Double Trouble: 1990 Nissan 300ZX Turbo vs 1986 Jeep CJ7
Okay, let’s say your name is Jeff and you are a huge fan of 5-speed cars from the late 80s/early 90s…oh yeah and they need to be red. Your budget is something less than four grand. What do you buy? Do you get a 1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, or a 1986 Jeep CJ7 258ci? Both cars are tip from Jeff S.
First up is this 1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo…with an absurdly low asking price of $3100 somewhere near Pittsburgh, PA. I wondered why the price was so low given the minty clean looks, but it does leak some liquids and puffs some white smoke…but at this age, who doesn’t!!
From the seller:
1990 nissan 300zx TT
condition: good
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 112200
paint color: red
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: coupe
1990 Nissan 300ZX TT. 112k miles, Clean car for its age.
Car has a fuel leak, I believe a few of the injectors may be leaking. Car will need to be TOWED. Car also smokes, I believe the passenger side head gasket may be leaking.
This is a project car or parts car.
Next up is this 1986 Jeep CJ7 with a 258 cubic inch inline-6 mated to a 5-speed shift-it-yerself box offered for $4,500 in Mount Airy, NC via craigslist. This car is certainly in more instantly usable/driveable condition than the previous car…but it does have some rust that will need to be addressed. Which would you buy for your money?
See a better way to spend $4k on something red? tips@dailyturismo.com
I dont care if it drives or not that clean interior 300 twin turbo is worth money.
Honestly, I'd have to have both. For a total investment after having them hauled to me and the cost of doing the fixes, of maybe $12,500, this would make for a cool, inexpensive "starter collection" for someone, or a nice pair of cool drivers where the collectability doesn't really matter, but the fun does.
Dream on the Twin realistically has a toasted motor – add 6K IF you can turn your own wrenches ..
autoweek.com/article/car-life/25-years-later-nissan-300zx-twin-turbo-still-worthy-dreaming
Love the 300zx had a 90 nonturbo as my DL would not survive the twin spool but that could be a big problem if the turbo's are cooked or has other internal damage there are many upgrades out there far better then the stock set up but it is costly.
As a former owner of a '91 300ZX TT, my knee-jerk reaction is that one for sure, but he said the car is smoking…. from under the hood I am assuming based on description. Or from the exhaust? If it's from under the hood then he should be able to see where it's coming from, but if it's from the exhaust, run the other direction. Rings? Turbos? In any case, lots of $$$.
The mileage isn't an issue as I had close to 100k on my '91 when I sold it and it was still running like a champ, but who knows the history of this one. These cars are durable, but need diligent (synthetic) oil changes.
300ZX and an LSx conversion kit. The Jeep is very sweet looking though. Nice finds.
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Does anyone remember that episode?: JEEP for Sale/Bring flowers