---
title: "Old Z or New Z? This Fetching Vintage 300ZX Is Tempting"
description: "Bring a Trailer has a pampered 1990 300ZX on the block."
date: "2021-11-14"
modified: "2021-11-14"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin V. Shaw"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kristin-shaw"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/43124/old-z-or-new-z-this-fetching-vintage-300zx-is-tempting"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Nissan News"
---

# Old Z or New Z? This Fetching Vintage 300ZX Is Tempting

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/11/Nissan-Z-HERO.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

[Nissan finally retired the 370Z](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/40425/it-sure-looks-like-nissan-has-finally-killed-the-370z>) and replaced it with the 2023 Z, seen frequently around the internet in [a sunny shade of yellow and a polarizing rectangular grille](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/42432/the-new-nissan-z-was-designed-with-the-help-of-a-global-competition>). Sitting on the same chassis as the 370Z, the [2023 Nissan Z](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/42014/2023-nissan-z-the-icon-returns-with-400-hp-rwd-and-a-manual>) is equipped with a 400-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and the choice between an automatic or manual transmission.

But way back before the new Z slashed into town, the [1990 300ZX was celebrated by enthusiasts](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/36062/buy-this-nissan-300zx-imsa-gto-race-car-and-relive-a-time-when-nissan-kicked-ass>). It also came with a 3.0-liter V6, but with 222 horses under the hood. If you want to relive the days of Madonna’s Blond Ambition tour, the first episode of The Simpsons, and the release of *Die Hard 2* and Windows 3.0, [Bring a Trailer has you covered with a 38,000-mile 370Z from that year](<https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-nissan-300zx-51/>).

![message-editor%2F1636845753888-2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636845753888-2.jpg>)
**Bring a Trailer**

If the rear end of the new Z looks familiar, it’s because it sports the same one as the 300ZX. [The example for sale on BaT](<https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-nissan-300zx-51/>) is clothed in Aztec Red over black leather and has been pampered in a JDM collector’s garage until the current owner snapped it up last year.

Originally purchased new for $30,775 (including a $1k leather package and $900 electronics upgrade), the 1990 300ZX was sold to the first owner by Viking Pontiac Cadillac Nissan in East Providence, Rhode Island. It has a five-speed manual transmission, silver-finished 16-inch alloy wheels, removable glass roof panels, an Alpine audio system, a Sony CD player, and more niceties.

![message-editor%2F1636845794513-3.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636845794513-3.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1636845806254-7.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636845806254-7.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1636845812629-8.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636845812629-8.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1636845825332-4.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636845825332-4.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1636845838479-6.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636845838479-6.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

There are dozens of photos of the 300ZX, including a lot of the underside alone, on the listing. With four days to go, the [bid is up to $20,000](<https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-nissan-300zx-51/>) with no reserve, but a clean ZX like this will surely sell for more. Or you could wait and pay about [$40,000 for the incoming Z](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/42014/2023-nissan-z-the-icon-returns-with-400-hp-rwd-and-a-manual>). Aside from a few sharp-eyed commenters who insist the wheels are on improperly, this is a clean edition of a much-loved car and whomever buys it is going to have a blast... if they take it out on the road, that is.

G*ot a tip? Send the writer a note: kristin.shaw@thedrive.com*

## Author
Kristin Shaw is the former Weekend Editor for The Drive and a current freelancer in both the automotive and aviation worlds. She’s a big fan of anything car-related and calls on her technology background on the corporate side to explain engineering and high-tech concepts. Now living in her sixth state (New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and now Texas), she is thrilled that working from home is now mainstream.

### Author social links  
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[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/KristinVShaw>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/KristinVShaw>)