Z31 Buyers Guide

Points to Remember When Buying a 300ZX

Buying a car can be stressful, especially when you're dealing with classic or performance vehicles like the 300ZX. In addition to general inspection steps—like checking for rust, signs of damage, or maintenance history—there are Z-specific red flags to watch for. Here's what to look out for:

1. Verify the production year via the VIN's 10th digit. Sellers often misrepresent model years.
2. Inspect the car when cold. Warm engines can mask startup problems or battery issues.
3. Check the front frame rails for damage or bends. Have alignment verified by a professional.
4. Ensure timing belt replacement history is clear. If unsure—replace it.
5. Inspect for signs of injector repairs or engine fires (melted insulation, colored tape on injector harness = good).
6. Check for mismatched glass—it can indicate accidents, theft, or vandalism.
7. Use a brushless car wash during the test drive to detect water leaks at T-tops, windows, or seals.
8. Rust spots? Common locations: spare tire well, above the muffler, base of the firewall, and rear cross member mount. If you see rust there, walk away.
   
9. While test driving, brake hard and swerve slightly. Shimmy? Could be rotors, joints, or suspension.
10. Check rear tire wear—heavy inside wear means excessive camber. It’ll burn through tires quickly.
11. Turbo performance matters—if you're serious, avoid NA unless you're ready for a full swap.
12. Look inside the oil cap and under the rocker cover. Dirty oil = service needed. Generic filters = red flag.
13. Check engine, trans, and diff mounts. Worn ones cause noise and require suspension teardown to fix.
14. Inspect the A/C condenser from under the bumper. Warped = possible front-end damage.
15. Use a 10mm nut driver and remove the air filter. It should be very clean on the engine side.
16. Let the engine idle. Check exhaust for smell and color:
    • Rotten egg: Catalytic converter failure
    • Blue smoke: Oil burning
    • White smoke: Coolant in cylinders (head gasket?)
    • Black smoke: Rich fuel mixture

Values

Current market values of the Z31 Models are on the rise though not at the level as the S30 (240Z Model). Below are some Charts of some Base Model Z31 cars that have sold recently

Clean Examples of the 1984 300zx 50th AE cars are selling between $10000-$20000 and Mint examples for far more. Below is a chart of some that have sold recently

Please Note: These prices are actual prices of cars sold and not current cars that are for sale. Value is based on many factors. As stated Values as of 11/2019 are on the rise.