I live in So-Cal. It never snows and rarely rains, perfect weather for a 240z. I do snowboard in the winter though... a lot.... I was recently at the japanese classic car show, and it looks like a snowboard would fit in the back of a 240z diagonally, but I'm wondering if the car would make it up a mountain if there's any snow on the road? (with tire chains most likely) Being rwd and lightweight and all... I should note that I am from N.C. originally and have driven in the snow quite a bit, although that was at least 10 years ago.

I've always wanted a classic Z and now that I commute to work by other means (bicycle) and only drive my car on weekends, it seems like it'd be a good time to sell my old car and get one. Plus going to jccs made me catch the bug again. I suppose worst case, i could rent a 4wd for snowboard trips, but if the z works ok i wouldn't be opposed to driving it up there. Any thoughts?

do you really wanna drive a classic on salted/chemical ridden roads?

I would prefer not to, but I only want to own one car.

I would prefer not to, but I only want to own one car.

Probably not the right car for you then. A light-weight, short wheelbase car like a classic Z is not all that great in slippery conditions. And all classic Zs are rust magnets. Neither bodes well for your needs as an only car.

Perhaps you could rent a car for skiing? Would be a shame to expose a classic Z to salt and see her rust away...

Rental sounds better than not owning one at all, or talking friends into driving.. hah. For some reason, I didn't think about the salt on snowy roads and how easily these cars rust, only the handling. Thanks for the reminder though.

Also, about it being my only car, I literally only drive 2 or 3 times a month. I ride my bicycle or public transportation for most errands and work commuting, which means it wouldn't be a daily driver in the usual sense, even if it is my only car, so not being able to drive it on a mountain isn't really a deal breaker.

Edited October 17, 200816 yr by bhop0073

I live in So-Cal. It never snows and rarely rains, perfect weather for a 240z. I do snowboard in the winter though... a lot.... I was recently at the japanese classic car show, and it looks like a snowboard would fit in the back of a 240z diagonally, but I'm wondering if the car would make it up a mountain if there's any snow on the road? (with tire chains most likely) Being rwd and lightweight and all... I should note that I am from N.C. originally and have driven in the snow quite a bit, although that was at least 10 years ago.

I've always wanted a classic Z and now that I commute to work by other means (bicycle) and only drive my car on weekends, it seems like it'd be a good time to sell my old car and get one. Plus going to jccs made me catch the bug again. I suppose worst case, i could rent a 4wd for snowboard trips, but if the z works ok i wouldn't be opposed to driving it up there. Any thoughts?

I used my first 73 240Z to go skiing in for several years and it does pretty well in the snow for a rear drive car. That 50/50 weight distribution helps a lot. A set of winter tires and it would be fine.

That said, if you drive where there is a lot of salt on the roads you'll kill a 240 in no time unless it has been seriously prepped for those conditions. Even then it's just a matter of time before it rots.

Steve

I am trying to find a Z club here in Phoenix. Does anyone have a phone number or website for an active club? I need to find one this weekend.

I am trying to find a Z club here in Phoenix. Does anyone have a phone number or website for an active club? I need to find one this weekend.

And the name/subject of this thread was........what? You might try Arizona Z Club. They're just north of your location based in Youngstown.

And the name/subject of this thread was........what? You might try Arizona Z Club. They're just north of your location based in Youngstown.

Oh, cut him some slack... it was his first post

There is a Youngstown in Arizona? I didn't know there were steel mills in the south west.

Buy an old Subaru Brat. They're classics in their own right, have four wheel drive and the ones that haven't rusted away can be had for a song.