20 Years Owned: 1993 Nissan 300ZX Convertible – SOLD!

May 7, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

These days, with flippers running rampant and auction sites seemingly encouraging car enthusiasts to trade in passion for profits, it’s rare to find a seller that is seemingly attached to the car they’re hawking. That’s why this listing for a 1993 Nissan 300ZX convertible originally posted on Craigslist in April 2021 in Sarasota, Florida is so refreshing as the owner seems legitimately sad to see the car moving on. The service history seems quite rich, with the seller providing ample details on how the naturally-aspirated Z car has been maintained. He is asking $6,800, and comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool shows that he’s valued it just above “Good” condition, rated at $6,500, and well below “Excellent” condition, which is pegged at $11,300.

The Z32 300ZX was both a dramatic departure and more of the same compared to the outgoing Z31 with its iconic pop-up headlights. The reason for this is because the standard, naturally aspirated V6 was largely a carry-over, with the exception of incorporating dual overhead cams and variable valve timing, and the styling was evolutionary, not revolutionary. It was still very much a grand-tourer at heart, and many examples were produced in the 2+2 configuration. The twin-turbocharged car gets all the fame, and while its added thrust is no doubt appreciated, the standard-issue 300ZX with its healthy 222 horsepower will get you down the road just fine. Nissan contracted the convertible out to – who else – American Specialty Cars to convert the hardtop into a drop-top with an integrated roll bar.

The MotorWeek YouTube Channel features this Retro Review of a first-year, normally aspirated 300ZX:

The seller of this clean 1993 convertible notes it has been in the family for over 20 years, which is immediately evident when you read the listing. The amount of detail is simply not possible when cars like this are listed by the proverbial eBay flipper who doesn’t seem to think future owners should have any interest in an enthusiast car’s maintenance history. The seller shares numerous details about replacement parts, but one of the big deal upgrades is a replacement automatic transmission with a cooler installed – a must-have for older automatics that are used in heavy-duty applications or in cars that are prone to be driven aggressively. The automatic wouldn’t be our first choice, but it’s impressive to see that level of commitment to a car that isn’t necessarily climbing the price charts rapidly enough to justify the expense should it fail. That’s why this Nissan 300ZX convertible is worth a closer look – good luck with the purchase if you decide to take it home.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Unfortunately selling my 93 Z convertible!
Not too many of these around!
The best body style that 300 had.
It’s been in the family for over 20+ years.
It’s in good shape for 28 yrs old.
Things that have been replaced,
New top
Battery
Injectors
Injector connectors
Temp sensor
Water pump
Thermostat
Radiator
Hoses
NGK spark plugs
Stillen cone air filter
Fuel pump
Fuel rail O-Rings
Fuel regulator
TPS ( throttle positioning sensor)
EGR delete
Waterlines under the plenum deleted
Radio & speakers
Transmission has about 60,000
with added transmission cooler
Power steering pump
May have forgotten a thing or 2.“

Do you have a Nissan 300ZX story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!