300zx vs. Integra
The Nissan 300ZX was a part of the famed Z series sports cars produced since 1969, starting with the Datsun 240Z, while the Acura Integra was a performance coupe produced by Honda. Both vehicles enjoyed immense popularity in the 1990s. Nissan marketed the 300ZX as a luxury-oriented sports car equipped with a turbo V-6 engine. The Integra was smaller, with a decidedly less powerful four-cylinder power plant.
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Background
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Nissan produced the 300ZX from 1983 to 2000, with exports to North America from 1984 to 1996. It was bigger, heavier and had a more pedestrian appearance than its famed older siblings the 240Z, 260Z and 280Z. However, a twin turbo V-6, sophisticated suspension and advanced automotive technology more than made up for its loss in panache. Honda produced the Integra from 1985 to 2006. Its 1990s limited edition performance Type R and the GS-R trim come closest in performance to the 300ZX. Yet the Integra’s engine output was anemic when compared to the 300ZX's engine.
Trims and Size
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The Integra came as a two-door hatchback and four-door sedan. The 300ZX was available as two-door coupe, convertible and 2+2 fastback. Comparing the Integra to the 1996 300ZX, the ZX’s last year of production in North America, the Integra came with the base RS trim level, the upscale LS and GS-R performance trim. The performance Type R arrived in 1998. Nissan offered the 1996 300ZX as a base model and the 2+2. The standard 1996 300ZX sat on a 96.5-inch wheelbase. The 2+2 version stretched the wheelbase to 101.2 inches. The 2+2 was also heavier by 114 pounds than the base model, tipping the scales at 3,401 pounds. The Integra was longer and had a taller profile than the 300ZX. The 1996 Integra featured a 103.1-inch wheelbase. Its curbside weight was only 2,703 pounds. and it stood 53.9 inches tall. The 300 ZX measured in at 48.4 inches.
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Output
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The standard 300ZX’s 3-liter V-6 generated a respectable 222 horsepower and 198 foot-pounds of torque. But the turbocharged version put the 300ZX in another league with an impressive 300 horsepower and 280 foot-pounds of torque. The power boost came from Nissan’s intercooling system, one turbo per cylinder bank, five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The turbo’s output dropped to 280 horsepower when equipped with a four-speed automatic. The Integra’s output was less impressive. Standard models received a 142-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 127 foot-pounds of torque. The performance GS-R boosted output to 170 horsepower and the 1998 Type R model saw output rise to 190 horsepower. The 1995 300ZX could hit zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The 1996 Integra GS-R reached 60 mph in 7 seconds.
Features
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The 300ZX sat on 16-inch alloy wheels and featured standard sports car equipment such as bucket seats, fog lamps, tachometer, power brakes, limited-slip differential and all-wheel ABS. Leather seats and powered driver’s seat were options. The 1996 Integra rode on 14-inch steel wheels and featured bucket seats, center console, power brakes, power moonroof, tachometer and all-wheel ABS as standard equipment. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, while the four-speed automatic was optional.
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