Thoughts on Nissan Z31 300 ZX? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Atropine · 10-07-2020, 10:11 AM

I have really been wanting a "classic car" from my childhood that represents what I thought was cool when I was a kid.

I know a lot of people are like this, that is why classic Mustangs, Camaros and Corvettes etc are worth a lot.

I was born in 1980 and I really like quintessential 80' look.

I have owned 3 AW-11 MR2s and loved them.

I have a 1991 BRG Miata that I bought from my Grandfather, so I have the itty bitty toss around car covered.

I want a nice "GT" car for day trips with the wife (we do not have kids).

My Daily Driver is a 2020 Toyota 4Runner that is paid off (technically will be paid off in April..I have to keep the loan for 6 months so they don't take my $1000 rebate away)

Anyway, I am strongly considering an 80's Nissan 300ZX. Preferrably the one with a Digital Gauge Cluster (think Knight Rider).

I know and respect a lot of the people on here opinions.

What are your thoughts of this car.

BTW the Mitsubish Starion and the Dodge Conquest are also in consideration...just a lot harder to source.

Atropine · 10-07-2020, 10:13 AM

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sy_7QdBfjy4/maxresdefault.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/88/92...6371d06cab.jpg

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/05...g?v=1521276621

LancePower · 10-07-2020, 11:08 AM

I had an analogue 1984 Z31 back in the mid-90's.

The mechanicals are strong, but the issue will be trim pieces, etc that are unavailable.

I prefer the looks of the 87-89 models.

sato · 10-07-2020, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atropine

I have really been wanting a "classic car" from my childhood that represents what I thought was cool when I was a kid.

I know a lot of people are like this, that is why classic Mustangs, Camaros and Corvettes etc are worth a lot.

I was born in 1980 and I really like quintessential 80' look.

I have owned 3 AW-11 MR2s and loved them.

I have a 1991 BRG Miata that I bought from my Grandfather, so I have the itty bitty toss around car covered.

I want a nice "GT" car for day trips with the wife (we do not have kids).

My Daily Driver is a 2020 Toyota 4Runner that is paid off (technically will be paid off in April..I have to keep the loan for 6 months so they don't take my $1000 rebate away)

Anyway, I am strongly considering an 80's Nissan 300ZX. Preferrably the one with a Digital Gauge Cluster (think Knight Rider).

I know and respect a lot of the people on here opinions.

What are your thoughts of this car.

I share your emotion, and find that both are fine samples from the looks of it. My preference if towards the black version (newer); when you get bored of it, sell it to me for cheap. I'll take care of it for you! Damn those dash units when they do wrong, but did they look sweet when you rev-ed up engine. If I remember correctly, one looked more like a equalizer unit rather than a simple bar RPM sweep from 0 RPM to redline like a S2000 (boring).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atropine

BTW the Mitsubish Starion and the Dodge Conquest are also in consideration...just a lot harder to source.

Not sure why, but I thought those were prone to head gasket issues and such. I preffer the 300zx although those Starions looked sweet also.

Atropine · 10-07-2020, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sato

I share your emotion, and find that both are fine samples from the looks of it. My preference if towards the black version (newer); when you get bored of it, sell it to me for cheap. I'll take care of it for you! Damn those dash units when they do wrong, but did they look sweet when you rev-ed up engine. If I remember correctly, one looked more like a equalizer unit rather than a simple bar RPM sweep from 0 RPM to redline like a S2000 (boring).

Not sure why, but I thought those were prone to head gasket issues and such. I preffer the 300zx although those Starions looked sweet also.

Oh that black one isn't for sale (wish it was).

It was just a good example of how good these cars look shined up and cleaned up.

DarkPira7e · 10-07-2020, 02:30 PM

They seem pretty sweet. In my opinion, nothing trumps the AW11 for the wedge look.
The FB or SA RX7 are pretty cool wedges as well- I'd love a clean FB, even with the 12a

Tcoat · 10-07-2020, 02:45 PM

The three you listed will be unicorns to find in decent shape at anything even approaching a decent price.
Nice choices but all three will suffer from the same 80s plastic parts and body panel deterioration issues that plagued the era.
Since they were very low volume cars in the first place replacing many of the parts would be expensive and difficult. If you decide to go this route be prepared to spend the money on a good example. Trying to restore these 80s Japanese cars is a rabbit hole you may never get out of.

I applaud your picks but just a word of caution!

Dadhawk · 10-07-2020, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcoat

The three you listed will be unicorns,,!

Speaking of unicorns, anyone want to buy a new/old 1988 V6 Fiero with 500 miles and still has the interior wrapping? It's going on sale soon. It was the last one built, bought by an employee who won the auction to purchase one of the last two.

Now if it was an MR2, I'd be all over it.

Hades · 10-08-2020, 01:39 AM

For a GT car, it would probably work well. However do research repair & maintenance costs, from what I've heard repairs on these cars are a PITA.

Cool cars though, and can be made pretty quick.

Hades · 10-08-2020, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Speaking of unicorns, anyone want to buy a new/old 1998 V6 Fiero with 500 miles and still has the interior wrapping? It's going on sale soon. It was the last one built, bought by an employee who won the auciton to purchase one of the last two.

Now if it was an MR2, I'd be all over it.

The new C8 is out, or I'd be all over that beaut.

(As if I could afford a C8 :P....)

ZDan · 10-08-2020, 09:59 AM

Ha, that '88 Fiero! I love those cars but they're heavy and the interiors are pretty terrible...
If they'd made one of those with the Quad4 engine and gotten some weight out, woulda been badass! They look so much sweeter than the same-era MR2, but there's zero doubt which is the better car, and the better sports car...

Tcoat · 10-08-2020, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZDan

Ha, that '88 Fiero! I love those cars but they're heavy and the interiors are pretty terrible...
If they'd made one of those with the Quad4 engine and gotten some weight out, woulda been badass! They look so much sweeter than the same-era MR2, but there's zero doubt which is the better car, and the better sports car...

Was there any 80s mass produced car with anything even approaching a decent interior? It was the era of crap materials as they started with more and more untried plastic bits.

Tcoat · 10-08-2020, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Speaking of unicorns, anyone want to buy a new/old 1988 V6 Fiero with 500 miles and still has the interior wrapping? It's going on sale soon. It was the last one built, bought by an employee who won the auction to purchase one of the last two.

Now if it was an MR2, I'd be all over it.

Think I will grab it.
I have a plan!

e30cabrio · 10-08-2020, 11:43 AM

I have had all Z cars up to the 33. My '84 31 was great until the MAF and transmission started dying. There were no not remanufactured MAFs available in '94 when I got rid of it (for a 32) and every reman MAF I bought went bad within 2000 miles.

I can't imagine it's any better today.

Quick search found this:

I love the style but eventually hated the digital dash.

Good luck.

10-07-2020, 10:11 AM	#1
Atropine Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2021 Toyota Supra 2020 4Runner Location: New Plymouth, ID Posts: 701 Thanks: 1,396 Thanked 829 Times in 346 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thoughts on Nissan Z31 300 ZX? I have really been wanting a "classic car" from my childhood that represents what I thought was cool when I was a kid. I know a lot of people are like this, that is why classic Mustangs, Camaros and Corvettes etc are worth a lot. I was born in 1980 and I really like quintessential 80' look. I have owned 3 AW-11 MR2s and loved them. I have a 1991 BRG Miata that I bought from my Grandfather, so I have the itty bitty toss around car covered. I want a nice "GT" car for day trips with the wife (we do not have kids). My Daily Driver is a 2020 Toyota 4Runner that is paid off (technically will be paid off in April..I have to keep the loan for 6 months so they don't take my $1000 rebate away) Anyway, I am strongly considering an 80's Nissan 300ZX. Preferrably the one with a Digital Gauge Cluster (think Knight Rider). I know and respect a lot of the people on here opinions. What are your thoughts of this car. BTW the Mitsubish Starion and the Dodge Conquest are also in consideration...just a lot harder to source.

10-07-2020, 10:13 AM	#2
Atropine Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2021 Toyota Supra 2020 4Runner Location: New Plymouth, ID Posts: 701 Thanks: 1,396 Thanked 829 Times in 346 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Pics of said cars and dash https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sy_7QdBfjy4/maxresdefault.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/88/92...6371d06cab.jpg https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/05...g?v=1521276621

10-07-2020, 02:45 PM	#7
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,845 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,283 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2495 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	The three you listed will be unicorns to find in decent shape at anything even approaching a decent price. Nice choices but all three will suffer from the same 80s plastic parts and body panel deterioration issues that plagued the era. Since they were very low volume cars in the first place replacing many of the parts would be expensive and difficult. If you decide to go this route be prepared to spend the money on a good example. Trying to restore these 80s Japanese cars is a rabbit hole you may never get out of. I applaud your picks but just a word of caution! __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

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10-07-2020, 11:08 AM	#3
LancePower Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Drives: 2020 BRZ tS Location: NJ Posts: 500 Thanks: 93 Thanked 189 Times in 118 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I had an analogue 1984 Z31 back in the mid-90's. The mechanicals are strong, but the issue will be trim pieces, etc that are unavailable. I prefer the looks of the 87-89 models.

10-07-2020, 02:30 PM	#6
DarkPira7e Rust bucket enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Turbo Firestorm FRS Location: Vermont Posts: 3,934 Thanks: 3,200 Thanked 4,095 Times in 2,045 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	They seem pretty sweet. In my opinion, nothing trumps the AW11 for the wedge look. The FB or SA RX7 are pretty cool wedges as well- I'd love a clean FB, even with the 12a

10-08-2020, 01:39 AM	#9
Hades Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Location: Socal Posts: 214 Thanks: 521 Thanked 100 Times in 64 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	For a GT car, it would probably work well. However do research repair & maintenance costs, from what I've heard repairs on these cars are a PITA. Cool cars though, and can be made pretty quick.

10-08-2020, 09:59 AM	#11
ZDan Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Drives: '23 BRZ Location: Providence, RI Posts: 4,584 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,891 Times in 2,032 Posts Mentioned: 85 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Ha, that '88 Fiero! I love those cars but they're heavy and the interiors are pretty terrible... If they'd made one of those with the Quad4 engine and gotten some weight out, woulda been badass! They look so much sweeter than the same-era MR2, but there's zero doubt which is the better car, and the better sports car...

10-08-2020, 11:43 AM	#14
e30cabrio Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 2017 86 Location: West Valley Posts: 144 Thanks: 18 Thanked 27 Times in 19 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have had all Z cars up to the 33. My '84 31 was great until the MAF and transmission started dying. There were no not remanufactured MAFs available in '94 when I got rid of it (for a 32) and every reman MAF I bought went bad within 2000 miles. I can't imagine it's any better today. Quick search found this: I love the style but eventually hated the digital dash. Good luck.

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