1987 Nissan 300ZX non turbo from North America

Summary:

One the best sports cars you can buy no matter when you can get one

Faults:

Wiper transmission was broken when purchase.

General Comments:

This is the second Z I have owned the first a 1979 280ZX 2+2 and now a 1987 300ZX 2+2, I am as happy with this one as I was the first actually even more so since the 300 has T-tops. I purchased the car for $1150.00 from an individual who I believe loved the car, but had reached his limit on the expense end.

These cars like most sports cars are meant for enthusiast meaning people who can turn a wrench or don't mine paying to keep the vehicle tuned to performance. This one had to have the wiper transmission replaced and new shocks and struts along with a little fuel treatment and it is good as new.

I love this car I have owned more cars than I can name from the 97 Miata, 89 Corvette, 94 Le baron convertible.

To the 2003 Grand Am that I have an addition to my Z now I prefer the Z the most.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th August, 2004

1987 Nissan 300ZX GS 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

Proud to say I own one

Faults:

Rear shocks were bad when I bought it, fairly inexpensive to replace, though I yearn for the original Tokikos!

2 months after I got it I realized I'd been had: everything started going wrong. I replaced the oil sending unit, alternator, clutch, complete coolant system after taking the car to ZCarAtlanta, a shop that claims expertise with Nissan Z-cars. Turns out it was just the thermostat that had me overheating. I of course found this out when the thermostat was the last thing they thought to change. All in all, 2 months after I got the car it spent 2 months in the shop and I ended up financing something new. I also replaced the fuel pump.

General Comments:

All in all, I love driving this car, its nothing short of amazing for its age. Aside from general Nissan problems, i.e. power windows, power antenna, dash shortage (my coolant sensor on my digital dash comes on when its in the mood, along with a million other lights I didn't know were there until I looked at another 87 300Z.) The carpeting has not held up well at all; it can pretty much be vacuumed up in clumps, so I'll need to replace that. My auto locks only work sometimes, drivers side door has sustained wear and tear damage, it doesn't open from the inside, further exacerbating the window problems. It seems to be a little indecisive about accelerating in 3rd gear. It doesn't sputter or anything, but it sort of flat lines at a steady rate of acceleration no matter how much pedal you give, but then in 4th gear all is well and you can tear off into the sunset. gearbox maybe?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th March, 2004

26th Apr 2009, 16:35

OK. as far as your acceleration problem... you might want to try the pressure plate 1st, the gages are a typical Z problem...

As far as carpet, JC Whitney carries a good selection of factory carpeting, and if your automatic doors aren't working right, you might want to replace those old handles... just suggestions, most of its problems I've ran into on my z-car.

7th Jan 2013, 20:12

My 87 300ZX's door won't open from the inside. How do you fix it?

8th Jan 2013, 10:12

Try having someone outside pushing the door in and out, while at the same time you release the door handle from inside. I had a loose door gasket on one car cause that. Next step is to pull the door panel off and release it. Then lubricate the door latch really well.

1987 Nissan 300ZX LX 3.0 cc from North America

Summary:

The car has beautiful lines, impressive performance and is still a head turner after 211,00k

Faults:

Theft alarm unit was not reliable and kept tripping for no apparent reason. I disconnected the system.

This car's instrument panel is a digital display. At approximately 150,000 k, I changed the fuel/temp module.

Heater fan motor burned out at 1805,000k.

Fuel pump changed at 170,000k.

General Comments:

Electric seat is very comfortable and is a boon on long drives - Edmonton to Vancouver - 14 hours - as it allows you to change driving positions as often as needed.

The general handling of the car has a lot to do with the choice of tires. High performance tires are not always the best choice. I switched from Yokohama to Michelin and found a very significant improvement in road holding and stability.

Replacement lights - fog lamps and main headlamps are greatly overpriced. I replaced a lamp with a rusted reflector due to a small hole in the lens from gravel. The light plus installation was over $360.00 Canadian.

The angle of the dash top to the seat results in some distracting reflections on the windscreen when driving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th June, 2003

7th Mar 2004, 01:43

HI, Read your review and agree with your observation regarding the reflections of the dash top in the windscreen.. suggest a flat colored surface to eliminate the reflection... I used a piece of Faux fur and used small modest spots of adhesive to hold it in place.. completely eliminates the bothersome reflections nuisance!

3rd Jan 2005, 10:44

Sounds great... but how did you disable the theft system.. i can't get mine. please help.

8th Jan 2005, 16:33

The anti-theft unit is a little gold box under the passenger seat. It has two electrical connectors going into it; all you have to do to disable it is to unplug (I think) the one on the left. It has been some time since I have done this so it may be the one on the right.

22nd Sep 2010, 13:53

Polarized sunglasses take care of the dashboard/windshield glare, like a charm. Plus, you don't need to change the look of the vehicle.