Which 300Z had 4 wheel steering?

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Kyle Lindstrom - 18 Aug 2004 20:38 GMT

I'm hooked and plan to start looking for a 300Z twin turbo. I see that
some of them have 4 wheel steering. Was this an option or did it come
with a certain model of the 300Z? What years did it come on?

What are typical things to look out for when buying a Z? What are the
majority of the problems?

I probably will be looking for a 90-93 Twin turbo.

Thanks

Kyle

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Me - 19 Aug 2004 02:11 GMT

> I'm hooked and plan to start looking for a 300Z twin turbo. I see that
> some of them have 4 wheel steering. Was this an option or did it come
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Kyle

All 300ZX Twin Turbos have 4-wheel steering, or Super HICAS as it's called. Personally, I
think the best route to go is to buy the lowest mileage 300ZX you can afford. The 300ZX
doesn't really have any "major" problems, but maintenance and parts are fairly expensive.
Premium fuel is mandatory, so with today's fuel prices that can be expensive also.

Dustin

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Michael White - 19 Aug 2004 04:01 GMT

Me (Me@Nowhere.com) wrote on Wednesday 18 August 2004 08:11 pm:

>> I'm hooked and plan to start looking for a 300Z twin turbo. I see that
>> some of them have 4 wheel steering. Was this an option or did it come
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> Dustin

Kyle,

I have a 1990 that I've owned since 1991. Here's the big ticket items (over
$500) that I can remember:

- New Nissan transmission due to grinding in gears ($2500 installed) in 2002
- New set of fuel injectors ($2000 installed) in 2004
- New stainless steel Greddy exhaust ($900) since 1996
- Three timing belts (varies, but do it as soon as you buy it unless the
seller has a receipt) at 60K intervals.(I currently have 160K).

There were other things earlier on (AC evaporator, some fuel injectors), but
they were picked up while the car was under warranty.

I've been only towed once due to mechanical failure - the clutch switch
relay went out. I have a very slight leak in the heater core that you can
sometimes catch a whiff of, but doesn't cause the coolant level to drop
noticeably between changes every couple of years. Some oil seepage here
and there, but nothing that causes the oil level to drop noticeably between
changes. Turbos still spin freely.

Just keep up on the maintenance. And change the oil religiously.

Signature

Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer, 1891

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Steve T - 19 Aug 2004 07:09 GMT

> I'm hooked and plan to start looking for a 300Z twin turbo. I see that
> some of them have 4 wheel steering. Was this an option or did it come
> with a certain model of the 300Z? What years did it come on?

All turbos had this.

> What are typical things to look out for when buying a Z? What are the
> majority of the problems?

VTC's are one of the high dollar repairs ($1000 just for the pair), the '93
and up cars have "the good kind" that don't give problems. Also the early
cars had a bare oil feed line on the right side turbo (they get clogged up)
which the later models have an insulated one.

> I probably will be looking for a 90-93 Twin turbo.

I'd get a 93 or newer and spend your money on finding a low milage one
instead of findind a cheap one and spending 3X the money later fixing it.

Signature

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

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Kyle Lindstrom - 19 Aug 2004 15:14 GMT

Thanks for your input guys. I have always liked the look of a 300ZX
ever since they came out. Having a Ford dealership in the family I
have always had Mustangs. Now that I have been without a Mustang for 7
years and having sold the dealership I need to get another sports car.
After driving my friends Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 I now realize that I
want the 300Z twin turbo. I think a 93 is probably the best bet.

I was surprised to see the price of injectors!

I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so the car will be stored
most of the year and just used during the summer months.

Kyle

> > I'm hooked and plan to start looking for a 300Z twin turbo. I see that
> > some of them have 4 wheel steering. Was this an option or did it come
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> I'd get a 93 or newer and spend your money on finding a low milage one
> instead of findind a cheap one and spending 3X the money later fixing it.

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NissTech - 25 Aug 2004 00:44 GMT

Only the twin turbo's had HICAS (4 wheel steering)

Things to watch out for

Leaking rear main seals
leaking valve cover gaskets
Engine smoking due to worn out turbos.( turbos are 1700 $ a piece)
engine smoke due to worn out valve guide seals
VTC problem
VTC solenoid control problems (leaking)
AIV system issues
A/C compressor clutch failures
leaking power steering plumbing/lines
cam position sensor issues

Shall I go on ?

> I'm hooked and plan to start looking for a 300Z twin turbo. I see that
> some of them have 4 wheel steering. Was this an option or did it come
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Kyle

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Me - 27 Aug 2004 01:10 GMT

> Only the twin turbo's had HICAS (4 wheel steering)
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> leaking power steering plumbing/lines
> cam position sensor issues

Which ain't half bad, considering the Z32 is a 15 year old design that was way ahead of
it's time. Most of these issues have been addressed with after market parts, if they are
really to be considered "issues" at all. Worn seals and leaking (5 of the things you
listed) are going to happen on a car that old. The Z32 is a solid design, and there are
many instances of people getting 200K-250K miles out of the original engine *and* turbos.
Given the power these cars can produce with minimal modification, clutches can be a larger
expense. The lower the mileage is the less likely the car has been beaten on, and if
maintenance records are provided, Kyle shouldn't have any qualms about finding a fast,
reliable twin turbo. Maintenance records over the life of the vehicle would definitely be
worth a premium.

Dustin

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PointyTail - 25 Aug 2004 02:40 GMT

>I'm hooked and plan to start looking for a 300Z twin turbo. I see that
>some of them have 4 wheel steering. Was this an option or did it come
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
>Kyle

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OniIsan - 25 Aug 2004 22:59 GMT

Some not so big things to look for.
make sure if you go for the t top that you have the covers.
check to see if there are any torn seals around the window and t tops
see if the gear box gets really really hot... that is an issue.

I think everything else has be said.

> I'm hooked and plan to start looking for a 300Z twin turbo. I see that
> some of them have 4 wheel steering. Was this an option or did it come
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Kyle

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