The main topic of this thread is to get your fellow rotorhead's opinions on the 300ZX N/A.

I am contemplating purchasing a Z, probably a 90 or 91.

however, I am not sure if I like the idea of switching over to a boinger.

also, i know the Zs are extremely obese for a sports car, and generally I do not like heavy cars, but even so I still think it is an excellent car.

so, comparing a N/A FC to a N/A 300ZX which do you guys prefer? Of course I am expecting most to lean towards the FC, but honestly think about traits, specs, performance, looks, reliability, and so on.

 

I think the 300ZX looks better than the FC.

 

Well, with the Z being so heavy, that mean braking, handling, and overall manueverability (sp) is going to go in the FC's favor. I do believe those Z's are a tad quicker stock vs. stock. But, I think the FC looks better, thats just my opinion, that should not be weighed in your decision, obviously. If you get a somewhat low mile FC, and take car of it, it will last just as long as the Z.

 

Not even gonna go there... This is not a nissan board

 

i think you're insane!! but whatever floats your boat

300zx's are good cars, but there's nothing outstanding about them. they are probbabbly faster than an FC, but dont handle as well. you'd be better off with a supra. supra's get more respect too, and aren't as prone to rust. but then again i have a Turbo II, and have never driven or even ridden in an N/A so my opinion is a little biased. personally i think if a car weighs more than 2600 lbs, and its not a v8 or bigger, it will need a turbocharger to be very fast unless you want to spend a lot of money making a crazy n/a engine (but why?)
you dont hear of many n/a rx-7's running mid 13's with only bolt-ons. get a turbo 2. but keep your GXL, because it looks damn good!

 

I dunno, I like the way the headlights look. I always thought of them being up there with the FD and MKIV Supra. Hmmm maybe they aren't that great after all.

 

Stock for stock FC is a better car. Nissan is my favorite car maker, but the FC is a FAR superior car. I was almost about to buy a 91 300Z, but I waited and found my FC. Test drove both, and the FC is a much faster, better handling, and cleaner car. The Z is a more comfy car, but I HATE comfy cars.

 

Don't the 300ZXs run mid 15s?

 

correct most n/a 2nd gen 300zx's run 15.1-15.5 area stock, manual of course. Obviously I think the fc is going to have the z in handling, but I think the z is going to outgun the fc on the straights. It's really a GT car in my eyes not really a sports car like the rx7

 

I like the Z cars prior to 1980 (240, 260, ist body 280), and I like the 90+ Z cars...The 80s were a tough time for them. I think a 90 300ZX looks far more modern and aerodynamic that a 90 FC, but Im going to have to go with the FC, Im biased.

An FC will outhandle a Z, though I think a lot of people underestimate the Z. In straight line performance, Z will win, no questions asked. But in the NA jap field, I believe handling and all around fun factor are what counts, not raw power...In which case the RX-7 wins EASILY! Neither NA car has the potential to be truly FAST for the average driver...but both are quick and fun.

Either way you go man, have fun! Both are great cars

 

You're going to hate the Z when it comes to modifying. Parts are outragiously expensive and have you looked into a Fairlady Z engine bay? A friend of mine bought a Fairlady Z 91 300ZXTT and when my FC was a little modified, I yanked on him by 3 car lenghs. When he priced around for a turbo upgrade , exhaust etc., it was too much for what horsepower he could've mustered out of the motor. The car gave him numerous problems and finally sold it.
For whatever reasons, the car never made it to be a popular car in Japan and hence the scrapping of the model.

 

They r both fun cars......especially if u like gettin the back end loose in every turn......that the Z will do.....my dad has one a 91 n/a......he swears by it......its has over 200k on clock and still goin strong so i can see why he would.....but for $$/performance.....FC all the way.....what u spend on a Z to mod.....u can do almost twice as much mods with the same money.......

 

Those Z's are slow, my friend has a 95 n/a, my FC whoops on it all the time. But damn u gotta love the interior and T-tops, and those headlights.

 

Yo,


They aren't /bad/ cars per se, just heavy ones. Like most Japanese cars, they'll go forever.

You just have to ask yourself what you want to do with it. I'm a handling fool, so a car that weighs as much as a 300Z is not for me. Remember, weight is the enemy of ALL vehicle dynamics: handling, braking, acceleration.

I think the car looks good, and has a good reputation for reliability. If you want a nice GT to cruise around town, or gobble up Interstate, I bet the 300Z would be a good rig. If you wanted to attack the twisties, I think the NA FC is the way to go.

My 2 bits!

KS
1989 GTUs "I couldn't find the weight on Google..."

 

Yeah, I love the T top, the styling of the Z. It's a classic.

The Z will be more comfortable than an FC. Both look pretty bad *** in my opinion.

Tough call, but I have to go with the Z. I can't recall how fast is a 90-91 FC NA but it's right up there in 7 sec range just like the Z in stock form right?

It'll probably comes down to which one you can find that's in nice shape.

 

Well the NA Z's are alot faster than NA FC's(1.5 seconds faster in the 1/4). The parts are real expensive though. The Z's are definitely more reliable or I guess more bulletproof than FC's. Thats the basic advantage of them. Personally I would have to get the TT if I was going to get one though.

 

I used to sell them when they first came out. They have terrific suspensions that SWALLOW road irregularities and dips. The Z has a better ride than the FC.
They have more cabin space and the ergonomocs are top notch - they're also quieter.

Given the choice I think it would make a great daily driver that performs well. If you want a car that steps up the performance the TII is way better.

I'd take a 300ZX N/A over an FC N/A, though.
One other point - I have yet to hear a catback sound good on a 300ZX.

If you get a 300ZX N/A get used to gettin smoked...(in comfort, though)as you'll even become VTEC fodder.

 

I also had a g/f who's older brother had a TT. Man, that thing was fast....when it ran. He never dogged on it, and he blew 2 turbo's, and several oil seals. I still say FC.

 

bah, the 300zx n/a is right on with the 5gen preludes, and would barely be seeing 4th gen vtec taillights. The r would be ahead obviously and the gsr is pretty even, and hybrids obviously have the advantage. One of my friends has a n/a, its a cool car but like you guys have said it is pretty heavy for just a n/a 3L. But it is really comfortable and I think it looks sweet, I especially like the t tops.

 

This is a good thread, my friend Jon has 2 Z32's a 2+2 TT (did engine swap himself) and he has a regular TT. In straight line the Z will win over an FC unless the FC is really modded. I'm not sure about everyone's claims that the Z can't handle. I was looking at cartest and the 'stock' skidpad for the FC was .86 g and the Z was .89 g. I've ridden with Jon when we were chasing my other friend's streetported TII and he kept up in the curves. I'm gonna lean towards the FC because of costs, remember the Z is a V6 and you gotta buy 2 of everthing.

 

I definitely prefer the FC, in looks, performance, everything.

N/A 300ZXs are just too heavy.

 

i dont quite understand your last line

 

They key to getting rid of that "blat" noise from an NA Z32 is to run an X pipe in the exhaust...
The exhaust gets really quiet, and it has a lower toned growl to it.



-Ted

 

I absolutely agree. The Z is made to set the cruise at 100mph and go all day long. Nice, soft ride, space-age cockpit, and plenty of grunt up top.

Nothing like the N/A FC, really. The Z is a great touring car, the FC is a great city car. Purists might disagree, but you can drive from coast to coast in a Z and be very comfotable in the process where an FC won't be so forgiving.

It's not even fair to compare them, really. Like compairing a Miata to a Camaro Convertible. Yes, they're both convertibles, yes, they're both sporty, but... they're just not made for the same thing.

That being said -- GET THE FC!!!

YMMV,

RM