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1993
Nissan 300ZX

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$30,555
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New 1993 Nissan 300ZX
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Available trims

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  • 2dr Hatchback Coupe
    Starts at
    $30,555
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  • 2dr Hatchback Coupe 5-Spd w/T-Bar
    Starts at
    $32,730
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  • 2dr Hatchback Coupe Auto w/T-Bar
    Starts at
    $33,680
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  • 2dr Hatchback Coupe 2+2 5-Spd w/T-Bar
    Starts at
    $34,040
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  • 2dr Hatchback Coupe 2+2 Auto w/T-Bar
    Starts at
    $34,990
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  • 2dr Convertible 5-Spd w/Cloth Seats
    Starts at
    $37,145
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  • 2dr Hatchback Coupe Turbo 5-Spd w/T-Bar
    Starts at
    $37,655
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  • 2dr Convertible 5-Spd w/Leather Seats
    Starts at
    $38,145
    See all specs
  • 2dr Convertible Auto w/Cloth Seats
    Starts at
    $38,145
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  • 2dr Hatchback Coupe Turbo Auto w/T-Bar
    Starts at
    $38,605
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  • 2dr Convertible Auto w/Leather Seats
    Starts at
    $39,145
    See all specs

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Expert 1993 Nissan 300ZX review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Jim Mateja
Full article
our expert's take

Beauty and the beast.

That’s not the kids’ movie, but the typical fare for an auto writer. You get a lot of beauties to drive, but a fair share of beasts as well. Sometimes you drive a vehicle that’s a beauty and a beast, which is what we found in a test of the 1993 Nissan 300ZX convertible.

Beauty is in the styling. The 300ZX body is slung low and squatty while thestance is wide-the formula for performance. The beauty, too, comes from a suspension system that seems to respond to any bend or twist in the road as ifit were locked on radar control. Lateral movement is exceptional.

And the 24-valve, 222-horsepower, 3-liter, V-6 is a real beauty. Though ourtest car came with optional automatic rather than the standard 5-speed manual,there was little noticeable loss of power off the line. The automatic did little to detract from the ZX’s quickness.

Beauty, too, is in the eyes of the beholder of an air bag in the steering wheel hub and four-wheel anti-lock brakes. The perfect complement to all that power.

Of course, there’s the beauty of retracting the canvas top and cruising down the highway and through the countryside with the breeze tossing your locks of gold or, as with this scribe, the strands of gray.

But to appreciate the 300ZX’s beauty means at times you have to put up withits beastly qualities.

And that brings us back to the canvas top. It’s a manual unit and not power-controlled. Though opening a twist-top brew has become a bit of a challenge, there’s enough sinew left to drop a top. Where we came up short is in the patience needed to stow the top and start driving.

To lower the 300ZX top, you have to press a button that frees the lever youmust pull to pop the holders along the windshield. Why is there the needless step of pressing that button? It means two hands, not just one, are required to release the lever.

The top released, you press a button to open the plastic tonneau cover. Theenclosure to hide the top is under that tonneau. No problem with the tonneau until the top is folded out of sight and you need to close it. You must get the little rollers on the hinges on each side of that cover in exactly the right spot along the track, or the cover won’t budge.

Have you ever played the carnival game in which you insert 50 cents in the machine and try to maneuver a toy crane directly over the stuffed animal to pick it up and win the prize? After eight hours and roughly $500, you still haven’t gotten the $1 animal to budge. So, too, can be the frustration with the 300ZX’s tonneau.

Why did Nissan think it necessary to design in such grief?

For too long we’ve heard the argument that sports car aficionados thrive onpain. Seat too tight? Love it. Suspension so stiff even faith healers can’t remove the bruises on your bottom? So what? Sports car loyalists learn to put up with aggravation. It’s all part of the ritual. No pain, no gain.

Horsef eathers!

There’s no reason it should take two people with engineering degrees to lower a manual convertible top.

That’s not all.

When you have the top down and stored, you can enjoy open-air motoring. Butdrink deep of the scenery, because once that top is back up you’ll lose sight of an awful lot of that countryside. The large door pillars meant to serve as structural reinforcement for a convertible, plus the canvas top that wraps from rear window to just behind the driver’s and passenger’s ear, cause ample sight obstructions. Unless side mirrors are set up perfectly, you easily can lose sight of cars approaching from side or rear.

Again, why?

Is the test of a true sports-car buff the need to stick his or her head from the window to guarantee there’s no car in the lane he or she wants to hopinto?

One other pang came when we eyeballed the sticker and saw $39,490. For $40,000, we expect the top to retract via electric motor and we want to be able to see out all the windows.

Standard equipment includes speed-sensitive power steering, four-wheel independent suspension and 16-inch performance tires rated for summer driving,all contributing to the above-average handling, plus air conditioning, power (and heated) mirrors/windows/door locks, AM/FM stereo with cassette and power antenna and leather seats/steering wheel cover.

A word of warning. Those summer tires may be fine year-round in San Diego, but in the Snow Belt you’ll have to be satisfied with them in May through August; you’ll need a second set of tires to change with the seasons. Or you can simply put on an all-season tire to avoid that hassle.

1993 Nissan 300ZX review: Our expert's take
By Jim Mateja

Beauty and the beast.

That’s not the kids’ movie, but the typical fare for an auto writer. You get a lot of beauties to drive, but a fair share of beasts as well. Sometimes you drive a vehicle that’s a beauty and a beast, which is what we found in a test of the 1993 Nissan 300ZX convertible.

Beauty is in the styling. The 300ZX body is slung low and squatty while thestance is wide-the formula for performance. The beauty, too, comes from a suspension system that seems to respond to any bend or twist in the road as ifit were locked on radar control. Lateral movement is exceptional.

And the 24-valve, 222-horsepower, 3-liter, V-6 is a real beauty. Though ourtest car came with optional automatic rather than the standard 5-speed manual,there was little noticeable loss of power off the line. The automatic did little to detract from the ZX’s quickness.

Beauty, too, is in the eyes of the beholder of an air bag in the steering wheel hub and four-wheel anti-lock brakes. The perfect complement to all that power.

Of course, there’s the beauty of retracting the canvas top and cruising down the highway and through the countryside with the breeze tossing your locks of gold or, as with this scribe, the strands of gray.

But to appreciate the 300ZX’s beauty means at times you have to put up withits beastly qualities.

And that brings us back to the canvas top. It’s a manual unit and not power-controlled. Though opening a twist-top brew has become a bit of a challenge, there’s enough sinew left to drop a top. Where we came up short is in the patience needed to stow the top and start driving.

To lower the 300ZX top, you have to press a button that frees the lever youmust pull to pop the holders along the windshield. Why is there the needless step of pressing that button? It means two hands, not just one, are required to release the lever.

The top released, you press a button to open the plastic tonneau cover. Theenclosure to hide the top is under that tonneau. No problem with the tonneau until the top is folded out of sight and you need to close it. You must get the little rollers on the hinges on each side of that cover in exactly the right spot along the track, or the cover won’t budge.

Have you ever played the carnival game in which you insert 50 cents in the machine and try to maneuver a toy crane directly over the stuffed animal to pick it up and win the prize? After eight hours and roughly $500, you still haven’t gotten the $1 animal to budge. So, too, can be the frustration with the 300ZX’s tonneau.

Why did Nissan think it necessary to design in such grief?

For too long we’ve heard the argument that sports car aficionados thrive onpain. Seat too tight? Love it. Suspension so stiff even faith healers can’t remove the bruises on your bottom? So what? Sports car loyalists learn to put up with aggravation. It’s all part of the ritual. No pain, no gain.

Horsef eathers!

There’s no reason it should take two people with engineering degrees to lower a manual convertible top.

That’s not all.

When you have the top down and stored, you can enjoy open-air motoring. Butdrink deep of the scenery, because once that top is back up you’ll lose sight of an awful lot of that countryside. The large door pillars meant to serve as structural reinforcement for a convertible, plus the canvas top that wraps from rear window to just behind the driver’s and passenger’s ear, cause ample sight obstructions. Unless side mirrors are set up perfectly, you easily can lose sight of cars approaching from side or rear.

Again, why?

Is the test of a true sports-car buff the need to stick his or her head from the window to guarantee there’s no car in the lane he or she wants to hopinto?

One other pang came when we eyeballed the sticker and saw $39,490. For $40,000, we expect the top to retract via electric motor and we want to be able to see out all the windows.

Standard equipment includes speed-sensitive power steering, four-wheel independent suspension and 16-inch performance tires rated for summer driving,all contributing to the above-average handling, plus air conditioning, power (and heated) mirrors/windows/door locks, AM/FM stereo with cassette and power antenna and leather seats/steering wheel cover.

A word of warning. Those summer tires may be fine year-round in San Diego, but in the Snow Belt you’ll have to be satisfied with them in May through August; you’ll need a second set of tires to change with the seasons. Or you can simply put on an all-season tire to avoid that hassle.

Available cars near you

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Consumer reviews

4.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.5
Interior 4.7
Performance 4.9
Value 4.9
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 4.7

Most recent

  • A panty dropper!

    Had this car as a young, newly divorced Marine Staff Sergeant, on Recruiting duty in a MAJOR southern city. It would turn heads, attracted many females, especially single Moms of kids I enlisted. I loved it. When I got married and had a daughter, it wasn’t practical, so traded it for a Maxima. Same engine I believe! Mine was red with brown leather seats!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • A Real Eye Catcher!

    We bought this beauty when it only had 6000 miles. It's been kept in the garage and only used as a 3rd car for fun!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Sweetest little sports car I have owned.

    Great style, excellent power band, comfortable and logical interior. Fit and finish are above par. Gets thumbs up and "nice car" from young and old. I fully expect these Japan/Nissan Roadsters to become appreciating classics, and having owned 102 cars at last count, you can trust my judgment.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • This Has Got to be My Dream Come True Car!

    I used to own a '90 300ZX 5-speed non-turbo that was beat, but it was still a great ride and looked awesome - so sorry I sold it. Previously had a '78 280Z 2+2 automatic and a '86 300ZX 2+2 5-speed. I just found a '93 300zx 2+2 automatic - 115K - 1 owner. Needed some electrical work and a new stereo, but I am in heaven!!! I will keep this car forever - what a gas driving with the tops off in sunny FL! Cornering, even with the auto, is awesome though not as good for drifting as the manual, or course. Comfy ride as well!!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Very fun and sporty car for the money

    This car will get you where you need to go and get tons of compliments along the way. The handling of this car is impeccable. It has 2 modes sport and touring with the flip of a switch.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Makes You Feel Young and Free

    Let your hair blow in the wind! We purchased this car when it only had 600 miles and have kept in the garage ever since and used it occasionally as a 3rd car. The car is in excellent condition.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Best car out there l be ever had

    I love this car , the proformance and handing. I just got a new paint job on this car , this car really turns heads gonna chip the computer and add cold air intake ,do some exhaust work , this 300 XX will be a beast
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 1993 300ZX

    These cars are getting hard to find in unmolested condition. A soon to be classic with Great styling and durability?/dependability
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • UNIQUE FAST AND FUN

    NOT CHEAP AND NOT EASY TO WORK ON, BUT THIS MAKES THE CAR A HEAD TURNER THATS FAST ENOUGH TO BREAK THEIR NECKS WHEN THEY TRY TO CATCH A GLIMSE OF THE FIAR LADY Z32 TWIN TURBO CRAZY FAST MACHINE
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • fun fun fun

    great performance with good mpg.road feel and handling super.quiet and comfortable.low maintanance cost.gets a lot of complements.lets not forget the wind in your hair feel when t-tops are off
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Own a $45K Sports Car for $10K

    I am on my second 300zx. My first was a 1996 300zx non-turbo. I now own a 1993 300zx Twin Turbo. These cars are great, you get performance, speed and handling at a great price, plus T-tops. Sunroofs and soft top convertibles have got nothing on T-tops. Mine is a daily driver and has 35,000 miles and it is beautiful. Only take these cars to a Z mechanic. A couple modifications such as intake, exhaust and a JWT ECU and you have 400hp. Be careful however, even on dry roads I spun out alot the first few weeks I owned the car. But now 8 months later this never happens as I am use to controlling the power. When the twin turbos kick in at around 3,000 rpms, whoosh you are gone, bye bye Corvette. A few problems that occured in the 1990-1993 models such as injector failure should now be fixed. Also check the rear mail seal of oil leaks. Its only a $15 part, but the transmission has to be dropped to fix it. Watch out for blue or white smoke, which means something is wrong with the turbo seals or your engine heads. There is a button to change the suspension from touring to sport. How cool! All leather steering wheel, seats, shifer and boot, ebrake. Not like all the plastic fake leather on these new cars nowadays. If I could pickup another 300zx I definitely would. This car and the Toyota Supra were the best 90's sport production cars ever made. Any sports car enthusiast should own one. i highly recommend this car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Fun - Fun - Fun!!!

    I've had a 300TT since June of 2005. I bought it from the original owner with 142,000 miles. Repairs have been about what I expected and cost about what I expect to pay for a sports car. I have never owned a perfomance car before this one. I imagine that there are many cars out there faster, but I am totally impressed with the cars handling. Riding in the mountain roads in this area (TN) are always exilerating. The car never seems to be working hard while always impressing upon me it's ability to thrill. Beware of this vehicles abilities! If you ever get a chance to own one (or just drive one) always take the opportunity. Enjoy!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1993 Nissan 300ZX?

The 1993 Nissan 300ZX is available in 3 trim levels:

  • (7 styles)
  • w/Cloth Seats (2 styles)
  • w/Leather Seats (2 styles)

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 1993 Nissan 300ZX?

The 1993 Nissan 300ZX compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 1993 Nissan 300ZX reliable?

The 1993 Nissan 300ZX has an average reliability rating of 4.7 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1993 Nissan 300ZX owners.

Is the 1993 Nissan 300ZX a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1993 Nissan 300ZX. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.5
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 4.9
  • Value: 4.9
  • Exterior: 5.0
  • Reliability: 4.7
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