240Z VS 280Z - value, qualities, etc...

[5thhorsemann]

240,60 or 80.....Consider yourself lucky to get any of these cars in reasonably sweet condition. Just make sure you buy it right, meaning you don't fall in love with a dream and buy a nightmare.

Ive seen it time and time again, people look at a rare old car, weary from the search they buy the old whore, over spend on it, tire of the nickel dime trips to the auto parts store without their "Baby" even seeing a good weekend road trip. Next thing you know they are dumping the car for half of what they have in it, and then the buyer wants to hagle, sad.

[Evil Turkey]

Just make sure you buy it right, meaning you don't fall in love with a dream and buy a nightmare.

I did that once, not gonna happen twice. This time I have a better understanding of the whole thing so I should be able to make a smart decision.

[Powerglide]

Styling differences aside...there is virtually NO difference in performance between a STOCK 240Z and a STOCK 280Z. In typical street tune, both will run 1/4 mile times in the high 16 to low 17 second bracket with terminal speeds in the low 80s (mph). A sharp tune may shave a 10th or two from that ET and add a couple of MPH in a 1/4 race. The 240 may feel nimbler...but ultimate grip, given the same wheels and tires will be almost identical. Replace the stock 3:54 R200 in the 280Z with a 3:90 and a stock Datsun 5 speed and it will WHIP a stock 4 speed 240Z in a 1/4 mile race. The EFI IS easier to get right than SUs and will provide better reliability and driveability in day to day driving than SUs and/or flat top Hitachi carburators. Your plugs will last longer, emissions will be cleaner and MPGs will be in the 17 to 25 range. NONE of this is particularly impressive by todays standards---but both cars are very ENTERTAINING to drive and look like nothing else on the road.

Edited November 30, 2010 by Powerglide