Nissan 300zx

[lgb240]

I belong to the Ontario Z Car Club (I have (2) '71 240Z's and a 67.5 2000 Roadster) and have been into Z's since before I could drive.

Our club has many 300Z's (turbos and non turbos) and their owners swear by them. They are great cars - keep in mind that this was Nissan's flagship car back in the day - very expensive to buy and filled with the technology of the day. They are very good performing cars - especially with the twin turbos.

Like anything else you would buy, get the best example you can afford and maintenance history is req'd. They've been around long enough that people have figured out the faults and have a large support network for information.

I personally think that Datsun built crap after the '73 Z car, but if you like the 300Z, go for it. You won't be dissapointed.

Enjoy the ride,
lgb240

[bimmerboy08]

my dad had an 84 z31 when I was growing up. Man I wish he would've kept that car so I could've had it. My college roommate built a killer z32, but it took him 3 years. I drove it once and it scared the crap outta me.

[Chabs]

i like them and once thought of buying one......

but how dare you say you've been getting bored of e30s!

[Jonny Cash]

Theyre tanks, tricky to work on, and not as user friendly as the e30. Cant whip around a Z31/32 like you can an e30. Im a former owner of many nissans including a 91 TT, loved it dearly, but the maintenance killed me, and it was only driveable 7 months a year. Not to mention- a little too much car for me at the time. (over 10 years ago now) Im still a big fan, but if I ever go Nissan/datsun again it will be 1981 or older.

[parkerbink]

I have had Zs since the 240, they are great but as they have gotten more advanced they have gotten more problematic. My 86 Z31 was great when it ran.

I replaced things monthly that became like a payment.

The Z32TT was amazing but worse from the reliability standpoint.

I am enjoying the 06 350 I just got, have not had it long enough to have issues.

[naplesE30]

I am trailering my dads 84 non turbo z this weekend from NY to FL its pretty mint and I cant wait to drive it when we get it prepped to drive again, hasnt been started in years. Ill post pics of it when I get it to FL.

[E30 Wagen]

wow, that looks awesome.

I don't really have my heart set on anything now, just browsing various makes and I've always liked Nissans. I'm keeping an eye out for 240sx's and anything else rwd commonly with a manual. It doesn't even have to be fast, just feel responsive and comfortable. I'm open to any suggestion but i can't afford much above $4500.

And i don't mean to say that i'm bored of e30's. E30's are by far my favorite car ever produced and i'll still have 87iS project. In the meantime i just want more variety and experience with other unique cars. New higher paying job ftw.

[ethree]

Get a widebody turbo mitsu starion, I'm serious. Z31's are garbage and z32's are really expensive to maintain.

[Will_318i]

Get a widebody turbo mitsu starion, I'm serious. Z31's are garbage and z32's are really expensive to maintain.

i actually agreed with your post up until you started talking smack about the z31 and z32.

Starion's are dope, but are fairly hard to find. I new one guy that had one. But I would much rather have a nicely built z32 all day. when z32's are done up right, they are down right sexy.

[johnwoo]

Get a widebody turbo mitsu starion, I'm serious. Z31's are garbage and z32's are really expensive to maintain.

imo mitsu are complete pieces of crap. i had a 3kgt vr4 which was a complete hunk of shit. i spent more money on getting that car to be reliable then all cars i've ever owned. i've had z32tt z31t mkiv supra turbo and the 3kgt vr4 out of all those cars if money was no object the supra would be the choice hands down.
the z31t however was by far the easiest, cheapest, and most bang for the buck car out of all of those. it was reliable and cheap and fun. i do agree that it was heavy as hell but that's just one of the things you learn to deal with.

[Cong405]

My friend's brother had a z32tt and it was pretty quick from what I remember.

I was planning to get a z31 or '71 Fairlady Z before I got my e30. They're awesome cars and look slick as hell when done right.

Fairlady > z31 > Starion

[Melspace02]

I love my z31, Ive had it for 9 years now and its came a long way. Im not big on z32's, my E30 handles better IMO over both but something about taking my t-tops off in the Z and listening to that holset spool always puts a smile on my face:)

[Melspace02]

[pbr87]

Been getting bored with e30s. I've been browsing these on ebay and it seems that if i sold my e30 i could afford one with little trouble.

http://www.autowp.ru/pictures/nissan/300zx/autowp.ru_nissan_300zx_10.jpg

Are they cars to stay away from or are they all right? I'm thinking about selling my tired eta and getting something else, but it has to be rwd, manual transmission, reliable, be somewhat fun to drive.

I have one for sale at the moment. The Z philosophy goes as follows: "Affordable, Fast, Reliable....choose two."I have one for sale at the moment ($6k).
Mine has been fairly affordable and reasonably reliable, but not fast (only makes 340rwhp). They are a bitch to work on--seriously--this is the reason I've been trying to sell mine. I love the thing, but I want a car I can work on. Even the slower twin turbos are pretty quick, and they are definitely fun to drive. They are more difficult to drive at the limit than an e30, but have more performance potential as well.

Stay far away. Not reliable, not easy to work on, not cheap and honestly not even that fun.

you're 50/50 on the first one, 100% correct on the 2nd, and 100% wrong on the 3rd.

Judging by the wing and slats in the front fascia it's at least a turbo.

They are heavy, but a phone call to STILLEN and high limit on your credit card will turn one into a pretty well handling, 500hp beast.

Correct about the wing and front fascia.
And Stillen is very good, but in my opinion, Z1 Motorsports offers more in the performance range.

z31>>>>>>>>>z32

Sorry, no.

[BDK]

I personally think that Datsun built crap after the '73 Z car, but if you like the 300Z, go for it. You won't be dissapointed

Stretch that to 74 and I would totally agree with you...
I had a super sweet 74 260z with a built motor and triple carbs...
Car was awesome, just friggin awesome...