Should I get a 240Z for my 1st car?

[Sgt. Redneck]

Hey, I want to know if a Datsun 240Z is a good first car, cuz I am saving up for a car and I like 240Z's and there are a few 4 sale around where I am for about 2K. umm the 2K one is 1970 red 1. Well anyways my dad knows quite a bit about cars and he says the datsuns rust easyier then other cars, but what do u guys think?

[MikeW]

My first car was a 240Z, and I still own it almost 20 years later.

[Sgt. Redneck]

SWEEEEEEEEET! Was the new or used?

[Fun_in_my_z]

I think it would be good. If its what you want then go for it.

[mdbrandy]

My first car was a 1971 240Z. However, depending on the condition of the car you get, be prepared for work and downtime if it needs fixing up. When I got mine, it was only 7 years old! You'll be getting one that is 30+ years old! As long as you know what you're getting into, it could be great. They do rust, though. Make sure to search the forums on this site to learn about how to tell if a car you're looking at is even worth considering. Rust is our enemy!

[MikeW]

Originally posted by Sgt. Redneck

SWEEEEEEEEET! Was the new or used?

Well, almost 20 years ago was Jan. of 1985 and my car is a 1972 model.

[Go240Zags]

Yes, you should! If the Red 1970 is fairly rust free it would be my first choice. They are the most collectible. However, if one of the others is in better shape and ready to drive, by all means buy it. Ask any questions you need answers to before buying right here. These guys will steer you straight and are good judges on how much these cars are worth. And once you've got your car, remember to post some pictures. Enjoy the Ride!

[Bambikiller240]

I don't know if they salt the roads in your area of Canada, but if they do, you might want to think twice about getting a Z, unless you only plan to drive it in the summer on dry, unsalted roadways.

I would not be driving a Z on snowy, wet, salted roads. Ever. That is the kiss of death for an early Datsun (far more so than modern cars). You will end up watching it dissolve right before your eyes.

[speedyblue]

Zed's make a great first car. Smaller than a family car, not gutless like a small car.

Getting a road ready one might be a better option than a fixer upper. Some of the people on this site haven't driven theirs in years, me included. Always seems to take longer to fix than you expected.

[Alfadog]

Originally posted by speedyblue

Zed's make a great first car. Smaller than a family car, not gutless like a small car.

I would tend to disagree with that... only 2 seats, thirsty, challenging to drive, high maintenance... this is all relative to a newish buzzbox btw.

If you're looking for an IDEAL first car, a Z is NOT IT. If you're looking for an AWESOME first car, you've hit the nail on the head. It will break. It will rust. It will empty your wallet. But you will arrive in the school car park every day grinning like a mug.

My first was a 1971 240Z (in 2001) and I loved it. Regret it? No way... I'll get another one of these days

(The above is just my opinion!)

[Sean240Z]

My 1973 240Z was my first car (I bought it in my last year of high school in 1991). I still own it and love it. A 240Z is a great first car, it's easy to work on. I bought the car in Southern Ontario (it was a California car) and it had never seen snow. If you want the car to last, you'll need to put the car away in the winter or it will rust.

Cheers,

Sean

[NCLarry]

I had a Z as my first car and it became a problem... I only had it a few years before I sold it, it was a 77 280Z.

The problem is, it became an addition. I never quite got over that car and had several other (not as fun) since. Now I have two and am DESPERATELY waiting to be able to drive the driver without having a friend push it with another vehicle

Even if you've no experience fixing cars, the Z is likely one of the easier cars to learn on as the engine bay and engineering is easy to get in/around and there is a HUGE amount of information/help out there.

GO FOR IT!! AND DON'T EVER SELL!!

When you think you need to sell it, put it away... you'll want it back soon enough!!