The Z32 300ZX, Nissan’s GT coupe from the 1990s, is a divisive vehicle. Though the optional twin-turbo VG30 V6 engine of the 300ZX is praised for its sleek appearance, cutting-edge technology, and great performance, it has also been criticized for being bloated, needlessly complicated, prone to failures, and challenging to work on. Since all 300ZXs are now older than 20 years old, they all have reliability problems. They are not for inexperienced mechanics because to their reputation for being challenging to work on and their confined engine bays, which are crammed with intricate wiring and piping.
In This Article...
What flaws does the 300ZX possess?
Leading Nissan 300ZX issues
- Fuel Injector Failure Could Affect Drivingability This has been reported by 21 people.
- The studs may break off as a result of an exhaust manifold warping. There have been 8 reports of this.
- When a car produces blue smoke, check the PCV valves.
- A vehicle’s air injection system could malfunction, failing the smog test.
How quick is the Nissan 300ZX?
A day at the test track demonstrated that these two ninjas are as strong as they appear and quick enough to defeat any but the most expensive supercars.
The Stealth weighs roughly the same as a BMW 735i, but despite this, it accelerates to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds and completes the quarter-mile in 14.0 seconds at 98 mph. Our technical director credits the advancement to a powerful production car and a more aggressive launch during testing because it is even better than the performance we measured with a pre-production car in October.
Even faster is the 300ZX Turbo, which is lighter. It accelerates to 60 mph in in 5.0 seconds and completes the quarter mile at 102 mph in just 13.7 seconds. We tested several Zs, but this one turned out to be the quickest.
By the way, both ninjas are swift enough to leave an ordinary Chevrolet Corvette in the dust.
These autos also have legs. The Stealth continues to accelerate until it reaches a wall of aerodynamics at 155 mph. The Z, which is more streamlined and has shorter gears, is equipped with an electronic limiter that is set to engage at 155 mph. The Stealth arrived there before our test vehicle, which had an early 153 mph cutoff. The Z would likely accelerate to 165 mph in the absence of the restriction.
Both vehicles can make heart-stopping stops thanks to their four vented disc brakes and ABS systems. In just 163 feet, the Stealth comes to a stop from 70 mph. Five feet are all that the Z requires. Awesome. Nevertheless, each producer has the most work to perform in this area. Despite their strength, both cars’ brakes showed noticeable fade during our brisk road trips. In fact, after just a few minutes of extremely intense running, we noticed rotor warpage on the Stealth. These ninjas must provide brakes that match their speed before they can say they defeated Porsche at its own game.
On the skidpad, the two vehicles were tied, each hugging the circle with an incredible 0.87 g of grip. The Z, which was easier to drive and more agile, easily won the slalom competition. But as attentive readers will notice, the Nissan’s speed through the cones was slower than the Z Turbo that competed in the Corvette comparison race last year. The Goodyear Eagle ZR tires on our new test car, which provided predictable breakaway at the limit but didn’t seem as grippy as the Michelin MXX tires on the previous tester, was to blame for the change.
What led them to cease producing 300ZX?
A sports automobile that was produced throughout two generations is the Nissan 300ZX. The 300ZX was offered for sale on the local Japanese market under the brand name Fairlady Z, just like all other Z variations. [1]
The Nissan S30, the first Z automobile, which was marketed as the 240Z in the United States, established the number convention with which the 300ZX moniker was used. It was sold in Japan from 1983 to 2000 and in the United States from 1984 to 1996. The “X” prefix was carried over from the 280ZX, the car’s predecessor, to denote the inclusion of more luxurious and comfortable amenities. The first-generation 300ZX, also known as the Z31 model, was manufactured from 1983 to 1989 and enjoyed great commercial success, becoming Nissan’s most popular Z-car.
The second generation Z31 was pushed upwards in order to increase its competitiveness in the sports car market. It was updated to be speedier and have more cutting-edge technology, but it cost more than its predecessor and saw a price increase with each passing model year. Due to declining sales each year, which was a trend in the high-end sports car market at the time, Nissan decided to stop selling new Nissan Z-Cars in the US after the 1996 model year. However, the vehicle was still offered in Japan until 2001 in limited quantities.
Each model year that the Z32 was available in the United States, Car and Driver included it on its list of the Ten Best for seven years in a row. It was named the 1990 Import Car of the Year by Motor Trend. [2] In 2003, the Nissan 350Z, often known as the Z33 generation Z-Car, replaced the 300ZX.
Is buying a 300ZX a wise decision?
A stock 300ZX is a solid investment in addition to being a fun, nostalgic vehicle with a surprising number of cutting-edge technological capabilities. There are several specimens available for less than $10,000, but it’s doubtful that they will last that long.
Are 300ZXs capable drifters?
The 300ZX can absolutely drift. In this article, I’ve included several videos that demonstrate how to do it.
It weighs a lot, has incorrect factory-installed steering geometry, and was designed to preserve traction and stability at high speeds. Others have criticized the 300ZX’s propensity to overheat when driven.
You are also reaching the pricing point where you really need to evaluate whether or not you’d be happy spending the asking amount only to beat your purchase up sliding sideways around a racetrack. This is because 300ZX costs are rising quickly (especially on good condition or higher spec cars). This is strictly a matter of personal opinion, but if I were shopping for a drift car, I’d want to start with something less expensive.
One last thing to keep in mind is that driver skill is one of the most crucial components of a decent drift car. A experienced drifter can get a stock 300ZX to dance more effectively than a novice driver can get a purpose-built 180SX to drift (or vice versa).
Go out there and fill your boots and have fun if you want to drift your 300ZX. However, there are other vehicles you might want to take into consideration before buying a 300ZX if you plan to use it exclusively for drifting.
Do you believe the 300ZX would make a decent drift vehicle? We would love to hear from you, so please comment below.
If you’re considering purchasing a 300ZX for drifting or any other reason, be sure to read our 300ZX buyer’s guide and model history here for more details on this storied automobile.
How uncommon are Nissan 300ZXs?
The fact that the 300ZX is an uncommon and getting harder to obtain vehicle also works in the 300ZX’s favor when it comes to achieving classic car status.
For instance, from 1989 through 1996, little over 89,000 Z32 300ZXs with various specifications and trims were sold in the United States. This is not a very large number, indicating that the 300ZX was not that common back in the day.
Given that sales of the 300ZX halted in America 25 years ago, it is obvious that the passage of time will have significantly reduced the number of vehicles still in the 300ZX fleet.
The Z32 300ZX was an uncommon automobile in its day and is even rarer today, despite the fact that more cars were made for the Japanese domestic market and for sale to foreign markets, including as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
This means that when supply decreases, prices are likely to rise and classic status is more likely to be established according to the laws of economics.
T-tops on all 300ZXs, though?
Slicktop/hardtop
The “The other primary roof option for the 300ZX was slicktop, which is essentially a typical hardtop roof. The targa top was the more expensive option, making this the entry-level or base roof. Slicktop cars were often more basic in terms of equipment specification and were never available in the United States without the NA engine. I’ll explain why many people favor this roof choice later on in this essay.
Tarag Top
It doesn’t require much introduction—since, since you’ve found this page, you probably already know that the 300ZX had a targa top. In the US market, the T-top roof was the most opulent option and the only way to purchase a 300ZX with two turbochargers (if you’re asking if all 300ZX are turbo, the answer is no). The targa top was available with or without a factory turbo engine in certain export countries, including the domestic Japanese marketread our JDM meaning guide here.
Convertible
You already know that a small number of Nissan 300ZXs were produced with a soft top folding roof similar to what you could find on a Mazda Miata if you’ve read our Nissan 300ZX buyer’s guide. Since there has never been a factory 2+2 convertible option, convertible 300ZXs are extremely uncommon and this is the only body style for which a turbocharged engine has never been offered. The 300ZX convertible is unquestionably a “because to the superior available driving qualities, most enthusiasts prefer either the slicktop or the targa. For what it’s worth, I don’t believe the 300ZX’s body form is appropriate for a convertible roof either, but that’s just me.
Is the 300ZX AWD?
You can be very sure that if somebody claims to own an AWD or FWD 300ZX, they have no idea what they are talking about (or they have more dollars than sense and were happy to invest a bunch of money and time into making their car worse, basically).
Is the 300ZX with twin turbos quick?
Z31 and Z32 are two 300ZX generations. A 3.0-liter turbo V6 with 229 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque was its most powerful variant. The RWD 4-seat coupe had a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph.
Does every 300ZX have a turbo?
There were several 300ZX models built with the VG30DE V6 engine, which was not turbocharged.
This non-turbo engine had a 222 horsepower output and could be paired with a 4- or 5-speed automated transmission.
In our opinion, a tidy 300ZX non-turbo is still worth considering if you’re looking for a fascinating, admired Japanese classic.
A NA VG30DE engine may also be modified to provide more power (including turbocharging, if desired), but from a “traditional perspective, we think that a stock, non-turbo 300ZX is still an attractive and engaging vehicle.
On the Z32 Wiki website, you may learn more about the VG30DE and its significant distinctions from the turbocharged VG30DETT.
Additionally, be sure to read our Nissan 300ZX Buyer’s Guide for additional details on how to purchase a fantastic 300ZX for yourself.
We are pleased with what we believe to be one of the most thorough buyer guides for the 300ZX available online, and we are confident that you will find it useful in your search for a fantastic example of the 300ZX (whether that be a turbo or non turbo one).
You might also be interested in reading our article on the best oil and oil filter for the 300ZX if you own one.