Final-Year 1996 Nissan 300ZX 5-Speed Spent 27 Years With One OwnerMotoriousElizabeth PuckettFri, September 25, 2026 at 8:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleFinal-Year 1996 Nissan 300ZX 5-Speed Spent 27 Years With One OwnerThe Z32 Nissan 300ZX ended its U.S. run with the 1996 model year, and this Ultra Red example is about as honest a final-year car as you'll find. It's currently up for auction on Cars & Bids, showing roughly 67,800 miles, packing the desirable five-speed manual, and carrying a clean Carfax that shows it lived with a single owner in Washington State from new until 2023.That kind of ownership history is getting harder to find on 1990s Japanese sports cars, which have spent the last several years climbing out of the bargain bin and into collector garages. We've watched the same trend play out with cars like this no-reserve 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata M-Edition and the 1999 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R, and the 300ZX has been along for the ride.The Last of the Z32sKnown internally as the Z32, the second-generation 300ZX arrived for 1990 and was a massive leap over the boxy Z31 that came before it. It was lower, wider, and far more sophisticated, with styling that still looks sharp three decades on. Nissan packed the car with technology for its day, and the range-topping twin-turbo versions, like this well-optioned 1990 Twin Turbo, went toe-to-toe with far more expensive European exotics.AdvertisementAdvertisementBy the mid-1990s, though, rising prices and a shifting market cooled demand, and 1996 became the final model year for the 300ZX in America. The Z badge wouldn't return to U.S. showrooms until the 350Z arrived for 2003, which makes these last-year cars a natural target for Z collectors.Naturally Aspirated and UnmodifiedThis car uses the naturally aspirated VG30DE 3.0-liter V6, which was rated at 222 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque when new. Power goes to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox, which is the configuration most enthusiasts want. The seller reports no notable modifications, which is a big deal in a world where so many Z32s have been lowered, boosted, or otherwise tinkered with over the years.The Ultra Red paint is paired with a Charcoal Black cloth interior. Factory equipment includes removable T-top roof panels, 16-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable driver's seat, automatic climate control, cruise control, power windows, locks, and mirrors, and a Bose sound system.A Deep Stack of Service RecordsOne of the strongest selling points here is the maintenance history. The Carfax shows a steady stream of oil changes and routine service, along with a timing belt, water pump, thermostat, tensioner, and camshaft seal job in 2022. More recent work in 2025 and 2026 includes a coolant service, a differential fluid change, and a four-wheel alignment.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn September 2026, the car also received new valve cover gaskets, PCV hoses, fuel lines, balance tube O-rings, vacuum lines, air filters, a fuel pump, and the notoriously hard-to-reach coolant hoses under the intake manifold. Anyone who has worked on a VG30 knows that last item alone is a job worth paying someone else to handle.The current owner bought the car in September 2023 and has added about 9,700 miles since. The sale also includes four sets of keys, two key fobs, factory floor mats, and a set of Michelin Pilot Sport tires.What to Know Before BiddingThe listing is upfront about the car's flaws. There are some chips, blemishes, and dings around the exterior, curb rash on the driver-side wheels, and corrosion on some underbody components. One commenter also noted the nose panel between the fog lights is body color rather than the gray finish they expected, so a close look through the photo gallery is worthwhile.The car is located in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and has a clean Missouri title. There is a loan on the car that will be paid off with the sale proceeds, so the title may not be available until the payoff is complete.AdvertisementAdvertisementAt the time of writing, bidding sat at $7,700 after four bids, with the auction scheduled to end on September 29, 2026. Compare that to the 34-years-owned 1990 300ZX Twin Turbo we covered recently, and it's clear the non-turbo manual cars remain one of the more attainable ways into 1990s Japanese performance. For the full listing, photo gallery, and service documentation, head over to Cars & Bids.⚡️ Read the full article on MotoriousSign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.