down falls are leaking t-tops and rough ride, good side it accelerate very well corners like a go cart and gets lots of attention. like driveing a corvette. car seems to be high maintance. how ever i bought the car in lacking in repair and maintance. as many are. at this ageDec 12, 2014
by Anonymous
May 23, 2012
Transmission throwout bearing went out today as I pulled into the driveway, it started screaching, that pretty much will probably be the nail in the coffin for my 280zxt.
I've kept this car alive for 10 years despite all odds, but I draw the line at risking my life underneath the car, dropping a transmission and busting knuckles and getting dirt in my eyes.
~
She was my first sports car... and forced me against my will to become a mechanic even though I never wanted to, I just wanted a reliable car to drive. I didn't think it was too much to ask; I was a diabetic and really did not have the fortitude or patience to work on cars, let alone one that turned out to be a hardcore total lemon).
A long love hate relationship ensued with and endless amount of swearing and cursing, keeping this thing running with clogged injectors, rotting vacuum hoses, overheating distributor electronics causing a world of problems, blown head gaskets, a broken flywheel leaving me stranded once hundreds of miles from home, dying starters and alternators, incorrectly set spark timing, leaky power steering pump, busted windshield replacements from falling tree branches, flaking out digital dash electronics, plus your usual frustration replacing batteries, corroded battery connectors, brakes, and tires.
Goes without saying that all those superfluous creature comforts that never belonged on a sportscar, like AC/heat, cruise control, rear window defogger, etc... died long ago and have been nothing but dead weight on the car. Oh, and that clear coat... nothing looks more sexy on a car than a bad case of widespread dandruff. Leaky t-tops in your lap - joy! Cramped leg room. A printed out FSM manual 3 inches thick. I try hard to find anything redeeming about my car, a mass produced Jaguar E-type knockoff, but I just can't.
So there she sits in my yard... engine runs fine... I suppose... nice interior with new upholstery... Grant steering wheel and mp3 head unit... what to do with her.... I don't know. Flower planter?
There's a whole cult of people that think the Zcars are the greatest thing since sliced cheese... but then you go to the zcar forums and find, everyone and their uncle posts a world of problems with them, everything breaks on them.... and its one royal headache to keep these cars going.May 23, 2012
by Brian M
Dec 25, 2010
first off this car is 30 years old and i'd have it over most cars today. it's got the whole package. it's fun to drive, not horrible on gas, and surprisingly comfortable. the acceleration is really nice not to mention it handles the turns like it was on rails. the brakes could be better, but overall they do the job pretty well. the only things this car would need are more power and a tighter suspension just for that extra bit of oomph when you put your foot downDec 25, 2010
User rating:
by Anonymous
Dec 12, 2014
down falls are leaking t-tops and rough ride, good side it accelerate very well corners like a go cart and gets lots of attention. like driveing a corvette. car seems to be high maintance. how ever i bought the car in lacking in repair and maintance. as many are. at this ageDec 12, 2014
by Anonymous
May 23, 2012
Transmission throwout bearing went out today as I pulled into the driveway, it started screaching, that pretty much will probably be the nail in the coffin for my 280zxt.
I've kept this car alive for 10 years despite all odds, but I draw the line at risking my life underneath the car, dropping a transmission and busting knuckles and getting dirt in my eyes.
~
She was my first sports car... and forced me against my will to become a mechanic even though I never wanted to, I just wanted a reliable car to drive. I didn't think it was too much to ask; I was a diabetic and really did not have the fortitude or patience to work on cars, let alone one that turned out to be a hardcore total lemon).
A long love hate relationship ensued with and endless amount of swearing and cursing, keeping this thing running with clogged injectors, rotting vacuum hoses, overheating distributor electronics causing a world of problems, blown head gaskets, a broken flywheel leaving me stranded once hundreds of miles from home, dying starters and alternators, incorrectly set spark timing, leaky power steering pump, busted windshield replacements from falling tree branches, flaking out digital dash electronics, plus your usual frustration replacing batteries, corroded battery connectors, brakes, and tires.
Goes without saying that all those superfluous creature comforts that never belonged on a sportscar, like AC/heat, cruise control, rear window defogger, etc... died long ago and have been nothing but dead weight on the car. Oh, and that clear coat... nothing looks more sexy on a car than a bad case of widespread dandruff. Leaky t-tops in your lap - joy! Cramped leg room. A printed out FSM manual 3 inches thick. I try hard to find anything redeeming about my car, a mass produced Jaguar E-type knockoff, but I just can't.
So there she sits in my yard... engine runs fine... I suppose... nice interior with new upholstery... Grant steering wheel and mp3 head unit... what to do with her.... I don't know. Flower planter?
There's a whole cult of people that think the Zcars are the greatest thing since sliced cheese... but then you go to the zcar forums and find, everyone and their uncle posts a world of problems with them, everything breaks on them.... and its one royal headache to keep these cars going.May 23, 2012
by Brian M
Dec 25, 2010
first off this car is 30 years old and i'd have it over most cars today. it's got the whole package. it's fun to drive, not horrible on gas, and surprisingly comfortable. the acceleration is really nice not to mention it handles the turns like it was on rails. the brakes could be better, but overall they do the job pretty well. the only things this car would need are more power and a tighter suspension just for that extra bit of oomph when you put your foot downDec 25, 2010
by Vic M
Apr 12, 2010
My "other" car is a 1981 Datsun 280zx turbo. Great, luxury sports car
with lots of get up and go. Comes completely loaded, power windows,
mirrors, t-tops. Not bad for a 28-year old car. They just don't build cars
like these anymore.Apr 12, 2010
by Michael R
Nov 18, 2009
I've been in love with my s130 for the past 8 years. I started restoring it but the need for speed took over and its been the best money pit I've ever owned. I only drive it in the summers but I get 27MPG when I don't have my foot in it. This is a true engineering student’s car because of its age there is room for performance improvements that can be used a design projects. Of all the cars I've had none of them can wash away a bad day like the Z. Nov 18, 2009
by Rodrigo P
Jul 06, 2009
El narigón es una firea... le hace falta un poco de potencia y aceleración, pero en lo demás es muy bueno.
Poco practico, para pintear y disfrutar el manejo de un verdadero deportivo.
The narigón is a beast...
Needs a little more power, but in the rest it is very good.
No practice at all.
To drive and enjoy the handling of a true sports car.
Jul 06, 2009
by Robert K
May 05, 2009
I love my Z! It is the rare 1981 1/2 280zx turbo. it is automatic with t-tops and fuel injection. it also has power mirrors and windows. I has treated me well these past 12 years! I love Z's!May 05, 2009
by Matthew W
Feb 05, 2008
i had the 280zx turbo.. straight 6 with Garrett T3 turbo at 13psi boost.. i loved this car so much.. it hugs the road and peels out with no effort... this car was a beast and i used to spank the crap out of mustangs and camaros v8s.. this car only weighed just over 2000 lbs and would fly.. 150mph is pretty intense.. and that wasnt even redline.. 2.454 Rear diff. made burnouts a breeze!Feb 05, 2008
by Diana F
Jan 30, 2008
Datsuns are reliable, high quality automobiles. This car is a classic with great speed and good overall performance. It's a beauty with it's sleek exterior, well preserved by a desert climate. The straight six turbo engine is super fast and can get a person in trouble.Jan 30, 2008
I have replaced the injectors mass air flow meter plugs, wires electronic ignition, fuel pump, pressure regulator, TPS, the engine starts and runs well at idle, but hesitates on acceleration, and backfires. The only way I can stop the hesitation is to restrict the return fuel to raise the fuel pressure.
the engine will start but if I shut it off and try to start it again it runs to rich and won't start unless I leave it for about a hour then it will start again. I've replaced the fuel regulator and still have the same problem , suggestions ?
