1979 Datsun 280ZX from North America - Comments

The fuel injectors were dripping.

The dashboard exhibits large cracks.

The fuel pump and fuel pressure.

Regulator were leaking.

The fan clutch did not work.

The car overheats in traffic.

The valve springs are weak.

The differential mount snapped.

The air conditioning is very weak.

I have found that owning a 280ZX is a very disappointing automotive experience.

Many owners claim that their Z cars are wonderful driving machines, however I have not found this to be the case.

Repairs are very costly, and the car continues to break down on a regular basis.

The straight six offers mild performance and should be able to keep up with a Chevrolet Caviler.

Because of the poor fuel mapping and lack of an oxygen sensor, the car is prone to run rich. At night, fumes can be seen rising from the tailpipe.

Gas mileage is poor when taking into consideration the displacement of the engine.

I have found the 280ZX to be a very costly car to keep on the road.

Sounds like the previous owner drove ran it into the ground or didn't keep it maintained. You'll most likely have to completely overhaul the engine and drivetrain if you want to give the car a fair judgement.

I disagree with what he had to say about the 280ZX's being bad cars. I own a 1979 Datsun 280ZX and it has its little problems, but you say it can't keep up with a Chevy Cavalier. I have been known to smoke the heck out of a souped up mustang 5.0, and also a Pontiac Grand Am. My personal opinion is that you got a car that is near the end of its life and you need to get the engine and stuff repaired or replaced. Mine has almost 300k on it and it isn't showing a lack of power. If you were to put some money into that car, you will be pleased with it. From the sounds of it, the car has bad compression and problems with the cooling system. Just rebuild or replace the engine and call it good. Just don't knock the Z cars, they have been around since the 60's or 70's.

I have discovered over the years that owning and operating a Z-Car is not for everyone. You have to appreciate them for what they are, a mid-level sports car with a lot of quirks after they have aged.However, a lot of useful knowledge can be gleaned from other owners if one will search forums on the Internet.Z-car owners are always willing to share information because they know what you are going through! So, don't judge all Z-cars by one. I currently drive a 1979 280ZX daily that I got out of a junkyard for $125.00!

I own a 1979 280ZX that I bought for 300 dollars the only thing that was wrong were the you joints it has 200,000 miles on it and still runs GREAT!

To criticize the 280zx as being too slow and compare it to a present-day uninspiring piece of junk like the Cavalier is to miss the point.

You don't buy a ZX for speed. Or, if you do, you go for the Turbo (and even then you will want to make modifications). For speed, you go for an earlier Z car.

As far as the repairs, the car is 20 years old, what do you expect? Unless you bought a low mileage ZX that was garaged for most of its life, it is going to need work.

When I bought my '82 non-turbo 280zx, it had a lot of problems. It didn't ride well. But I have put thousands into rebuilding it inside and out. Just replacing stock suspension components and adding KYB shocks and wider tires made a tremendous difference. It handles really well now, and I didn't even go for performance suspension upgrades.

Anyway, don't compare the 280zx to a modern Cavalier, compare it to other 20 year old cars. Compare the Cavalier to the 350z. After all, where will today's Cavaliers be in 20 years?

I bought my 280zx for 1200 dollars and I love that car. The t-tops leaked, the tint was ruined, the carpet was laughable and the seats sucked. The first thing I did was I did an oil change and washed it. It hadn't been started in years so that was a necessary thing to do. I adjusted the windows to fix the t-top leak, I Pulled the carpet and seats out and installed new carpet and insulation and I found that a set of 300ZX seats will bolt right in to the 280zx and my dash was cracked so I replaced it with a dealership part. the rear end clunked and I figured out that the cross-member bushings were cracked so I replaced them and that fixed my problem. All and ALL it is a great car.

I think you made an unfair judgment on the car. You bought a car that was mistreated apparently for most of its life, didn't bother to get anything fixed, if you take the time to get everything working, you'll have a great, strong running car, I have a 79 280zx and it is no where close to being slow, leaky, smoky, running rich or anything like that.

If you take care of the car, they will take care of you.

Mine is closing on 200k and runs better than most cars half its age.

If you had to buy a 1958 corvette with everything wrong with that car, would you buy it for a cheap price? I know I would. I have a 1982 datsun 280zx non turbo. I bought her with only 148000KMs. I am gonna pop open my piggy bank and get my car what she deserves. That is, Respect, power and most of all back in to her orginal shape. Do not compare the 280zx with a cavalier. I blew the doors off of 5L mustang GT, Acura integras, civics and camaro's. Mine is a non turbo too. I hope you don't take offence... but I don't think you had your heart set on the living legend, or else, you would have worked on her.

Ciao for niao.

I recently acquired a 76 280z and it smokes just about any thing on the road. I have also spent a lot of time fixing the problems due to the previous owner. The Zs have a trend of being abused due to their reputation. If you fix it right and before it takes other components with it then they are reliable.

I have an 82 Turbo and I love it. I'm sorry you must be mistaken all 280ZXs from 79' to 83 came with an O2 sensor. Yours may have had a problem with the fuel injection and an older version from a 280Z (if that was all that was availiable, because that would be an intensive swap) may have been put on because they had no O2 sensor. They are great cars with smooth power due to the fact they have an inline engine. It is far better than the 300ZX that I used to own. The L-series engines have to be one of the best engines by Datsun.

Absolute Classic!

I would like to offer a correction if you don't mind. 1979 and 80 280zx's don't have oxygen sensors. Also if you need a computer,79 and 80 are the same. Grab one if you get the chance. By the way, learn to do your own work on them and they will be very cheap to keep on the road. People spend a lot of money on new cars, why not spend 1/3 of that cost on z or zx and have a very cool classic.

I have a 79 and doing 90% of the work myself I have about $7000.00 in it, but everything from the ground up is new, considering what it would cost to buy a new car that would equal the performance of the Z I feel I'm thousands ahead!

OK guys here goes.

I have a 1979 280zx (no turbo) 5 speed, and it does not have an O2 sensor. Any car this old will need work. Now this is a fairly simple fuel injection system, get a factory service manual and use it to learn how to repair them.

These cars are now hitting the wrecking yards in big numbers, that's you supply source. Visit often, when you find a part that's better than what you have take it. Also get parts you don't need, replace the on on your car, if works OK then you now have known good part in your hand. Save that part it's your replacement for some day. These cars really have nothing that an average school kid can't learn to handle (Are you listening kids). Fix one up give it a paint job and watch how many people do a double take on your way by. Very cool yes indeed. And they really run great once you erase years of neglect.

Or you can always keep buying new cars, always owe a bank, and blend in with the masses.