1985 Nissan 300ZX Turbo 3.0 liter turbo

Summary:

An absolute gas to drive!

Faults:

The rack and pinion steering system failed and had to be replaced twice. This cost roughly $1,800 each time.

The adjustable shocks eventually wore out at about 115,000 miles. I lived with the terrible ride for the last 10,000 miles or so, hoping I would find replacements at a reasonable price.

Seals around taillights and rear quarter windows dried out and leaked, but were easily repaired.

A fusible link broke once, causing the car to die on a freeway. This was difficult to diagnose because it was intermittent, but simple to fix once we found it.

The stereo was wonderful when new, but died completely after 7 years, and would have been outrageous to replace with an OEM system. Fortunately, acceptable substitutes were widely available.

The leather seats eventually came apart as the thread in the seams deteriorated.

General Comments:

The engine/drive train was bullet-proof, and the handling on dry pavement superb. The turbo gave awesome acceleration. It was great fun to drive around town, and a pleasure for long trips. I owned the car for over 13 years, and there were no mechanical problems at all for the first 7 of those years, so I consider its reliability quite good for a performance car. The body held up very well, with only traces of surface rust near the end.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 2002

1985 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 Liter

Summary:

A sports car without the money of one

Faults:

Radio has poor function with very low volume.

The air conditioning compressor locked up. Extremely expensive repair cost.

One of the brake lights blew out randomly.

Front Dash has started to crack minimally after 131,000 miles.

Washer fluid system stopped working since I purchased the car.

General Comments:

Bad handling during wet conditions. Back end will swing out from behind you in both stopping quickly and accelerating quickly.

Performes very well in dry conditions. Tight handling, short throw transmission, and all around fun to drive in respectable driving conditions.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th August, 2002

27th Aug 2002, 04:32

I am sorry to inform you that the bad traits you have mentioned go with 1) a 15 year old used car, and 2) the wet pavement syndrome is from owning a short bodied sports car, I recommend learning to feather the clutch when on snow/wet pavement. Unfortuantely I learned that early on with my 86 300. However there is the upside of chewing everything from 5.0 litre mustangs to Z-28 camaros though.

1985 Nissan 300ZX 3.0L V6

Summary:

Great sports car for the money

Faults:

Power steering rack (broken when I bought the car.)

General Comments:

Despite its age, very reliable and preforms well.

For lack of garage space, the car stayed outside all through the winter, but it always started up and ran all day with no problems.

The gas tank is curiously small (10 gallons) and the car does burn through it rather quickly.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th May, 2002

1985 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6

Summary:

I like to drive the vehicle, but the reliability has been very poor

Faults:

The red paint faded prematurely.

The digital dash malfunctioned.

The automatic air-conditioning malfunctioned.

The T-tops leaked.

The rear hatched leaked.

The gas tank seems to over-pressurize causing gas to leak out of the fuel filler neck and down the side of the car, ruining the paint.

The radio died.

The clutch has been replaced three times (I used to have a Toyota and never had this problem).

General Comments:

Nice acceleration and handling.

Handles very poorly in the rain or snow.

Handles very well on dry pavement.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th August, 2001

5th Mar 2004, 07:33

Sounds like you work for Toyota, dude, nothing nice to say about this car? I just bought one with a tiny bit of rust (1985 300zx, and I'm loving it!!!)

I think that comment was b.s. or you don't take good care of your car... I just don't find that believable.

Thanks.

1985 Nissan 300ZX Turbo 3.0 turbo

Faults:

No mechanical problems so far.

General Comments:

-BIGGEST PROBLEM... these cars seem to have a problem with underbody rust (the serious, body rot kind).

-Upholstry (leather) has a problem with splitting seams.

-Headliner fabric needed to be reattached (common w/these vehicles).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th February, 2000

17th Apr 2001, 09:39

I think the Nissan 300ZX Turbo is a beautiful car, I recently bought one and I love it to death. It has power everything and leather, what else could you ask for?

The only problem I have with it is the insurance costs because I'm a first time driver.

17th May 2002, 07:55

I have a 1985 Nissan 300zx turbo 2+2 (a special edition) and I love this car so much that I bought another for parts. I want to make a body job on it, because she really need to. I have this car since year one and I didn't have any problems with it. I think this car is very powerful even if it's a old one. The engine runs really good, the only problem is the rust, even if it's never winter-driven. But I'm so proud of my car, that the rust don't discourage me. I think that this car is better than a lot of new sports cars.

27th Aug 2002, 04:36

I have an 86 and I have under body rust, but there are a few body shops who now know about replacing body panels with aluminum. Sounds strange, but its cheap and effective since aluminum rusts slower and its easier to seal up to keep out rust.

24th Sep 2002, 22:26

Have owned my Fair lady 300zx factory turbo for about 3 years now. Sex on wheels, I say - chicks love it. Only problem I find is if something breaks, usually expensive and has to be either found at a wrecking yard or imported.

22nd Jan 2003, 13:08

I have owned an '85 300ZX Turbo for three years now. After adding an exhaust system to it, it blows away any of these new euro cars. The engine is great and powerful, the electrical components still work fine, and the t-tops are a big bonus. The only thing it needs is a new paint job. This car is for anyone who want a small sports car that is a sleeper to others eyes. I love it.

10th Sep 2006, 13:38

I own a 85 300zx Turbo with 80,000 miles and no rust, it's an awesome car and when people ask me if its fast I just have to laugh, nissan knew what they were shooting for with this car, I love it.

9th Aug 2017, 14:36

I have owned a 1985, 1986 and 1987. Great cars if taken care of. Love them so much I am looking for another.