Nowadays, the competition between Japanese sports-car manufacturers is either dead or just about to revive, depending on who you ask. But 10 years ago, several major Japanese car-manufacturers of the '90s firmly had their feet in the sports-car wars of the times...hottest of all was the war between Toyota's Supra, Mazda's RX-7 and Nissan's 300ZX, with Mitsubishi's 3000GT trailing somewhat. 

In the first two games (GT1 & GT2), there are several versions of 300ZX we can experience from the results of this war. There are four different models (not including used cars), which most of the world outside the United States calls the Fairlady. You'll notice that in GT1, there are no 300ZXs...in this game, they're all called "Fairlady ZXs", instead. The reason for this?   Way back in 1969 before the original Z was released, some people associated with the car's debut thought the name "Fairlady" sounded wimpy. So in America and some other countries, Fairlady was dropped, but in Japan these cars are still called Fairladys. 

One can choose either normally-aspirated or turbocharged versions of the ZX in either GT1 or GT2. Also, there are two subtle variations of body work: a coupe and the famous T-top, as well as 2-seaters and 2+2s. Whichever car you choose, be advised that these are some of the heavier sports cars in our games. In GT3, PD scaled down to just one model (the '89 300ZX Twin Turbo 2+2). And in GT4, we have three models to choose from, all from used lots, ranging from 1989 to 1998. These include a 2-seater and a couple 2+2s. There are less models in this game since the 350Z also appears, so PD decided to make room for several 350s, which is fair.

Finally, GT5 includes a slew of variants. These are all Standards: the '89 300ZX 2-seater, '98 300ZX 2-seater, '98 300ZX 2+2 (the auto I'm mostly focusing on here), and these three are what was to be found on the American market. For the Japanese there is the '89 Fairlady Z Twin Turbo 2-seater (this car can be had in Premium or Standard trims), the Fairlady Z Version R Twin Turbo 2+2, and the '98 Fairlady Z Version S Twin Turbo 2-seater.  

Some of you may wonder why I'm choosing to focus on the slightly inferior 2+2 models for this review. It's because only the 2+2 appears in all Gran Turismo games. So for everything I say about the 2+2, imagine the 2-seater is slightly better, lighter, faster, etc. Make sense?

Don't know about the rest of the word, but in America the 300ZX and the Corvette are classic "mid-life crisis" vehicles; cars older men tend to buy when once they've got some money sitting around and want to pretend they're 18 again. Women sometimes buy them too, but typically a mid-life crisis will make them opt for tummy tucks and breast / butt implants. If they go for a car, it's going to be one for "hairdressers", usually a convertible.  

Unlike the Supra and RX-7 (both of which are arguably more race-ready and straddle a fine line between sports and race car), the Nissan 300ZX is an over-burdened, over-stuffed living room that happens to have a 3.0 liter V6 engine, and rolls on four wheels! To some, it has a sleek look. But to others, its looks are too bulbous...too round...not at all like older Z-cars, which it seems Nissan gave more of a sculpted shape. Like the Camaros that appear in our games, the 300ZX is more aerodynamically sound than older models, but it hasn't got as much personality.


To any beginners out there: if you don't have finesse with dual-shock controllers or a wheel, the ZX won't be for you. This is not an automobile for the novice, as the rear-drive Silvia Q's and Sil80 are. If you're new to Gran Turismo 1 or 2 and must drive a 300ZX (because your uncle or your dad drives one), go with a used '95 or '96 car, and don't get the turbo, yet. The normally-aspirated cars are much easier to handle than the turbocharged machines. Consider yourself lucky that you've got a choice. For those who are more experienced with sim-driving....read on. (actually, you can keep reading if you're not that experienced...)

When driven totally stock, the 300ZX handles okay, feels relatively solid, and we can get some cool low and mid-speed drift & slide maneuvers in ANY GT game with cheaper tires shod. It's also very possible to find yourself beating all the competition in easier / intermediate races. Now...racing this car on a more advanced level at a course like Grand Valley or Apricot Hill (both of which include some long, high-speed turns that aren't banked), is another story. The 300ZX will wallow around like a hippopotamus on steroids once it's got some speed going!

The difference between a Supra and a 300ZX becomes obvious fast at this level. Although both cars weigh about the same, give or take 100 pounds, the 300ZX is a tad clumsier..sometimes more than a tad. So the first order on our checklist is to buy some weight reductions if you're going to take this car to more advanced racing (which I assume you will be).

The cars in GT3 and GT4 are not immune here. They also feel like over-achievers at first. Once the 300ZX is doing Amateur Leauge races in GT3, or Professional-level or Special Condition races in GT4, things start to change. After this, these cars start to feel more and more ponderous. Again, weight needs to be shaved to solve this.

The 300ZX, unlike its earlier predecessor--the Z car, is heavy because it's loaded with a bunch of components that have nothing to do with racing. Here we have our heated, fully adjustable leather seats, automated climate controls, soundproofing material, dual zone airbags, our side-window defoggers, thick-pile carpeting, interior trim, premium Bose sound system.....you name it, it's an option; and it's all loaded apparently.

 

Therefore, this is a sporty car... but it's a bit of a luxury car as well. About 384 pounds come off after $32,500 + about $80,000 is spent in GT2 for all weight reductions + racing kit. The final low can be anywhere from 2,691 pounds for the '95 2-seater to 2,974 pounds for the '98 Twin Turbo version R. There are so many ZX-cars in GT2, it's dizzying to try and list them all, but you get the picture. Much more weight can be shed if you're modifying any of the cars found in GT1. The lightest would be the Fairlady Z Version S 2-seater, which climbs the scale at just 2,112 pounds! Wow.

Compare that to GT4, where the 2-seater still winds up being lightest at 3,350 pounds to start, but 2,779 with all weight removed. Add about 120 pounds to this and you've got an idea of what the 2+2 weighs. In GT5, I got my 2+2 all the way down to 2,832.

 All these figures are acceptable for a good number of races in each game, but ultimately the 300ZX isn't guaranteed to make it towards the top depending which game you've got, strongly due to weight issues. The cars of GT1 and GT2 can win the World Cup if you're skilled, since any of them can be shod with racing kits and accept titanic power. The FedEx 300ZX-GTS (a prize in GT2) is tops for those who want to simply find the best ZX.

In GT3 and 4, unfortunately, the 300ZX meets its end eventually. In GT3, we can't buy any aerodynamics for the 300ZX (or any other car for that matter) which severely hurts once we're working with...let's say...600 horses. The car in GT4 can be shod with a wing kit, but eventually dies as the game challenges us with its fastest.

GT5 is the "overachiever" game, in which a car with as much power as a 300ZX sports won't be useful until later in the game. Well, the Beginner League FR Series can be driven if the car's power is limited. The Supercar Festival can be tried as well, but anything between these two events will be destroyed a little too easily.

All ZX models are limited to only seven shades of color, which includes red, yellow, dark green, and purple on the selectable palette, along with the more professional silver, black, and white shades. There should be something for everyone, but ultimately some folks might be a little disappointed. But don't be: the real-life car only came in six or seven colors, too.