I remain somewhat amazed at how many of these Z31-chassis 300ZXs still show up for sale, many in preserved condition like this example with just over 88,000 miles. The 300ZX has been an enthusiast favorite for years, with many of them being modified (poorly) by young drivers as prices continued to drop. However, the Z31 may have been too much of a grand tourer to find much favor with the Fast and the Furious crowd, which is why stock examples like this one here on eBay continue to survive at a high rate.
The color combination on display here is far from desirable, with champagne paint over a mildly contrasting tan interior. The good news is the cloth cabin remains in excellent condition, with thick bolsters in showing no major signs of wear and the desirable manual transmission planted between the bucket seats. The seller notes the only real defect is a non-functioning OEM cassette deck.
Although sporting in design, these were far from the early days of the Z car, and as such, never achieved the same legendary status as the original Fairlady. That said, the highly limited production Shiro Special is a desirable specimen today and turbocharged editions of the 3.0L V6 found in this car offered strong performance. The seller is asking $6,999 for this naturally-aspirated example or best offer.
Speaking of turbocharged Z31s, we have one of those as a solid parts car or restoration candidate in the large Georgia collection listed here on Barn Finds as an Exclusive. We also have an assortment of older Z cars, including a batch of 240 and 260Zs, also up for grabs – you can check out that listing here. Will the Z31 ever appreciate to the point that people are willing to pay over $10K for one? Right now, it’s just the Shiro Specials and time capsules that grab those prices, so this one seems fairly priced at the moment.
These were bought by 40-something accountants with bad combovers in full-on mid-life crisis mode. They were weekend cars because Bernie Beancounter couldn’t drive anything so flashy to the office.
Lots of people make fun of the Z31, Until they own one. Then they realize what great cars these are.
The Z31 doesn’t excel in any one particular area, but it does a lot of things really well.
These cars are so simple to work on, and parts are plentiful since they made over 270,00 of these. Parts are and cheap too since they used the VG30 engine for many years.
I’ve owned 6 of these over the last 22 years and always plan on having at least one. They are really good cars and a ton of fun to own. You should check one out sometime – it’ll surprise you.
My mother’s friend at work has a red one with black seats he won in a contest back in the day. I think it’s got at least 140k on it. I told him I’d take it off his hands when he wants to get rid of it. FoMoCo from Model A’s to Pintos is usually my thing, but I’d be glad to have it.
Had an 84 that was a blast to drive, every bit as fun as my 86 vette
Had an 88 2+2 when my kids were young, closest I could get to a sports car at that stage of my life. Drove the wheels off it and my girls loved riding in it. Sold in 03 for a mere $2500 to an employee when I bought my 350 and missed it ever since but it had 167,000 miles on it and a slipping AT. Was in perfect condition other than that, should have done s MT swap and kept it.