The Puzzle Of The Z32.. Why Doesn't The Nissan 300ZX Get More Love?

[@ralfhtg1056]

This is by far the most beautiful car Nissan has ever built! About the price: in 1995 this car cost 100000 DM in Germany, which was really expensive.

[@Krezo200]

Wow, danke für die Info. Wusste nicht, dass die so teuer waren.

[@ralfhtg1056]

@@Krezo200 Ich mußte auch Google fragen.

[@johnshortt8104]

Couple of points. The Super HICAS rear steering was used to stabilise the car under cornering to balance out understeer and oversteer. Its the same rear axle as the R32 GTRs. The rear wheels only rotate a degree or two, so doesn't reduce turning circle. They are known for being quite complex to work on (have driven quite a few and owned two of them), and that is true. Very little space in the engine bay, and have a very complex induction system prone to vacuum system leaks, causing rough running. They came in several different body types, the 2+2 LWB (per the one tested here) a 2 seater SWB, with and without the T-top and SWB full convertible. In addition they also came with a normally aspirated engine as well as the twin Turbo (depending on the spec) but were never sold in the UK. The UK market models had a number of other changes over the Japanese or US market models. I drove the 300GT, the Supra, the RX-7 and the 300ZX extensively and I have to say the best was the RX-7 (but very fragile). The 300GT was a cruiser, four wheel drive and very heavy. Between the 300ZX and the Supra I preferred the 300ZX (just). Massively under-rated car overall.

[@simonacuthbert1]

From a time when Japan waived the rules and created so many fabulously stunning, world beating automotive icons.

[@nico5179]

Interior boring cause grey and black? These are the same idiots praising German cars that have the most boring interior ever with just everything plain black. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@andrewduffield2322]

I agree completely. I don't get why 90s Japanese cars have such a bad rep for their interiors when they're far more pleasant than all the modern German nonsense

[@a.m.9357]

Because those so called journalists are racists and they suffer from this disease called superiority complex. A Japanese car 20 times better will always be picked on fire all sorts of things, while a leaky, unreliable German one will be presented as a gift to the mankind. They get so overexcited about an Aston or Jaguar as if they are about to collapse! This Nissan is a beautiful car inside and out. Very futuristic too.

[@hello.gumption]

I think VG30 is an underrated engine. Many Nissan engines of that era were probably the best. The vg30dett, rb26/25, CA18 ... all iron block aluminum head design, square / oversquare, liked boost. And that soft chassis feel / turn in could be corrected with the boat load of aftermarket support for not much money. Z32 was a great car and worth the money as a modern classic.

[@johnparker8270]

Probably one of my favourite Nissan’s ever made❤️

[@gregorizi]

Silvia or 200 and 32 gtr..

[@johnparker8270]

@@gregorizi 200 sx was a fantastic car too✊🏻

[@canucklehead0]

I loved these when they came out! Much quicker than they felt but I couldn't give you any 0-60 times or top speed quotes, what I do remember is that compared to my 2nd gen Supra it was infinitely more comfortable, as well as stable feeling. It was an instant confidence builder of a car and even with 300hp and the stock exhaust it sounded the business! Great review Jack, thanks as always for your efforts, and for the gentleman who lent you this car!! How goes the Pantera?!?

[@Wargasm54]

The best looking Nissan Z car ever made. Just stunning. Even 30+ years on. If they were to start building these again with minor changes and modern upgrades, it would still sell. A car ahead of its time. Oh, and this was not a competitor to Ferrari. Porsche 944 maybe, Mazda RX 7, Mitsubishi 3000gt, Mustang and Camaro here in the States.

[@a.m.9357]

Totally agree

[@robinkirke1702]

i have always had a soft spot for these. Nice review. Thanks.

[@kevmagill5163]

I had the non-turbo 300ZX from 1992. It really was one of my favorite cars, so much so, that I ended up buying the 350z track version when that came out. I would love to purchase these cars again, for sentimental reasons, but it's nearly impossible to find one that hasn't been modified and ruined. At least here in the States. Great video, Jack. Thanks for always getting the interesting cars. ✌️

[@xav500011]

Twenty years ago I had a 300 ZX TT 2 seater imported from Japan. Only cost £5000. It had custom suspension springs. Had a firm ride but because it was Japanese quality the feel was tight and not a rattling box of parts. Acceleration was amazing. Deaccelerating with standard brakes was not great. I had Falken 451 tyres fitted which made a huge difference to handling which was never wobbly. I loved every minute I owned it. A wonderful cruiser. Up until the moment one of the turbos blew. I have not driven a lot of cars but my 300 ZX TT was a fair lady. Which was its name in Japan.

[@AledPritchard]

“ZED’s dead baby!” Hahaha very good reference there Jack, and a great video, as per.

[@jebediahgentry7029]

"It's not a motorcycle baby, it's a chopper"

[@bunkaaa8726]

@@jebediahgentry7029 Who's chopper is this?

[@Number27]

😆😆😆 glad you enjoyed the reference dude!

[@shinnyspace]

For me ZX is nissan's bmw 850, rear end still look futuristic

[@repairitdontreplaceit]

couldnt agree more :)

[@RS-vu3df]

6.00 I suppose you feel the start and built-up of the boost, the engine does not have sequential, but has a parallel turbo set up.

[@mambastu]

Yes. Jack needs more turbo experience. Boost starting to build at 2ish. Full boost at 4.😂

[@pbe6965]

Just what I came here to say. From what I heard, the 4ws is not very reliable either, but it's hard to say since almost everyone just delete it even before it has a chance to fail.

[@johnmcgovern6044]

Remember when these were introduced being driven around Millbrook bowl at indicated 165mph sitting in the back. Quite an experience.

[@lalatv900]

I own a 1990 300zxtt black/black leather interior 2-seater. This car is fun to drive without going to extremes. Quite comfortable and gets more thumbs up recently. people are starting to recognize how unique this car is. bonus is how reliable it has been considering it will soon be 35years old. i am glad you like it

[@loveisall5520]

I never owned one, but a friend did back in the day. We took a road trip across most of the US in his new car and it was superb. Again, compared to the little countries in Europe, the US and Canada cry out for cars that can do a thousand miles per day if desired without breaking down, overheating, etc. This filled that bill and was very, very comfortable for long distances.

[@wiehangrobbelaar7605]

Is the back seats usable for people or children to sit in?

[@johndoeit139]

You did quickly become my favorite UK car reviewer. Stick to the facts, very knowledgeable, no boastful, no "everything European is better". Bravo!!

[@Gee_Jay]

The interior "Sea of Black and Grey" is of course one of the ways that this DAILY USABLE, 300 Horse-POWER Sports-car - Managed to be SO Affordable and SO Pracrical !

[@jonford6119]

Never in a million years was the 300ZX a wannabe Ferrari. Its competitors were the Supra, GTO and so on. Great car and it's never been pretending to be something it's not.

[@lebojay]

I always thought 944/968 and RX-7 were its most obvious competitors. I had a 968 and loved it, but I bet this Z is just as nice to drive and own.

[@RS-vu3df]

Yes, you are right ; nor in styling nor in any other marketing attempt, Ferrari was a target.

[@justaddafan]

Interesting to see a Turbo in 2+2 configuration. The turbo was only available in the US as a strict 2 seater. The 2+2 was actually a stretched chassis, having a longer wheelbase than the 2 seater. The car was a twin turbo, but they are both the same turbo size, attached to one bank of cylinders each. So it's not a sequential system with a smaller and larger turbo like that of the contemporary Rx-7 or Supra. Both turbos should come on at the same time.

[@pbe6965]

I thought it was the opposite ? I only ever saw 2 seaters as non turbo versions (unless they were swaped), and all came from the US. And 2+2 came as both, at least in Europe (but we never got the 2 seater version here). The holy grail being a US 2 seater swaped with a turbo engine/GB, iirc it's around 100kg lighter.

[@justaddafan]

@@pbe6965 Nope, in the US the turbos were only 2 seaters. Check out the US magazines.

[@dappergent9422]

One of the best features I love about this era of car is the swooping dash. Just look at how that centre consol comes down toward the gear gaiter. If you look at the Honda NSX the same design concept. Beautiful.

[@exoticarauto]

I remember seeing an ice blue 300 the first time I seen this model in 90. I just remember thinking how futuristic it looked and it was gorgeous! Then a buddy got one in period and I got to ride around in it. It got allot of attention that’s for sure. Then the Twin turbo came out and another buddy got a pearl white TT with gold BBS wheels and that would shut down the parking lot car meets every time! Love em!

[@juanmillaruelo7647]

Excellent solid engineering

[@paulelverstone8677]

This was never a 348 competitor. The Honda NSX - sure - but never this. Never ever. I don't even see this as a copycat. This was a Mitsi 3000GT/Supra/RX7 or 8 competitor. Porsche 944 if you want. But why Ferrari? I don't get it...

[@leccybadger]

It's a Jack thing....😂😂😂

[@markotrieste]

Agree, the 348 was a completely different beast.

[@4272005]

Probably in terms of reliability

[@davekennedy6315]

Agreed! This wouldn't even have considered Ferrari as competition?

[@alexanderstephenson3957]

I applaud Nissan for matching Ferrari performance for far cheaper than a Ferrari. The fact that you get a touring-like drive with the given performance had to have been amazing for the time.

[@estern001]

When I bought my 1998 Nissan 240SX off the showroom floor, there was a 300ZX. The ZX had a $34,000 MSRP. My 240 had a $24,000 MSRP. $24,000 I could not afford. It was on sale for $17,998. Nissan did a great job with the cloth interiors. I wish mfg's brought back the good cloth.

[@markallen2984]

The 240, 260 & 280 were all good models: in fact, they were only slight variations of the original 240z It was actually the 280zX (and later models) which became a boulevard cruiser or a "Japanese Buick"

[@williamejzak6363]

A buddy of mine in law school had a 300zx in '90 or '91 -- also red. I thought then and still think it is a totally awesome car! The seating was so low. A gorgeous shape. Power was amazing. I'm surprised #27 said the ride was soft. What I most remember about the car is that it had an almost rock hard suspension; I still remember thinking it rode like a buckboard. Thanks for the review!

[@jddarnes1131]

I used to detail grey imports in the mid 1990’s for a dealer in Cheshire. I always loved this car. Quality

[@teebird94]

The 300Z is the only Japanese car i've ever driven.Had taken my Thunderbird in for some engine and exhaust upgrades and needed a temp car to use whilst it was being worked on.As the shop was attached to a used car lot i had my choice of used cars to drive,i chose the 300Z they had on the lot.I'm 6'3" so it was snug but not too bad,but it was a brilliant car and i'm glad i had a chance with it.

[@chriscooks9850]

I borrowed my mates 300ZX for a couple of months about 10 years ago. What a machine. Super reliable, great performance, comfortable enough and an all round good car.

[@gsigs]

You woulldn't know this (well, maybe) but the 300 Z was the subject of the greatest car commercial ever made. It featured a toy 300 Z being driven by a Ken-like doll racing around a house and stealing Barbie from Ken, all to the sound of Van Halen's cover of You Really Got Me. Personally I had a Plymouth Laser Turbo (same as the Mitsubishi Eclipse), as the Z was a bit pricey for me. That was a really good car.

[@TheDreadnoughtgames]

This is nothing like a 348, it has much more in common with other front engine GT’s like the XJS, Porsche 928 or Supra…

[@pbe6965]

yep, the 200sx were already not very sporty (in stock configuration), the 300zx is even worse in that regard but that was never the intent. Great car for long distances, but even modified with around 350~400bhp it didn't felt that quick, at least not what you'd expect.

[@twowheelsoneleg5672]

I think it's aged quite well. I had one for a week as a loan car back in 1996 when my TVR was in the garage for a while. I remember it felt a little heavy and not as quick as the TVR but very stable esp at speed. Quite fancy one now

[@Wisdom_Above]

It couldn't really stand out among a half dozen of competitively priced / designed JDM Sports cars at the time. There was the gadget wizardry GTO, R32 Skyline and featherweight FD RX7 in the ranks all competing for the same market.

[@AngelDlamini-g3k]

My dream car when growing up 300zx

[@markvaughan1453]

Never seen sheep walking and running backwards before! 11:48

[@SicSemperBeats]

lmao yea i saw that too

[@Mexxx65]

import aussie sheep no doubt....

[@sambobrooklyn316]

Just noticed this too 😂

[@matticulas]

That's just the 300zx making everything else looks like it's going backwards 😂

[@willo300]

Had a UK 1994 TT from 1998 to 2009. I was devastated when I got rid of it - it's responsible for the "300" in my username! It may feel slow now, but it was rapid back in it's day, 5.6 seconds for 0-60. They are susceptible to boost leaks, which may be why it's down on power. You mentioned about the second turbo coming in. They are parallel turbos - one per bank, so they spool-up together, unlike the Supra which had sequential turbos. Prices seem to have gone up, I wish I'd kept mine!

[@katemc.intyresmith9373]

I was passenger in a sub £1000 dog of a 300 (auto)- owner bought it with a seized engine, found a replacement.. changed T gaskets and dropped it in with a scaffolding pole and a bit of back ache… (we were 20 and very stupid) span out on M20 at well beyond 6points pace- thankfully was 3am on weekend or could have been much worse- clipped central reservation and came to rest on verge without rolling. I never drove it but it was certainly the quickest sub 2k OTR thing I’ve ever been in.

[@theapplepaul]

Wonderful cars. Test drove the 300Z, not the more powerful ZX and the hi-cas steering was a different experience. At the time, very lust worthy. Pricey in today's dollars. Gorgeous and fresh design. These were gong for only $10K for a good example just a few years back,, no doubt twice that now at least.

[@davebarron5939]

In my opinion, this car was excellent in the looks department, wouldn't change a thing and I agree with you on the interior as well, AND T-Tops! it works.

[@eric-wb7gj]

Thanks Jack🙏🙏 , got some room in there to! It just had too many competitors at the time, without having the extra performance that would make it truly stand out.

[@AngelDlamini-g3k]

A legend on it's own making,still a sexy sports car

[@leeroysilk]

Around 10 years ago I had both the ZX300 and GTO which were 1990/91 models and both naturally aspirated. I put them both up forsale and whichever one I was left with would be the one that I kept. The ZX romped away leaving me with the Mitsubishi. Kept that car for a few years before moving it on as it was getting ready for front and rear main crank oil seals, plus it was terribly thirsty. But a great fun car to drive and always got plenty of looks. Not particularly quick compared to modern cars, but definitely had some fun factor. It was also AWD with 4 wheel steer and an auto. Even today both cars don't look old fashioned, they have stood the test of time really well which is a testament to their design teams.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Thanks for this video! Great assessment of one of the best looking cars of the 1990s. My metal work teacher made a 700 bhp turbocharged space frame dirt speedway racer 300ZX.

[@andybowie8590]

Yet another car I owned when they were worth next to nothing, think I paid 3 grand for mine, an h reg in black. You were saying the 2nd turbo comes in at 4000 rpm but they weren't sequential turbos, it was 2 the same, one for each bank of the v6. Love the look of them and easy to bump the boost up a bit and make it a pretty quick car.

[@aorols1289]

Ive owned 3 300 zeds. I think they can best be described as superb GT cruisers. Ive had non and twin turbos. Had mine built to 550bhp to take on AMG55s and CL500s and often won on impromptu street drag races. Huge smile on my face always. Supremely comfortable. Gave up ownership as fewer and fewer mechanics had the technical know how to look after them properly. Mine was near Wales and i lived in London!!! It got too inconvenient for me and i abandoned it. If i knew someone who was really knowledgeable near me, Id rush out and buy one again

[@TJSTR]

Always loved these and crossed my mind to get one a few times. At first I really couldn’t have afforded to run one, even if I could have bought one. By the time I could afford one I figured they were probably too old and I went for something else….including an HR engined 350Z. The wheel and exhaust mods on that one look great and it’s a really special thing. Great vid.

[@39PSIOnTheDaily]

Hey Jack! As someone who has owned a few of these as well as many other JDM classics, I feel qualified to say that despite their flaws, the Z32’s have stood up extremely well. They’re playful, easy to work on by modern standards, well made, and comfortable. What made them undesirable to most was the fact that the engines are apparently “difficult to work on.” By 1989 standards, they definitely were - compare a D-Series Honda Inline 4 with a VG30DETT and it’s night and day torture. But by today’s standards, they’re no harder to work on than a base BMW E90 N-Series engine. What made them bad was bad owners who repaired them with poor repairs, cheap parts (for what would be a £60,000 car in todays money) and a lack of technical understanding for how they were made and engineered. Overall, I rate the Z32 10/10 personally. Such a beautiful, underrated sports car.

[@timgosling6189]

Mazda were pretty well ahead of the game in offering the first car GPS in the Eunos in 1990. At that time the constellation to give 24-hour, global coverage wasn't complete and most of the satellites were the prototype Block Is. Despite the earlier Italian silliness, Ferrari's quoted outputs were pretty accurate from the mid-'80s, ie 308QV on. The 348 was rated at 300PS for most of its life and it was only in the last year or so of production with the Serie Speciale and GTB/GTS models that power went up to 320PS. They were all good for these numbers. The ZX headlights weren't exactly cutting edge in terms of tech, only in the narrower apperture they peered through. Homofocal quartz halogens had been offered by several manufacturers since the mid-'80s. They were good though, and not bettered until Xenons became widespread later in the '90s.

[@AVM-Music]

I remember test driving the original 300ZX back when I owned a E32 730ise….i was really disappointed when the Zed felt slower and less agile than my straight six barge

[@cafeandfighters]

The number was the displacement. 240=2.4L, 2.6, 2.8, 300=3.0L. So the new 300 was still a 300. With the 300 the inline 6 became a v6. The early model performance reduction was emission related, hence the displacement increase to offset power loss.

[@71ala]

On the subject of 348 performance figures: I have several instrumented test results showing around 5.6s from 0-62mph, and 20s to 125mph. I also have a dyno test result from a late car (the 320 BHP version: early cars has 295). It delivered around 325 BHP. So, no cheating there Jack! 😂

[@71ala]

I can answer with my experience as a ‘90s kid. When I was at uni, one of the professors had a black 300ZX Turbo, another one had a Maserati 4.24V saloon. We can argue that the ZX was better in every way, but every time the Maserati V6 roared to life, everyone turned their head and looked at the plush white leather and walnut interior and that trident grille. The Maser screamed Italian old school emotions, the ZX was just a soulless speed machine.

[@joebeus6886]

Similarities with: Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona plexiglass - The front Bugatti EB110 GT - The front/lights Lamborghini Diablo - The front lights Ferrari F80 - The front/lights, 3000cc V6 Twin Turbo 😉

[@paultucker1272]

These are so, soooooo underrated! I had one 18-20 years ago. A Japanese grey import in fantastic condition......blue with blue leather. Mine also came with the fabric on the doors and lower dash. For me, the only downside was mine was an auto....the 4-speed really hampered the fun factor. For me, this was the best looking of the Japanese coupes (Mk4 Supra, Mitsubishi 3000 GT, Mazda RX7). I have a theory that because these didn't feature in the Fast and Furious franchise, they were soon deemed not as desirable, so the fell by the wayside. I can't recall seeing one on the road for years, although there was one quite close to where I live up on jackstands for almost a year, looking very sorry for itself before that disappeared too! Great to see one being reviewed though, thank you!

[@wallyr.7854]

As always, a truly great, entertaining, and informative video, thank you so much taking the time to do this good review. I particularly enjoyed this one, way back in the day I used to own a 1993 300 ZX, but mine was a bit of a unicorn. Why? It was a slick hardtop. Fun fact, long time ago, I spoke to a Nissan expert at a car show, who told me that on this particular model, 75% were made in the T-top configuration, 20% were made convertible and only 5% were made in the slick top hardtop coupe. I kick myself for selling that car. I wish I still had it.

[@giannislymperopoylos5574]

it got plenty of love from me...i loved this car through every magazine and photo...probably the most beautiful nissan....taking into consideration the auto industry capabilities and standards of that era....200 sx was the poor affordable little brother ..liked it also...but 300zx was legend..!!

[@davids1816]

I was a kid in high school when I saw a prototype at the car show. It was one of the best looking sports cars I'd ever seen and still is. I though the design of the interior was amazing too. The cars since have been much more affordable but not nearly as desirable.

[@ryanmccormick2150]

I've got to say I'm a Nissan fan! When Nissan was actually Nissan that is and not Renault! I've got an Elgrand for our family bus and that's a fantastic thing! Cracking stuff as always Jack buddy 👍

[@jgg02]

I remember being at the Nürburgring when Nissan had the GP circuit rented for testing the all new 300zx against the Porsche 944 turbo. I looked the part and sounded good, but when entering the pits though, the porsches looked unaffected from the hard laps but the Nissan cars had smoking brakes and no brake effect left. The discussion was that is was too heavy for the brakes it had.

[@drewsterwa]

If I could afford I would buy an NXS hands down. Beautiful, stylish, advanced and utterly stunning. I would want a series ! with 4 wheel steering, purely because I like flipup headlights!

[@celliott16]

The interior, the way the centre console rises up into the dash and flows around the passenger/driver and then down the door cards, that's pure NSX, not as well done or as high quality, but I like it 👍🏻

[@mawglobal]

To everyone saying this wasn't a 348 competitor... Yes you're correct, but motoring journalists were struck by it's styling at the time and I clearly remembered it being compared with "Italian exotica", so like it or not it was the comparison made back in the day 👍

[@danfernz3237]

The 300zx is what the Supra tried to be. An amazing vehicle. Car had highest top speed modded from home country, Twin turbos. The new GTR35 Skylines use this VG30 design just updated. This car started so much stuff in the car world that people fail to recognize.

[@stephenricketts7764]

I liked all the 200 Z series ( from memory the 280 Z was not sold in the UK) but not many people, if any, liked the previous 300, a bit of a 'dogs breakfast' and harsh I think. This car is much more pleasing to the eye and well put together. I like the interior in this car and I agree, all that cloth just shouts comfort whereas the grey leather option might be overwhelming? Great review Jack thank you once again. 👍👍

[@03056932]

I remember around a decade ago, perhaps a bit longer, dream shopping on auto trader and these were going from a couple of thousand pounds. They shot up in recent years. So many bargains around that time. Cheap monaros, cheap tvrs, vx220s etc. All shot up now

[@miamimo70]

I had the son of 300, the 200sx, had it for 19yrs, fab car, miss it

[@phillipevans9414]

Thank's for this one Jack. I personally always prefered these to their contemporaries, and particularly now, their GT car nature would make them a great usable modern classic...dream...one day. Cheers!

[@R-Tap]

Saw one of these a few weeks ago here in Dublin, I thought this was a rich guys 200sx back in period, which was cool. Manual's were rare enough if I remember.

[@SA-zoom1]

As the owner of a twin turbo Z I can assure you there is a big following in the UK. US and Australia

[@sergioleone3583]

I really liked these when they came out. SO much nicer looking than the first gen 300ZX, and I liked watching the silhouettes in IMSA GTO/GTS racing at the time as well.

[@honda4185]

He is missing one wheel nut. The centre dashboard and cluster dashboard looks Nsx. This car looks great and sounds great and i would say it's a darn good and fun car!

[@wads80z]

Reviewers can say the Z car got worse over time, but the sales figures say the complete opposite. The 280z and the first gen 300zx were the best selling of all - by a huge margin.

[@ajax700]

Japanese "sports cars" from this era were 99,9% tourers / GTs, not sport cars, even the NSX that had a lot of potential was very comfort oriented. Only Nissan GT-R were a sport cars and maybe some more that I forget, but they stayed in Japan, it was the time only Japan got the "best" special editions and else, like NSX-R, Nismo, Mugen, etc. RX7 was really a sport car, but sportier versions stayed in Japan, and it was not viewed as competition for Ferrari, Lotus or any other sport car. They had the strange rotary engine. Japan lacked exotic mid engine layout to really compete with kinda serious sports car in eyes of the buyers. NSX as I said, it was comfort oriented. Best wishes.

[@pbe6965]

There was the Pulsar Gti-R, but that's a whole different animal, and so rare.

[@lolatu4402]

I had a 2+2 NA. Still miss that car. They are so good. Hard to work on, immpossible not to get bloody knuckles in that tightly packed engine bay. But once you get them sorted they are quite reliable, and after 200k miles, still tight as a drum.

[@Apollodoros76]

Vado matto per le GT giapponesi degli anni Novanta! La 300ZX da bambino per me era un sogno, subito sotto la Mazda e la NSX. Che sta dell'oro per le auto!

[@markotango54]

That Cloth interior is Groovy, l love that Japanese Boulevard Bruiser

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

I had one of these for 15 years - hugely under rated and IMO, a better looking and more exclusive car that the other obvious car in Nissan's stable that always overshadows it. A more engaging and precise drive also than the GTO and supremely comfortable. I drove it all over Europe and it was super reliable. Ownership of this took me to Z events all over the US and Europe. I even met the designer at a Z Convention in Dallas, one Toshio Yamashita who gave a wonderful presentation on his styling of the car. Sadly many were ruined with the most horrendous bodykits which always made the cars look worse than their beautiful origins. People are starting to restore these now and there are some nice, but still hard to find examples out there. Mild boost upgrades really transforms the power and response. HICAS does not operate at parking speed, it just has a great turning circle for the type of car it is. Ian Callum actually used the proportions of the 300zx as the inspiration for the beautiful DB7, something I was surprised but please to see during his presentation at the last Aston Martin Heritage Festival.

[@ranger_who]

This generation the Z32 is a looker in its own right. Back then among competition in its league, the T-bar moon roof was one Nissan very own feature that was desirable to many.

[@dentman67]

Ive been in the auto industry since 1988. This was a real drivers car. Also nothing like an undependable Ferrari in any way.

[@lennyvalentinoSchiaretti_lvs]

I always loved it!!!! The golden age for the Japanese sport cars!!!

[@zzhughesd]

Intro on point. Like the snippet data. Now got to look at Zs

[@markotrieste]

My favorite was the Mitsubishi GT3000... Also, honorable mention for the Honda Prelude 4WS. Yes, I've always loved complexity, more is more for me.

[@claudiomarangone614]

Unfortunately, the GT 3000 is not a drivers car. Good cruiser

[@adrianbennett9322]

What a stunning looking car! Even the wheels look great to me.

[@BakerDeltaFour]

Ridley Scott made a great US ad for this. Wish they still made adverts and cars like they used to!

[@lawlerslaw9144]

It's too bad this featured a modified 2+2... it stretches out the car and doesn't look right. Wing trying to be Supra-ish. The stock coupe is one of the great clean designs of the 90s. And the stock wheels are timeless. I had a 1990 and it was as reliable as any car, equal to the NSX in its build quality. Great cockpit design too.

[@brynowen9922]

Nice! more comparable to the Porsche 968 than the 928

[@sergioleone3583]

Since the time when they were current, I felt (and still feel) that this car, the third gen RX-7, and the Acura NSX were SO much nicer looking than the Ferrari 348 (not a very high bar though...). Edit. And for sure, more attractive than the GT/front engine 928.

[@michaelj3282]

Loved these, this an d the Mitsubishi 3000GT (series 1), wonderful cars, used to drool at them in Kilburn where I lived at the time. Great video, thanks.

[@twoMidnight2Green4649]

Here in America the 300ZX is more loved than the 280ZX that preceded it. A lot of American enthusiasts claim it's Nissan's return to form from a cushy GT to a proper sports car. Z cars were always meant to appeal to Americans though.

[@CodewortSchinken]

I always like watching your reviews on japanese performance cars that barely anyone bought in europe. In terms of price this was more a competitor to the (at this point rather dated) 944 and the unsuccessfull 968 I think. Although I guess the 300ZX was the better performing car, considering it's a generation newer.

[@lebojay]

This car is better suited to North American roads. Over here we liked it a lot. It’s very collectible now, so much so that people import them from Japan even though the steering wheel is on the wrong side (for us). 🇨🇦

[@TassieLorenzo]

I'm surprised that Jack managed to get through the whole video without mentioning how the 300ZX Twin-Turbo lives in the shadow of the Nissan Skyline R32 and Skyline R32 GT-R! The Nissan Motorsport team in Australia were expecting the R32 GT-R to have a twin-turbo V6 engine like the 300ZX and were surprised when it still had an "old-fashioned" cast iron RB inline-six like the previous HR31 Skyline GTS-R they raced -- i.e., a long, heavy engine hanging out the front of the car, which they felt was detrimental to handling. It's always interesting to hear the debates between engine aficionados & mechanics who love smooth, elegant & easy to work on inline-sixes, versus car designers laying out sportscars and racecars who prefer compact V6 engines that package better!

[@ca9968]

This car and the Mitsubishi GT3000 are two cars that I still dream about owning...

[@ivar_the_engine_driver]

I loved it as a kid. Really can't figure out why this car isn't adored

[@TheBadBunny87]

One of my favorites as a kid. Seeing one was almost equal to seeing a Ferrari.

[@peterconnor4193]

Absolutely beautiful looking car imo

[@sailingspark9748]

I think much of the interior hate comes when compared to American Cars of the time. My parents had a pair of Mercurys, one a 1984 Marquis Brougham and a 1989 Grand Marquis. The 1984 model was a lovely burgundy color that was carried over into the interior. The Grand Marquis was a light shade of blue with a darker blue interior with some fake wood thrown in to break it up some. This could lead some journalists to criticise the Japanese cars for having monochrome Gray or Black interiors. Personally, I prefer an all black interior, including headlining.

[@nickyalousakis3851]

a time when nissan was quality. renault had a negative affect on quality but a positive effect on design. the once exception imo the GTR. to me the 300zx looks more similar to an alpine of the time. r

[@peterwalton1502]

Renault had nothing to do with Nissan at the time

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@peterwalton1502 Exactly! The complain was Nissan quality going down after the alliance, so after about 2001-2002. For instance, the 350Z and onwards uses the same plastic concentric clutch slave cylinder design as on Renaults. Why would you make a clutch slave cylinder out of plastic, I dunno. A concentric design so it can't be changed without removing the gearbox is not very good design either.

[@nickyalousakis3851]

@@peterwalton1502 -- you're right.... i mention at that time nissan was quality. nissan today is not at the level of honda or toyota today as they were pre 2000's.