Nissan 300ZX (Z32) Prices
Discussion
First off, I'm not looking to start another thread bashing used car prices, however I am curious.......
About 10 years ago I owned a Jap spec Twin Turbo LWB 300ZX (manual). Aside from the SWB, pretty much the spec you'd want. Cloth interior with the deep pile jap spec mats, series 2 climate control, low miles etc etc. Probably the most problematic car I've ever owned
It was a pain to work on as the engine bay was so tight, there were (and still are) only a handful of specialists. That all said, I still think it's one of the most beautiful car designs and was way ahead of its time. Every few months I head off to the classified just to see what's about.
This brings me to this topic. There are currently 7 for sale on PH with 4 of them up for £25k (with one POA). Of those 4 one is stock Jap import, and one is a heavily (but looks well done) modified one. The others vary in condition but appear nice. I sold mine, with no issues and about 60k on the clock for roughly a quarter of that ten years ago.
My question is, are people actually paying that for them now? I'd always thought they were undervalued compared to Skylines/Supras from the same era and in that respect, they're still well under what those fetch today so might be considered a "bargain" for 90s Jap machinery. But as far as I can tell their popularity hasn't changed, it's still the same folks interested in them as before.
About 10 years ago I owned a Jap spec Twin Turbo LWB 300ZX (manual). Aside from the SWB, pretty much the spec you'd want. Cloth interior with the deep pile jap spec mats, series 2 climate control, low miles etc etc. Probably the most problematic car I've ever owned
It was a pain to work on as the engine bay was so tight, there were (and still are) only a handful of specialists. That all said, I still think it's one of the most beautiful car designs and was way ahead of its time. Every few months I head off to the classified just to see what's about. This brings me to this topic. There are currently 7 for sale on PH with 4 of them up for £25k (with one POA). Of those 4 one is stock Jap import, and one is a heavily (but looks well done) modified one. The others vary in condition but appear nice. I sold mine, with no issues and about 60k on the clock for roughly a quarter of that ten years ago.
My question is, are people actually paying that for them now? I'd always thought they were undervalued compared to Skylines/Supras from the same era and in that respect, they're still well under what those fetch today so might be considered a "bargain" for 90s Jap machinery. But as far as I can tell their popularity hasn't changed, it's still the same folks interested in them as before.
I remember when the 300zx and GTO/3000GT were the complicated, over engineered and don't touch with a bargepole otherwise you'll be in for pain when they go wrong topics on the forums from yesteryear.
Prices are silly now but they were once proven to be able to handle the same kind of power as the popular Supras/GTRs of the time.
Prices are silly now but they were once proven to be able to handle the same kind of power as the popular Supras/GTRs of the time.
TotalControl said:
I remember when the 300zx and GTO/3000GT were the complicated, over engineered and don't touch with a bargepole otherwise you'll be in for pain when they go wrong topics on the forums from yesteryear.
Prices are silly now but they were once proven to be able to handle the same kind of power as the popular Supras/GTRs of the time.
Yeah that's right about when I had mine Prices are silly now but they were once proven to be able to handle the same kind of power as the popular Supras/GTRs of the time.
and they still certainly are all those things which makes it more surprising to see these kinds of asking prices. There was a decent running story on Jalopnik of a guy who bought one and went about fixing everything himself to make it reliable, it still cost a fortune in parts and took a long time due to needing to dismantle so much. If I were in the US I think I'd be much happier buying and running one given the support over there. In all honesty I'd probably just drop in an LS and be done with it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if mint examples can fetch 25 000+ pounds as these are still much more affordable than other modern JDM classics like the Supra and the GTR. It seems that there are some well maintained stock(or relatively stock) cars such as those and the majority are run into the ground and cheaply modded dogs advertised on Ebay for less then 10 000.
At the end of the day it is a complicated and bespoke GT car that is 34 years old, i dread to think about running even a well maintained GTR R35 in 15-20 years time.
The biggest issue for me would be finding a specialist to look after it. The parts can be ordered from USA and if you buy a good one prepare for 20 mpg and 2k for annual maintenance, but i would struggle to think of a better car for the money as it ticks so many boxes such as RWD, V6 TT, manual, targa, interior and exterior design, analogue driving experience and sense of occasion.
At the end of the day it is a complicated and bespoke GT car that is 34 years old, i dread to think about running even a well maintained GTR R35 in 15-20 years time.
The biggest issue for me would be finding a specialist to look after it. The parts can be ordered from USA and if you buy a good one prepare for 20 mpg and 2k for annual maintenance, but i would struggle to think of a better car for the money as it ticks so many boxes such as RWD, V6 TT, manual, targa, interior and exterior design, analogue driving experience and sense of occasion.
Edited by mainaman on Tuesday 6th June 19:40
I had one for over 9 years. As a second car I would have one again if the prices were much lower. It could do daily driver, long distances and although only slightly warmed up went really well. What is not to like. Externally it was virtually stock and I think an attractive looking vehicle.
But they are getting old and many have been somewhat butchered by the customisers - which rarely produces a better car. , Parts availability is pretty good from the USA and if you want something a little different and very capable - what else is there?
The Supras always commanded a premium in the past, but apart from the big spoiler had little else unless heavily worked on. Now all of these cars are thin on the ground due to corrosion and their technical issues. Yes they are expensive, but they do represent a real high water mark technically. Twin turbo, rear wheel steer, great aeros, targa, a/c, cruise. leather. At 15k they would be cheap.
But they are getting old and many have been somewhat butchered by the customisers - which rarely produces a better car. , Parts availability is pretty good from the USA and if you want something a little different and very capable - what else is there?
The Supras always commanded a premium in the past, but apart from the big spoiler had little else unless heavily worked on. Now all of these cars are thin on the ground due to corrosion and their technical issues. Yes they are expensive, but they do represent a real high water mark technically. Twin turbo, rear wheel steer, great aeros, targa, a/c, cruise. leather. At 15k they would be cheap.
Pete54 said:
I had one for over 9 years. As a second car I would have one again if the prices were much lower. It could do daily driver, long distances and although only slightly warmed up went really well. What is not to like. Externally it was virtually stock and I think an attractive looking vehicle.
But they are getting old and many have been somewhat butchered by the customisers - which rarely produces a better car. , Parts availability is pretty good from the USA and if you want something a little different and very capable - what else is there?
The Supras always commanded a premium in the past, but apart from the big spoiler had little else unless heavily worked on. Now all of these cars are thin on the ground due to corrosion and their technical issues. Yes they are expensive, but they do represent a real high water mark technically. Twin turbo, rear wheel steer, great aeros, targa, a/c, cruise. leather. At 15k they would be cheap.
I'd agree with all of that,I've had loads of cars over the years and the Zed was one of the most memorable, mine was a grey import to NZ 1998/99. Low mileage (40K Km) completely original felt and drove like a new car.In SWB form they are a thing of beauty IMO,proportions and stance just right. I had a large sportsbike pull up alongside me on the Auckland motorway and gesticulate 'What the hell have you got under the bonnet' !! I see really good examples being worth £25K as they are the complete package, but find one ! Apologies for the old tech photo. But they are getting old and many have been somewhat butchered by the customisers - which rarely produces a better car. , Parts availability is pretty good from the USA and if you want something a little different and very capable - what else is there?
The Supras always commanded a premium in the past, but apart from the big spoiler had little else unless heavily worked on. Now all of these cars are thin on the ground due to corrosion and their technical issues. Yes they are expensive, but they do represent a real high water mark technically. Twin turbo, rear wheel steer, great aeros, targa, a/c, cruise. leather. At 15k they would be cheap.
Edited by Waynker Renee on Sunday 9th July 22:56
Worth 1/2 an hour of your time, apologies if you've already seen it.
https://youtu.be/VRzgp_XFkDs
I want one again now
https://youtu.be/VRzgp_XFkDs
I want one again now
Waynker Renee said:
Worth 1/2 an hour of your time, apologies if you've already seen it.
https://youtu.be/VRzgp_XFkDs
I want one again now
Oh I have not, thanks for sharing! Will watch that later.https://youtu.be/VRzgp_XFkDs
I want one again now
You've just reminded me that I still have a copy of the book "300ZX An Enthusiasts Companion" somewhere. Brand new as well. Just seen what the used ones are going for on Ebay, not sure I want to actually read it now
It was about 6-7 years back I wanted one so badly...looked at a few and they were utter rust heaps, and yes can remember the engine bay being packed tight on the TT I considered the NA just for ease of maintenance.
I actually ended up chancing on a Celica GT4 ST205 and in comparison it was cheaper and utterly mint and bought that instead. What a brilliant car it was for £5k at the time.
I dont think I could land 25k on a 300zx now though, I think it would have to be one of those 'its always been my dream' cars to pay north of that.
I actually ended up chancing on a Celica GT4 ST205 and in comparison it was cheaper and utterly mint and bought that instead. What a brilliant car it was for £5k at the time.
I dont think I could land 25k on a 300zx now though, I think it would have to be one of those 'its always been my dream' cars to pay north of that.
Hammer67 said:
My old bus. Lovely thing it was too.
Jap import manual non turbo base spec without any of the spendy stuff fitted.
Was a largely trouble free 9 years and 30 odd k miles, sold it 5 years ago right at the wrong time for peanuts.
C5_Steve said:
Hammer67 said:
Lovely, also almost exactly the same as D_Gs for sale I see as well (incase you wanted another :rofl)Up for 3 times what mine went for, but then I only paid 3k for it in 2009 with 55k on the clock.
Would make a good stablemate for my 350. Must resist...
I'm a bit fanatical about JDM stuff, if it wasn't for another itch I had that came up I'd be using it still and wouldn't be for sale. I'd do a deal for a fellow enthusiast 
Hammer67 said:
Indeed, apart from the autobox and slightly different cloth, identical.
Up for 3 times what mine went for, but then I only paid 3k for it in 2009 with 55k on the clock.
Would make a good stablemate for my 350. Must resist...
Haha, my GF has a 350 and I'll be honest I think to live with it's a far better car overall and probably much better in terms of performance if compared with the NA 300. It's not as much of an "event" as the TT 300s but then it also doesn't require taking it all apart every time something is playing up. Up for 3 times what mine went for, but then I only paid 3k for it in 2009 with 55k on the clock.
Would make a good stablemate for my 350. Must resist...
Not nearly as pretty though, they've aged very well IMO.
TotalControl said:
I remember when the 300zx and GTO/3000GT were the complicated, over engineered and don't touch with a bargepole otherwise you'll be in for pain when they go wrong topics on the forums from yesteryear.
Prices are silly now but they were once proven to be able to handle the same kind of power as the popular Supras/GTRs of the time.
Keep in mind how cheap these cars were, yes they were complex and expensive to maintain for a £2000 car. I always I wanted these cars when I was younger but couldn't insure them.Prices are silly now but they were once proven to be able to handle the same kind of power as the popular Supras/GTRs of the time.
broadspeed1 said:
Keep in mind how cheap these cars were, yes they were complex and expensive to maintain for a £2000 car. I always I wanted these cars when I was younger but couldn't insure them.
Yeah a lot of them ended up being broken due to people not seeing the value in repairing them, which I can understand then drives the price of a good one up. If I were to go for one I think I'd be importing one at this stage, get a 99 Spec one straight over to avoid any issues with rot. Given the UK prices it's going to be about the same as the best ones over here but you'll probably end up with something in better condition for the long term.
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff