Looking at two Zs, which do I buy?

[Ttiger]

I'm looking to buy a Z to add to my collection. I found two and I'm bouncing back and forth between the two.

#1 is a 1973 completely stock (aftermarket wheels) that has been sitting for 2 years. It was started two years ago and ran fine back then. No battery compartment, hatch or fender rust. Minimal surface floor rust. Original 73 carbs, dealer added A/C and it has been painted once (original pea green). The paint is faded and scratched here and there, but no body damage. The butterscotch interior is good, dash is cracked, and seats and carpets are good.

Original owner will all the service receipts from day one. 140,000 miles and it's an automatic.

#2 is a 1978 280 also stock (original wheel covers). It has been sitting for a few months and the owner says it won't stay running because of some fuel injector problem. Minor rust above the tail lights. It has also been repainted the original color (white). The paint is in better shape than teh 240 and would only need a good buffing. The brown interior is in good condition but needs carpet and seat covers. It's a 5-speed. No service history.

Both are for sale at a price that would allow me plenty of room for repairs. I'm torn between a "classic" 240, but an automatic, versus a 5-speed 280 with all the improvements that came over the years. The 240 is smog exempt and the 280 would have to comply. I'd plan to convert the 240 to a 5-speed once I found the parts. I'd also like to swap the 73 carbs with the 72 setup.

Thanks for your thoughts!!

[Mr Camouflage]

I vote 240Z

[BRE-240Z]

What are your intentions for the car? Are you going to restore, or use the car that you buy for a daily driver, or what?

Honestly, both cars sound pretty good, but I'd lean towards the 240 in terms of it eventually being more valuable. Not to mention, AT cars are generally treated very gently and the fact that it has all of the service records is a very good sign.

Whichever car you buy, be sure to look under the seats. You never know what you'll find.

[Ttiger]

I was planning to get either one road-worthy and enjoy it. Drive to work now and then. I don't intend to make a hanger queen show car out of it. I really enjoy my '71, but my son took it off to school so I'm Z-less right now.

[sblake01]

So actually niether of them run in such a way that they can be driven? The EFI car starting but not running could be due to sitting too long and developing sediment/crud in the fuel tank/lines. Both of them sound like they'll need some work to be roadworthy but in the long run, and I'll get arguments for saying this, the 280Z would make a better daily driver. I think the 'value' thing is over rated. Unless you're buying it for an investment and I'll also get arguments for this but there really wouldn't be much difference value wise between a 73 and a 78.

[Montezuma]

The way I see it: 73 no smog check, 78 smog check. I hate that comes up but it is the facts. I have a 73 Automatic and I gave my 78 to my neighbor because I did not want to deal with the smog check. It ended up costing my neighbor a few bucks to get the car passed smog, a engine swap was part of it. I drove the 78 on Friday and boy do I have regrets, so I understand the dilema. The only good part about the 73 is it is more original and cleaner but it is a DOG.

[sblake01]

My 78 has never failed a smog check in the 11 years I've owned it.

[WingZr0]

Smog Check, Bad

Being able to sup up your ride without smog, Priceless.

I'm with what others so far have said, but after driving a rentel car since

having my 280Z 4 speed I find myself hitting the floorboard with

my clutch foot!

Automatics are now boring to me

~z~ :rambo:

[Ttiger]

When you say the '73 is a DOG, is that because of the auto trans or the year in general? I know the carbs suck, but compared to my '71, is it going to be that diferent?

[Montezuma]

Neither did mine until it sat from 1998 until 2005, then in summer of 2007 after I gave it away to my neighbor while he was in the middle of struggling to get it to pass smog, the head gasket went. So we put a P90 block with flat tops, and all new injectors in the car, it passed smog with flying colors but it cost the guy $1500 to buy the engine and have it installed by my friend. All and all the guy has put well over $2K in the car and it still needs paint and body work. I love the 78 and wish I kept it and used the money I bought the 73 with to fix the 78 up. My 78 and I had so many great aventures together. My 73 and I are like a couple who should never have gotten married, right now it is cheaper to keep her....once she is worth more than $8K she is gone.

[Montezuma]

When you say the '73 is a DOG, is that because of the auto trans or the year in general? I know the carbs suck, but compared to my '71, is it going to be that diferent?

You know I am not sure, I think it is the 3sp automatic that is the problem. I got an automatic because my daughter wanted to drive an old car, I did not realize that power steering(lack of it) would be a problem (but that is different story). The carbs are fine, I took out the points, replaced with the ignitor. I had the tranny serviced and it was fine. I am thinking about doing the Maxima 4sp automatic with overdrive tranny swap. I have an L28 block that I can go with too, but the car is so original I hate to do it. Another thing about automatics to consider is that they are usually in better shape than 4sp cars. I drove my old 78 on Friday, it steered so much easier than my 73. I did all the up grades to the steering the rack on the car years ago, I guess that is the reason.

[EScanlon]

Based on your intent to swap out the transmission, it sounds as though you're looking for a car that you can zoom around in.

The change to the carbs is more for ease of maintenance than in acceleration response.

While the AT does have plenty of zoom in it, the Manual puts that zoom in YOUR hands to control, which is what I think you're looking for.

Then you mention the improvements between the model years, and it sounds as though THAT is also a prime consideration.

With those to base an opinion on...go with the 280Z.

Let the 240 go to someone who is looking for an older, less frills car while still retaining the ease of the AT.

My 2¢

E