280ZX - How reliable are they?

Post by **Phraust** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:09 pm

After taking advice from a friend of mine, I've stopped listening to my "car pro" brothers and looked for a car myself. He told me that I should find a car that I think looks awesome, buy it and work on it, not listen to what my brothers think is cool (240SX, VW Golf, VW Jetta, Chevy Cobalt)

I've been looking at the 280ZX for a while, and thought to myself, this would be a really fun car to drive/work on. But, are they reliable cars?

Post by **AZ-ZBum** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:19 am

The cars were made in 1979 to 1983. So you're looking at something that's at least 25 years old. It's going to need something. You'll have to go through a lot to make it as reliable as it was when it was new.

Post by **evildky** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 6:23 am

if you find one tahts been cared for they are very dependable, if it's rotted and rusted you'll have nothing but headaches, for a few grand generally you can find decent driver quality S130's

Post by **younggune21** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:16 am

all cars can be reliable, it depends on the knowledge of the person who is fixing/ tuning the car

Post by **Titus_RacerX** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:19 pm

younggune21 wrote:all cars can be reliable, it depends on the knowledge of the person who is fixing/ tuning the car

Plus, it was made in Japan. Than automatically makes it better than the Chevy's or Fords out there.

Post by **ZXR_KiD** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:46 am

I drug my '79 ZXR out of a junkyard, after a battery and new shocks and springs in the rear drove it for a year before I had my first issue, and it was nothing more than the fuel pump went out. once I fixed that it gave me trouble free duty for another 6 months till I spun a rod bearing while autoXing the car (probably over-revving too) at the 300,000mile mark... but come on 300k you'd expect the bearings to go eventually....

moral... L28s are near bulletproof with basic maintenince just like anything elese... very reliable cars.

Post by **91TTz32** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:40 pm

d

AZ-ZBum wrote:The cars were made in 1979 to 1983. So you're looking at something that's at least 25 years old. It's going to need something. You'll have to go through a lot to make it as reliable as it was when it was new.

Absolutely. A friend of mine had one a while back. This one was not taken care of and gave him problems at every startup pretty much.

Post by **hitbychance** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 4:27 am

i have had my 82 280zx for about 2 years the only thing i need to put in it is a radiator hose haha like 5$, the car car itself has 300 k and it goes like a son of a B*****, i put cobalts to shame every now and then haha definetly get a 280zx they are the bomb

Post by **Desert Rat** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:58 am

The last one I had was solid as a rock.

Avoid those with the digital dashes though....they get a little tempremental

Post by **Bleach** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:07 pm

The 280ZX I had was extremely reliable.Get a non-turbo and don't do any engine modifications. Just clean it up and drive it. It should go for a quarter million miles or more.I worked on the ZX less than my Altima back then.

Post by **hermultra** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:52 pm

Post by **darens13** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:31 pm

Titus_RacerX wrote:

Plus, it was made in Japan. Than automatically makes it better than the Chevy's or Fords out there.

+1. the only reason i have my dodge truck is for show

Post by **fromeast2west** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:23 pm

For cars in this age range, aftermarket support is as important as reliability, and the early Zs have great support as well as plenty of options for swaps. There are a few LS swaps around the SF Bay area.

I know theres grief between the purists and the swap crowd, but the reliability of the LS series engine, parts, and the power of a small block V8, in a light and balanced chassis like the classic Zs is a great combo.

Post by **cloc187666** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 4:15 pm

younggune21 wrote:all cars can be reliable, it depends on the knowledge of the person who is fixing/ tuning the car

I cannot agree more. The 280's have a very simple engine so the work/maintenance is not hard at all either. Just make sure you know what you are buying.

280ZX - How reliable are they?

280ZX - How reliable are they?

Re: 280ZX - How reliable are they? (Phraust)

Re: (evildky)

Re: (younggune21)

Re: (Titus_RacerX)

Re: 280ZX - How reliable are they? (AZ-ZBum)

Re: 280ZX - How reliable are they? (91TTz32)

Re: 280ZX - How reliable are they? (Dtsn280zx)

Re: 280ZX - How reliable are they? (Desert Rat)

Re: 280ZX - How reliable are they? (Bleach)

Re: (Titus_RacerX)

Re: 280ZX - How reliable are they? (Phraust)

Re: (younggune21)

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