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. 
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.
The Z31 generation Z-car was badged as the 300ZX for the US market and sold extremely well from 1983 through 1989. Today, the local craigslists across America are loaded with 300ZXs of various condition, but you can pickup a non-turbo low-mile survivor for almost nothing. Find this 1984 Nissan 300ZX here on eBay
bidding for $2,565 with 2 days to go, located in Chico, CA.
The Shiro Special Edition of the Z31 300ZX was a limited run of two-seat Z cars in 1988 only, with thicker sway bars, non-adjustable suspension with stiffer spring rates, 16" wheels, a 5-speed manual transmission, a unique front air dam, and white accents. Only 1002 were sold in the U.S., with even fewer going to Canada. Although it's listed without a price, other Shiros in worse condition give an estimate of what this could be sold for: $6,000-$7,500. Find this 1988 Nissan 300ZX Shiro Special Edition in Knoxville, 
In 1984 Nissan was having an identity crisis in the US Market. The Datsun name (taken from a 1930s DAT Motorcar Company) had been used on Nissan's exports to North America since 1958, but the Nissan brand had taken over in Japan and Europe in the 1960s. Eventually the Nissan executives decreed that the Datsun name must go and in 1983/84 many US market cars were branding both Nissan/Datsun or Datsun by Nissan. The newly released Z31 generation Nissan Z-car was not exempt from this naming convention and you can find the twin-labeled sports coupe for next to nothing today. Find this 1984 Nissan/Datsun 300ZX for sale in San Leandro, CA for $4,000 via craigslist. Tip from Kaibeezy.
The Z31 edition Nissan 300ZX isn't quite as collectable as the later Z32 generation, but they are considerably cheaper and look less like a jelly bean. The only way to go with the Z31/32 is to get a turbo with manual trans, so we are pleased to feature this 1987 Nissan 300ZX Z31 Turbo with a 5 spd manual and lots of aftermarket upgrades for the low price of $2700 via craigslist in the SFBay area. Thanks to tip from Kaibeezy.