Nissan says: what's a 280z?

[Arne]

I have bought from Courtesy, and recommend them highly. But since my local dealer gives me a similar discount, no shipping cost, and no sales tax in Oregon, for me buying locally can't be beat.

[WingZr0]

All that is good is pretty awesome

and the fallopian tube is funny

I called my local dealer for a tune up and diagnostic qoute for my

'77 and they whipped out the book quick!

Even gave me a price from the page showing what it would take to

bring her back to spec.

Roughly $200 for a tune up and $145 to

diagnois :rambo:

[red_dog007]

Every place that I go seeing if they have a so and so part for a 240z they are always like "Yeah, I used to have one of those!!!" Then they ask what I am currently doing to it and what I want to do to it.

I have only had ricers say, "You mean a 240sx?, What, 240z? Whatever", blow it off and think that their heavy body kit and the poop vtec is going to bet me. "I got vtech, when it kicks in its on!" . Thats what a buddy of mine said yesturday when we swapped out his eclipse for some civic with the crappy make no difference vtec.

[zbane]

The local dealer that I've tried dealing with insisted that I had the wrong VIN because it wasn't long enough. I explained that my 79 was built before the changeover, but the counterperson refused to believe me. I had to pull the car around and show them the door jamb AND firewall stamp before being believed. Then the issues with searching for parts on the computer began...

Courtesy Nissan and Zbarn for me.

[sblake01]

When was the changeover? 81 or 82? 78 and earlier cars, from what I've seen, don't say 'Nissan' anywhere on the outside of the body. I notice that the 79 and 80 cars like my 810 have badges on them like 'Datsun 810 by Nissan' etc. I've seen cars marked 'Datsun 810-Nissan Maxima' with one each badge on either side of the trunklid. I think that's on the 81 or 82.

[mazingerz1976]

Here in my country several years ago nissan sold all its stock to the parts shops, but i find that really good, because my parts dealer sells me the parts cheaper than to other Nissan or Datsun owners just because my car looks exactly as his

[zbane]

The only exterior markings that designate my ZX as a Nissan product is located on the hatch, lower right corner.

The VIN changeover from our type (S30 or S130) to the 17 digit mess happened for the 1981 model year (far as I can figure, anyway), so the later years of the 280zx had the long version.

From DMV.org:

You entered an invalid VIN: hs130150591

Your VIN needs to be:

* Exactly 17 characters.

* For a vehicle manufactured after 1980 (1981 or later model year).

* Without the letters I, O or Q.

thus making online databases (CARFAX, et. al) useless for us.

[sblake01]

I meant the name changeover. S30's don't say 'Nissan' on any of the badges. Niether did any Datsun prior to 79 from my unofficial junkyard research. They added the little bar that says 'by Nissan' on the 79 models. 210, 510, 810's etc. prior to 79 didn't have it. I think the transition to the Nissan name began in 79 and was complete by 82 or 83 to the point where the word 'Datsun' didn't appear anywhere on the cars.

[zbane]

From what I've seen on the 'ole wikipedia, 1983 was the last year of anything being sold as "Datsun."

The Nissan 300zx (Z31) would be the first of the Z line (if you will) with the Nissan moniker sold in the US.

[Rockr69]

My 83 maxima says "Datsun by Nissan"

[george71z]

I once drove my '71 to a local dealer, just to kind of show it off. First salesman out the door asked me if I wanted to trade it in. Another fairly young guy came out and asked another salesman 'Did we make that?' However, my closest dealer is pretty knowledgeable about the 240 and can usually get an available part.

[280~Master]

I feel bad for you guys where nissan dealers don't know squat. I bought my 76 280Z and my 300ZXTT from my local Nissan parts manager. He is a great guy. Will look up anything you ask for and even try looking all over the US for it. If I order a part he won't make me pay for it until it comes in and if I don't need it I don't get a restocking fee, Plus I get parts at cost. Can't beat the deals I can get.