280zx

[rogue_squirrel]

do you guys see them as classic z cars?

[ZmeFly]

so yes.

but at least they have some respect. hehe the 84-89 300ZX, gets no respect

[rogue_squirrel]

yer...the 300's suck arse

my mum is making me buy a 280zx casue all the others are to old and will probally need restoring, witch in most cases they do. all i wont is a 240, man that would be sweet, any points i could say that may convince her otherwise?

[Doehring]

The 280ZX, esp. the 2 seater, is a nice and comfortable GT car but technically to me it is much more complicated than the 240Z or the 260Z. I have a 240Z as well as a 280ZX. I had for instance more rust problems with the ZX. Repairing costs for the ZX seem to me higher, may be because the car is more complicated and because I can't do that much work on the ZX myself. On the other hand parts for the Z are more difficult to get and by that more expensive, but 240Z.org and the club members are a great help, even an advantage.

For long distance travelling I prefer the ZX, for more fun the Z. Nevertheless, under the line I would prefer the Z - with a tear in my eye.

Rolf

[TKR514]

Yea, the 280 ZX is VERY desirable.

The 240 guys steal it's brakes, engines, rear ends, turbo's, ignition, wheels, etc, etc to make their cars better. My '79 280ZX (I'm original owner) has been bulletproof for 300,000 miles so far. The low speed handling is not as good as earlier Z's, but it will cruise all day long over 100mph on the highway without needing added spoilers to keep it planted.

The 240-280's do seem to have more interior refurb parts than the 280ZX and more of a mystique than the ZX series...

[Royce]

No, the 280ZX is not a classic Z car. But it is a classic ZX car!

I didn't care much for the ZX when I first got my 240Z but have learned to like them more and more as the time goes by. They do have good running gear, but they are a little heavy!

[rogue_squirrel]

thanks for the replys, sorry about a long delay, but i lost ma house in the canberra bushfires, if you herd about them that is. btw im slowly convincing my mum to let me get a 240

[24OZ]

Really sorry to hear about the bushfire, hope you and your family are ok and that insurance will pay for a new house.

Now to the question of getting a 240Z or a 280ZX. If its going to be your only mode of transport and I'm guessing you are a young driver, i'd lean more towards the 280ZX 2+2 as I think it would be a more practicle car for you. It has plenty of room for all your friends to jump in (well not all of them). You can also all go on long road trips with a greater amount of comfort then you would do in a 240Z.

Just a couple of thoughts.....

[TKR514]

It's always strange to hear that the ZX is "bloated" or "Heavy". My 79 is lighter than the 78 280Z(500 pounds lighter than the new 350Z). Also faster, better braking, better fuel economy, more crash-worthy and rigid, real aerodynamic improvements and high speed stability, less rust prone, No way could Datsun continue the 240 into the 1980's or beyond and things had to change. I use my 79 in Texas and it's fantastic for the roads down here. And it's a heck of a bargain, usually $1K-$1.5K will get a ZX in very good shape.

Though not a "classic", it's a better car for the real world without giving up too much fun...

[beandip]

Tkr , I agree with alot of what you said but personally I still like the 240s profile and stance better , and the size as well. It's like compairing a '57 corvet to a say '80 , both cars are fine looking but I like the size of the smaller car more. now from a comfort stand point I am sure the '79 or for that matter the '83 is better but as the cars get more complicated they loose something in style. It happened to the Vet , the Thunderbird and Continential but the last one is before you were born most likely. I am not putting down the later cars but it's just my preference.:classic:

[Alfadog]

Strange how nobody has mentioned how they look...

Not sharp enough to look as 80s-tech as a 300ZX, not sleek enough to be beautiful like the 240Z... in the middle... Ugly.

I'm sure they're mechanically a very good car, especially the turbo two seater ones, but they're not very desirable at all. The price reflects this. Whether that is an advantage or not is debatable... but if you can, get a 240! They're a far better driver's car, have bucket loads of sex oozing out of them and are sure to appreciate as time goes on. Insurance is now cheap as chips too as they're over 30 years (I pay $380 a year for full comprehensive and I'm 18).

24OZ, I think the 280ZX's only were in 2+2 form in Australia.

In general, my personal opinion is that the peak in the Automotive industry was 1969. They are getting better now though I'll give them that.

[24OZ]

Alfa Dog what is a far better divers car?? It all depends on how you intend to use the car. The 280ZX is a luxury GT car and the 240Z is a no nonsense sportscar. I own both and when comparing the two I find the 280ZX 2+2 is a far more practical car and in my case a far better drivers car.

As for the mechanics, they have virtually the same engine as a 240Z (L28 rathern then the L24). The Bosch fuel injection system requires very little attention unlike carbs do.

I don't agree with the Ugly comment as I think the 280ZX shares a few of the 240Z lines, which I like, unlike the 350Z.

I agree that the price of a 240Z will always appreciate more then a 280ZX but then again don't expect to be making a huge amount of money unless you already pay a huge amount for an early 1970 low mileage prestine example and expect to keep it for a very long time maintaing its prestine condition by driving it limitedly and wrapping it in cotton wool.

Something also to bear in mind is that a good 280Zx can be purchased for much less then a rot box 240Z.

Rogue Squirrel, if you do manage to pursuade your mum to get you a 240Z then congratulations but if not don't be too despondent as I am sure you will have just as much fun in a 280ZX which will definitely become a future classic.