300 ZX TT vs. Trans Am

Looking to buy a new car in January.
Will be a car driven daily, but performance is my main priority.
Thinking of either a 90-92 300zx twin turbo, OR, a 95-01 Trans Am 5.7L.
(it is absolutely mandatory that the car is a manual)
I've heard the z has about 280hp, and the trans am just pushing 300, but I'm caught in the middle.
Japanese turbo or american muscle?
ALSO, I should note I have 1 12" JL w7. With the z being an older car, would there be more work I'd have to do about the rattling than in a newer trans am?

Looking for either car for under 12k, what's the better deal; performance & cost wise.

I would take the Fairlady. I looks much better and can handle turns much better as well. I was looking at 300ZXs when I was shopping for my Stealth.

Personally I would go for the Trans am, as long as it was 98+. The trans am is faster, and there is a massive aftermarket and proven performance with the LS1. I am not saying the Z is a bad car but to me my choice is pretty cut and dry in this case.

I thought the last year for a T/A was 2002 and the last year for a 300ZX was 1993. Well anyways i would go with the T/A there my second fav car after all. Also they look aggressive as hell:grinno:. Plus i heard the 300ZX TT are high matinace but then again what 14-17 year old TTed car isn't.

I thought the last year for a T/A was 2002 and the last year for a 300ZX was 1993. Well anyways i would go with the T/A there my second fav car after all. Also they look aggressive as hell:grinno:. Plus i heard the 300ZX TT are high matinace but then again what 14-17 year old TTed car isn't.

I think the Fairlady made it into 1996.

really? well i don't know then :icon16:. well good luck with what ever you choose.

I would choose the 300ZX. For one thing it also has a sufficient aftermarket, handles well, and looks better IMO. Neither one of them are exactly reliable. Plus when you see a 300ZX you turn your head over to look. When another F-body goes by it's kind of like :gives: They are certainly a fast car and looks aren't bad, but I have probably already seen about 25 more of them earlier today.

I would choose the 300ZX. For one thing it also has a sufficient aftermarket, handles well, and looks better IMO. Neither one of them are exactly reliable. Plus when you see a 300ZX you turn your head over to look. When another F-body goes by it's kind of like :gives: They are certainly a fast car and looks aren't bad, but I have probably already seen about 25 more of them earlier today.

yeah it's hard to go for a drive around the block and not see an f-body, but 95% of the f-bodies i see around here are 93-97 v6's. 300zx's are a lot more rare to see primarily due to the fact that it's been out of production for 10+ years.

300zx vs LT1 (93-97): driver's race
300zx vs LS1 (98-02): ls1 by 3-4 car lengths up to 100

so it depends if you're looking for rarity or performance.

yeah it's hard to go for a drive around the block and not see an f-body, but 95% of the f-bodies i see around here are 93-97 v6's. 300zx's are a lot more rare to see primarily due to the fact that it's been out of production for 10+ years.

300zx vs LT1 (93-97): driver's race
300zx vs LS1 (98-02): ls1 by 3-4 car lengths up to 100

so it depends if you're looking for rarity or performance.


Yeah, I would imagine in a drag race drivers being equal, the LS1 would be able to squeeze out a win. And not only do you see fewer 300ZX's because they are older, but there were far far less produced. I know there was one year (I believe in the low 2000's) that more Mustangs were made in one year than all the 3000GT's and Stealths combined between 91-99. And I tend to see a few less 300ZX's than 3/S's.

I personally prefer the 300ZX 90-92 as loon as you get one in good condition. This model has good looks and I heard that the motor is pretty good too. Too bad that they discontinued this model though

I see the same 300Zx on my regular drive every day and I still turn my head to check it out. I'm a big Z-car fan, so I have to go with the Zx.

ok to be correct there are 2 types of 300ZX's. Twin Turbo (TT) and Naturaly Aspirated (NA). The NA model has 222 hp, 198lbs of torgue which is good for a v-6, the TT model is 300hp and 283lbs of torque. Which is excellent for a v-6, there are some many upgrades and mods for the ZX its unbelievable. Just got to google.
The Trams Am another fav of mine, is V-8 putting off 305 hp at 335 ft-lbs. There many mods for this car, but no where near as many for the ZX.
I own a ZX and I have beat a many of Trans Am's which hurts my feelings but ZX's were dubbed Porche killers. So you know.....
Its your money go for what you like ZX are expensive to maintain, but so are Trans Am's. Its what ever you oacket can handle.