What to buy? 1972 240Z vs 1977 280Z

[ZcarFanMan]

Hello! This is my 1st post so here's some questions for you guys in the know...

I've been a Z fan since my parents bought their 1st Z, a 260Z in '75 when I was 10yrs old, then they bought a 280Z 2+2 in '76... I've had 3 Z's since then & the 1st was the 280 2+2 that was given to me by my parents in 1984, a '77 280z & '78 280z over the years but are now all gone since 2001.....Now, my 12yr old son is a Datsun Z fan and we're looking to get him one here in the next week or two and get her all done up and ready for when he's ready to drive.. I have a few options right now and I want to know which is the better route to go.....

A 1972 240Z 4spd with rebuilt carbs, master cyl & door locks waiting to be installed.. The car was parked inside & hasn't run since 1988 and has NO rust in the usual places or bondo,The under carriage is clean with no damage anywhere, No dents except for the panel under the front bumper. Interior need to be replaced, no A/C....1300.00

OR

1977 280Z 5spd with 4kmi new rebuilt motor that runs smooth,new clutch,water pump, belts, tires and battery, NO a/c.. He's asking 2600.00 OBO

We don't mind some restoration work and either way we go the car will be painted and interior will be new.. But, what options do we have for A/C installation? What are we looking for on the 240z as in "the normal" trouble areas that need the most attention?

SU carbs vs EFI.... Which is the easier setup to trouble shoot & repair and have less trouble with?

I've been all through my '76 280Z EFI system and got pretty familiar with it but that was like 22yrs ago..

I know throwing $$ at these cars can be endless but that's a chance we'll take..

I'm looking forward to this purchase either way and hope you guys can help me out in our decision...

Thanks!

Jim

[5150 will]

Jim,

First of all, Welcome! There are lots of very intelligent Z folks on here that are very helpful. Having had a '77 5 speed and now a '71 that sat since the middle 80's, I think the biggest thing you have to decide would be a running driving car vs. something that will need to be fully gone through. The F.I. vs. SU's isn't really an issue if both are serviced and functioning properly. You say that your son will be driving the car when he's of age, and the bumpers on a 77 would be a consideration because more than likely he's gonna bump into something and they are less likely to be damaged in a low speed impact vs. the early style bumpers. The other thing since you live in Ca. to consider is Smog on the '77. Again, not really a big deal if the car is maintained properly. Just a few thoughts. Both cars are lots of fun, but the '72 will probably end up costing you LOTS more $$$ in the long run just to get into safe operating condition IMHO.

[CW240Z]

Welcome to the forum Jim!

Both cars sound like great deals, I think it all depends on how much of the work you can do yourself. i bought a 72 Z with the same description as the one you are looking at. It was parked in 86, and had not ran till I got it. IMO, the 240z looks better, is a little bit easier to work on w/o all the late 70s EFI, and are worth a little more. I love the 280z though. A/C can be an expensive thing to get, especially one that actually works good. Your son might have to bite the bullet and not have air for awhile. It has not costed me very much to get my Z to a road worthy condition since I did everything myself. The car was in average shape and rust free. For $1300, pick the 240z. You could have a budget of $2600 and make a dependable car.

Chase

[CW240Z]

Pictures would also help too....

[ZcarFanMan]

Thanks for the input guys.. I do like the fact that the 240 has more wrenching room under the hood and yes, he'll have to suffer a few summers without A/C if we don't get to it before then.. As for pics, the only pics I have are the 2 pics my son took with his phone when he and my wife stumbled upon it in a car wash lot.. I went by & checked it out and the guy selling it is the second owner and all looked much better than I thought it would..

The spoiler is coming off and maybe install a smaller one or just go without...

[CW240Z]

That spoiler is a bit excessive... Looks like a great starting point for a father and son project car. That car would be gone in a heartbeat down here for 1300.

Chase

[5150 will]

Without seeing the '77 I'm in agreement with Chase^^^a no rust 240 is a great find

[bobc]

Here's the surprise answer that I'm don't think you're expecting...NEITHER is a good choice. From your profile, it appears you live in Riverside, CA, so your son will be driving on California Highways with all the other crazy drivers out here. No offense intended, but 16 year old boys are also at the top of the chart with insurance companies for being in accidents and/or causing them as well. So, the likelihood of him being in an accident is pretty high.

Neither car has much protection. The body metal is about as thick as two chewing gum wrappers put together, no airbags, crummy seatbelts (in earlier 240'z), no crush zones, hard metal or plastic pieces everywhere to collide with on impact, no abs, well I could go on, but you get the picture. Either can easily be overdriven by a 16 year old. They aren't fast, but without modifications, they aren't that stable during high speeds, either straight or in corners.

If you are dead set on a Z, I suggest you look at a 300ZX 90-96. These are a bit pricier, but your son will have a lot more protection, and they are a much more stable platform at speed. Because of their center of gravity, they are hard to overdrive. If he loses it, then he worked hard to get there. This was my daughters first car, that she kept for 11 years. The car was great, with no major service needed up until she sold it with over 150K on the odometer. She was involved in two minor accidents while she owned it and neither needed anything more than some minor body work.

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear and it's romantic to think of your son following in your footsteps, but between romantic and safety, I'd pick safety for my child any day.

Now, if all the above didn't discourage you, between what you've described, pick the 280Z. I would stay way away from anything that hasn't run since 1988. Seals will be shot from the lack of use and you'll constantly be replacing something to stop leaks or has rusted out (brake cylinders). Also, imho, the few upgrades between 1972 and 1977 make the 280 a slightly safer choice. As this is going to be your son's daily driver, I'd carefully consider anything that's 35 years old. Both are pretty reliable vehicles, but they are 35 years old. They require tuning much more frequently than a newer Z and more periodic maintenance (sealed bearings, lubrication of the chassis, etc.)

To all those that read this, I'm not trashing either car. I like all Z's and I'm a long time Z-nut. I'm just sharing an opinion.

Edited November 20, 2011 by bobc

[Gary in NJ]

I agree with Bob.

[CW240Z]

I would stay way away from anything that hasn't run since 1988. Seals will be shot from the lack of use and you'll constantly be replacing something to stop leaks or has rusted out (brake cylinders).

Not to cause an argument , but I have to disagree with that. A car that has been sitting since 88, in my eyes, means that it is most likely a low millage car, and retains a lot of original parts (like mine did). The car doesn't look to be modified or altered very much, so you won't have to solve or go through someone else's "rigging up" or cheap fixes to get it running. Like bobc said, seals and rubber parts will have to be replaced as you go, but that is something that any Z would need regardless of how long it sat. If you are considering your sons safety in the car, buy it, fix it up so he can learn how to work on cars, and sell it for a safer car like a 300zx as mentioned by bobc. At 1300, there's plenty of room for profit.

Chase

[ZcarFanMan]

Thanks again,

I did say "When he's ready to drive" though it might not be at 16.. , If I feel he's not ready for the Z he can drive the honda.. He might be 18 before I he's ready.. who knows.

I agree with CW, the seals & rubber will be replaced, ball joints, wheel bearings, etc... Man, it's a tough decision.

[ZcarFanMan]

here's some pics of the 77 280z.

No motor shots....