Z32 300ZX: The Classic JDM Alternative to the New Nissan Z

by Anthony Capretto

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• The 300ZX: An Elegant Weapon For A More Civilized Age
• Design Ahead Of Its Time
• Yesterday’s Performance Hero Meets Today’s Nissan Z
• What Is The Z32 300ZX Worth Today?
  • Naturally Aspirated Models
  • Twin Turbo Models

The Nissan Z is a culmination of decades of sports car development for Nissan, and it was well worth the wait. Packing a twin-turbo V6 under the hood, gorgeous heritage looks, and your choice of manual or automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels, it's the perfect example of a dying breed of sports car that may not be around much longer.

Nissan

However, the barrier to entry is high — $42,970 for 2026 — meaning many enthusiasts are forced to watch longingly from afar.

We love talking about alternatives on this website, because who doesn't love saving tens of thousands of dollars on a new vehicle purchase? In the case of the Z, the perfect alternative actually came out nearly 40 years ago, a vehicle that shares most of the same characteristics and comparable performance for much less. We're talking about the famed Z32 300ZX, a sports car ahead of its time and aging like fine wine, but will its age scare you away? Or will one of the greatest cars of the golden age of Japanese performance pull you in?

The 300ZX: An Elegant Weapon For A More Civilized Age

Nissan

With the introduction of the second-generation 300ZX (Fairlady Z in other parts of the world) in 1989, Nissan was undoubtedly throwing down the performance gauntlet. It marked a complete reinvention of one of the best-selling sports cars in the world, with a wholly modern design, advanced engineering, and performance that made it one of the most capable cars of its time.

Nissan

This was because "fun to drive" was at the forefront of the designer's and engineer's minds from the very beginning. Compared to the Z31, it had 35% better bending rigidity and 20% better torsional rigidity. Thanks to its lower and wider silhouette, it offered a lower center of gravity and a more planted feel with the wheels pushed to the corners.

Nissan

It featured a double wishbone front and rear, coil-sprung suspension system with thicker anti-roll bars, and, despite what we know about them today, an excellent electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion steering setup that delivered a surprising amount of feedback.

The engine at the heart of the car is the now-famous VG30DE, which delivered smooth, effortless power in either naturally aspirated or twin-turbo form thanks to its DOHC design and new variable-valve timing technology.

Base models produced a respectable 222 horsepower in 1990, pairing with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto which sent all of that power to the rear wheels through a viscous limited-slip differential. However, the sought-after twin-turbo version boosted power to a whopping 300 horsepower, and increased torque by nearly 90 lb-ft, as well. These models also sent their power to the rear wheels, but this time there was a new HICAS 4-wheel steering option that improved cornering, along with a two-setting adjustable suspension which gave the car a more compliant or sporty ride, depending on your desire.

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The base model is great, but the twin-turbo version was the one that took the world by storm. It could out-pull the Chevrolet Corvette, and it would hang with models like the 3000GT VR-4 and Supra Twin-Turbo everywhere else. It was a force to be reckoned with, and reviewers were enthralled, as you can see from an excerpt from this 1991 head-to-head Car & Driver article...

"Running full bore, the Z felt supremely composed and responsive. The steering was superb, allowing surgically precise turns and transmitting plenty of information from the front tires. The chassis followed inputs from the helm without a ruffle. The drivetrain never stuttered.... Indeed, to find another sports coupe with as fine a brew of civility and speed, you'd have to move all the way up to the $62,000 Acura NSX."

– Arthur Antoine, Car & Driver

Its performance was a monumental step forward compared to the previous Z, but that wasn't the only appeal. The car's looks, fit, and finish were all superb for the time, offering a wonderfully well-built and analog driving experience after the electronic interior experimentation of the 1980s.

Read the full article on CarBuzz This article originally appeared on

This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.