So, dude down the street has a nice silver Z31 for sale for $1750 asking price. Car looks clean... T-tops. Haven't stopped yet to look... but what is hte typical value of these things? I figured they would be going back up in price thanks to the drifting crowd.
I know next to nothing on these but if it could be flipped for a small profit I would be in for that.
I find the price is climbing ever so slightly on these. They were forgotten cars for many years.
I think the ones that command a better price are the stock/complete cars. Has to be a 2 seater.
Make sure all the tools are in the trunk. There are even wheel chocks back there.
I had a 1988, I haven't done a more complicated timing belt since then.
Do you have any pictures?
Is it one of the early or late cars?
In reply to Slippery:
No idea. Maybe on the way home tonight I can swing by and take a look. It's been sitting for sale in his driveway for over a month, but he doesn't have it listed online ANYWHERE that I can find.
Bobzilla wrote: I figured they would be going back up in price thanks to the drifting crowd.
Nah, drifters by and large avoid the 300ZXs. Too big and heavy and too complicated. The Z31 seems to be the redheaded stepchild of the Z cars. They are only really lusted after by a small group of people, unlike earlier or later Zs that are liked pretty unanimously.
Bobzilla wrote: Haven't stopped yet to look... but what is hte typical value of these things?
$1000
Unless its a super clean, well modded Turbo, they generally go for slightly above scrap value.
The problem with the z31 is the lack of aftermarket support. Not so many years ago there were a few places that still supported the z31, now those performance parts seemed to have dried up. There are fixes such as using s13 coilovers with adapters, but they're a bit more involved than just swapping springs and shocks. However, there are dedicated forums and tuners still for this chassis and they are super cool 80s Japanense tin, the supply of which is growing thinner and getting more expensive by the year. I think about the turbos every couple of months but the practice side of me always says "yeah, but I could get an n/a z32 for the same price or build a Miata to outperform it with fewer heartaches." But, yeah, if you do buy it make sure to start an epic build thread.
see... this is why I come here. Y'all saved me from a headache!
I had an '88 in high school and college so 1998-2001, even then performance parts were starting to get hard to find.
Heavy, if it's the top trim level it will have the electronic dash and electronic climate control (which goes out and is horrifically expensive to replace, or you have to come up with some workarounds.)
Rear suspension geometry is terrible.
However, the drivetrains are STOUT. Mine was an NA and beat that car like a rented mule. I think around 110k miles it needed a new clutch.
But I used to leave and immediately just hammer on the car while cold and it never complained. I sold it with ~155k miles on it (having put about 85k miles on it myself) and it still didn't leak or burn oil.
Are these really that cheap for a clean runner? They can be made pretty damn sexy with just a set of wheels. I don't really know anything about them except when they came out I wanted one and couldn't afford it.
Those were the years where the Z had turned into a "sporty" GT cruiser, best served eating up highway miles. They were cozy and 80's tech cool, but not all that good performance wise, especially in N/A form. I like the looks of them, but then again I like most things '80's.
My dad had an '85 turbo he bought in '86 (with an astounding 38k on it already). 3 weeks after buying it, the entire steering rack was replaced under warranty. After that, the alternator went out in '99 at 183k. Yes, seriously, that was the only other non-wear item that it ever required. Now, my dad does not in any way hammer on cars - I'm really not even sure why he enjoys sporty cars since it's unlikely they'll ever see the high side of 3500rpm - but when the car went away due to rust in ~2000, it had 189k on it, the engine didn't leak or burn a drop of oil, it still pulled hard from 3k (I did that testing), and ... it still had the original clutch!
I still have a soft spot in my soul for these. But oh the rust.
They tend to be overlooked bargains IMHO, I've owned a few, challenged one three times, managed 7th place in 09 IIRC.
If you think the Z31 timing belt is a bitch, try the Z32 and get back to me. They really aren't that bad just all the accessory belts and brackets have to come off first. Radiator replacement requires removing the front end. Every other job on the Z32 takes twice as long and cost 4 times as much.
Rust, Rust, Rust. Rust is the number one killer of all Z cars including the Z31. Keep the timing belt changed and they are very reliable. Not much value unless it's an 84ae (these were turbo only) or an 88SS (these cam with a vlsd), or an 87.5-89 turbo (these came with a clsd and is highly sought after). Turbo cars are easy to spot with their black window trims, the n/a cars got chrome. Also the turbo cars were only 2 seaters and the 4th digit in the vin is a "C".
The IRS is terrible, it's similar to the E30-36 but with worse geometry, softer springs, and less adjustability. The upside is the R200 diff is bulletproof, you can't break one without 600 hp or better.
It's easy to make nearly 300whp on the turbo cars with the addition of an intercooler and boost controller. The injectors become the limiting factor then the turbo and head gaskets. The pistons are good to around 400 whp once the pistons and head studs are upgraded they have been known to make 600 hp on otherwise stock internals after loads of porting and a custom or gutted plenum.
Values fluctuate heavily, as noted desirable turbo cars will bring far more than a random n/a. The 2+2 is really not worth much at all. Some of the best lowest miles desirable cars will bring around $10k so not a lot fo value to these just yet.
You know this chassis just needs the original engine it came with in Japan right? The venerable rb20det. Then all those VG30 nightmares go away.
I have seen a few good looking Z31s, but lately I have been curious about a VG30ET swap in a Hardbody for the 2017 pickup truck challenge.
Are Z31s related to the Infiniti M30/Leopard or do they just happen have a similar drive train and set of drive wheels?
The turbo models 87+ have a much stronger (nearly bullet proof) transmission, 84-86 cars had bastard weak t5 variants.
Nitroracer wrote: I have seen a few good looking Z31s, but lately I have been curious about a VG30ET swap in a Hardbody for the 2017 pickup truck challenge. Are Z31s related to the Infiniti M30/Leopard or do they just happen have a similar drive train and set of drive wheels?
HNNNNNNNnnnnnnnnggggg
Damn that looks good.
Wasn't KITT from Knight Rider originally supposed to be a Z31, but something went sideways and it then became a Firechicken?
In reply to Klayfish:
If that's true they effed up big time.
Nitroracer wrote: Are Z31s related to the Infiniti M30/Leopard or do they just happen have a similar drive train and set of drive wheels?
I am fairly certain the M30 has more in common with the Z31 than it does an S13.
Engine is the same VG30 non turbo and I believe a lot of the suspension is similar or the same. If you want to 5 speed swap your M30 you have to track down Z31 trans and related parts.
You'll need to log in to post.
