14th Sep 2006, 17:43
I am just a bit envious of the one owners resent purchase of the Z20 200SX. I would love to have an opportunity like that. I was fortunate to purchase my 1980 Z20 200SX in May of 1980. After its brake in period, I had an extremely pleasant run with it. For 9.5 years, with reasonable maintenance, it was the most dependable vehicle I had ever run across. I drove it for 207, 000 + miles. The design of the car actually assisted in some situations. With only 6.5 inches documented ground clearance, I routinely drove thru snows that I would feel pushing up under the floor panels. Once, I escaped a flooded road with water flowing across the hood under my own power, lifted the hood and finding the engine compartment was still virtually dry. It got bent up a few times, but never had mechanical issues. All the damage ended up to be primarily body work. The only design faults that I ever considered were the door windows not being tracked and the drive shaft. The carrier bearing was interesting, but the fact that they collapsed behind the U-joints so they could not be replaced was a bit cumbersome. This car was so good to me that after the last accident, I located another one. It did not have the 5 speed, but it was close. Number 2 was purchased with 113,000 miles on it, and I finally traded it in on the vehicle I am driving now with 438,000 miles on it after another successful 7.5 year run. They had always been a fantastic car for me.
9th May 2009, 21:22
I've had a number of these S110 Nissan's. A little bit quirky to look at at first, but you really get won over by their honesty. Apart from rust no real problems... plenty of interchangeable parts and packed with features well ahead of their time... although an IRS would have been the icing on the cake. I'd buy one again in a flash if I could find one.
24th Jul 2006, 21:30
I just bought a 1980 Datsun 200sx "Z20" 5 speed with 52,000 miles for $1500. The body is in pretty good shape, and the motor runs like new. An old man that lives on my corner had it sitting in his garage and he passed away, so I bought it off his son.. The car is great, needs minor work, but when I'm up to selling it I'll let you guys know =)