Z32 5-Speed: 1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

The 300ZX was a 2 door sports car from Nissan during the great Japanese sports car boom of the 1990s and featured a host of technology in a Isao Sono & Toshio Yamashita designed body.  In recent years the 300ZX's competitors (Supra, NSX, 993 etc) have gone through their depreciation curves and the good original ones are commanding prices well above original MSRP, but for some reason the 300ZX (and Mitsu's 3000GT/Dodge Stealth) have cheap for years...but I think that might be changing as cars from the 90s become classics...which is strange and makes me feel old. Find this 1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo offered for $15,000 in Reno, NV via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

Double Trouble: 1990 Nissan 300ZX Turbo vs 1986 Jeep CJ7

Okay, let's say your name is Jeff and you are a huge fan of 5-speed cars from the late 80s/early 90s...oh yeah and they need to be red.  Your budget is something less than four grand.  What do you buy?  Do you get a 1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, or a 1986 Jeep CJ7 258ci?  Both cars are tip from Jeff S.

5-Speeds, All Fun: 1995 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo Z32

The 300ZX was a 2 door sports car from Nissan during the great Japanese sports car boom of the 1990s and featured a host of technology in a Isao Sono & Toshio Yamashita designed body.  In recent years the 300ZX's competitors (Supra, NSX, 993) have gone through their depreciation curves and the good original ones are commanding prices that exceed their original MSRP, but for some reason the 300ZX (and Mitsu's 3000GT/Dodge Stealth) have been floundering around in the cheap seats, but MAYBE, just MAYBE we are starting to see a budget of appreciation for the twin turbo V6 powered classics.  Get 'em while they're cheap.  Find this 1995 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo Z32 offered for $16,588 in Metairie, LA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Sunshine State of Mind: 1987 Nissan 300ZX Convertible

The Z31 generation Nissan/Datsun 300ZX did not get a convertible version from the factory...but there was a company in California that converted the coupe version into a ragtop for a fee back when new. This is one of the original 250 convertiblized cars that still remains on the road today, so the price is higher than you'd expect for a Z31.  Find this 1987 Nissan 300ZX Convertible offered for $7500 in Parker, CO via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

Little, Yellow, Different: 1990 Nissan 300ZX Turbo Z32

You either get the Z32 Nissan 300ZX or you don't.  It isn't like the NSX, where everybody begrudgingly agrees that it was awesome (and prices have skyrocketed recently) or the 3000GT VR4 that everyone agrees was sorta trash (even the owners admit the car was the paradigm of the overly complicated lightswitch), but 300ZX lives somewhere in limbo betwix depreciated crap and appreciating crap. Only time will tell which direction we go. Find this 1990 Nissan 300ZX offered for $7,500 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.

Old School: 1990 Nissan 300ZX Z32

The 300ZX was a 2 door sports car from Nissan during the great Japanese sports car boom of the 1990s and featured a host of technology in a Isao Sono & Toshio Yamashita designed body.  In recent years the 300ZX's competitors (Supra, NSX, 993) have gone through their depreciation curves and the good original ones are commanding prices that exceed their original MSRP, but for some reason the 300ZX (and Mitsu's 3000GT/Dodge Stealth) have been floundering around the price of a few vintage leather jackets...which isn't a problem if you like cheap stuff.  Find this 1990 Nissan 300ZX Z32 offered for $2600 in Anchorage, AK.

Get 'Em While They're Cheap: 1990 Nissan 300ZX

In recent years of the overpriced "stamp collecting" car era, the 300ZX's competitors (Supra, NSX, 993) have gone through their depreciation curves and prices are reaching stupid levels, but for some reason the 300ZX (and Mitsubishi's 3000GT/Dodge Stealth) have been floundering in the back pages of the wanted ads.  Frankly, I think that is a good thing, because it means they'll still get driven and enjoyed, at least until the Magnus Walkers and Adam Carolas of the world decide they are "worthy" and start collecting them too.  In the meantime, find this 1990 Nissan 300ZX offered for $8,500 on Mobile, AL craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Ford V8 Swap: 1991 Nissan 300ZX

The 300ZX was a 2 door sports car from Nissan during the great Japanese sports car boom of the 1990s and featured a host of technology in a Isao Sono & Toshio Yamashita designed body.  In recent years the 300ZX's competitors (Supra, NSX, 993) have gone through their depreciation curves and the good original ones are commanding prices near original MSRP, but for some reason the 300ZX (and Mitsu's 3000GT/Dodge Stealth) have been floundering in used Mustang GT waters.  What gives? Oh, not enough Veeeee Eight!  Yeah.  I mean yee-haw!!  Whoops.  That didn't help the asking price much. Find this 1991 Nissan 300ZX with V8 swap offered for $2500 in Scranton, PA via craigslist. Tip from Tim.

Epiphany Gold: 1985 Nissan 300ZX

This post is part of DT's 2019 Day After Epiphany celebration. Legend has it that a wise man named Melchior visited the baby Jesus from the Far East on the 13th day of Christmas and he brought with him a gift of gold to signify that Jesus was a king.  I think that perhaps a gift of a gold car would have been better befitting the King of Kings, but what do I know?  Find this 1985 Nissan 300ZX here on eBay bidding for $5,600 reserve-not-met in Lakeland, FL with 3 days to go.

Dollar Tree: 1984 Nissan 300ZX

I have to admit that I've driven home a few cars where the previous owner has said "you'll need to tow this thing home".  I usually finish the transaction and then jump start/adjust timing/add oil & gas and drive home, because all you really need to get a car home is a few functioning cylinders (in the engine and the brakes)...everything else is just gravy if it works.  Anyway, this next car might be the something you could nurse home if you've got the gumption.  It comes as a tip from Art C who writes: This could be a great deal, or you could need some intravenous antibiotics after an impromptu kidney extraction.  Either way, a cool car.  Find this 1984 Nissan 300ZX  offered for $800 in Rhode Island via craigslist.

Is Z31 Better Than Zee Others?

The Nissan Z31 generation 300ZX is a forgotten stepchild of the Z-car family, riding that gray area between cheap used car and appreciating asset. Sure, you might find a few pristine examples demanding big bucks, but by and large, the '80s Z is not very collectible. Which makes it a great candidate for your next Daily Turismo ride. Find this 1986 NIssan 300ZX 2+2 for sale in San Luis Obispo, CA for just $1,800 via craigslist.

All American Nissan: 1985 Spartan II Neoclassic

To some people the "neoclassic" kit-car is a complete abomination, but to others it is an acceptable abomination that deserves a place in the world of strange & unique cars.  I'd put them somewhere between Meh and Methamphetamines, but this one is a doozie.  Find this 1985 Spartan II Neoclassic offered for $12,500 in Gilbert, AZ via craigslist. Tip from Rock On.

1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

A funny (but not unexpected) thing happened sometime around 1990.  New sports cars finally got faster than the beasts of the late 1960s.  Sure, many cars from the 70s/80s were better than the fuel sucking tire annihilators of the muscle era, but they were generally slower...until the geeks in the engineering departments around the world figured out how to build cars that were safe, low polluting, inexpensive...and fast.  Find this 1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo here on eBay bidding for $4,850 CAD ($3,723 USD) reserve-not-met with 3 Canadian days (2.5 US days) to go. This post is part of DT's 2016 Birthday Celebration of 100 cars; enjoy the ride!

Auction Watch: 1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

Take a look at this 1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo here on eBay bidding for $11,100 reserve-not-met with auction ending Saturday at 5PM Pacific time.

Z Best Condition: 1984 Datsun 300ZX

It was with the Z31 generation of Nissan's Z-car that the gloves finally came off in the great Japanese sports car wars.  The previous generation featured a turbocharged model that was released in 1981, but a compact V6 fed via a turbo wasn't introduced until the Z31 hit the showrooms in late 1983 as a 1984 model year...but that doesn't really mean much for this next feature, because it is the homely T-top equipped 2+2 version.  Find this 1984 Datsun 300ZX offered for $2,800 in Sherman Oaks, CA via craigslist.

T-Top Cruiser:1985 Nissan 300ZX Turbo

The Z31 generation Nissan 300ZX won't be the fastest car on the block, or the best handling, but it offers a level of vintage 80s cool that is hard to match on a dollar for dollar basis.  You'd go broke trying to buy a mint condition one-owner 911 from the 80s, same with an M3; you'll be repairing apex seals faster than you can say zoom zoom in an RX-7, and the early Celica Supras are gutless -- so the Z31 is the answer.  Find this 1985 Nissan 300ZX here on eBay bidding for $2,025 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go, located in Carson, CA.

Major Motion: 1987 Nissan 300ZX Barn Found

In 1984 the Z31 generation Nissan 300ZX didn't completely toss the Datsun name, but it gave it a timeout and splashed Nissan all over the place.  However, Nissan did replace the inline-6 280ZX with a V6-powered successor, and covered the car with scoops like it was from the future.  Simply put, it was...awesome.  Find this 1987 Nissan 300ZX Barn Find offered for $3,000 in Reno, NV via craigslist.  Tip from Clark.