1981 Nissan 280ZX from North America - Comments

Transmission was replaced at 75,000 miles and normal maintenance costs.

Very smooth ride with quick and very controllable handling. Was very fast off the line if you weren't afraid to push the car. In a block to block race with a good set of wide tires on it, I would race anything.

I know what you mean, I've owned one for the past 10 years, a manual targa top with 14x8 three piece alloys, this car can still go off the clock on the speedo, 200kph not a problem.

Cc.

Cheers

Paul

New Zealand.

Great handeling, very fast, I just got an 82'and that's my joy in life. Recomend one to anyone, but prepare to need work once you get past 100K. Overall, great, fast car.

Zach 2002.

I bought my first Nissan 280zx two years ago and I love it. It's a 1980, and I have converted the injectors to three Weber Carborators and I have switched the factory distributor over to a Mallory dual point distributor. The performance is great and it handles very well. The only thing I didn't like about the Nissan is that it is so hard to work on. I have rebuilt Chevy 350 engines, but you really have to study a manual before you touch a Nissan.

P.S. It's also really hard to find a mechanic for a decent price.

I got my 280zx about 8 months ago I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. It needs a new transmission, but it has 240K miles on it.

I have a 280ZX for over 11 years now. Excellent car and can still do over 200 kph with 14x8 Volk 3 piece mags on the back and 14X6.5 on the front. Only problem been mechanics aren't up to standard on tuning, auto electricians are the best way to go.

Probably will need to sell it shortly for a mustang.

Tony

New Zealand.

I just scrapped my 1982 280 zx. It had 800.000 miles. It was a love hate relationship. Went through five exhaust manifolds. I never took it over 5000 rpm, but I had a camshaft crack in half? Continuous fuel injector leaks, very difficult to work on. I never did get it to run perfectly, even with new engine after cam break. No one seemed to be able to tune it to its best. 280 zx s have amazing high speed cornering, a little slow by todays standards. The motors should be good for at least 500,000 miles. Iy broke my heart to scrap it. I now have isuzu trooper.

I have to Zs, a 240Z with a V8 and a 280Z. Both are nice. Handling is very Nissan-like, predictable with slight understeer. I also have a 1967 Nissan Roadster and the Z cars drive almost as nice. Fun cars in the rain, very stable handling parameters. As far as hard to work on, this is because Nissan doesn't build slop like other car makers. Yes, buy a book and read it before you work on a Z, you will be rewarded for your effort though.

I just got a 1983 nissan 280zx about 4 months ago. It has a lot of power and its in great condition. I am going to put a new exhaust systom on it, and a better distributor on it and high performance spark plugs. it can already smoke a lot of cars, but when I get done with it, it will take anything. I like to do my own work on it. I wanted to put an edelbrock dry nitrous system on it, but I want to keep it mostly original os I won't.

My dad bought a 79 280zx I have got to say it is one of the best handling cars. When your going on the highway at 90 plus it's still fairly smooth.

I'm on my second 280zx... and not looking forward to the arrival of my first child for the fact that there's no getting around needing to sell it and get a "family car"... *sigh*

You've driven the rest, now drive the best. Go find yourself a 280zx and restore it. It will look after you. It will turn heads. It will make you happy, and sad. And there's no other way to live life.

Names phil.

I gotta say I'm only hearing good things about this car,guys.

I just wanted to know if its all that cause I do need a dependable car... but something I can REALLY RIDE at the same time!does the fuel injectors on this model really make a huge dif.?or is it about as good as a reg. electrical carburetor?i just started learning about cars, and I'm lovin it.if you guys (and gals)have some knowledge that you want to share,fill me in!i promise to put it to good use.

Its weird I can't see myself in one of those new cars!I'm 20 and i get this strange feeling like the older cars have a bigger soul then these newer mass prodused cars... anyways I'm looking into buying a nissan 280zx and if anyone has a couple of pointers on what to look for when buying one that would be great!who knows,you might just see a new driver on the road.

Bought a 82 a year ago for 600.00. Original everything including paint. AC compressor OK. I'm in Florida. Excellent body with just normal spots of rust. Charcoal gray. Wasnt running, kid said it needed starter and injectors. Starter in, started with the coil, replaced 10.00.Injectors tested OK. Replaced distributer when I got into it and found a broken magnet ring in there.150.00. She fired up with some smoke. Cleaned gas tank. Changed plugs and have been driving her since with excellent fuel economy. Have some rust issues underneath I'm not thrilled with, but my faith paid off. Not the most practical thing on wheels, but dependable and have had an easier time striking up a conversation with the babes.

I got a 1982 280zx 2+2 about a month ago the t tops leak the carpets are shredding the floors are rusted shocks always bottom out body is fair wiring is fried, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.