300zx vs. 240sx

[nismogirl3]

I'm debating between getting a 300zx or a 240sx. I want this car for speed and performance, and I'm willing to put a fair amount of money into it. I know 300zx are higher in weight, but at the moment, I have my heart set on getting one. The only problem is, is the 240 a faster car because of weight, or can I get a 300zx up and running faster? I don't know much about cars yet, (which I'm sure you can tell) but I'm trying/learning. Any advice?

Thanks

Nismogirl3

[Onizuka]

If your under 23, I suggest getting a 240sx, simply because it has similar technology, can be made fast just as the Z, its easier to work on and is alot cheaper to insure. I think the 300zx is sexier, and I've always wanted one, but its just so much more expensive in many ways. If you can foot the bill and live with a 2-seater, no reason not to go with the Z32 300zx if thats what you like.

And welcome to NICO, stick around

[240marcuSX]

The 300zx is overall the better car. But the 240sx has good potential, and is more practical/cheaper.

if youve got the budget for it, and you can find a decent 300zx, i say get one. Otherwise get the 240.

[dickie]

welcome to nico!

i would say stick to the 240 for the meantime, let the value of the 300 depreciate a little more and snap one up cheap after youve had some experience.

[nchopp]

On the other hand, look at what the value of 240s has been doing lately, thanks to F&F and friends. Personally, I've always found the 300 to be a MUCH more attractive car. Then again, I don't know squat about the 240 OR the 300, so you probably shouldn't listen to me much.

Oh, and welcome to NICO. Ignore the leghumpers.

Where about's in Minneapolis are you? I live down in Mankato. Torry (EZCheese15, a Moderator) is from Mankato as well, but lives out in Georgia now.

[nismogirl3]

Whats the price range I'm looking at to make a 300 quick, compared to making the 240 equally as quick? I've been told I couldnt get the 300 to be as quick as the 300. money doesnt matter all that much to me, because this car is my passion. sorry if i sound pathetic about not knowing much at all

nismogirl3

[S14 boy]

I wouldnt worry about making it fast just yet. Your only 17, just learn how to drive first, then maybe some suspension mods, then engine stuff, then you have fun!

oh, and welcome to NICO. You should be meeting kenrik soo, hes the resident-leg humper!

[dickie]

well, you can find *cheap* z32's for about the same as an average priced s13... i dont know about your area. the vg motor is harder to work on, the insurance will cost you more, and like you said you will have a heavier (albeit better-looking) car.

what are your performance goals? if you want something that you can throw 10k at and have a balanced track car with great handling and quick acceleration and braking, the 240 would be a better platform.

if you want something for highway cruising at higher speeds or maybe a hi-powered turbo drag setup, the 300zx will get you there but youll spend more money doing it in most cases.

either would be a fun car. the 240 would be a more pracitcal choice, unless you find a steal on the 300.

[Onizuka]

We were all new to the game at one point. There is no simple formula for making a fast car, depending on what mods were chosen and how well the car is set up, a car with simple and well chosen modifications can outrun a car with $10,000 worth of random bolt on parts.

As far as price range, 300zx parts tend to be more expensive, but its easy to go crazy with either car. You can spend $30,000 on a twin turbo Z or a RB motor equiped 240sx in a flash, and still have plently left to modify.

I cannot stress enough that a 300zx is going to be very expensive to maintain (comparitively) if you dont do your own work. Parts aren't too much more than their 240sx equivilants, but labor costs are stratospheric.

[nismogirl3]

Thanks for the advice all, and the welcomes. 240s are definitely sexy cars, I guess Ive always just been so set on getting a 300zx since I was about 13. My brotherinlaw had a 84 300zx 50th ae that I fell in love with, and ever since then, I've been wanting one, but according to most of you, a 240 would be a far better investment for someone my age, and as a first car to make a performance car and work on.

I'm looking at getting some where in the years of 90 and 95 for either a 240 or 300.

Also, I need no labor fees. Both my brothers are mechanics-one of them for Nissan. He's modified both 300zx and 240sx, and is more than willing to help out.

Mainly, I'm just trying to figure out which one will be best for me when I'm looking for speed, but also get whats best for my money.

nismogirl3

[hannibal]

Yeah, labor is the killer. I discovered the 240 after drooling over the Z. I will have one some day.

In my area, 240s and 300s sell for nearly the same price. But insurance is a factor as well, especially for guys.

Are you considering a NA 300ZX or the twin turbo?
Modified by IWannaS15 at 4:44 PM 3/2/2006

[elwesso]

isnt it amazing how if a girl posts theres no SEARCH YOU STUPID IDIOT ITS BEEN COVERED...

in all seriousness though, i dont really think that a 240 and 300ZX are a fair comparison.. the 240 is a sport compact, similar to the honda and toyota fanboy mobiles (except RWD and better).. the 300zx is a true sports car, with rivals like the Supra and maybe even the corvette, i dont know thats iffy.....

Anyway, tell us what you want to get out of it..... If your looking for a looker with decent performance, a Z32 would be a good place to start... If your looking for a nimble handling machine, the 240 would be the best way because they are so light..... Theres a lot of 240s on this forum that look like crap but could outhandle about anything at your local autoX... LIkewise, there are slower than stock 240s that look great.....

IMO, with a 300ZXtt you start out with a better platform, its a meatier car made for big power and going 200 MPH.. the 240 is not.....

The problem with popular cars like that is its hard to find the good aftermarket stuff, nad your going to have to pay for it... You cant assume that you can get on eGay and anything on there is gonna be good... in fact the opposite is true.

Please tell us what your goals for the car is

[nismogirl3]

Well, I'm looking for something that I can get good speed out of, best I can find actually, and I'm looking for something with a good handle. Both the cars are attractive, so that knocks that one off the list-no worries for body. Ultimately, I just want a project car that I can make as fast as possible. I want to have fun with it. And to answer the question of NA or Turbo, Turbo for sure.

[skydragoness]

Supercars warrant supercar maintenance costs.They are hard to work on, even if you are a seasoned mechanic. And if you plan on not working on it, and taking it somewhere for service expect to pay lots of money for routine maintenance (like a timing belt maybe be a $400-$600 job depending on the shop). They are a great toy, fun to drive (despite their heaviness) and have excellent build quality. With that said they are reliable for what they are, but unless you have deep pockets they don't make a good choice for a daily driver. If you already have a daily driver though, I'd say go for it. And if you need a 300zx genuine service manual from Nissan let me know, I have one lying around that I want to sell.

Also, try talking to some of they people in the 300zx (Z32) forum, they can let you know what your'e looking at getting into.

[dickie]

isnt it amazing how if a girl posts theres no SEARCH YOU STUPID IDIOT ITS BEEN COVERED...

i know its a double standard, but imo girls have an excuse...

if youre a guy OR a girl and you have a name like 240sxdrifter86 and you post, "hey guys i wanto beat my friends integra should i get a sr?" you should get flamed equally. she is polite, uses proper grammar and punctuation, and doesnt act like a completely ignorant ****tard. in my book, regardless of gender.

[Mr1der]

my advice, don't settle for what you don't want.

even if it does turn out to be a pain in the ***, it's always a good learning experience.

I'd highly suggest not getting an NA 300 though...

turbo or bust.

[elwesso]

Well, I'm looking for something that I can get good speed out of, best I can find actually, and I'm looking for something with a good handle. Both the cars are attractive, so that knocks that one off the list-no worries for body. Ultimately, I just want a project car that I can make as fast as possible. I want to have fun with it. And to answer the question of NA or Turbo, Turbo for sure.

Honestly id start out with a well maintained 300ZX twin turbo... it will handle good from the factory assuming teh suspension is in good shape..... then just put some good tires on...... and youl be about all set...

theyre right though, theyre pretty expensive to maintain.

[nismogirl3]

I have a 98 Integra as a daily driver...whatever I end up getting (240 or 300) will be driven only during summer, kept in a garage, and taken car of like it were my baby.And yes, I am sorry that a lot of this is probably covered, I guess I'm just looking for help where ever I can find it, and I don't know many places to look. But, thank you all for the help. Trust me, it's making a lot run through my mind.

[skydragoness]

Oh, you have a Teggy as your daily? I'd probably go with a Z over a 240 just because the 240 is squirrely and most of them lack LSD's.

[Onizuka]

^2nd

Sounds like you have the time, space, funds and alternate means of transportation, so why not just go strait for the twin turbo

[rousie13]

What do you mean by speed? Do you mean acceleration or top speed? And "speed" isn't everything. You need a well balanced car.....good brakes, suspension and engine. And learn how to drive what you buy well first, then modify it....otherwise who knows what could happen.

[Rockenreno]

because the 240 is squirrely

But that's what makes them so fun

Sounds to me like you want the 300ZX TT. Go for it! It'll be much faster from the get-go.

[elwesso]

agreed on the turbo.

[InsanityInc]

I would never own a Z32 again for one reason:

You can't see out of the ****ing thing. The rear window gives you a tiny slit of viewing area, and there is a thick pillar right behind your head on the left, so you can't really look out that side of the car.

[crzycav86]

Get the 240. They're cheap, reliable, EASY to work on, and great to learn on.

If you already have some experience and decent funds, the z32 wouldn't be impracticle, but you said you dont... so.

There's a reason 240's are popular, and it's not just because of f&f and drifting and ****.. it's also because they're the most practical rwd tuner cars.

[DriftingJesus]

Oh, and welcome to NICO. Ignore the leghumpers.

Where about's in Minneapolis are you? I live down in Mankato.

Run head for the hills! He knows where you live

Welcome to Nico buy a 300 and post some pics of your ride

[Mr1der]

rofl...figures Chopp would wanna know where she lives...

anyway...one of the most knowledgeable if not the most on the Z32 would be Jerry aka NSRZ32.

he'll surely show up in this thread at some point....

as for the 240...good lord this place is like a busted dam of knowledge.

[continental_drift]

I live down in Mankato. Torry (EZCheese15, a Moderator) is from Mankato as well, but lives out in Georgia now.

NAME DROPPER!!!!

lol, and welcome to nico, nismogirl. don't mind us, we make our own fun.

[nismofly]

like rousie said, it all depends on what kind of fast youre looking for, the 240 is extremely easy and cheap to make fast enough straight line and a great handling car

by the way im up in grand forks, i have buddies in faribault and northfield

the 300zx is a true sports car, with rivals like the Supra and maybe even the corvette, i dont know thats iffy.....

300 and supra, and the 3000gt as well are more like the camaro, they go like stink in a straight line but theres much better options for road courses

from nissan this would be the skyline, but of course this is hard to get...theres also the rx7 and nsx

the corvette is a league of its own these days

[One_Love]

Oh, you have a Teggy as your daily? I'd probably go with a Z over a 240 just because the 240 is squirrely and most of them lack LSD's.

, but you are not stupid. So i guess i am with a genius.