3rd gen Nissan Z 1984–1989 Z31

Overview

Engines

3.0L V6, 3.0L turbo V6

Came as

• Two-seat coupe
• 2+2 coupe

On record

2 warnings, 5 recalls

Sold as 300ZX

The story

Nissan launched the third Fairlady Z, the Z31, in Japan in September 1983, and the 300ZX came to the US the next month with Nissan's 1984 range, by which time the Datsun name was gone there. The Fairlady series had passed one million cars built in 1983. Nissan, a published reference

Kazumasu Takagi's team gave it a slipperier body and more power than the 280ZX. It swapped the inline-sixes of the earlier Z cars for Nissan's new compact VG V6, and its headlamps rose only part way out of the nose, a design Nissan called "Parallel Rising Headlamps". Nissan, a published reference

North America was its main market, and more than 70,000 were sold there in 1985 alone. Nissan marked its own 50th anniversary with a 1984 300ZX Turbo 50th Anniversary Edition, and the year the Z was America's best-selling sports car. Nissan, a published reference

Rare and special

• Shiro Special
• 50th Anniversary Edition
• Light Pewter and Thunder Black

Colors

• Light Pewter and Thunder Black Rare1984

Sources: A published reference

Rare colors and interiors

• Rare

  Light Pewter and Thunder Black Color

  50th Anniversary Edition only A published reference

Specs

Badges

• 300ZX Nissan, a published reference

Engines

• 3.0L V6 VG30E A published reference

  160 hp (1984–1987), 165 hp (1988–1989)

• 3.0L turbo V6 VG30ET Nissan, a published reference

  200 hp (1984–1987), 205 hp (1988–1989)

Transmissions

• 5-speed manual Nissan, a published reference
• 4-speed automatic Nissan, a published reference

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive A published reference

Body styles

• Two-seat coupe A published reference
• 2+2 coupe A published reference

Trims

• 300ZX A published reference
• 300ZX Turbo Nissan, a published reference

Packages

• 50th Anniversary Edition (1984) Nissan, a published reference
• Shiro Special (1988) A published reference

Figures

• Built: 329,900 from July 1983 to 1989, 294,516 of them for export A published reference
• Headlamps: Semi-retractable "Parallel Rising Headlamps" Nissan
• Suspension: MacPherson struts in front and semi-trailing arms at the rear, on the 280ZX's wheelbase A published reference
• Electronically adjustable shocks: Three-way, on Turbo models except the Shiro Special A published reference

Rare trims and options

• Rare

  Shiro Special Package

  Built from January to March 1988 A published reference

  1,002 built for the US A published reference

• Rare

  50th Anniversary Edition Package

  Built for Nissan's 50th anniversary, in 1984 only Nissan, a published reference

  5,148 built for the US Nissan, a published reference

Years and what changed

1. 1984

   The 300ZX arrives in the US, with T-tops on every car and a 50th Anniversary Edition Turbo for the year. Nissan, a published reference

2. 1985

   No change recorded

3. 1986

   Side skirts, flared fenders and body-colour trim arrive, the Turbo gets 16-inch wheels and loses its hood scoop, and a two-seater without T-tops joins as a cheaper way in. A published reference

4. 1987
   Refresh

   A final restyle brings smoother bumpers, fog lamps in the front air dam, headlamps with replaceable 9004 bulbs, full-width tail lights and an LED third brake light. The talking warning system is dropped. A published reference

5. 1988

   Power rises to 165 hp, and to 205 hp for the Turbo with a smaller T25 turbocharger. The Shiro Special arrives for the year. A published reference

6. 1989

   No change recorded

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Rust under the rear carpet and seats All years

  Check: Pull up the rear carpet and the foam tool tray, and look in the spare tyre well and under the seats.

  Three owners in two HybridZ threads name rust in the rear floor under the carpet, and two of them call floor rust a reason to pass. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Leaking quarter windows and tail lights All years

  Check: Look for water stains and damp carpet behind the seats and in the rear corners.

  Three owners in two HybridZ threads say the rear quarter windows and the tail lights leak, and two of them say the T-tops leak too. Owners' reports (unofficial)

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 1984–1989 Recall 95I006000

  Not a safety recall but a safety improvement campaign: the fuel injectors and their hoses, which could leak, are replaced. NHTSA

• 1984–1987 Recall 87V098000

  The car may accelerate unintentionally, for example when shifted out of Park. NHTSA

• 1984 Recall 85V021000

  Impure grease in the headlamp switch can foul its contacts, so the headlamps may come on late or not at all. NHTSA

• 1984 Recall 84V057000

  A clip in the brake master cylinder may not be fitted properly, so parts can come out and the brakes fail suddenly. NHTSA

• 1984 Recall 83V125000

  The hood's secondary latch may be out of line, so the latch may not hold the hood down. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

No source singles out a year, for good or bad.

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.