1979 Datsun 280ZX GL 2+2 Coupe review from Australia and New Zealand
"Attractive, but unversatile and unreliable"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
When I first got it, it required a full cooling system overhaul and a major service, cost $1700.
At 83000kms, the head gasket went, so a new one + a reconditioned head = $1100 later.
Even after the above was sorted, it would stall after a certain amount of time of driving it, leave it for a couple of minutes and it would start up again as if nothing happened. The coil was replaced, but the problem kept persisting.
Starter motor was replaced at 85000kms.
A/C didn't work.
The tuner knob on the radio didn't work neither did the tape deck.
General comments?
This car used to be my late grandads car, and it sat in his garage doing bugger all for the better part of 10 years, hence all the repairs done to it.
It didn't have many electrical issues, but mechanically, it wasn't as reliable as I had hoped.
Its performance wasn't as good as I had hoped as well, but then again, it was only an automatic.
But considering the problems it had, I think I paid too much for it.
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model Year | 1979 |
| First year of ownership | 2007 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.8L EFI Inline-6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 5/10 |
| Reliability marks | 4/10 |
| Comfort marks | 6/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 80000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 85300 kilometres |
| Previous car | Holden Commodore |
| Date of Entry | 2nd May, 2008 |