Nissan 300ZX (1990 - TO 1994)
MODELS COVERED: (3 dr coupe 3.0 petrol )
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Of the four Japanese super-coupes introduced at the start of the nineties, the
Nissan 300ZX enjoyed the most success in the UK. The
Mazda RX-7 was a bit too uncompromising, the
Toyota Supra twin-turbo extrovert and the
Mitsubishi 3000GT expensive and rather dull. The 300ZX, with its aggressive looks and competitive pricing, was a success from day one, and paved the way for newer and more expensive Nissan models such as the Skyline GT-R. Despite only being on sale for four years, the 300ZX achieved a remarkable feat.
It made paying big money for a Nissan seem a reasonable course of action, something which had never previously been the case. To be able to change perceptions in this manner requires a seriously credible car. The 300ZXs credibility was unquestioned. It was hailed as a return to the proper Z car philosophy of the seventies, when Nissan Z models were lightweight,
Porsche-baiting sports cars, but that may have been pushing things too far.
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Nevertheless, expectations were low after its frankly awful pair of predecessors, but the big
Nissan confounded most cynics. As a used buy its possible to get a great car, but watch out for rogues. There are no shortage of nails out there that youll want to avoid.
The 300ZX is a sports coupe for all seasons. Some find the aggressive bottom-feeder looks slightly odd, but they have dated well. It handles beautifully for a large car, is super-quick in a straight line and is relatively spacious for the driver and passenger. All UK models were 2+2s, although the rear
seat space is predictably laughable, designed for those unseen folk with legs less than two inches in diameter.
The twin-turbocharged engine is a muscly, if somewhat characterless unit, but the whole package gels very well. The T-bar targa roof is easy to remove, but is quite heavy, coming apart in two pieces and leaving a strengthening spar behind. Equipment levels are reasonably good, with air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, central locking, cruise control, electric windows and mirrors and the option of electrically adjustable leather seats.
Despite the vast welter of Japanese import models that landed on these shores in the late nineties, UK-spec 300ZXs are still the best option. These cars start at just over £3,000 for the first of the 1990 cars. A 1991 J-registered car will be around £4,000 whilst a 1993 K-plated edition will be around £6,000. The last of the 1994 cars will be £8,500.
These prices are for manual models; expect to pay another £200-£300 for the automatic version. If you are in the market for an import car, haggle hard for at least a 15% reduction on UK used values. Insurance for all models is Group 18.
The 300ZX is a car that rewards hard driving, and as such, despite it being a Nissan, costly problems can crop up in cars that have been neglected. The engine should be neither smoky or noisy, and white smoke from the exhaust coupled with weak acceleration usually spells the end for one or more turbochargers. Unless the car is offered for pin money thats your cue to walk away. Tyre wear can be heavy, as the big Nissan is a fast, heavy car often driven beyond the limits of tyre adhesion.
The power steering pump has been reported as problematic on early cars check to see that its not leaking. Also look at the roof seals and check for water ingress. Lots of bargain priced 300ZXs will have come from Japan. You will also probably see the shorter wheelbase two-seater version, which is very attractively proportioned.
Unfortunately many of these cars have been customised with rear spoilers visible from space and huge exhaust pipes that look like something from the deck of the USS New Jersey. They may also have been fitted with aftermarket engine control chips to boost power. Unless this is your thing, avoid these extremes as you will limit your resale market considerably. Although fundamentally sound cars, theres a lot that can go wrong with an abused 300ZX, so if you want to avoid big bills in future buy as new as you can from as reputable a source as possible.
(Estimated prices, based on a 1994 300ZX) Any premium sports coupe is going to be expensive to run, and the 300ZX is no exception. A clutch assembly retails for around £260, whilst a new exhaust system is over £500. The price of front brake pads will stop you in your tracks at £70 a pair, with rears costing £60. A new radiator will require you to stump up £275, while a starter motor is around the £250 mark.
One of those headlamps is a pricey £235, but spare a thought for Diablo owners who fork out £877 for exactly the same unit from
Lamborghini UK. Poor devils.
Genuinely hard to pick fault here. The ride on standard UK models is firm but with a degree of suppleness built in. Performance is brisk to say the least. Rest to 60mph in 6.
6 seconds are the official figures and they may well err on the conservative. Top speed is comfortably over 150mph which is quick enough for most. Turbo lag is noticeable by its absence, but the turbos do make quite a whistle when 280bhp is being generated, hence the 300ZXs affectionate nickname amongst Nissan enthusiasts the flying kettle. The steering takes a little bit of getting used to, being very light at low speeds and firming up when on the move.
The steering wheel controls all four wheels, with the rears moving in an opposite direction to the fronts at low speed and in a similar direction at higher velocities. The 300ZX does feel like a big car at all times, lacking the litheness of a
Mazda RX-7, but it gets by on sheer bluff and bluster. Both transmission choices are good, though the automatics may be an indicator that the car has been owned by less of a gung-ho driver. The only real complaint is tyre noise at high speeds.
Unearth an unmolested Nissan 300ZX and youll have a great drivers car. No, theyre not particularly cheap to run and yes, there are lot of horrible examples around. Dont let this put you off. As used proposition, the Nissan is probably the best of the big Japanese super coupes, combining road ability and affordability.
Do your homework, look at a few and you could well net yourself a bargain. Watch your neighbours face turn green with envy from only £6,500.
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