Obtained and driven my 82 turbo for over a year now and just don't understand the hate. A great median between 70s era and 80s era cars if you ask me. This was an awesome deep dive! I'm glad to see people still making videos on the ZX
@@BrianRomsdal If it was a 280z it was ‘78 or older. ‘79 and up it would have been a zx. I owned 2 different turbos back in the day, both autos. Test drove quite a few in my searches, 5spds were rare.
@@TheSaturnV you’re right my ‘81 was a ZX. I just don’t like the “ZX” so I don’t say it. I’ve had my ‘91 Z twin turbo for almost 15 years now. But I will own another 280 someday
Nismo Haters will come and go....Straight up Nissan makes the most Handsome, Fast and Realiable cars...look at it R390, GTR( R32, R33, R34, R35, R36), the Silvia Range👈 no car is more handsome than Silvia( Sx)😅, just look at it! Then the Gti-R the Most Astonishing Bonnet you will Ever See in your Life! Just look at it! Darn than you have the Station Wagons, I owned Gt4-z front mount intercooler, 4wd, turbo, freaken fantastic plus the Stagea RS4, then you have the Nissan Bluebird Turbo, then you have that SR20VE Primera...gosh all other Japanese Car look quaint in front of Nissan Cars (the Primera - British Touring Car Champion), the Pathfinder 4wd and Safari are champions off road and desert than the V8 Cima and Gloria and Laurel Exquisitely Luxurious...the Z Range again all of them are the Best Looking cars ever....It's Simple: Nismo Power! Thank you for reading go fetch.
Bought my 280zx because I wanted to have a Datsun but couldn’t afford a s30. After working on the s130 and looking at it daily I realized that I had already bought my dream car. Favorite fairlady by far
I still own my 1982 Datsun 280zx going on for 43years total restoration in 2018 I think out of all the z's mine had the best lines . I have two door sport coupe t-tops Jade gray 5sp manual transmission love my car still have bill of sale and window sticker when I bought it.
I’m on my 3rd s130 zx. Went from owning a rust bucket 83 zx turbo 2+2 in highschool. To a v6 mustang to a 07 charger srt8 after high school. Then back in a 82 280zx turbo 2+2( again rust bucket). Then had kids and own a truck and suv. Finally I found a 45k mile all original 82 280zx turbo 2+2 with all red interior and I must say this is my dream car. Will buy an s30( what started my love for Datsun) but that 2+2 turbo t top is the best in my books. People don’t see the potential they have with some atara racing wheels, fender flares, msa air dam, msa victory rear spoiler, and fender mirrors!! My god so beautiful!!! Till this day there has not been a single day that I go out in it and not receive a compliment. This car starts conversations and makes friends really quick!
My mother likes hers, 1982. She still has it to this day and still dtives it as her primary car. I've driven it once or twice, i can see why she likes it
The 280ZX Turbo w/ a 5 speed transmission was awesome. My kid brother had one. When first released, the Turbo was only offered in automatic, because Datsun/Nissan didn't have a strong enough in house transmission. The next year Datsun put in a Borg Warner T5, 5 speed transmission.
I've had them all!! The z32TT was an incredible car but nothing will compete with the S30s. I am currently building a high power L28et for my 76 and fixing up an 81 turbo 2+2 for my 16 year old daughter.
Living in the Bay area in Northern CA, I owned a 1983 280ZX and it was the best car I ever had. A had a cool 1971 240Z before it. My 280ZX did over 130 MPH on the San Mateo bridge like a rocket ship with tight controlled handling. I put a new Moterola car phone in it in the arm rest. Working in outside sales at the time, it was one of the best decades of my life. I drove it for over 12 years and then sold it still running perfect. That car was the only car I ever had that spoke to me. It would say Fuel level is low, Right door is open, Left door is open, Parking brake is on, and lights are on. All useful audible warnings. Mine also had removable T-Tops. An Awesome car. ( Especially with my car phone in it. -- A NEW thing back then.)
I was 15 when the ZX came out. My first drive in one came when I was 17, a ZX Turbo and it was quite nice. Of course I couldn’t afford one but I grabbed a ratty used one a few years later. It needed lots of work and I did most of it. I never got it to where I wanted it to be but I had fun driving and wrenching on that Z. I hate that nobody seems to have any love for the old ZX.
The 280ZX was the right car for the era. Personal luxury was the most popular category at the time so it's no surprise that Nissan moved the Z-car in that direction. They styling was excellent as well, taking the classic S30 shape and modernizing it. Too many people try to judge cars of one period in history against those of another, and that's unfair. A car should be regarded only from the time it existed in.
@@MidnightGreen4649 Always? You must be fairly young to not remember the 240Z/260Z/280Z. The 280Z went a bit more luxurious than the earlier cars but the 280ZX was the first grand touring Z-car. As for Miatas, they didn't debut until the Z32 did, 20 years and four generations after the first Datsun Z.
@@exc911ence_channel I was born when the 350Z debuted. the 240Z was meant for the US market, which means it is gonna spend a lot of time on highways. Japanese cars all had independent suspension and thin steel unibodies which made them handle a lot better than muscle and pony cars. 50 years later, our idea of a grand tourer has changed so much that the luxuries of the 240Z are now basic traits and so they are "pure sports cars". I suppose features of the 280ZX like t-tops and power steering, as well as the leather seats and the general campiness of the car's style still fit with our idea of a "grand tourer". But the Z cars were always meant to be a more affordable version of the Jaguar E-Types of their time. Miatas on the other hand were meant to take after the Lotus Elan, which I think we can both agree is just about the purest expression of sports car you can find. That's why I say the Z cars were always grand tourers.
I had a 240Z for my first car. 4 years later I bought a 280ZX. The 280ZX was a smoother and nicer driving car but the 240 was still my favorite of the two.
As the owner of a minty 81 turbo with just 30k miles, I think it's a very comfortable wonderful car! It amazes me that this is the same company that produced the lightweight Datsun 210.
The 280ZX Turbo w/ a 5 speed transmission was awesome. My kid brother had one. When first released, the Turbo was only offered in automatic, because Datsun/Nissan didn't have a strong enough in house transmission. The next year Datsun put in a Borg Warner T5, 5 speed transmission.
I loved mine! You have to compare it to what was out in the Market at the time. It was a very dark time for the auto industry. The Z made great engine noises, well built, beautifully designed, cool features, and fun to drive
Of the 33 cars I have owned, my 1982 Ferrari red 280ZX 2+2 Eurospec (IE special import with no smog controls, 1 of 10 in all of Western Europe at the time) is still my favourite car to this day. I started the day intending to buy a Porsche 911 until I bumped into an acquaintance who mentioned that he was selling his Datsun. Intrigued, I drove it expecting the typical slushy feeling North American 280zx, and was very surprised by how different it was. 175 naturally aspirated horsepower, a close ratio 5 speed with a final drive that allowed it to rev to redline at 6700rpm in 5th gear on the Autobahn at ~245kmh and suspension with Bilstein shocks. The only negative was I went through transmissions like underwear as the syncromesh on 2nd gear was weak, and the engine got pretty hot when driving sustained high speeds. It was such a rare car it drew crowds everywhere I went with it in Europe. I almost learned the hard way why the sticker on the roof panels cautioned going above 120kmh with the T-Tops off. The updraft at 160kmh caused the car to drift across 3 lanes like it was on an air hockey table until it bled off enough speed to recover when entering a sweeping corner near Stuttgart. Scared the crap out of me. It had very neutral handling yet it was easy to break the tail free with power on or off in a predicable and controlled manner when desired. Fantastic bloody car. Got me laid more than once.
The 280ZX Turbo w/ a 5 speed transmission was awesome. My kid brother had one. When first released, the Turbo was only offered in automatic, because Datsun/Nissan didn't have a strong enough in house transmission. The next year Datsun put in a Borg Warner T5, 5 speed transmission. They'd take off, like a scalded dog & then, when that turbo eould kick in, WOW!
Having owned and modified every version of the Z over many years, the 79 ZX was left untouched excepting the supension. The model was super comfortable, fast enough and a pleasure to drive on the interstate for long stretches. Mine had a factory CB which was always fun on a long drive. At home I had a 72 240z built to the hilt as well as 77 280z scarab clone, both purpose built, and the purpose was SCCA autocross in "A S/P" and "SS/Prepared", both multiple trophy winners, but the 79 was my daily driver, I really enjoyed that car.
Really interesting story, more people should read this comment. I don't have the expertise, but every old Z wizard or expert seems to give the same story, I think this is a world wide phenomenon
I had two of these iconic rides in the 80's ..... the 81 Zx, and the 83 ZX, which was the most luxurious sport car I had ever owned (at that time). They were stylish, powerful, beautiful cars that I loved driving, and everywhere I went, this car would stimulate a lot of conversation. I'm looking for a restored one now, its time to turn back the clock! 🎉
It’s a good starter Z for a new driver. I fell in love with the awesome engine sound, extremely reliable, beautiful handling on the back roads and twisties. Yes it had body roll but at the same time it was balanced and felt like a tiger with four wheels for paws with the independent rear suspension. I replaced mine with a turbo z31 which was a rocket after I added a boost controller but I miss the zx now more than the z31
You are the first person I have heard that mention the awesome engine sound. That most of all made me love the ZX. I drove my 82 5speed for many years just loving that sound. I was raised on American V8 muscle but the sweet sound of a Japanese I6 was the best.
I've always heard about the 280ZX my whole life, the previous Z cars were always just "The older Z cars" where as the ZX? That one was the shit and the cool one. I'm currently trying to buy a 83 with digital dash in damn near perfect physical shape and low miles, basically a replica of the one my dad had when I was born. His didn't have the digital dash though. I've never cared much about "SPEED AND RAW PERFORMANCE" because if I did I'd get an electric car. The Nissan Leaf I was in pushed me into my seat from the acceleration, only other vehicle that's come close to that was my old 91 Hardbody that I would abuse the clutch to go 0-60 in just a few seconds. I'd rather comfort and a nice drive anyways, the speed limit exists and I'm just getting my speeding ticket off my record. Just a nice quick drive on the twisty country roads around here does it.. When there isn't a million people. My 94 Jetta with fat tires did it well and a 280ZX would do it even better. Nothing about these things is "terrible" other than the age, and hell... They're newer than my other car. Love that damn Beetle.
The 280ZX Turbo w/ a 5 speed transmission was awesome. My kid brother had one. When first released, the Turbo was only offered in automatic, because Datsun/Nissan didn't have a strong enough in house transmission. The next year Datsun put in a Borg Warner T5, 5 speed transmission.
I had a 70 240z and an 81 280zx. Yes if I could have one back I would choose the 240z but the 280zx was far more comfortable and luxurious. It was also a better daily driver. I thought it was a beautiful car and would love to have another one. A car from my youth I Truly love.
I raced a 280Z in the SCCA ITS series, and then moved on to a 280ZX. The ZX had better disc rear brakes. With race suspension it was faster than my 280z. Sold it to move on to a second generation RX-7.
If you lived in a red house in Monmouth Illinois in 1985 and owned an 80s 280zx. A crazy 16yr old & 13yr old who was tagging along. "Borrowed" your 280zx one sumner Friday night while you were out of town and pushed it to It's limits on Cameron blacktop outside of town. Somehow by the grace of god. The 16yr old driver managed to get the car back into the garage without a scratch on it.
I couldn't afford a 71 240Z when it first came out. had a new 81 280ZX and a 85 300ZX. The 81 ZX was the most beautiful car I had owned. It had a 20 gal tank and range of 600 miles. It was a perfect touring car. I wish I still have it. There are many good Z car for sale at premium price, but those days of Southern Calif sunshine had passed for me. I know live in a state with snow in the winter. My Lexus AWD SUV is the perfect touring car that could go anywhere.
I'm not too fond of the S130's looks, but mad respect to the folks who keep them running today. When I see them on the road, I feel happy and nostalgic.
@@MarkAngelbuer mostly stock on the engine, turbo L series didn't have an intercooler so I added one, got a slightly bigger turbo running at 10psi with a 3 inch exhaust, and I replaced the turbo cam for an p79 n/a cam, MLS 2mm head gasket, and a stand alone megasquirt 2
@@alextepozteco3681 wait, the P79 head was better for the bigger turbo? I thought the P90 head was built for turbos, I’m confused. (Take it easy on me, I’m not that knowledgeable)
@@amadowaycott1108 the P90 head is the best head for turbo L series but the P79 is a good turbo conversion head since it has really good flow and identical combustion chambers to the p90 the main difference is the p90 has square ports and the p79 has Dimond ports with exhaust liners for emmisions, what I did was get the n/a camshaft off a P79 and used it on my P90 head n/a cams have more lift and slightly better duration
i was able to buy a 1979 model with a custom blue toned paint, a two year old model at thetimestill in mint conditio. it was the second car I'd owned at the time. since I've owned many vehicles from just about every manufacturer. the only other of those that brought me so much joy to drive was my 1983 mazda rx7 special edition with a larger engine and suspension that when tested equalled that of the in production corvettes. nonetheless the 280zx to this day is the one that is by far my favorite. since i did get one of the first 350z's. one of only 273 white versions produced in it's first year of production. it too was a great car but imho didn't have the emotional connection of the 280zx. my onl regret is that mine wasn't the turbo version.
We had a 280 zx manual & then ..... as an easy modification.......... bolted 3 X 240 dso Webers from a 2.0lt Afla GTV ....... Then had the exhaust system upgraded to a 3" with a 'bro speed' booster. After those upgrades only, our 280 zx out performed all comers in our area. After upgrading the valve springs to allow us to rev higher, we were able to melt tires. ha-ha Those tight budget days bring back fond memories. ha-ha
I had an 81 Turbo auto back in the late 80's. T-roof and leather interior. Previous owner added a fiberglass front splitter and spoiler on the back hatch. Coolest looking POS I ever owned. Rust from hell in the frame rails and for some reason it kept on going through fuel pumps. It got stolen and then recovered shortly before I was going to get an insurance check. I swear that car was demon possessed.
My 83 ZX is a much better car than my 76 280Z period. Fit, finish, and materials are much better. As far as handling the 76 car was very tail happy which led to it's demise at less than 10k miles when a roomate took a tail end first off road adventure. By 1983 the entire rear suspension system had been redesigned and upgraded which makes for a much improved experience.
most people would disagree with you; the trailing arm suspension of the 280ZX took up less space than the S30 mcpherson strut, but led to worse suspension geometry from a handling point of view, so the 280zx had lower limits than the 280Z. The Triumph TR6 suffered from the same flaw.
@@racketman2u LOL, you never drove the ZX. The trailing arms made child's play of high speed cornering. Only thing wrong with it were the idiot drivers who slammed on the brakes in a turn thus raising the tail and losing some grip. Like the early Corvairs and 911's, the problem was the driver and not the design. Hell, if you drive it like it was designed then it was a gem. If you drove it like a 17 year old dummy trying to street race it, well, you ended up in a tree trunk.
The DATSUN Z was the Japanese Mustang - great to live with, stylish, fun, but still affordable, even the 280. The 90's NISSAN Z, the 300Z was the first Z that felt like it was truly exotic rather than merely foreign-made, saying that as someone who was alive and remembers seeing them around regularly.
By that logic, one could say the Toyota Celica Supra and the post- 1985 Supra is the Japanese Camaro/Firebird/Trans-AM. The Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser are the Japanese Dodge Dart and Plymouth Duster and the Starion is the Japanese Charger and Roadrunner. Chrysler had controlling interest in Mitsubishi back then and had collaborated with them from the mid 70s to early 2000s so the last paragraph wasn't far from the truth
I push my 1979 ZX out of the garage and wash it after 12 years of storage. My dreams of being back on the road are right in front of me. the 280ZX has its looks, my car has spoke hub caps that give it a nice look at slow speed at lease thats what people tell me.
@@thatzfever7294 When you sell more 280ZX's in 1979 than any other zcar in any year; it DID appeal to customers. The exterior was also vastly superiority to earlier designs as the 280ZX was STABLE and faster at speed because they actually used a wind tunnel on the 280ZX. Hell, my 1979ZX was even the same weight as the outgoing 280Z. The huge 21+ gallon tank in the ZX plus the better mileage mad the Z outstanding as a fast highway driver for long distances!
Answering the question: No, I don't consider it close to "the worst". It helps a lot to have been alive and aware of cars in that era. The visceral reaction was directly proportional to the fondness for the original S-30 platform. Nissan made the very smart move of changing the Z into a more comfortable tourer-type car while retaining KEY cosmetic aspects of the original. Those visual connections along with more comfort-aimed features helped the Z remain relevant even while becoming much less of a performer. People should understand that in the '70's and '80's, the US EPA single-handedly turned N. America into a "performance wasteland" across ALL makes/brands/models. To me, Nissan did not fully betray the inconic image of the Z car until the 1990 Z-32 design.
agree with afoolandhismoneychannel. I bought a '82 silver/black ZX in '93, expecting it to be a 'nicer', maybe quieter version of my '75 280. I was right, but I wasn't expecting a Buick. The change from McPherson strut to trailing arm rear suspension may have solved some NVH issues but it was no longer a sports car. Driven even moderately hard, the softness of the back end, in my opinion made it unusable on a twisty country road. I tried better shocks, but it was what it was, as the commenter said, for all the right and wrong, reasons. Great looking car, I kept it for 3 years and sold it way too soon, it was an immaculate low mileage cream puff from CO. Great to look at, not fun to drive. Was it the 'worst' Z ever? For me, yes, but I've only had 2. Still have the '75.
Suspension wise, the 280 zx drove like it was rails until you pushed it beyond the limit around a corner, then the car's rear would brake away, almost uncontrollably ...... that was very scary because you had total control until the back literally lost traction in an instant. Those were exciting but scary memories ....ha-ha
Nope. The 280ZX had great aerodynamic AND the real end was a delight for handling. It had the same semi-trailing arm setup as a 911 and anyone who could drive fast can drive fast with one. It only tripped up those who did not understand suspensions and driving fast.
In stock form the 280ZX is pretty lame. We converted one to a road race car and with correcting the suspension geometry, lightening the car and installing 15" wheels and perf tires, it performed very well. It was a little under powered but the rest of the car was great. For the street this will be more difficult.
I bought a new 1977 280z and kept it for 4 years. Traded it in for a new 81zx. The zx is absolutely the worst Z ever made. It’s not a sports car, it just looks like one. Kept it 4 months and bought a good used 78z. The zx rides like a tiny Cadillac coupe de ville. Horrible car.
Back in mid 80s I was racing matching with Mazda RX7 sadly my car wrecked not for racing but for running away with the cops lol ..btw i have 1978 Datsun ...
The ZX is the 1st I ever bought. Used 1979, rusty floor hole and leaking injection. $900. Loved till it got towed away. Balanced designed GT car. A poor man's Vette. And better than rival Mazda or God forbid, TR-7.
Some would say the 280z is what really put Nissan on the map on sports cars of that era. Certainly matured when it came out. No more carburetor and yes to EFI. The 280ZX showed that one can have luxury and have the sporty feel and characteristics and at the same time not forgetting its roots. The 300ZX changed the game completely. One could say it😢 could do everything a traditional sports car and do everything a personal luxury car at the same time. One did not have to choose between comfort and performance and feel. The 300ZX/Z31 gave you both. If you really want speed, the Turbocharged 300ZX had you covered, if one could live with an automatic transmission, their 4-speed automatic was the only one they had in-house that could handle the turbocharged engine at the time. They later found a manual gearbox that was strong enough
No it was actually the best. Took all of the aerodynamic challenges from the first gen off the table and was improved in every way, while attempting to keep the car looking as close to the original as possible. They caved to "modern" markets and tried to make it more luxurious which made it heavier, but a stripped out model will outperform most other comparable models in almost every way. I have intimately spent time working on and every Z model from the original series 1 240z up through the 350z (never bothered going newer) and there's a reason I have personally owned 3 different S130s and still own one to this day. Far from stock, but still the perfect Z car IMO...
280zx очень крутая модель , у меня была такая , и еще двух местная датсун , и более свежая 89года 3х литровая ,но 280zx впечатлила больше остальных ,вот двигатель почему то 2х литровый был , думаю стоило в нее более мощный мотор поставить возможно турбовый , мне больше остальных понравилась эта модель !!!
It had better transmission, better engine, better high speed stability (aero tested) which didn't unalive people, better rear end. I mean, everyone who has a 240 butchers the 280 for each and every one of it's components. That makes it the best.
I worked at a Datsun-Mercedes dealership in '78 and '79. IMHO, since I got to drive the last of the 1st Gen Z's and 1st 2nd gen one, the '78 felt much better, crisper, livelier. More fun to drive. The '79 was a pig by comparison. Bloated, sloppy and slower. I didn't care for the styling "upgrade" either.
I can't say I'm happy with my 280zxt after like 2 decades with it. It hasn't been a very reliable car. Blown a lot of head gaskets, and fuel injectors are always leaky, and shocks have always been shot out. All that premium luxury car stuff on it... cruise control, talking lady, door lights, air conditioner, stereo, digital dash, gas tank measuring stick, oxygen sensor, etc... just dies over time and never works again. The clear coat peels off and looks like dandruf. I've had to clean the steering column light stick contact switches more times than I can count. It's not a very friendly vintage car to own at all. It only seems fast because it's low to the ground. I gave up driving the Z and switched to driving cruiser motorcycles, they were much more fun, cheaper, more fuel efficient, faster, and just better vehicles. The Z now seems like a gas plg by comparison, I would never go back to driving the Z.
@@ceasersaahir7949 45mpg is a lot better than 25mpg. My 280zxt only seemed fast because it was so low to the ground... it's an illusion of speed car... and not terribly original... a knock off of the Jaguar E type. I haven't driven my 280zxt in geez... 10 years maybe... it just eats too much gas. Parked where I last parked it, and as they say... for real, running when parked!
Or any Z really. I liked the Z31(1984-1989 300ZX) best of all of the Z series. Mom loves her 1983 280ZX. Both my sister and myself learned to drive with it. She still drives it to this day. She has a dark blue 1978 280Z too. Her baby is the 1983 though. Dad likes his 2013 Challenger. This video has my baby though a older year: in my case 1983 DeLorean. Other than my sister, my mom is the only one I'd let drive it other than me. My late lady wanted to but didn't know how to drive a stick. My dad tended to destroy clutches to the point my mom wouldn't let him drive her car anymore just before their divorce 20+ years ago. I bought my DeLorean in March 2003 for just over $23K, $40K in today's money. This past March, marks 21 years of owning it and been an honor to.
Bought the last Z car (made in 78) as a 22 year old that just landed a good job. That was 1979, the year when the ZX came out. I could have bought the ZX, but after driving both , I got the Z because I quickly realized that the ZX was a bloated pig compared to the Z. My opinion hasn't changed. Glad the model changes have made up for that mistake.
LOL, the 79ZX actually weight the same as the 78Z. I know, I bought a manual 280ZX brand new in 79. People forget how bloated the 78Z was and how the S30 it had the aerodynamics of a brick.
@@arthurfoyt6727 LOL... the 78Z was the epitome of style, sport, original design, coupled with modern efficient fuel injection. What it gave up (not much) in performance by dropping the carbs is more than made in reliability and gas mileage. The LAST of the real Z cars. The ZX was built for the emerging Yuppies. And yes, it handled like a bloated pig compared to the 78Z.
@@Lollygagger-k4p The 79zx "slick top" weighed the same as the outgoing 78 280z, but had better aerodynamics, better stability, better brakes, better gas mileage, better range, and better high speed handling. Sure you "could" add weight bloat, but people like me saw the real beauty in NOT doing that and having a better car than a 280Z with it's hideous ugly bumpers.
@@arthurfoyt6727 Ha! This is becoming a cartoon script! "...I know you are but wut'am I" Look, to each his own, but no one remembers the 79ZX when they talk about the "Zee cars" It's always about the First Three - Actually, the First One.
@@Lollygagger-k4p LOL, the 86,000 who bought them remember them. The people who "talk" are basically clueless or have zero first hand knowledge. I call them parrots because they just repeat what other people say.
Wrong! They sold 86,007 280ZX's in 1979, the most EVER in a single year. I know, I bought one brand new off the lot. As far as handling, the ZX was actually stable at high speed due to real wind tunnel testing. Hell, even Paul Newman drove a 79ZX to victory so calling it's handling poor is laughable. It's honestly a real car and with it's 21 gallon fuel tank was perfect for being "driven". Funny how people today just regurgitate old crap stories and have zero real world experience in what they put out on the web.
I bought a 78 280z new and added an aftermarket turbo kit. I then bought a 1981 280zx turbo for my girlfriend; what a disappointment. It was no longer a sports car. Bug, heavy, underpowered, and the the rear suspension would squat on acceleration. In 1990 i bought a new 300z twin turbo. Awesome car. Totally reliable a pretty fast stock...
This is exactly why anyone that started in an S30 isn't fond of the s130. My 84 turbo 5 speed was referred to by all my friends as the squat-o-matic. It wasn't that fast and didn't handle very well. My Z32TT was incredible!!!
@@williamandrews1683 I still own an S30 and a 79 280ZX. The ZX is vastly better in every way than the S30. The S30 was SLOWER that the 280ZX. The ZX had more HP and lower drag. As far as handling the ZX is just as good (assuming you know how to actually drive fast).
The 240 Z was the best Z car, it was carbureted, the 260 Z was the worst, it also was carbureted by the worst possible carburetion scheme. The 280 was fuel injected & performed much better. After the 280 Z is when the body style changed.
I've driven one, and I thought it was quite inferior to a simple little 1979 RX-7 Savannah 12A, which I had at the time. Heavy. Lumpen. Slow. Large. Boring. No, thank you!
I can't remember watching a worse video. You never mention what the chassis codes mean, for instance that one is 2-seat and one is 4-seat. At 7:04 you say "market-exclusive 280Z" which doesn't even make sense. Maybe you meant, "Japanese market exclusive"? At 5:55 you say "Cars destined for the US were equipped with... shock absorbers." Guess what, all cars have shock absorbers. Name one since, say, 1950 without. You might as well brag that it had a steering wheel. You say it was "outstanding in its class" without mentioning what that class was or what other cars were in that class. There were over a half-dozen other points where your script literally is factually incorrect or ungrammatical and meaningless. Video is quite often of other cars than the ones you're talking about. Really, just astonishing waste of time.
That, and he never mentions that the 79zx (like the one I bought new in 79 and still have) finally got real aerodynamics and thus was faster and more stable whilst driving than any previous Z. Huge improvement. That, and it was what I would call a "real car" as far as a daily driver sports car.
Obtained and driven my 82 turbo for over a year now and just don't understand the hate. A great median between 70s era and 80s era cars if you ask me. This was an awesome deep dive! I'm glad to see people still making videos on the ZX
I had an '81 280Z in high school. Wondering were all or most turbo models automatics?
@@BrianRomsdal If it was a 280z it was ‘78 or older. ‘79 and up it would have been a zx.
I owned 2 different turbos back in the day, both autos. Test drove quite a few in my searches, 5spds were rare.
@@TheSaturnV you’re right my ‘81 was a ZX. I just don’t like the “ZX” so I don’t say it. I’ve had my ‘91 Z twin turbo for almost 15 years now. But I will own another 280 someday
I have a couple. These things are the absolute blast.
Nismo Haters will come and go....Straight up Nissan makes the most Handsome, Fast and Realiable cars...look at it R390, GTR( R32, R33, R34, R35, R36), the Silvia Range👈 no car is more handsome than Silvia( Sx)😅, just look at it! Then the Gti-R the Most Astonishing Bonnet you will Ever See in your Life! Just look at it! Darn than you have the Station Wagons, I owned Gt4-z front mount intercooler, 4wd, turbo, freaken fantastic plus the Stagea RS4, then you have the Nissan Bluebird Turbo, then you have that SR20VE Primera...gosh all other Japanese Car look quaint in front of Nissan Cars (the Primera - British Touring Car Champion), the Pathfinder 4wd and Safari are champions off road and desert than the V8 Cima and Gloria and Laurel Exquisitely Luxurious...the Z Range again all of them are the Best Looking cars ever....It's Simple: Nismo Power! Thank you for reading go fetch.
I think the 280zx is one of the most beautiful cars ever!
Agreed.
You and Stevie Wonder bruv!!!😂
Had a260z then went for a 280zx...shyte..not worth a vank!!😮
@@concept2realitysobellc453why shite?
You will make the S30 guys angry. I like them both.
Bought my 280zx because I wanted to have a Datsun but couldn’t afford a s30. After working on the s130 and looking at it daily I realized that I had already bought my dream car. Favorite fairlady by far
Hell yeah! Your Fairlady is the queen, there should be more smart people like you to acknowledge her awesomeness. And it's beautiful, so so beautiful
This is unironically alot like up to speed from donut but without the high blood pressure. Very nice.
Thank you.
I've watched donut turn into something not ment for me, this is what informative videos should strive for.
@@kwisin1337 yeah donut has turned into something for the tiktok kids
@@JustinSeara exactly why I steered away
I still own my 1982 Datsun 280zx going on for 43years total restoration in 2018 I think out of all the z's mine had the best lines . I have two door sport coupe t-tops Jade gray 5sp manual transmission love my car still have bill of sale and window sticker when I bought it.
I’m on my 3rd s130 zx. Went from owning a rust bucket 83 zx turbo 2+2 in highschool. To a v6 mustang to a 07 charger srt8 after high school. Then back in a 82 280zx turbo 2+2( again rust bucket). Then had kids and own a truck and suv. Finally I found a 45k mile all original 82 280zx turbo 2+2 with all red interior and I must say this is my dream car. Will buy an s30( what started my love for Datsun) but that 2+2 turbo t top is the best in my books. People don’t see the potential they have with some atara racing wheels, fender flares, msa air dam, msa victory rear spoiler, and fender mirrors!! My god so beautiful!!!
Till this day there has not been a single day that I go out in it and not receive a compliment. This car starts conversations and makes friends really quick!
That's so fucking heartwarming to hear. Congratulations.
I never saw a 2+2 turbo.
My mother likes hers, 1982. She still has it to this day and still dtives it as her primary car. I've driven it once or twice, i can see why she likes it
The 280ZX Turbo w/ a 5 speed transmission was awesome. My kid brother had one. When first released, the Turbo was only offered in automatic, because Datsun/Nissan didn't have a strong enough in house transmission. The next year Datsun put in a Borg Warner T5, 5 speed transmission.
I've had them all!! The z32TT was an incredible car but nothing will compete with the S30s. I am currently building a high power L28et for my 76 and fixing up an 81 turbo 2+2 for my 16 year old daughter.
Living in the Bay area in Northern CA, I owned a 1983 280ZX and it was the best car I ever had. A had a cool 1971 240Z before it. My 280ZX did over 130 MPH on the San Mateo bridge like a rocket ship with tight controlled handling. I put a new Moterola car phone in it in the arm rest. Working in outside sales at the time, it was one of the best decades of my life. I drove it for over 12 years and then sold it still running perfect. That car was the only car I ever had that spoke to me. It would say Fuel level is low, Right door is open, Left door is open, Parking brake is on, and lights are on. All useful audible warnings. Mine also had removable T-Tops. An Awesome car. ( Especially with my car phone in it. -- A NEW thing back then.)
I was 15 when the ZX came out. My first drive in one came when I was 17, a ZX Turbo and it was quite nice.
Of course I couldn’t afford one but I grabbed a ratty used one a few years later. It needed lots of work and I did most of it. I never got it to where I wanted it to be but I had fun driving and wrenching on that Z.
I hate that nobody seems to have any love for the old ZX.
The 280ZX was the right car for the era. Personal luxury was the most popular category at the time so it's no surprise that Nissan moved the Z-car in that direction. They styling was excellent as well, taking the classic S30 shape and modernizing it.
Too many people try to judge cars of one period in history against those of another, and that's unfair. A car should be regarded only from the time it existed in.
The Z was always a grand tourer, a car for long cruises and road trips. If you want a pure sports car, there are millions of Miatas out there.
@@MidnightGreen4649 Always? You must be fairly young to not remember the 240Z/260Z/280Z. The 280Z went a bit more luxurious than the earlier cars but the 280ZX was the first grand touring Z-car. As for Miatas, they didn't debut until the Z32 did, 20 years and four generations after the first Datsun Z.
@@exc911ence_channel I was born when the 350Z debuted.
the 240Z was meant for the US market, which means it is gonna spend a lot of time on highways. Japanese cars all had independent suspension and thin steel unibodies which made them handle a lot better than muscle and pony cars. 50 years later, our idea of a grand tourer has changed so much that the luxuries of the 240Z are now basic traits and so they are "pure sports cars". I suppose features of the 280ZX like t-tops and power steering, as well as the leather seats and the general campiness of the car's style still fit with our idea of a "grand tourer". But the Z cars were always meant to be a more affordable version of the Jaguar E-Types of their time.
Miatas on the other hand were meant to take after the Lotus Elan, which I think we can both agree is just about the purest expression of sports car you can find.
That's why I say the Z cars were always grand tourers.
I had a 240Z for my first car. 4 years later I bought a 280ZX. The 280ZX was a smoother and nicer driving car but the 240 was still my favorite of the two.
Coming from someone that owed two of them, no. In fact they were probably the best cars I’ve owned, prior and after.
As the owner of a minty 81 turbo with just 30k miles, I think it's a very comfortable wonderful car! It amazes me that this is the same company that produced the lightweight Datsun 210.
My father says the same. He's owned a lot of cars in his life but this one remains his favorite by a longshot.
It simply never broke down, of course I took great care of it. Zero problems.
The 280ZX Turbo w/ a 5 speed transmission was awesome. My kid brother had one. When first released, the Turbo was only offered in automatic, because Datsun/Nissan didn't have a strong enough in house transmission. The next year Datsun put in a Borg Warner T5, 5 speed transmission.
I loved mine! You have to compare it to what was out in the Market at the time. It was a very dark time for the auto industry. The Z made great engine noises, well built, beautifully designed, cool features, and fun to drive
Of the 33 cars I have owned, my 1982 Ferrari red 280ZX 2+2 Eurospec (IE special import with no smog controls, 1 of 10 in all of Western Europe at the time) is still my favourite car to this day. I started the day intending to buy a Porsche 911 until I bumped into an acquaintance who mentioned that he was selling his Datsun. Intrigued, I drove it expecting the typical slushy feeling North American 280zx, and was very surprised by how different it was. 175 naturally aspirated horsepower, a close ratio 5 speed with a final drive that allowed it to rev to redline at 6700rpm in 5th gear on the Autobahn at ~245kmh and suspension with Bilstein shocks. The only negative was I went through transmissions like underwear as the syncromesh on 2nd gear was weak, and the engine got pretty hot when driving sustained high speeds.
It was such a rare car it drew crowds everywhere I went with it in Europe. I almost learned the hard way why the sticker on the roof panels cautioned going above 120kmh with the T-Tops off. The updraft at 160kmh caused the car to drift across 3 lanes like it was on an air hockey table until it bled off enough speed to recover when entering a sweeping corner near Stuttgart. Scared the crap out of me. It had very neutral handling yet it was easy to break the tail free with power on or off in a predicable and controlled manner when desired. Fantastic bloody car. Got me laid more than once.
Had 2 '83 ZX Turbos. One of the most enjoyable cars I've ever owned. Worst in what way?
The back isn’t as attractive as the 240, 260, and 280z’s
@@guardianjl9574 looks are subjective, the facts however is that the zx is better in every other aspect
The 280ZX Turbo w/ a 5 speed transmission was awesome. My kid brother had one. When first released, the Turbo was only offered in automatic, because Datsun/Nissan didn't have a strong enough in house transmission. The next year Datsun put in a Borg Warner T5, 5 speed transmission.
They'd take off, like a scalded dog & then, when that turbo eould kick in, WOW!
@@guardianjl9574 A 2 seat 280ZX is WAY better looking than a 280 2+2. That, and the ZX had rust protection and looks a lot better than a rusty 260Z.
Hey did your ZXs have analog or digital dashboard? I can never find an analog dash.
Having owned and modified every version of the Z over many years, the 79 ZX was left untouched excepting the supension. The model was super comfortable, fast enough and a pleasure to drive on the interstate for long stretches. Mine had a factory CB which was always fun on a long drive. At home I had a 72 240z built to the hilt as well as 77 280z scarab clone, both purpose built, and the purpose was SCCA autocross in "A S/P" and "SS/Prepared", both multiple trophy winners, but the 79 was my daily driver, I really enjoyed that car.
Really interesting story, more people should read this comment. I don't have the expertise, but every old Z wizard or expert seems to give the same story, I think this is a world wide phenomenon
I had two of these iconic rides in the 80's ..... the 81 Zx, and the 83 ZX, which was the most luxurious sport car I had ever owned (at that time). They were stylish, powerful, beautiful cars that I loved driving, and everywhere I went, this car would stimulate a lot of conversation. I'm looking for a restored one now, its time to turn back the clock! 🎉
It’s a good starter Z for a new driver. I fell in love with the awesome engine sound, extremely reliable, beautiful handling on the back roads and twisties. Yes it had body roll but at the same time it was balanced and felt like a tiger with four wheels for paws with the independent rear suspension. I replaced mine with a turbo z31 which was a rocket after I added a boost controller but I miss the zx now more than the z31
You are the first person I have heard that mention the awesome engine sound.
That most of all made me love the ZX. I drove my 82 5speed for many years just loving that sound. I was raised on American V8 muscle but the sweet sound of a Japanese I6 was the best.
I had an 83 280 ZX non turbo, daily drove it from Mobile Al to New Orleans La. Loved that car. It never let me down.
2 seater.
I've always heard about the 280ZX my whole life, the previous Z cars were always just "The older Z cars" where as the ZX? That one was the shit and the cool one.
I'm currently trying to buy a 83 with digital dash in damn near perfect physical shape and low miles, basically a replica of the one my dad had when I was born. His didn't have the digital dash though.
I've never cared much about "SPEED AND RAW PERFORMANCE" because if I did I'd get an electric car. The Nissan Leaf I was in pushed me into my seat from the acceleration, only other vehicle that's come close to that was my old 91 Hardbody that I would abuse the clutch to go 0-60 in just a few seconds. I'd rather comfort and a nice drive anyways, the speed limit exists and I'm just getting my speeding ticket off my record. Just a nice quick drive on the twisty country roads around here does it.. When there isn't a million people. My 94 Jetta with fat tires did it well and a 280ZX would do it even better. Nothing about these things is "terrible" other than the age, and hell... They're newer than my other car. Love that damn Beetle.
The 280ZX Turbo w/ a 5 speed transmission was awesome. My kid brother had one. When first released, the Turbo was only offered in automatic, because Datsun/Nissan didn't have a strong enough in house transmission. The next year Datsun put in a Borg Warner T5, 5 speed transmission.
Nissan leaf lol, what piece of junk.
Nissan fan here. Owner of a 2007 skyline 350gt
I had a 70 240z and an 81 280zx. Yes if I could have one back I would choose the 240z but the 280zx was far more comfortable and luxurious. It was also a better daily driver. I thought it was a beautiful car and would love to have another one. A car from my youth I Truly love.
I raced a 280Z in the SCCA ITS series, and then moved on to a 280ZX. The ZX had better disc rear brakes. With race suspension it was faster than my 280z. Sold it to move on to a second generation RX-7.
Been driving my 280zx since ‘87 - 300k miles on it - still the best daily car ever
That’s amazing!
I have a 75 280z and a 79 280zx, love them both. Also sold an 81zx, regretted it hence the 79.
Thanks!
If you lived in a red house in Monmouth Illinois in 1985 and owned an 80s 280zx. A crazy 16yr old & 13yr old who was tagging along. "Borrowed" your 280zx one sumner Friday night while you were out of town and pushed it to It's limits on Cameron blacktop outside of town. Somehow by the grace of god. The 16yr old driver managed to get the car back into the garage without a scratch on it.
Had an 81 with t-tops, manual and only 2 seats.
Bronze with an awesome set of rims that matched the car.
I miss it.
Mecum car auction recently really liked them , 2 or 3 of them sold for over 125 k if i remember correctly.
I couldn't afford a 71 240Z when it first came out. had a new 81 280ZX and a 85 300ZX. The 81 ZX was the most beautiful car I had owned. It had a 20 gal tank and range of 600 miles. It was a perfect touring car. I wish I still have it.
There are many good Z car for sale at premium price, but those days of Southern Calif sunshine had passed for me.
I know live in a state with snow in the winter. My Lexus AWD SUV is the perfect touring car that could go anywhere.
I'm not too fond of the S130's looks, but mad respect to the folks who keep them running today. When I see them on the road, I feel happy and nostalgic.
What's wrong with it?
@@chrismc410 nothing wrong with it, I'm just partial to the curves of the S30
Good video, thanks. The title doesn’t really fit though
I can definitely see that. I’m not very good with titles. Thank you.
I have a 280zx I always say I wish it was a s30 but it does feel comfortable on the highway
Build on that platform and you'll be out competing s30's in comfort in the s130, my 280zx is making about 350 on the L28ET and its taken a beating
@@alextepozteco3681 just turbocharged? my goal is 300hp for my 83 280zx going NA, but what kind of mods you got on it?
@@MarkAngelbuer mostly stock on the engine, turbo L series didn't have an intercooler so I added one, got a slightly bigger turbo running at 10psi with a 3 inch exhaust, and I replaced the turbo cam for an p79 n/a cam, MLS 2mm head gasket, and a stand alone megasquirt 2
@@alextepozteco3681 wait, the P79 head was better for the bigger turbo? I thought the P90 head was built for turbos, I’m confused. (Take it easy on me, I’m not that knowledgeable)
@@amadowaycott1108 the P90 head is the best head for turbo L series but the P79 is a good turbo conversion head since it has really good flow and identical combustion chambers to the p90 the main difference is the p90 has square ports and the p79 has Dimond ports with exhaust liners for emmisions, what I did was get the n/a camshaft off a P79 and used it on my P90 head n/a cams have more lift and slightly better duration
Awesome video man, keep up the great work! Can’t wait to see the next one
Thank you. I appreciate it.
You must not have actually watched the video.
Thank you for the trip down memory lane.😍😃
Anyone got any links to other zx s130 videos like this?
i was able to buy a 1979 model with a custom blue toned paint, a two year old model at thetimestill in mint conditio. it was the second car I'd owned at the time. since I've owned many vehicles from just about every manufacturer. the only other of those that brought me so much joy to drive was my 1983 mazda rx7 special edition with a larger engine and suspension that when tested equalled that of the in production corvettes. nonetheless the 280zx to this day is the one that is by far my favorite. since i did get one of the first 350z's. one of only 273 white versions produced in it's first year of production. it too was a great car but imho didn't have the emotional connection of the 280zx. my onl regret is that mine wasn't the turbo version.
would love a z31 to add to the collection but I don't think I would ever buy the 280zx. I own a Modified 280z right now which i would never sell.
We had a 280 zx manual & then ..... as an easy modification.......... bolted 3 X 240 dso Webers from a 2.0lt Afla GTV ....... Then had the exhaust system upgraded to a 3" with a 'bro speed' booster.
After those upgrades only, our 280 zx out performed all comers in our area. After upgrading the valve springs to allow us to rev higher, we were able to melt tires. ha-ha
Those tight budget days bring back fond memories. ha-ha
> After those upgrades only, our 280 zx out performed all comers in our area
You must have lived in a retirement community.
@@lqr824 Maybe! Our cities population was only 2.5 million back in those days.
I had an 81 Turbo auto back in the late 80's. T-roof and leather interior. Previous owner added a fiberglass front splitter and spoiler on the back hatch. Coolest looking POS I ever owned. Rust from hell in the frame rails and for some reason it kept on going through fuel pumps. It got stolen and then recovered shortly before I was going to get an insurance check. I swear that car was demon possessed.
My 83 ZX is a much better car than my 76 280Z period. Fit, finish, and materials are much better. As far as handling the 76 car was very tail happy which led to it's demise at less than 10k miles when a roomate took a tail end first off road adventure. By 1983 the entire rear suspension system had been redesigned and upgraded which makes for a much improved experience.
most people would disagree with you; the trailing arm suspension of the 280ZX took up less space than the S30 mcpherson strut, but led to worse suspension geometry from a handling point of view, so the 280zx had lower limits than the 280Z. The Triumph TR6 suffered from the same flaw.
@@racketman2u LOL, you never drove the ZX. The trailing arms made child's play of high speed cornering. Only thing wrong with it were the idiot drivers who slammed on the brakes in a turn thus raising the tail and losing some grip. Like the early Corvairs and 911's, the problem was the driver and not the design. Hell, if you drive it like it was designed then it was a gem. If you drove it like a 17 year old dummy trying to street race it, well, you ended up in a tree trunk.
I keep coincidentally see your uploads within the first minute...
The DATSUN Z was the Japanese Mustang - great to live with, stylish, fun, but still affordable, even the 280. The 90's NISSAN Z, the 300Z was the first Z that felt like it was truly exotic rather than merely foreign-made, saying that as someone who was alive and remembers seeing them around regularly.
By that logic, one could say the Toyota Celica Supra and the post- 1985 Supra is the Japanese Camaro/Firebird/Trans-AM.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser are the Japanese Dodge Dart and Plymouth Duster and the Starion is the Japanese Charger and Roadrunner.
Chrysler had controlling interest in Mitsubishi back then and had collaborated with them from the mid 70s to early 2000s so the last paragraph wasn't far from the truth
I push my 1979 ZX out of the garage and wash it after 12 years of storage. My dreams of being back on the road are right in front of me. the 280ZX has its looks, my car has spoke hub caps that give it a nice look at slow speed at lease thats what people tell me.
13:33 😁
I enjoyed the vid. Keep it up! 🙂👌
I appreciate it.
7:02 It was the same engine as the 280z but it made 35 hp less because of a weaker cam.
Nope, went from gross hp to net hp for the zx.
There is no way you could drive a 280z and a 280zx and say they have the same cam.@@WI280ZXT
Most ZX haters ended up swapping in the L28 from ZX`s, I think that's ironic.
It’s not the drivetrain that’s in question, it’s the suspension and exterior that didn’t appeal to consumers.
The high compression engine that can be made with different parts runs quite well.
@@thatzfever7294 When you sell more 280ZX's in 1979 than any other zcar in any year; it DID appeal to customers. The exterior was also vastly superiority to earlier designs as the 280ZX was STABLE and faster at speed because they actually used a wind tunnel on the 280ZX. Hell, my 1979ZX was even the same weight as the outgoing 280Z. The huge 21+ gallon tank in the ZX plus the better mileage mad the Z outstanding as a fast highway driver for long distances!
@@thatzfever7294 And yet the ZX outsold all Z's ever made in it's first year....
love this, sending it to my dad
Awesome. I hope he enjoys it.
Answering the question: No, I don't consider it close to "the worst". It helps a lot to have been alive and aware of cars in that era. The visceral reaction was directly proportional to the fondness for the original S-30 platform. Nissan made the very smart move of changing the Z into a more comfortable tourer-type car while retaining KEY cosmetic aspects of the original. Those visual connections along with more comfort-aimed features helped the Z remain relevant even while becoming much less of a performer.
People should understand that in the '70's and '80's, the US EPA single-handedly turned N. America into a "performance wasteland" across ALL makes/brands/models. To me, Nissan did not fully betray the inconic image of the Z car until the 1990 Z-32 design.
agree with afoolandhismoneychannel. I bought a '82 silver/black ZX in '93, expecting it to be a 'nicer', maybe quieter version of my '75 280. I was right, but I wasn't expecting a Buick. The change from McPherson strut to trailing arm rear suspension may have solved some NVH issues but it was no longer a sports car. Driven even moderately hard, the softness of the back end, in my opinion made it unusable on a twisty country road. I tried better shocks, but it was what it was, as the commenter said, for all the right and wrong, reasons. Great looking car, I kept it for 3 years and sold it way too soon, it was an immaculate low mileage cream puff from CO. Great to look at, not fun to drive. Was it the 'worst' Z ever? For me, yes, but I've only had 2. Still have the '75.
I love my 280zx but I can understand why it wasn't as popular as the 240z and friends. Mostly on the performance per dollar
The ZX was MORE popular. Look at the sales numbers.
All depends on your opinion. I had two 240s, and a 280. Never had a ZX. They are nice too.
Suspension wise, the 280 zx drove like it was rails until you pushed it beyond the limit around a corner, then the car's rear would brake away, almost uncontrollably ...... that was very scary because you had total control until the back literally lost traction in an instant.
Those were exciting but scary memories ....ha-ha
Nope. The 280ZX had great aerodynamic AND the real end was a delight for handling. It had the same semi-trailing arm setup as a 911 and anyone who could drive fast can drive fast with one. It only tripped up those who did not understand suspensions and driving fast.
Miss the 289zxt it 200hp and the maximiun speed 230klh but ONLY sale in europe
In stock form the 280ZX is pretty lame. We converted one to a road race car and with correcting the suspension geometry, lightening the car and installing 15" wheels and perf tires, it performed very well. It was a little under powered but the rest of the car was great. For the street this will be more difficult.
I bought a new 1977 280z and kept it for 4 years. Traded it in for a new 81zx. The zx is absolutely the worst Z ever made. It’s not a sports car, it just looks like one. Kept it 4 months and bought a good used 78z. The zx rides like a tiny Cadillac coupe de ville. Horrible car.
My first brand new car. ‘79 280 ZX.
Worst Z ever.
Jerky on/off fuel injection, America sedan handling.
Back in mid 80s I was racing matching with Mazda RX7 sadly my car wrecked not for racing but for running away with the cops lol ..btw i have 1978 Datsun ...
The ZX is the 1st I ever bought. Used 1979, rusty floor hole and leaking injection. $900. Loved till it got towed away. Balanced designed GT car. A poor man's Vette. And better than rival Mazda or God forbid, TR-7.
I used to wish I could trade my 280zx for a 240z but I have come to love it and realize that it's amazing in its own right!
All I heard during the video was "The 280zx was a spectacular car, people just didn't know how to accept it"
It was the 280zx that made the z name well known after the 240z
Some would say the 280z is what really put Nissan on the map on sports cars of that era. Certainly matured when it came out. No more carburetor and yes to EFI.
The 280ZX showed that one can have luxury and have the sporty feel and characteristics and at the same time not forgetting its roots.
The 300ZX changed the game completely. One could say it😢 could do everything a traditional sports car and do everything a personal luxury car at the same time. One did not have to choose between comfort and performance and feel. The 300ZX/Z31 gave you both. If you really want speed, the Turbocharged 300ZX had you covered, if one could live with an automatic transmission, their 4-speed automatic was the only one they had in-house that could handle the turbocharged engine at the time.
They later found a manual gearbox that was strong enough
It's between the 280Z and the Ferrari 380 for my two favorite cars made.
Still both out of my reach though....
No it was actually the best. Took all of the aerodynamic challenges from the first gen off the table and was improved in every way, while attempting to keep the car looking as close to the original as possible. They caved to "modern" markets and tried to make it more luxurious which made it heavier, but a stripped out model will outperform most other comparable models in almost every way. I have intimately spent time working on and every Z model from the original series 1 240z up through the 350z (never bothered going newer) and there's a reason I have personally owned 3 different S130s and still own one to this day. Far from stock, but still the perfect Z car IMO...
if handling is the key factor? too much weight and sloppy build requirements
There can only be One. That One is the 240Z the first best and by far the prettiest and most sought after.
280zx очень крутая модель , у меня была такая , и еще двух местная датсун , и более свежая 89года 3х литровая ,но 280zx впечатлила больше остальных ,вот двигатель почему то 2х литровый был , думаю стоило в нее более мощный мотор поставить возможно турбовый , мне больше остальных понравилась эта модель !!!
It had better transmission, better engine, better high speed stability (aero tested) which didn't unalive people, better rear end.
I mean, everyone who has a 240 butchers the 280 for each and every one of it's components.
That makes it the best.
I worked at a Datsun-Mercedes dealership in '78 and '79. IMHO, since I got to drive the last of the 1st Gen Z's and 1st 2nd gen one, the '78 felt much better, crisper, livelier. More fun to drive. The '79 was a pig by comparison. Bloated, sloppy and slower. I didn't care for the styling "upgrade" either.
It's a great car you didn't have to sell your house for it now in these days these cars cost a fortune Aldi sports cars cost a lot of money
Nissan 240 z was the best
But a little unknown Nissan was 240 k a mate owned one and did a Little work on it with triple delordo carbs it flew
I'll bet it did! The Datsun 240K was the export name for the Nissan C110 Skyline, basically a 240Z in disguise.
I can't say I'm happy with my 280zxt after like 2 decades with it.
It hasn't been a very reliable car. Blown a lot of head gaskets, and fuel injectors are always leaky, and shocks have always been shot out. All that premium luxury car stuff on it... cruise control, talking lady, door lights, air conditioner, stereo, digital dash, gas tank measuring stick, oxygen sensor, etc... just dies over time and never works again. The clear coat peels off and looks like dandruf. I've had to clean the steering column light stick contact switches more times than I can count. It's not a very friendly vintage car to own at all. It only seems fast because it's low to the ground. I gave up driving the Z and switched to driving cruiser motorcycles, they were much more fun, cheaper, more fuel efficient, faster, and just better vehicles. The Z now seems like a gas plg by comparison, I would never go back to driving the Z.
You have to do maitenance to keep your car running smoothly! You can not compare a motorcycle to a car in gasoline efficientcy Lol!!
@@ceasersaahir7949 45mpg is a lot better than 25mpg. My 280zxt only seemed fast because it was so low to the ground... it's an illusion of speed car... and not terribly original... a knock off of the Jaguar E type. I haven't driven my 280zxt in geez... 10 years maybe... it just eats too much gas. Parked where I last parked it, and as they say... for real, running when parked!
Had a 280ZX 2+2 TURBO, loaded with all the options in 82, $17K sticker, this car was no slouch, forget the Mazda rotary to compete with this car,,,
You can’t find a 240Z and that’s because it was the first and the best for a number of reasons.
Anyone who says the 280zx is the worst z is crazy
Or any Z really. I liked the Z31(1984-1989 300ZX) best of all of the Z series. Mom loves her 1983 280ZX. Both my sister and myself learned to drive with it. She still drives it to this day. She has a dark blue 1978 280Z too. Her baby is the 1983 though.
Dad likes his 2013 Challenger.
This video has my baby though a older year: in my case 1983 DeLorean. Other than my sister, my mom is the only one I'd let drive it other than me. My late lady wanted to but didn't know how to drive a stick.
My dad tended to destroy clutches to the point my mom wouldn't let him drive her car anymore just before their divorce 20+ years ago.
I bought my DeLorean in March 2003 for just over $23K, $40K in today's money. This past March, marks 21 years of owning it and been an honor to.
I thought people hated the Z31s the most, no?
Bought the last Z car (made in 78) as a 22 year old that just landed a good job. That was 1979, the year when the ZX came out. I could have bought the ZX, but after driving both , I got the Z because I quickly realized that the ZX was a bloated pig compared to the Z. My opinion hasn't changed. Glad the model changes have made up for that mistake.
LOL, the 79ZX actually weight the same as the 78Z. I know, I bought a manual 280ZX brand new in 79.
People forget how bloated the 78Z was and how the S30 it had the aerodynamics of a brick.
@@arthurfoyt6727 LOL... the 78Z was the epitome of style, sport, original design, coupled with modern efficient fuel injection. What it gave up (not much) in performance by dropping the carbs is more than made in reliability and gas mileage. The LAST of the real Z cars. The ZX was built for the emerging Yuppies. And yes, it handled like a bloated pig compared to the 78Z.
@@Lollygagger-k4p The 79zx "slick top" weighed the same as the outgoing 78 280z, but had better aerodynamics, better stability, better brakes, better gas mileage, better range, and better high speed handling. Sure you "could" add weight bloat, but people like me saw the real beauty in NOT doing that and having a better car than a 280Z with it's hideous ugly bumpers.
@@arthurfoyt6727 Ha! This is becoming a cartoon script! "...I know you are but wut'am I"
Look, to each his own, but no one remembers the 79ZX when they talk about the "Zee cars" It's always about the First Three - Actually, the First One.
@@Lollygagger-k4p LOL, the 86,000 who bought them remember them. The people who "talk" are basically clueless or have zero first hand knowledge. I call them parrots because they just repeat what other people say.
Yes. Have you ever been arrested in one?
absolutely not!
I love them.
owned 2
Wrong!
They sold 86,007 280ZX's in 1979, the most EVER in a single year. I know, I bought one brand new off the lot.
As far as handling, the ZX was actually stable at high speed due to real wind tunnel testing.
Hell, even Paul Newman drove a 79ZX to victory so calling it's handling poor is laughable.
It's honestly a real car and with it's 21 gallon fuel tank was perfect for being "driven".
Funny how people today just regurgitate old crap stories and have zero real world experience in what they put out on the web.
My ‘79 2+2 was underwhelming. 120 HP. Regretted the purchase
loved my 1981.. a lot..
The worst Z car is still an all-time great.
Really different articulation.
Mine was the 83 and Im 1986 it gote a ticket of 140 in a 55
I bought a 78 280z new and added an aftermarket turbo kit. I then bought a 1981 280zx turbo for my girlfriend; what a disappointment. It was no longer a sports car. Bug, heavy, underpowered, and the the rear suspension would squat on acceleration. In 1990 i bought a new 300z twin turbo. Awesome car. Totally reliable a pretty fast stock...
This is exactly why anyone that started in an S30 isn't fond of the s130. My 84 turbo 5 speed was referred to by all my friends as the squat-o-matic. It wasn't that fast and didn't handle very well. My Z32TT was incredible!!!
@@williamandrews1683 I still own an S30 and a 79 280ZX. The ZX is vastly better in every way than the S30. The S30 was SLOWER that the 280ZX. The ZX had more HP and lower drag. As far as handling the ZX is just as good (assuming you know how to actually drive fast).
The 240 Z was the best Z car, it was carbureted, the 260 Z was the worst, it also was carbureted by the worst possible carburetion scheme. The 280 was fuel injected & performed much better. After the 280 Z is when the body style changed.
I've driven one, and I thought it was quite inferior to a simple little 1979 RX-7 Savannah 12A, which I had at the time.
Heavy. Lumpen. Slow. Large. Boring.
No, thank you!
It’s wha they replaced the ZX with in 1984 was esthetically horrible.
Basically the z cars were a rip off of British sports cars. The Mgb gt ,and the triumph stag. The e type too.
Way better than a corvette
One says the worst Z, others say the best. Give me one, I'll decide.
I can't remember watching a worse video. You never mention what the chassis codes mean, for instance that one is 2-seat and one is 4-seat. At 7:04 you say "market-exclusive 280Z" which doesn't even make sense. Maybe you meant, "Japanese market exclusive"? At 5:55 you say "Cars destined for the US were equipped with... shock absorbers." Guess what, all cars have shock absorbers. Name one since, say, 1950 without. You might as well brag that it had a steering wheel. You say it was "outstanding in its class" without mentioning what that class was or what other cars were in that class. There were over a half-dozen other points where your script literally is factually incorrect or ungrammatical and meaningless. Video is quite often of other cars than the ones you're talking about. Really, just astonishing waste of time.
That, and he never mentions that the 79zx (like the one I bought new in 79 and still have) finally got real aerodynamics and thus was faster and more stable whilst driving than any previous Z. Huge improvement. That, and it was what I would call a "real car" as far as a daily driver sports car.
boom box interior design Imo.
Perfect boulevard cruiser. Not really a sports car.
No was a fast car for the time
No. It’s the 260z, the factory carbs were awful.
You ever owned one or are you just parroting the ole lies?
@@williamwilson2696 I had a 280zx in the Nineties. A friend of my dad’s had a 260, the Hitachi carbs were always giving him trouble.
The best 280zxt ONLY sale in europe it 200hp 👍
Boulevard Cruiser for Muricans.
I wish they had posted the soundtrack info.
Yes. I love the 240s 260s 300s and 350/370 but the later 280zx was trash