Driving Impressions: Off-the-line Acceleration is excellent. Compared to cars like the Mustang GT and Camaro Z28, the 300ZX feels much quicker than said cars when the throttle is provoked. Mated with the 5-speed gearbox, the twin turbo 300ZX can easily chirp the tires through 2nd gear, and does so without making the driver feel like he or she is going to lose control. I'm guessing 0-60 times are easily in the 5 second range: not bad for a car made back in 1990. The 300ZX isn't just fast off-the-line, its generous power is also notable at speed. Steep inclines on the highway can be accomplished in any gear and passing maneuvers can be accomplished with a simple stab of the throttle.
Handling is equally as impressive and ranks as some of the best for this class and time period. The 300 ZX's responsive steering, its strong brakes, and its grippy performance tires all make for a true drivers car.
Cruising is excellent. Despite being a sports car, the ride is not too jarring yet it's not overly soft, either. This being said, the 300ZX offers a compliant ride that isn't fatiguing on long road trips. Roagrain, wind, and engine noises are also isolated from the cabin: same thing can't be said about the '90 Mustang GT or even the Mitsubishi VR4.
About the engine: Unlike many sports cars of this time period, Nissan gave us a look into the future with the 300ZX's technologically advanced motor. There's not just four overhead cams and 24 valves, but also
variable valve timing. That's right, Honda wasn't the first company to come out with VVT. The 3.0 also featured direct ignition with separate coil for each spark plug. Two hybrid Garrett T2/T25 turbochargers are used (for twin turbo models), one for each bank of cylinders.
Interior Accommodation: The
interior of the 1990 Nissan 300ZX is simply awesome! Supportive black leather seats offering plenty of bolstering, a 'super cool' leather wrapped steering wheel, power everything, etc. The cockpit is so refined you could not tell the difference from the interior of this early '90s sports car to the interior of a sports car for 2002, perhaps the 1990 300ZX's interior looks even more modern compared to many of these 2002-2003 models. One thing I adore about the 300ZX is the quality of the materials used throughout the cabin. While cars like the Mustang/Camaro were using cheap plastics for this year, the 300ZX's interior was all about quality.
Exterior Innovation: The
exterior is very good looking. Very handsome, sleek and sporty at any angle. The 300ZX for 1990 had to be one of the best looking cars on the road under 50K. Even for the 2002 model year the 1990 300ZX looks relatively fresh, not giving other drivers a hint to how old the design is.
Pricing: While once affordable by a select few, the '90 300ZX is certainly affordable for anyone today. A 300ZX can be had for less than $10,000 in some cases! Even if you can grab a non turbo model it's worth it. These cars are sure to be future to be classics, if not already.
Looking for a newer Z car? Check out
my review on the 2003 350Z - Happy Car shopping
Amount Paid (US$): 10,000
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1990
Model and Options: TT 5 speed
