Should I buy an 81 280zx Turbo with 55K origional miles

[stix9567]

I just bought a 1980 280zx with the 5 spd standard transmission and 85k miles. i have had it for about a week and Its really growing on me. I think Ill keep it. However i found a 1981 Turbo, auto trans, with leather interior with 55k miles. I drove it this morning and I REALLY liked the "get up and go". So Im debating selling my 80 non turbo and going for the 81 Turbo. Are the Turbos reliable, I sure the maintanance is key and the owner states he had all maintanace records. I paid 4k for the non turbo and might be able to pick up this Turbo for 4k to 5k, you cant tell from the pics but the turbo will need paint as the clearcoat is fading Anyhow any input would be much appreciated...

pic of 80 non turbo

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pic of 81 turbo Uploaded with ImageShack.com

[evildky]

I always loved the silver/blue color combo. 81 was the first year of the turbo and available only as an automatic that year. With such low miles both would be fantastic buys at the prices you mentioned and sure to go up in value form here. Both are drop dead reliable, the issue with the 81 is that it's crank mounted CAS, ECU, Hollow distributor, and wire harness are one year parts and nearly impossible to find replacements. The AFM and Ignitor is the same as the 82-83 cars and while pricey and hard to come by far more common than the unique 81 parts (82-83 was also available with the 5 speed). None of these parts are frail but after 30 plus years of use they can wear out and are the only parts you would have any trouble locating.

[stix9567]

Thanks so much for the info. I like the silver and blue as well and thats what really caught my eye when saw the car. Regarding the wire harness, ECU and other parts you mentioned that are one year production, you never know when one is going to fail. I am also looking at an 83 Turbo. It needs less work than the bronze shown above. What should I expect to pay for a REALLY clean 83 Turbo w, TTops, fabric interior, silver exterior, 121k miles, everything seems to be stock and in working condition including the radio cassette player, the car seems to be exceptionally "clean". I also noticed my blue/silver had u-joints on the rear axle and the 81 bronze looked to have CV joints, both cars (not the 83) seemed to be leaking fluid from the rear differential. Anyhow thanks again...marc

[evildky]

For a clean 120k mile 82-83 turbo 5 speed anything under 5k is a deal anymore, 3-5 was the range for a while they seem to be heading north, I've seen a lot of 6-7k. That 40k mile 81 would still be a steal at 5k but if you plan to use the car keep an eye out for spares as they are getting harder and harder to find.

[evildky]

And the diff seals are available everywhere, the R200 diff was used from 77-89 then they changed the housing and kept using it. So seals are abundant.