Fun, cool, and rare
Digital dash, new dashboard, A/C, tires.
Fun to drive, fast, good handling, don't see many, especially the Anniversary Edition.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th October, 2017
The best car I've ever owned
Not a hell of a lot as I rebuilt it. Some issues of note are over heating (this can be easily solved), needed to rebuild the injection rail (common fault, easy fixed), replace a loom on the passenger side for the fuel injection (easy if you can find the part), new oil pressure switch (not necessary but wanted a working oil gauge) and that's it.
Aside from that the car hasn't missed a beat. I really couldn't drive anything else, as they say, once you get into a zed, it gets into you.
I got this car after working on zed's for a while. All I saw at work were broken z32's (normally twin turbo). Don't get me wrong, they're a nice car... when they work.
The z31 AE is an awesome machine. Initially I did have over heating problems even after a rebuild (which, to my surprise I found the engine had no cast marks on it... FORGED FROM THE FACTORY!). They are over engineered with things like water lines running under the plenum to prevent icing over, but here in the land of Oz we don't need it. So once you've run bypasses on the water lines and deleted the EGR it won't over heat ever.
The dash is completely digital and so is the climate control, and I did have features such as anti-skid and ABS (this is in 1984!), came with cruise, T-Tops, trip computer and highly tuneable engine. It goes like the clappers and is an excellent drift car. Not even too thirsty on the highway (according to the gauge I get 15 km's per litre of petrol) with 1125kms to the tank (not thrashing it with the cruise on).
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th November, 2009
Awesome little car
4 timing belt replacements (every 90,000 miles), includes waterpumps.
Starter died at 100,000 miles.
Alternator died at 90,000.
Replaced shocks at 60,000, 150,000, 220,000, and 340,000 miles.
I killed the transmission at 90,000. (I never serviced it, d'oh)
This car runs no matter what the weather or road conditions. It has served me better than I could ever have hoped for. It is sporty, fast and handles very well.
The only draw back is, Nissan thinks the parts have gold in them. The are very expensive, especially if it is a dealer only item. Shame on them, if they sold the parts cheaper, they would sell more parts.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th October, 2009
I don't think they make wonderful cars like this any more :-(
Minor rust.
Battery - for a while, I had to get a new battery every 2 years -- it would go out on Labor Day weekend like clockwork. Suspect the security system was running it down.
Air Conditioning System - this was an expensive repair.
Antenna - minor repair.
Tape deck went out - to be expected in 24 years!
Speedometer head replacement.
This is still a VERY cool car - it is like an old friend, steady and reliable. I LOVE this car and plan to keep it as long as I can. People stop me on the streets and ask about it or compliment me on it. It is white, and has been garage kept and looks great. It is a rare Z without T-tops. The upholstery on the seats (cloth) has held up wonderfully, and the car is comfortable and fun to drive...
...except in bad weather. This is the worst vehicle I have ever driven on snow or ice. It also will hydroplane at high speeds in heavy rain, so I have to be very careful. It is a fair weather car, but what fun!!
After 24 years of driving this car (I bought it new), there has been no noticeable change in the way it handles and drives - it is totally a trustworthy car, and I still love it. I am proud to drive this car -- we grew older together!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 15th May, 2008
3rd Apr 2011, 11:00
I think you are incorrect - this generation Z did not have ABS.