1981 Nissan 280ZX Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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

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