Nissan 280ZX Specs and Overview (1978–1984 Fastback)
Nissan 280ZX specs at a glance: a 1978–1984 fastback with 145–200 hp, rear-wheel drive, and 7 modifications in its single generation.
If you are searching for nissan 280zx specs, here is the picture in numbers: the Nissan 280ZX is a fastback built from 1978 to 1984, with outputs spanning 145 to 200 hp across one generation and 7 modifications, all rear-wheel drive. It suits drivers who want a classic Japanese sports fastback with a choice between automatic cruising and a stronger manual version.
Nissan 280ZX generations
1 generation (1978–1984)
The first and only generation of the Nissan 280ZX ran from 1978 to 1984 in a single fastback body style. Power ranges from 145 hp to 200 hp, and every version drives the rear wheels. Buyers could choose between automatic and manual gearboxes across 7 modifications. The lineup includes 2.0-liter (2000 cc) engines in both automatic and manual form, as well as a larger 2.8-liter (2753 cc) automatic. The Nissan 280ZX 2.0 MT tops the range with 200 hp, while the 2.8 AT sits at 145 hp despite its larger displacement — a reminder that engine size and output do not move in lockstep in this lineup.
Which Nissan 280ZX to buy
- 2.0 AT (147 hp) (1 generation): the mainstream choice — a 2000 cc engine with 147 hp and an automatic gearbox, the most common configuration of the model.
- 2.0 MT (200 hp) (1 generation): the most powerful Nissan 280ZX at 200 hp from the same 2000 cc displacement, paired with a manual gearbox for drivers who want the strongest version.
- 2.8 AT (1 generation): the largest engine in the range at 2753 cc, delivering 145 hp through an automatic transmission.
Since every Nissan 280ZX comes from the same 1978–1984 generation, there is no newer-generation premium to chase on the used market: the choice comes down to engine and gearbox rather than model year architecture. The single body style and one-generation lineup also make it straightforward to compare examples directly against each other.
Summary of Nissan 280ZX specs
The Nissan 280ZX (1978–1984) is a rear-wheel-drive fastback offered in 7 modifications within one generation. Engine choices include a 2000 cc unit rated at 147 hp with an automatic or 200 hp with a manual, and a 2753 cc unit rated at 145 hp with an automatic. The overall power range for the model is 145–200 hp. For maximum output, the 2.0 MT (200 hp) is the clear pick; for the most typical specification, the 2.0 AT (147 hp) represents the volume version of the lineup.