There was a time when the used car lot of a new car dealer would hold all sorts of treasures. These days, it seems like those trade-in surprises are few and far between, but cars like this 1991 Nissan 300ZX show us that it’s still possible. The Z31 300SX is one of the prettiest cars that the automaker has ever designed, and even today, it’s a stunner. This 300ZX isn’t the top-of-the-line twin turbocharged model, but it’s the next best thing: a naturally-aspirated 5-speed manual in unmodified condition. Find it here on craigslist as a Subaru dealer in Oregon with an asking price of $15,995.
The Subaru dealer is in Gresham, Oregon, which is the perfect place to find a car like this. The Pacific Northwest is a goldmine for cars that the rest of the country sees as collector’s items, but everywhere else, it’s just a daily driver that remained with one owner for slightly longer than typical. The 300ZX in condition like this is also a anomaly because so many of these factory sports cars have been modified, poorly, regardless of whether it is a turbocharged or N/A car like this. The Aztec Red paint appears to be in excellent condition, and the same goes for the factory alloy wheels.
The interior was always a high point to me: simply, uncluttered, driver-focused. This is also a true two-seater model, as a 2+2 was an option. This car has the T-top roof panel as well. While it is beautiful and the VG30 V6 produced a respectable 222 horsepower and 198 lb.-ft. of torque, there was some drawbacks noted by Z car loyalists. For one, the engine wasn’t rev-happy; it was a bit more utilitarian in spirit, so the Z31 didn’t offer high-revving visceral thrills. It also was pre-OBDII so engine diagnostics weren’t super easy, and the stock suspension has long been derided as a low point.
But if you’re looking for an exceptionally clean, 90s sports car icon, none of that really matters. It will ride wonderfully, the engine will deliver acceleration entirely appropriate by modern standards, and a T-top roof in a bulletproof Japanese GT is the best of all worlds. They rarely come up for sale in a place like this, where you may have a chance at negotiating or trading in a late-model car you’ve grown bored with that the dealer can still make money on. I doubt this 300ZX will stick around long, and it may be fodder for a broker or consignor to grab it and flip it on an auction site. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the tip.
As always a great write up and equally great find. Had one of these back in the early 2000’s in white and kick myself for getting rid of it. One of the best automobiles I’d ever owned. Fun to drive; great performance; VERY reliable and it overall it just looked good. The market loves these cars and finding one unmolested is truly a rarity. I also had a convertible which was equally as impressive. If you are not going to “race” them then I never found the suspension issues that bad but to each his own. The interiors always reminded me of a finely tuned “corporate jet” – a little bit tight but not too bad for an averaged sized person. Maybe that’s why this wound up at the Subaru dealer as a trade in? Just getting harder and harder to get in/out of the car?