1985 Nissan 300ZX 2 door from North America - Comments

Major electrical problems.

Couldn't keep muffler systems on it.

Sound system great, when it worked.

Major rust damage to frame.

Fuel system had many poorly engineered components.

Leather seats were really plastic.

I adored this car and babied it, hand washed it all it's life. From day one it had electrical problems ranging from annoying to dangerous. Too numerous to list, I'll just say that each time I told the dealer of them, they denied their existence - even when they were demonstrated to them! Once they actually said I couldn't have that problem because my car was a year too new!

Most were never fixed, even by the independent mechanics I turned to - just too difficult to isolate. Finally learned that to get rid of the buzz in the radio that only appeared when the headlights were on - all I had to do was turn on the rear view mirror heaters! Worked great till it burned the heaters out.

An engineering design flaw meant I put new muffler systems on it every two years.

At one point, the dealer had it for 8 weeks before they figured out how to fix the fuel system.

My plan was to own this car forever. When the frame began rusting, many mechanics told me my hand washing had made it last as long as it did - all the others had rusted out years before. I had to dump it when the steering could not be fixed because the frame would no longer support it. By this time, the seats were in shreds - they weren't leather, they were plastic!!

My 1985 300zx2+2, ($24,000.), had the plastic (leather) seats too, which were junk. I think we received $200.00 worth of Nissan coupons for their misreprestation. I just filed a review here and I mentioned the car fire caused by leaking fuel injectors. I think the car was slow, not near as fast as the new ($12,000.) mustang coupes I buy for each of my 3 kids 16th birthday.

I feel your pain. I used to have a ford F-250 custom built, until it caught on fire by the ford recall on the cruise control switch. It was a devastating $40,000 loss. so I bought an 87' Nissan Z31 300ZX N/a and wow, I am deeply disapointed. the car has been nothing, but problems. First the car had electrical problems in the dash and rust in the ignition system. After that came the fuel injector leak, resulting in a fire. after the car had been "fixed" the head gasket blew, due to a combination of coolant sensor failure and a faulty oil pump. some more "repairs" only to have the clutch springs break inside and go bouncing around inside the bell housing, virtually destroying my entire drive train. I absolutely HATE the car. when I get a chance, I'm gonna junk it.

I have a 1984 Nissan 300zx turbo, and I replaced the rear differential thinking that was the only isssue. I was wrong now I am having problems with the cooling system, I'm going to replace the thermostate, but when I tried to start it this morning with a new battery, it just turned over like it wasn't getting any spark, and eventually just started clicking when I turned the key like the battery was dead anyone else experienced these problems? please let me know.

You should have seen it I got a 86 300zx turbo aniversary edition took it in for fuel injector recall and when I started it at home it blew up like exploded then caught fire. THE WORST THING IS IT RAN FINE TILL I TOOK IT IN FOR RECALL

Did you take your car into the dealership to have the recall work performed on it? What happened after the car caught fire? Did you have new injectors put on or did you just sell the car? What kind of work was needed after the injectors blew? How long after you had the recall work did the car catch fire? And how long did you have the car before you took it in to have the recall work done? Did the dealership accept responsibility for the damage done and reimburse you? Also, did anyone ever have the car die while in the middle of driving? Would anyone happen to know the general source of that problem or what the source of the problem was if it happened on your car? I bought an 85 turbo recently and the car has died twice in a week while being driven.

I have an 86 NA car lowered for track racing. The only real problems I've had concern the thermostatically controlled auto air, or whatever you want to call it. Vacuum leaks causes the A/C to blow through defroster vents.

I had a problem with one headlight being intermittent, and my Z31 specialist mech buddy said the prob was in the head light switch, because the head lights are powered separately from that stalk control. He pulled the steering wheel in 5 minutes, and had a loose wire in the stalk control repaired and the wheel back on in 20 minutes, and the light has been fine since.

The only other gripe is no power. Easily fixed by swapping the cross member with a turbo model, and installing a 3.3 Pathfinder (stock) block and rods and NA pistons, and using a vg30 crank and a t3t4 turbo with stock turbo fuel system. I also gutted the intake plenum and added 3" exhaust. It may only be 250 hp but the torque is great.

I however changed my mind and put this engine combo in the 88 2+2 auto car, and it flies. It's no racer, but the new engine for the 2 seater 86 will be 400 hp. Find a person who knows z31 cars or try z31.com, they are great. They may trash you for asking stupid questions, but they will also put you in the right direction for a fix.

If you have no mechanical prowess at all, buy a new car and an extended warranty. JT.