1979 Datsun 280ZX Turbo 2.8L turbo from North America

Summary:

Potentially the most amazing car I've ever seen

Faults:

When my grandfather showed me the car, he said it sat in a garage for over a decade, so usual problems like dry-rot and bad paint would occur, and they did. Most of the gaskets in the engine are leaking a little and the grommets and other rubber components of the suspension have worn out. Not too much of a problem, it just means I have to clean the engine once a week and allow for more than average body roll in the turns until I have the money to fix it.

When I first acquired the car from my grandfather after he repossessed it, the brakes were shot. The back right brake pad was basically using metal to stop. That caused a lot of grooves in the rotor and the noise was horrible.

My parents made me stop driving the car after realizing how bad the brakes were, and because it sat for about 3 weeks the fuel pump went out. But that was an easy fix.

The car has had several electrical problems since I've owned the car, for example, there's a short in the windshield wiper and the fuse would blow in the fuse box almost immediately. So my grandfather just ran a wire straight to the battery and it works. Until I have a professional fix it.

I was driving down the road one day, when all-the-sudden my windshield got wet, and while I was trying to figure out how smoke started billowing out the hood vents and then I figured my radiator exploded. Well, it wasn't my radiator, it was my thermostat. It went out and caused everything to over-heat and my reservoir top blew off. Once again, easily fixed.

General Comments:

I fell in love with this car the moment I first saw it. It was unlike any other car I have ever driven, or seen. And the power, it had more power than any tuner car in my town and I out ran them all on a regular basis. Everyone had told me what a money-pit the car is, but its not because once I have replaced a part it hasn't given me any problems what-so-ever. Something goes bad, I fix it, good as new. This car is my dream car and once I'm done with it, it should be the dream car of everyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th July, 2006

1979 Datsun 280ZX from North America

Summary:

Sweet ride

Faults:

Wheel drum went at 85,000

Alternator went at 130,000.

General Comments:

My first '79zx turned heads and was fast. I was hit from behind in 1988 and had to junk the car. Someone got a good engine and some nice true spoke wheels. I have dreamed about owning another one. My dream came true. I will fly to Omaha to pick up my second '79 zx. It has 88,000,and has all the service records. I will drive it 988 miles to my home in Ga.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd October, 2005

26th Apr 2008, 22:37

A few years ago one of guys where I work sold me a 1979zx 2 seater for cheap. I love this thing, it's a truly great car. Now he wants to buy it back. What do you suppose the odds of that happening are? 0.000%

1979 Datsun 280ZX straight six 1.8 liter from North America

Summary:

Hell on wheels

Faults:

Power steering went out.

Had to replace relay circuits many times.

Speedometer cable was way off.

General Comments:

Once I got it running, it ran like a bat outta hell!

Great handling.

Performs like a mini-corvette.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd December, 2002

24th Feb 2004, 22:07

No Power steering on the 280ZX? Bull. My 79 280ZX has original power steering.

Now the 280Z on the other hand, may not have had it.

25th Feb 2004, 20:27

The 1979 Datsun 280zx definitely has power steering!

25th Jun 2004, 02:14

Not all of the them had power steering. I have an early model '79, built in late '78 and it came factory with no power steering.