duowing

Since it's kind of slow right now and not much has been occurring in our good ol' 280ZX boards. I thought I'd run this by you guys. Come later spring or early summer I'm planning on looking into a second Z. My choice has been between either a 240Z or a 280ZX Turbo 2 seater. I love the designs of both the 240Z and the 280ZX, but it's just a matter of which to get. Thinking about it the 240Z has the carb setup which I'm not really familar with. I'm not still real knowledgeable about Fuel Injection, but at least I've had experience with it. I know the 280ZX Turbo is quicker than the 240Z, but from what I can tell the 240Z isn't slow by any means.

I want to hear some opinions from you guys. Basically what I end up getting depends on what's available and conditions of the vehicle, but for the most part I'm wondering what you guys would say. For any owners of the 240Z how is it to work on compared to the 280ZX, is it even easier? Just bored and wanted to see what you guys think. See if you guys would be able to give me enough reasons to make my decision more definite.

One thing I was thinking though, since the 240Z has virtually no luxuries, I'd at least have to get some sort of sound setup. Another thing I was also curious about is, if I took a 280ZXT and dropped off at least the power steering, a/c compressor, and cruise control how much weight would that drop from the car?

Skully

well im not going to answer most those questions you just asked....and i dont know if this is because i already have a 280zx and that 240z is REALLY RARE here in my area

but i would DEFENETLY, 100% get a 240z, just due to the fact that has nothing....and the weight savings are already there....!!!! i like the lines of it far the best out of any Z...its a TRUE classic (my opinions here dont get offended! :P )...plus if you like the speed of a 280zxt....put a 280zxt engine into a 240z...you got yourself a nice, classic fast Z!!!! and keep it bare...i wish my 280zx didnt have ANY options...

just my input...have fun with it...

NismoPick

bingo.... that's the next car project on my list... too bad I just sold a 240z... blah!

260DET

The 240Z may be light but the body/chassis is a basic design and very flexy. Some of the increased weight of the later S30 versions is due to the beefing up of certain components eg front X member, struts............ I have a '77 260Z and had to strengthen it to get it to handle on the race track.

Just putting that in as a partial defence of the 280ZX, which appears to have a far stronger body design even if the rear suspension is not so good. I think that the 280ZX two seat coupe is a great basis for a high powered project car, which is why I'm going to so much trouble to import one from the US.

The 240Z is a great fun car as is though, easy to work on and very reliable. If you like messing around with carburettors then go for one

Dorifto

Haha Nismo ...

... hey, have you ever talked to that "Miles Unlimited" Z specialists shop on Beck St. before they closed? I saw a helluva lot of S30s in his yard, not to mention some chopped 2+2 ZXs.

KTM200-280zxt

I thnk it depends on your mechanical abilities. If doing a motor swap is easy for you than get a 240Z, it's lighter. I think there better looking too, with some ZG flares and wide tires it will look awesome. Seeing this was my first car and I have little mechanical skill I decided to just get the 280zxt.

And I have never owned a carberated car so this may not relate but with my dirt bike it seems like I am messin with carb more then I ride it.

Rob

duowing

You guys make some good points. I really don't know how good I am yet as to going about doing an engine swap, but I wouldn't be surprised if I could. the 240Z with L28ET would be something I'd like to do, but I also like the 280ZX. It's really a tough decision. Guess I'll have to see what is available come that time. There's this house near my friend that has a 240Z in the driveway. It looks like it hasn't moved in a while. It has a California license plate, the paint looks like hell. I'm wondering how the body is. If the body itself is decent and I could pick that up, that'd be awesome. I love the 280ZX, but I really like the idea of a 240Z.

When I asked my friend he said. The ZX Turbo of course. You can race airplanes with it, like in the old commercials.

lww

If you get a 240z and you want to beef up the sound system, you better plan on beefing up the entire electrical system as well. They only come with 45amp alternator and that's barely enough to keep the wipers moving and the headlights on at the same time. There are also numerous stories of melted fuse boxes and possible fires as a result.

If you want something comfortable, get a ZX. I've seen them brought down to 2500 lbs with judicious diet plans and they carried the most powerful L series engines from the factory.

Now, what was the address and phone number for the 240z down the street?

jfairladyz

Unless you're making a hardcore race or street performance machine go with the car that you're more attracted to. If you plan on removing most of the amenities of the ZX anyways then you don't have to weight those options. While comfort is of some concern, you've already got a ZX right? So if the 240Z isn't you bag of beans as a daily driver then you've still got the other Z to fall back on for your daily commute. While the idea of the lightest fastest car is a nice one, having to deal with no power steering in crowded parking lots and no AC in the blazing summers can reallyl get to you. If you've already got a ZX, keep it luxurious and comfortable. Then get the 240Z for those spur of the moment back road blasts. I say stick to the one that gives you the most wood when you see it. Speed is something that can always be dealt with. Looks on the other hand aren't so easily dealt with. So I'd go from there. Just my 1 1/2 cents.

duowing

Originally I thought in a state such as Ohio. Z cars wouldn't be abundant, but I guess I'm wrong.

I ran into another ZX 2+2 right near me yesterday. It was kind of snowy out and the lower fenders of the car looked like they were starting to rust some, but it didn't look horrible. About the 4th ZX I've seen near me. One old woman I think is driving the 10th anniversary black gold ZX. Think it was the 10th, not sure. Then there was this one primered gray 280ZX near me. Caught glimpse of another ZX on the freeway one day. Now this maroon ZX 2+2. Didn't know this many 280's existed in Ohio. Then there's a gas station near me that has a 280ZX 2+2 just like mine sitting there. It's rusted to hell, then there are two 280Z's sitting in the gas station lot as well. Then there are Z31's around here in the summer by the bucket load. Then one Z32 over around my work. Finally there is the 240Z over by my friend's place.

NismoPick

It's still open actually. Miles passed away about 4 years ago, and his buddy Monty took over. Monty built a huge hanger out there & it's lined w/ Z projects. I haven't stopped by in about a year, but he is actually a lot cooler & easier to work with, than Miles. Most of the junked Z's have been picked through, but there's a couple untouched ones. We really ought to rally up his place sometime! Maybe next spring.

Speakin of chopped 2+2's... did you see their 280z 2+2 w/ the chopped roof? I've got a pic of it on one of my vid cam tapes.... I gotta find it!

duowing

I have a question. Now I know alot of articles criticize the 280ZX for having a softer rear suspension, but what does "softer" mean? On top of that, how much did the suspension change on the Turbo models? I know by 82 all models of the ZX were carrying the turbo suspension, but I'm curious, was this suspension setup as soft as it started or was it alot more stiff now that the car was performing pretty well?

Now also I was thinking based on what 260DET said. If you stripped down a 240Z and a 280ZX to their bare chassis, I think it was j or nismo that said there wouldn't be a whole lot of weight difference, but from the sounds of it, you would almost have to beef up the 240Z to make it into an effective racer or to make it handle alot more power at least on the track, so it sounds to me you'd end up at probably around the same weight as the 280ZX, am I right so far? So essentially in this case it would just be a matter of body style and availability if I'm not mistaken.

In my decision I think I'm leaning towards a 280ZXT as my next Z car, but I'd love to get a 240Z. Doesn't mean I can't one day.

jfairladyz

Rock On Now you wont have to split your time between "our own little world" and the rest of the world

duowing

Can't leave the 280ZX society, especially after we said we're breaking away. One thought did occur to me. How many of these people that write these articles have actually driven any of the Z's they talk about? A good chance they've never driven a 280ZX, and I highly doubt they'd have driven the 240Z. With the way these article writers are, had they driven with absolutely no luxuries they'd probably have hated it.

SHADY280

Get Good Deals Buy Each One!! Drive Each One See What You Like Sell The Other. Also Research Parts And Aval. It Seems To Me There Are More Resto Parts For The 240z

duowing

Makes more sense that there would be more restoration parts available for the 240Z simply because it was the first and there'd be a bigger base for restoring them, but I like the idea of eventually picking up both. As said I'll have to save, see what's available, and see what the prices are and the condition they come in. I still need to check out that 240Z down the street from my friend.

jfairladyz

The 280zx is the DIYers dream come true. If you want to make it better you gotta make it yourself

nka04a

I know of 2 240z's for sale in Illinois. I tryed selling them for the elderly guy I bought my car from. His prices are a little steep though. Iv wanted to buy one for my self as a DIY project but would rather put the money into my Z32.