240, 260, or 280? Help

[Raron]

I'm very new to this so please be bear with me. My first car was an 84 300zx anniversary. I've since owned 35 cars including 2 late generation Z cars, one 2+2 and a Twin Turbo. Lately I've only owned BMW and Mercedes, porche but I never forget that the Z's always felt incredible. The NSX was the same.

So my question is whether the 240 is somehow a more pure driving experience? It certainly seems to have that Alfa, Aston Martin, Ferrari look to it so that has got me interested. I suppose an early 260 or 280 look similar but the later 280's begin to look long, heavy and kinda ugly. What can you tell me about the 3 cars? How does a 240 drive, is it fast or can it be made to go fast, do they rattle, etc. Are there years to stay away from?

Finally, what is so satisfying about owning one?

[bonniec75209]

Welcome to the club. You have come to the right place! I love my 240! Since the first time I ever drove it I have known that it is the only car I will ever want. Well, actually, since I first LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE IT PROPERLY it is the only car I have ever wanted. They are beautiful, sexy, and fun what more could anyone want!!

[2ManyZs]

Driving a 240 is like driving a 911 RS or an early Carrera compared to a new 996. No frills, just a good handling, satisfying ride.

The earlier cars are fairly bare bones cars that were made for driving pleasure if you like driving. The later cars were starting to get "fat" with luxury items and forgot what the pleasure of driving is. Although they did come close with the 300ZX TT's, they still had too many luxury items and too high a price to be considered a "true sports car".

Any Z made up till 78 can be made to handle, and go fairly quick with a few well chosen modifications. The later cars with the large crash bumpers are carrying a fair bit of extra weight, but they do a decent job and they do have FI which when right, can be a lot less "maintence intensive" than the carbs on the early cars.

As far as I'm concerned, any car prior to 78 can be a great handling and exciting ride if you have the desire to make it that way. The later cars are a bit cheaper to buy to begin with as they still are available in higher numbers than the early cars simply due to the fact that many more of them were imported.

[zachb55]

Well, if your interested in handling/performance comparisons then i do believe that the 72' was the fastest of the 240's, but the earlier head designs made more hp. the 73 stock carbs are pretty hasslesome i hear. and after that im not too sure about. if your really interested in the details of changes between the years you should pick up a Victoria British catalog. they have tons of info on em. good luck with your search, i hope you do choose an early Z. it certainly a fast driving, whip around the curves type of car. and its extremely mod-able so the skys the limit. :classic:

-Zach

[billcapp]

There are excellent articles written about the early Zs on this site...do a search on history. The 70-72 are the best of the early Zs. The 260 was a poor attempt at smog requirements. They are underpowered and had a "bad carb". The 280s were much heavier to meet newer regulations and were kind of ugly with the larger bumpers. That's just a little info from my book of knowledge (which is little as far as history). They can all be relatively easy to mod for more HP and better handling depending on the type of use you have in mind. Paul Newman used to race them, so that is some indication of someone with money thinking they were a pretty good car. I love mine...that's for sure. Mine has been relatively trouble free for the past 22 years I've owned it.:classic:

[bonniec75209]

Hey 2Many is a 911 RS a 911 Porsche?

[2ManyZs]

Yup, the RS, RSR, and Carrera's were the factory 911 hot rods back in the early 70's....

[bonniec75209]

How similar is that to an 84 porsche 944? My ex has one and I never liked it. I mean it was pretty and all but I didn't like driving it.

[Alfadog]

They're totally different. An RS is a REAL Porsche.

Here are some pictures for you to compare, but to really understand the RS you need to drive it, apparently. I've heard one and that was enough to send a tingle down my spine. Hair-raising car...

Carrera RS:

and

944:

[bonniec75209]

Thanks Alpha,

I see what you mean. The red 944 looks just like my ex's. I used to lay underneath that thing every 3 or 4 weeks and use a little touch up brush to fix the little paint chips on the air dam!

[beandip]

Things sort of drifted from your question except for 2many. I sent you a pvt e-mail , but one thing about Z-drivers they all like and perfer the car they drive. I must admit I do like my Z vary much. having said that . If what you want is a basic no nonsence sports car the early two seat car are what you seek . The first three years were the most simple and as the years went on they become more complicated. The '73 had alot more emissions crud and as a result less performance same for the '74 but this stuff is easily dumped . In my case I am running '72 SUs and early 240 bumpers, the shock absorber bumpers came in about there. There is a claim that the steel was thicker on the '73 and later but others may be able to shine the light of truth on that claim. For sure I defer to a Alan on that one. As for power and such , it seems that most of us have modified these cars as it is easy as the parts are interchangeable. I am installing a 82ZX 280 engine that has a milled head and an aftermarket street cam and headers. All easy to find parts. I have no air cond. no power stearing . I do have a radio but like to hear the engine and the car so it is not used much. The 240s are noisey inside but that can be fixed. Its mainly most important to find one rust free.

[Alfadog]

Originally posted by beandip

The 240s are noisey inside but that can be fixed.

Fixed? You mean that's a problem??

You asked do they rattle. I can't speak for anyone else here but when turning corners those cheap plastic interior panels creak and squeak. Rattling I don't think is a very big problem at least with mine. They seem fairly solid considering they're Japanese and 30 years old!!!

I guess you could liken them to an early Porsche, except with the engine in the right place!!

The most satisfying thing about owning one? Seeing the faces of the uneducated when the read the badge...... that and to know you own one of hte most important pieces of automotive history. Being able to go fast is a bonus!