What to Buy: 1990–1996 Nissan 300ZX

From the January 2022 issue of Car and Driver.

The imminent arrival of the new Nissan Z and the resurgence of seemingly all things ’90s have sparked new interest in the 1990–1996 Z32-generation Nissan 300ZX. A bold return to form after the more-show-than-go Z31, the Z32 heralded the onslaught of 1990s Japanese sports-car dominance. The Turbo, with its 300-hp twin-turbo V-6, is the 5.0-seconds-to-60-mph star. It won multiple comparison tests and every 10Best it was eligible for. Turbo prices are climbing fast, while the lower-priced naturally aspirated 300ZX hasn’t appreciated as much. If you’re in the market for a Z32 300ZX, a solid knowledge of these cars’ quirks and issues is crucial.

Engine

The Z32 was introduced with a 222-hp 3.0-liter V-6 in late 1989. A 300-hp twin-turbo 300ZX Turbo followed soon after, and a rare factory-backed Steve Millen–tuned SMZ 300ZX with 365 horsepower was sold through Nissan dealers. If you’re considering a car from the 1990 model year, get the engine number and check the build date, as very early examples were known to have valve defects. Sundry mods are common. As always, the more service records, the better—even if only to know what’s overdue.

Value

Where a few years ago just about any Z32 could be had for a song, there has now been a definite bifurcation in pricing. Non-turbo 300ZXs can still be found for well under $10,000 but will climb toward $20,000 depending on mileage. High-mileage Turbos start in the mid to high teens. The best Turbos live from $40,000 to just under $60,000, but decent ones can be found in the mid-$20,000s. If you’re willing to tolerate right-hand drive, Japan-market cars can often be had for less—but that’s a different rabbit hole.

Problem Areas

Nissan recommended the Z32-era VG30DE engines get a new timing belt about every 60,000 miles or six years. Turbo seals often begin leaking between 60,000 and 80,000 miles. Clutches can last as long as 70K miles, but 30,000 to 50,000 is more common. To avoid maintenance costs, owners occasionally disable the Super HICAS rear-wheel steering found on the Turbo, particularly the hydraulic system in the 1990–93 models (later models used an electric rack). Check whether the HICAS is disabled and what kind of shape it’s in. Then invest in a good mechanic and get your Z32 on a maintenance schedule.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io