scoobysnacks

Whats the best and why? Any one owned, driven or just been in both?

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Try the 300zx, sat in one and they quite late 80's early 90's but good strong 3ltr twin turbo engine (some are N/A thou) and very tunable (possably more than a supra )
Check out www.300zx.co.uk

Tony

polarbearit

Depends on budget, supra engine is bullet proof and easier to get big power from though I believe that some extremely powerful ZX's do exist but lots of work is required to fit larger than standard turbos due to space etc...

Personally I prefer the supra, which ever you go for though make sure its the manly manual not the girly auto

CrisPDuk

The 300ZX was reputed to be the best drivers car out of Japan in it's day, and was one of the benchmarks for the Supra development team, so I would imagine they are a similar driving experience. However I would go for the Supra for the above noted reliability/engine strength reasons.

ustolemyname??stevieturbo

iTrader: (1)

I think the Supra is easily more tuneable, and the stronger engine/drivetrain. There are supras out there running low 10's, without even taking the head off the car!! Nissans may also be tuneable, but not as easily.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

The later versions of the supras were not as tunable as the earlier ones due to the engine not being as strong they can still achieve big power but it costs more
Do not underestimate the power of a 300zx thou its engine is one step up from a skyline, its very strong and very tunable, there are some very quick 300zx's out there but they are not that common in the uk as most people go for its younger brother the skyline.

Tony

ustolemyname??stevieturbo

iTrader: (1)

One step up?? One is a V6, the other a straight 6. They arent even remotely similar.

TreyZ32

Heres a few points(from a 300ZX owner of 3 years):

Back in 1990 when the 300ZX(Z32) first hit these shores the most common comparison magazines used was with the Porsche 928S4 and 944 Turbo(no other japanese car could touch it and the R32 Nissan Skyline GTR was japan only).

For three years the Z32 was compared with Porsches etc(sometimes also against the £50,000 Honda NSX), and a fair amount of praise was heaped upon the humble Nissan supercar.
But, in Tiff Needell's words from his 1991 test "...Have the japanese finally overcome the 'image barrier'? Very nearly...but not quite.." But in a recent Autocar he heaped praise on too the 300ZX once more stating that it has become a Supercar bargin - This was also backed up by another Autocar artical where the 300ZX was voted best car for £5000(but I'd expect to pay more for a good UK model)


It was only when the rest of the Japanese Car Companies bought out their "new" twin turbo models RX7, GTO, MKIV Supra(in some cases 3 years later due to the brilliance of the Z32) that the magazines(and some punters) started to take note of these japanese supercars.

The Nissan Z32 300ZX was a great car when it was released in 89/90, and it is still a great car over a decade later.
But it still requires a "supercar" level of maintenance after all these years, so many go without the needed services/repairs etc, so people tend to cast an "unreliable" light upon these 10 year old+ pioneers of the Japanese Supercar. Which is a shame.

I Take pride in the fact that even though in 1996 the 300ZX was removed from the US market(continued till 1999/2001 in japan), it still ranks 5th in the Car and Driver Top 10 Model Scoreboard for 2002 6 years after leaving the US market! The next japanese 'supercar' is the RX-7 which is 10th!

The Supra maybe more reliable as they were built from 1993 onwards and Toy motas - sorry Toyotas are very well built(if a bit plastic-fantastic) as my 98 Celica ST has proved.

The 300ZX was sold between 1989 and 1995 in the UK(all Twin Turbo 2+2's, Import 300ZX range from 1989 to 1999/2000 models(Twin Turbo/Non Turbo 2+2 or 2 seater SWB or 2 seater Convertible). UK models have additional Diff Coolers, larger Oil Coolers/Rad etc.
Take note of the differences between the UK MKIV supra and the Import specs(larger brakes on UK etc)

The Supra is easier to get more power from, one of the reasons is due to larger injectors as standard(550cc) than the 300ZX(370cc).

Also due to the sequential turbo setup you can bolt on a large single Turbo for massive HP(but massive lag too!).

Due to the parallel turbo setup on the 300ZX you are limited by space. Also due to the parallel setup the 300ZX has 2 Front mounted intercoolers and 2 seperate exhaust systems(whereas the Supra has a single exhaust system).

But in the end its down to your personal taste - you need to drive a few examples of each.

I like my Zed because of the looks(some think the MKIV Supra looks like a Frog on a roller skate):


US spec 2+2 Non Turbo

I like the interior of the Zed:

yum!

as apposed to the MKIV interior:

ugh!

I like the performance, the history(ever heard of the 240Z!) and the community both here and in the US and Japan.

If you chose to get a Zed then the Insurance is approx £400-£500 for a 26yr old in a medium risk area on a UK Zed(as its classed as a Classic car now). I pay £760 for an Import Twin Turbo in SE London(High Risk-you bet!) which isnt bad for a 26yr old.
A good 300ZX can be had for Approx £5000 to £15,000 for a fully spec'd 500Bhp+ or a standard late 1999 model import.
Japanese imports are very cheap, but can be a money pit! - condition is the key.

For more info check:
www.300zx.co.uk (as Tony has mentioned)
www.twinturbo.net
http://nissan.fc2web.com/fairlady.htm (japanese sites - some english)

Hopes this helps. (and take no offence my MKIV Supra drivin chums! )
Trev
http://www.300zx.co.uk/rides/trey/ -My Z

scoobysnacks

Top post TreyZ32! Thanks for all that info.