by "Andrew P. Collins" (andrewpcollins)
Published 09/20/2017 at 23:43
by "Andrew P. Collins" (andrewpcollins)
Published 09/20/2017 at 23:43
Tags: nissan 300zx
STARS: 0
So I might mess around with an OG 300ZX. Does the least-loved Z car have any redeeming qualities?
I’m specifically dreaming of an ’84 T-Top N/A manual, for what it’s worth. But I’d be curious to hear Oppo’s thoughts on this car in general.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
09/20/2017 at 23:50, STARS: 4
mfw Andrew suggests someone doesn’t like the Z31
Also is it on Craigslist and gold? If so, I’d buy it, especially at that price.
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
09/20/2017 at 23:51, STARS: 1
A wild FP author appears! At least one guy here used to have one and wrote about it - he put together this awesome extended post a while back: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/that-time-nissan-copied-the-french-1788223173
"S65" (granthp)
09/20/2017 at 23:51, STARS: 0
I think it’s got a funky 80s ish aesthetic going on but I don’t really know much about them
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
09/20/2017 at 23:51, STARS: 1
It has pop up headlights, 10/10 would not buy or recommend.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
09/20/2017 at 23:52, STARS: 1
It’s never done anything for me. It’s either an S30 variant or z32. I’d be looking for a 280z that isn’t rusted out.
Drive one of these and you will understand.
"CodyVella" (codyvella)
09/20/2017 at 23:53, STARS: 2
I love it for its simply over-the-top 80s qualities. The offset hoodscoop, stereotypical digital dash, turbine style wheels, half-assed pop up headlights.
But all that aside, if you look at it for what it really is, a grand tourer, and not a sports car, then it’s a pretty kick ass car. I’m one of the few who think the early cars look better, with their bulky taillights and more pronounced side skirts. And that VG30 V6 is a stout little motor. It might not have massive horsepower, or be very rev happy, but it makes decent torque, and is pretty reliable. I mean in my experience, they take an utter shit kicking.
But yeah, they’re cool cars.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
09/20/2017 at 23:54, STARS: 1
*raises hand.
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
09/20/2017 at 23:54, STARS: 1
This is linked in the above but here is another specifically about the Z31: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-once-owned-a-z31-300zx-1785533795
"Deal Killer - Powered by Focus" (dealkiller-ii)
09/20/2017 at 23:54, STARS: 0
I’ve always liked this gen of Z-Car, just because you can get them in full 80's regalia. This one just speaks to me.
https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/d/1986-nissan-300zx-top-clean/6301868622.html
Of course, you can’t go wrong with “Black/Gold”
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"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
09/20/2017 at 23:59, STARS: 0
This is a car Rick Astley would drive except with an auto and in baby blue.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
09/21/2017 at 00:06, STARS: 0
Man, I don’t know anything about these. I’m a sucker for 240s, and to a slightly lesser extent, Z32s. I have no idea what I’m missing by overlooking Z31s.
"CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)" (ccpbb)
09/21/2017 at 00:23, STARS: 0
I drove a friend’s Z31 a while ago, and it felt rather agricultural. You feel the weight so much. The shift gates are quite narrow, but the throw is hilariously long.
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
09/21/2017 at 00:23, STARS: 2
Only if you wear that jacket if you make a video of the car.
"Tohru" (tohrurokuno)
09/21/2017 at 00:40, STARS: 0
It’s pretty much the same motor as the Nissan Hardbody, so you’ll be able to get parts easily enough.
"Ssfancyfresh" (scotttt)
09/21/2017 at 00:44, STARS: 0
I don’t.
"lone_liberal" (token-liberal)
09/21/2017 at 00:45, STARS: 0
Do you consider road hugging weight a redeeming quality?
"Birddog" (maintmgt)
09/21/2017 at 01:13, STARS: 0
The coupe is ok, the 2+2 looks odd but I hear it handles better.
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
09/21/2017 at 01:36, STARS: 0
The VG30 is pretty tough. You can drift them fairly easily partially in thanks to the way the semi-trailing arm IRS livens up with coilovers and stiff springs. Maybe it’s time to dip your toes into the madness of driving at amateur drift events?
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
09/21/2017 at 02:56, STARS: 1
I feel like they were the Japanese answer to the F-body, especially with the T-tops. They’re always cheap enough to intrigue me as much as anything cheap and RWD, but also usually rusty in gnarly places.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
09/21/2017 at 07:16, STARS: 0
I think they look cool, but I know jack freaking squat about them.
"beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard" (beardsbynelly-Rikerbeard)
09/21/2017 at 08:08, STARS: 0
They’re not as good as you want them to be. I had one for 3 months.
"kanadanmajava1" (kanadanmajava1)
09/21/2017 at 08:15, STARS: 1
I like Z31s but I’m not a big fan of V6 engines. I could consider owning a 200ZR that came with a straight six RB engine. These were only available in Japan so they are quite rare.
"Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
09/21/2017 at 08:27, STARS: 0
YES.
I dislike t-tops, but the Z31 isn’t bad at all. Classic 80's in so many ways.
I know you said NA, but the VG30ET has pretty decent potential, is very durable, and sounds nice. Timing belts suck, but at least the bay is less cramped than a Z32.
"Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
09/21/2017 at 08:31, STARS: 0
What’s wrong with a good V6? :)
"jebidia24" (jebidia24)
09/21/2017 at 08:45, STARS: 0
They were used with some success in the All Japan Rally Series and this one looks pretty cool although it would be almost impossible to recreate. Also, the 200ZR offers the same looks with a different engine (less weight) or the S12 200sx uses the same engine but weighs less.........and also has rally pedigree.
"jebidia24" (jebidia24)
09/21/2017 at 08:47, STARS: 0
"kanadanmajava1" (kanadanmajava1)
09/21/2017 at 08:50, STARS: 1
The V6s that like are very rare. Here’s one of those out from a’96 M-B DTM racecar. A redline over 10krpm is the thing that makes a V6 interesting. So no interesting V6s has ever been installed in a production car.
"Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
09/21/2017 at 08:54, STARS: 1
True, though that can be said of nearly any production engine layout shy of an inline 4.
Even the GT3 RS only revs to 9K. Same goes for the old 458's V8.
There aren’t reallyany production cars that rev to 10k except for the Ariel Atom V8.
"red014" (red014)
09/21/2017 at 09:09, STARS: 2
The LEAST loved? Is it really? In a world where the 280ZX 2+2 exists?
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
09/21/2017 at 09:15, STARS: 4
The first rule of a Z car fan is we don’t talk about the 2+2.
"red014" (red014)
09/21/2017 at 09:21, STARS: 2
In my defense, he was disparaging the Z31. I was desperate.
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
09/21/2017 at 10:11, STARS: 0
I was once salty about v6'es taking over i6's as the 6 of choice, but I think its mostly just nostalgia. I was shopping 1st gen is300 (215hp) vs 2nd gen g35 (290hp) and people would still list the lame naturally aspirated 2jz lump as a pro. This is coming from a former gs300 owner. I only ever disliked v6'es because of their ubiquity in non-special cars, but something like a lotus is proof that maybe these modern v6es are great and they are just having their soul sucked out by the appliances they are installed in.
"DABoy" (daboy)
09/21/2017 at 10:26, STARS: 0
Alright, yes, but the Z32 2+2 isn’t bad! Keeps its lines and is just a little longer.
"SantaRita" (SantaRita)
09/21/2017 at 10:34, STARS: 0
no? i mean yes? sorry is this where the support group meets? (full disclosure, not even mine)
"mikewballou" (mikewballou)
09/21/2017 at 10:56, STARS: 0
I appreciate a nice one, but would never buy one unless I had unlimited funds and had to have an example of every generation of Zcar... so for I have only gotten, and sold, a Z32 TT
"MonkeePuzzle" (monkeypuzzle)
09/21/2017 at 10:56, STARS: 0
it’s an oddity. It has ALL the things that SHOULD make it an awesome car. As you say, it’s 80s/90s design, it has manual and FR configuration, t-tops, popup headlights, 2 door, fastback.
but... somehow for me the combination of features just misses the mark. Its close, but feels clunky. Like it’s an off brand copy of a sports car somehow.
"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
09/21/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 0
I do not like that generation Z car.
Nor the A70 Supra.
They just seem like pointy boxy 80's overweight underpowered over-complicated cars to me.
Does that make me weird?
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
09/21/2017 at 13:37, STARS: 1
yes
"SpeedSix" (speedsix)
09/21/2017 at 14:25, STARS: 0
I’d be interested to know if your opinion is the same for the Alfa Romeo Busso V6.
"jadeoh" (jadeoh)
09/21/2017 at 16:56, STARS: 0
The answer is no. Get a 280 instead and wake up every morning with a sense of dignity and pride.
Related story: I recall a dealership contest in Kansas City that was giving away a “New 300zx”. This was in late 1989 and the Z32 had already been on the car show circuit and in publications of the time. The winner was chosen and the local paper and news crew came out to cover the story. The dealership gave the guy that won a “New” 1989 Z31. The image in the paper was classic with several of the dealership employees celebrating like crazy and the winner looking straight faced at the camera like “Meh”. In the interview the guy expressed his disappointment that it wasn’t the new 1990 version. I read a follow up a week later that he ultimately refused the car to avoid the tax.
"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
09/21/2017 at 18:34, STARS: 0
I like them. I owned one. I’d like to own another later in life. It was indeed an 84 t-top n/a manual. In two tone.
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-once-owned-a-z31-300zx-1785533795
I’ve said this before, but the car isn’t loved because it wasn’t made to appeal to children, it was made to appeal to buyers. And buyers loved it - they sold more Z31s than any Z before or since, more than any Supra. In its time it was a roaring success and today I think it’s a great snapshot of what people wanted in the 80s. Particularly with bitchin Betty.
"kanadanmajava1" (kanadanmajava1)
09/21/2017 at 19:26, STARS: 0
I’m a bit divided with those. It’s nowhere as angry as Alfa’s DTM engine(s) but still able to make quite nice sounds.
"Thatredcar" (thatredcar)
09/23/2017 at 14:16, STARS: 0
Since I’ll be one of the few people commenting that’s acutally owned a Z31. 87 N/A in black.
It is just as it was originally billed as, a grand touring car. Light steering with very little to no feedback, good throttle response for good amount of power at the time it came out. Car looked the business, had T-tops and a nice interior, good seats too! Didn’t handle all that great, it wasn’t that heavy to, it had a plush suspension. Nice clutch, very good to learn upon.
It’s not a sport cars, just a cool looking car that’s sporty. Oh and the rear suspension was complete crap, that’s why it’ll never be a sports car. I don’t think any type of valving or spring rate will fix that blob of a rear suspension...
It’s also one of the few cars that looks astonishing in black, it just works. Also if you wanna be an asshole, the V6 is technically the same V6 Nissan uses to this day...
"HydraulicDragon" (HydraulicDragon)
09/25/2017 at 00:56, STARS: 0
Am I the only one who thinks this looks really cool?