[mrassmy]

Hi all,
I just found an 81 280zx auto 2+2 with 155,000 that I am considering buying, I was wondering if this mileage is considered high and should I expect a lot of mechanical problems with this car or a z should still perform at this age?

It's a one owner car and it was well maintained throughout the years, one thing I noticed thougth that it doesn't have a strong pickup, but it's due for tune-up and oil change also the owner has been using heavy weight oil of 20-50, could these be reasons for the lack of strong pick up or the engine is going bad?
Except these points the car is very clean in and out with no rust.

Your opinions will be appreciated.
Thanks
Mike

 

[helowrench]

I have a 82 zx 2+2 with 227000 on it never had the head off and it still runs strong no smoke no oil usage with normal weight oil only thing is my p/s rack leaks

 

[Brian 72Z]

That mileage is actually low for a 20 year old car. Those cars can run as good as new at that mileage IF it's been well maintained. It could also be ready to fall apart if it was abused. The heavy oil worries me.. they could be using that to hide leaks. On the other hand, some people just use that stuff for some reason. You should definitely have a mechanic or fellow Z-head check it out just in case. At the very least, you should pull the plugs out and check them for oil or deposits. Also, look at the oil on the dipstick to see if it has any gas or coolant in it. You'll sort of be able to smell it if there is.

The 280ZX autos definitely weren't the fastest in the Z line, but it shouldn't be "slow"

Even if the engine does need a minor rebuild, it's not the end of the world.

 

[riche-280zxt]

hey guys, as far as heavy oil goes,ive used castrol 20 50 in all 4 of my z's,3 of which were turbo,and ive never had a problem.the one i drive now has 220,000 on the motor.ive blew the head gasket at about 200,000,and when i took the head off,there was no deposits or gunky build up.uses a little oil,but usually runs 15 psi of boost(all stock btw),and very often catches the rev limiter on shifts.

richie

p.s.had an 82 2+2 zxt auto with 230,000 on it and it pulled really strong with the boost turned up.definately not week at stock boost either.

 

[mrassmy]

Hello,
Thanks for your replies.

A follow up thought, this car is not turbo, so could it be because of the heavy oil as well as being due for a tune up and oil change, could that be the reason why it lacks a strong pickup when you try to accelarate?

Mike

 

[RexRoach 83zxt]

try this for me....

next time you drive it try this... go about 35 or 40 KPH then put the pedal to the floor....! if you aren't smiling when you do this there is something wrong... my old Z was a 2+2 auto 1981.. non turbo... when I did this the smile on my face was ear to ear.... they are in no way slow cars at all... all in all the car sounds like a treasure!... my old Z had MSD ignition and a cone filter that really sucked! I did the old PVC pipe thing and it didn't work out at all... I had my 280 up to about 230KPH... thats screemin! wish I had a pic of the car but o well... my mom who owned my 81 before me bought it with 150 000K in 1992 from the original owner.. I bought my 2nd Z (1983 280zx Turbo 2+2) with 240 000K on it in 2001 and sold my old Z with only 180 000 on the clock... so ya I think your getting a great deal.. by the way my old Z didn't use a drop of oil... never smoked allways started(unless the lights were left on.. DOH!) I say if you like it go for it...




Dan

 

[mrassmy]

Re: try this for me....

I tried this and you're right, my smile was from ear to ear. I beleive when I tune it and change oil it will feel even better.
Thanks

 

[atmventures]

20-50 is recommended by my Z mechanic for my 82 Turbo 2+2, also automatic, along with 93 octane. However, not being a turbo, the 20-50 might be a bit heavy...