family but
project.r.racing
10-08-2006, 05:00 PM
just to ask ian, what are the plans now???
skippy
11-08-2006, 11:34 AM
an rx7 is more appealing
An Rx7 is also much more expensive, if you find a series 6 under 25K youve done well and should expect some trouble in the near future.
But they are sexy, fast, stop, turn and yeah I want one too.
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