Learn me Datsun 300Z

My son is looking at a 1984 Datsun 300Z, He is 16 and it would be his first car. I know nothing about these, is it a horrible choice. I understand it is probably not the best winter driver, but for now that isn't important to hi as he can walk to school or take the bus. It is a 5spd and has 128,000 miles and other than paint fade looks to be rust free and solid. Asking price is $1500.. thoughts?

From what I know it's not a terrible choice, they're decent cars. Rust is the big problem to watch out for on these things.

1984 first year of 300zx it should say Datsun Nissan on it. 128,000 miles thats good. the VG30 engine is a good motor.

does it have a digital dash you could have either. the digital always has problems but not a deal breaker.

as long as there is no rot go for it. the 300zx is one of the most underpriced sportscars out there and you have a 5spd now if it is a slicktop then you really have something. still a lot of used parts out there also

Just be sure the timing belt and tensioner has been replaced recently or do it when you get the car, Cheaper then doing the heads and replacing a bunch of bent valves

Yes, timing belt breakage will be very expensive. Other than that, very good cars. Not really fast enough to get him in too much trouble. Still look good. No rust on a PA car? Check it out very well.

Rear drive will be good for learning purposes. Find an empty parking lot once it snows to practice skid recovery, etc. Real snow tires and some extra weight in the trunk should be high on the to-do list.

My father had one with the digidash.. rot and floodwaters took that car away. Only problems he had (aside from the rot) was the radiator going.. and that is a pain to replace in those cars

Rated at 160ish hp IIRC, but not much if any faster than your average civic, they're pretty heavy. They're pretty fun to drive, the drivetrains are pretty robust and I feel a RWD car is just fine in the snow with good tires. They're certainly better in the snow than a 2wd pickup truck, and people drive those all the time, not sure why the RWD car is considered so horrible.

If it's in decent shape, I say go for it.

i have a real soft spot for datsun/nissan. the 300zx (Z31) out sold any other Z even today. people say they are heavy and slow but if you put them up against the cars of the same year they beat most of them

other1984 cars you might of bought if looking at a 300zx

these times are from Car&Driver. all are right there (slow)

300zx 8.2 16.4

RX7 9.9 17.4

Supra 8.7 16.8

audi quat 1 0.2 17.3

BMW 325e 8.4 16.3

944 9.0 16.4

trans am 9.2 17.0

Z28 7.0 15.2

Well in any case there's less potential to get in trouble than with every parent's favorite "safe" car to hand down to the kids these days, the Camry V6...

Assuming it's not a turbo, the turbo models are 14's in the 1/4 and can be low 13's with a little effort.

One of the first cars I was trusted with was a mid 12 sec camaro, so I might not be the best to ask about how fast is too fast. I turned the majority of the nuts and bolts on that car though, so I earned the privilege of driving it. Never got in much trouble with it, in fact the only ticket I got in it was arguably because of my Dad.

I still wish Nissan had brought over the Z31 200ZX. Maybe I'm an oddball, but I think the RB20DET would be a more fun motor than the VG30E or VG30ET.

Thanks for all of your input guys! We are going to go look at it tonight or tomorrow, let you all know how it goes!

I'll say it. I find that generation of Z car really boring to drive. Also the oil filter is a pain the ass to get to.