10th Nov 2002, 21:32

I just purchased a 1979 280ZX and drove it back from the dealer in St. Louis, Missouri to Virginia. The car covered 880 miles and never gave me a moments worry. It is beautiful and runs so smoothly on the highway that you would never guess it was a twenty three year old vehicle. There are a few minor things that I'll need to attend to, but in it's current form, this car turns heads and is fun to drive. This is the second 1979 280ZX I've owned and both have been in excellent condition and performed unbelievably well. You can leave them as factory original or modify them for greater performance and these cars just keep right on going. Lastly, who doesn't just love the sight of that big flat six?

7th Sep 2007, 00:03

I've had my 79 280zx since high school,"about 12 years ago" and I wrecked it about 8 years ago. Just recently have I moved it from my parents back yard to my garage and started restoring it. I plan on making it a real monster with the v8 and all, but as far as the car's condition goes it held up really well. It has been the most entertaining and fun car to drive in all aspects (handling above all) and if anyone has any positive input please let me know...

2nd Jan 2009, 05:24

I am a university student with limited cash and would absolutely love to buy a 1979 280zx that I have found. However I was wondering if anyone could give me an estimate of how much the upkeep of these would be each year? I just need to know whether I will have enough money to make the needed repairs, as I would hate to buy one and let it deteriorate.

3rd Jan 2009, 00:01

These are great cars, and look up to date even now. However you would be far better off if you can find one that has been converted to a small-block Chevy drive train. They are much faster, VERY cheap to maintain and far more reliable than the Nissan drive train. A couple of my friends have had Chevy-powered 240's and 280's and loved them.

The Nissan 6 is not very reliable and is very expensive to keep going. Also, I'd avoid the old first generation RX-7 like the plague. These are some of the worst sports cars ever built. I know. I got stuck with one.

23rd Feb 2009, 17:47

Hello, I just got my drivers license and am looking at a 79' 280, but am not sure how much it would cost to maintain, and if I left it as is, it has new tires and brakes, that's all though. I would also like to know if with them now being 30 years old, if they are still worth buying.

13th Sep 2010, 05:17

I own a 1979 Datsun 280ZX, and I will never own another one... So far I have replaced the motor, all struts, brake system, A/C system, ignition, fuel injectors, mass air flow sensor, plugs, wires, slave cylinder, clutch, all seals and frame bearings, you name it and guess what... it died on me this morning... It is my fault, because I bought a Nissan (brand new) in 1995, and it too fell apart.

30th Sep 2010, 18:51

This is actually a question. I just got a 1979 Datsun 280zx. So far I love the car, I have always liked the look of Datsun Z's, it runs fine, just a little lifter tick, but it seems to be a little sluggish from a stop. I mean it does OK, but I know it's not doing what it could, and should.. It's pretty snappy once it's going 40 or 50 mph. I was just wondering if there were any ideas out there?