300ZX Origin: What is your 300zx ?

The 300zx is part of a series of lowish cost sports cars produced by Nissan. It started with the 240, 260, 280, early 300zx and finished with the later 300zx. And of course the cars got dearer as time went on. One of the main reasons for its demise in the US was the low number of cars sold towards the end due in part to its cost increase. Also helped along by the model remaining basically unchanged for a period of 10 years and as a result falling behind in meeting safety standards. Information on the development of the models can be found elsewhere. There is some confusion between the two models of the 300zx. The earlier model is based on the same capacity V6 but without twin turbos and a few other niceties. It was produced from 1984 till mid 1989 and is known as the Z31. The later model is called the Z32 and was produced from about mid 1989 to about 2000 (1996 in the US and Europe ­ note that in the US the cars made from May 1989 are referred to as the 1990 model year). In NZ you will find a lot of 1989 models.

This FAQ is specifically for the Z32. The engines used are the V6 or VG30DE in NA form or the VG30DETT in twin turbo form. The 30 refers to capacity of 3.0 version This engine is considered to be a very solid and well designed engine with many over-rated components as standard. It is mainly the lack of quality maintenance, use of poor fluids, and some indiscriminant thrashing which might lead you to think otherwise. US owners report engines with up to 200,000 MILES on them.

If your car was a used Japanese import and still standard then you will find the following three differences between it and any car purchased new outside Japan ­ speedo limited to and reading 180km/h, cruise control with a maximum setting of 105km/h, a wee continuous ding at any speed over 105km/h. See below what you can do about these. If one or more of these don't work then your car has modifications.

The vehicles have an option of Hicas or a 4WS system. The car has basically remained unchanged during this period. One of the strong points in its favour is the timelessness of the design (remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder). There are few cars which posses this ideal. The Porsche 928 being one of these. In fact this would have been my first choice except for cost. The looks coupled with the cost of spares, performance, etc means that the car will have a following long after the replacement has come and gone. It is a classic. There are two engine models ­ the NA or Normally Aspirated producing 220bhp and the TT or Twin Turbo producing 280bhp (except for the US manual with 300bhp). And there are three body styles ­ convertible, coupe or two seater and the 2+2 four seater although the rear seats are minimal. Not all engines came in all models in all markets. (The convertible never had the TT and the US 2+2 never had the TT). The most practical IMO is the 2+2 because of the extra storage albeit at the expense of a little extra weight and slightly less body rigidity. There are also minor suspension differences between countries and the European version had a few extra goodies like a diff cooler and a larger radiator and oil cooler. See also point 4 for further differences.