240z or 280z as first car

Post by **QUICKFAST** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:19 pm

Which of the two would make a better first car overall? My main concerns are how easy it is to work on each and fuel efficiency. I'd also like to know which is usually preferred of the four speed and five speed transmissions, though it's not really a deciding factor for me. I'm not really concerned about power, as either one will make plenty for my use.

I apologize if this has been answered before and for asking a noob question, but I really appreciate the help.

Post by **nsrZ32** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:18 am

Honestly, they are very similar cars. They are built on the same chassis (1970-1978), share a TON of the same parts, etc. The only real differences are a larger bore in the 280z (2.8L vs. 2.4L) and the extra gear in the transmission. The 280 is also heavier due to accessories, luxury kinda options, etc.

Both have similar power, will get similar fuel economy, etc. Just make sure you get a solid one, rust is a serious problem with them.

Post by **chitownguy** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:18 pm

And the 280Z had Fuel Injection. Theres also a 260Z if you didnt already know. But yeah they're pretty much all the same except each model changed a bit.

I also got a Z as a first car

Post by **evildky** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:14 pm

find the most solid unwrecked not rusted body you can fine, thats the most important part of buying an S30 (70-78 240Z, 260Z, 280Z)

as noted the big differnence is the injections on the 280's where as the 240 came with carbs, but it seems most of the cars out there have been modified so you never really know what you've got till you look it over, the later 240's came with the "squaretop" su carbs and are prettymuch the low point in the line of dependabulity, as for mpg, a bud swears he got about 20 mpg but he short shifts and drives like a little old lady, and a 5 speed is preferred, they were only available in 77-78 models but many have been swapped over, the advantage is that the 5th gear is overdrive giving you higher cruising speed at lower engine rpm and yeilding better mpg and less noise, also the bumpers are the most notible external difference and add a good bit of weight but can be swapped, also the 77-78models had slightly improved rear drum brakes and also the only years factory air was available (lots of dealer add on a/c systems found on all years)

most importantly look for rust! floor pans, frame rails and just about every inch of metal, and look for signs of creasing or bending in the core support, fire wall and frame rails , getting the best chassis is key everything else can be swapped between the models

Post by **79`280ZX** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 6:19 pm

evildky wrote:5 speed is preferred, they were only available in 77-78 models

are you saying that the 260Z and the early 280Z dident have 5spd Tranny?If anyone find`s an old Z with Automatic Tranny Dont buy them!!They are Slow!!!

Post by **winez31** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 6:27 pm

i wish you the best of luck on finding one, but like everyone said rust is gunna be and should be your biggest issue.

Post by **QUICKFAST** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:05 am

Thanks for all the information. I'm in California, and I've heard rust is less of a problem here than it is in other places, but I'll definitely be looking for it.

Post by **chitownguy** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:54 pm

79`280ZX wrote:are you saying that the 260Z and the early 280Z dident have 5spd Tranny?If anyone find`s an old Z with Automatic Tranny Dont buy them!!They are Slow!!!

LOL I bought a 260 with an auto and I have yet to drive it *sigh* but I'm swapping in a 4-speed so its all good.

Post by **evildky** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:52 am

correct, the 5 speed was not offered in the 260Z and wasn't available in the 280Z till 77 and 78

Post by **79`280ZX** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:34 am

evildky wrote:correct, the 5 speed was not offered in the 260Z and wasn't available in the 280Z till 77 and 78

My father`s 260Z has an 5speed tranny and he or the previous owner hasent changed it.

Post by **evildky** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:28 am

someone added it, 5 speeds weren't available until 77

Post by **79`280ZX** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:28 am

evildky wrote:someone added it, 5 speeds weren't available until 77

well maybe my father changed it when he changed the engine.

Post by **evildky** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:48 pm

perhaps the 5 speed weas available earlier in europe with the higher speed limits

Post by **79`280ZX** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:06 pm

evildky wrote:perhaps the 5 speed weas available earlier in europe with the higher speed limits

yeah the power in the American version of the 260Z was reduced to 139BHP i think and the European has 164 or 169BHPbut the European 260Z used more Gas then the American did.

Post by **jEzTeR** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:20 am

I wish that my first car was a Z.

Post by **79`280ZX** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:39 am

actually my first car was an 1979 Pontiac Trans Am.but i had to sell it becouse of school and stuff.but then my father gives me his 79`280ZX I can say one thing!Datsun Z`s are much faster then the Corvette or any Stock American V8 car!!

Post by **jEzTeR** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:08 am

79`280ZX wrote:Datsun Z`s are much faster then the Corvette or any Stock American V8 car!!

um not really.

Post by **79`280ZX** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:43 am

jEzTeR wrote:um not really.

yes really.if you race a 1970 240Z against a 1969 Camaro the 240Z will winor a 1983 280ZXT against a 1975 Corvette The 280ZXT will winThe Top Speed of a corvette or an Camaro is low if you are lucky you can get 200KP/H in the Camaro or the Corvette.The Top speed of an 280ZXT is 270KP/H and 0-100 under 7 sec think about how fast a crappy V8 do 0-100... over 8 sec.I rest my case.

Post by **evildky** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 5:24 pm

ummmm.... your looking at old examples and looking at top speeds, in a drag race the stock 240Z only ran a 16.1 quarter mile and had a 7.8second trip to 60 mph, the 83 turbo made the trip down the quarter in 16.1 with a 7.9 second 0-60 just a tick behind the 240, that extra 30 HP and 800 lbs don't work well together

on the contrary many of america' musclecars were running 13 second quarter miles in similar year range and some even quicker

and todays vette is in supercar territory, I love Nissan Datsun as much or more than anyone else but you gotta keep your facts in order

Post by **79`280ZX** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 5:37 pm

I mean if you put them on a track the Corvette dosent stand a chance!and the 280ZXT takes the 0-60 in 6,9 sec.a friend of mine had a 83 280ZXT and he tested it.It was a stock car.the 240Z is much faster then the old corvette.if you think of the V8 with 350BHP stock and the 240Z with porely 150BHP stockthe 240Z has much more Top Speed then the corvette and has better handling!

Post by **79`280ZX** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 5:43 pm

But what the hell Nissan/Datsun is much better then any other car!!!

Post by **ZXR_KiD** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 5:27 pm

technically my first car was my 280ZXR, but I did beat a honda accord around for a yr and a half...

I can't really reccomend a choise for the first car but beware of this fact and problem I am running into.... 99% of the insurance companies will not create a policy for a car OLDER than 1986 unless there is a newer vehicle as the primary on the account... In my area I havn't found a carrier yet that will let me open a policy with a pair of 1979 ZXs and a '72 Dodge van because they're too old...

just a warning to ya, and goodluck

Post by **evildky** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:39 am

thats odd, preogressive didn't have a problem writing my policy on my 240Z as an only car ? I think you got the ghetto ins company

Post by **ZXR_KiD** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:07 pm

interesting...... I think progressive was one of the first that I called, but allstate, st. Farm, gieco, safe auto WILL NOT write a policy for anything older than 1986 without a newer vehicle on the policy... guess I'm gonna have to call progressive again...

Post by **evildky** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:37 am

ZXR_KiD wrote:interesting...... I think progressive was one of the first that I called, but allstate, st. Farm, gieco, safe auto WILL NOT write a policy for anything older than 1986 without a newer vehicle on the policy... guess I'm gonna have to call progressive again...

you sure that wasn't in order for the z to qualify as a recreational vehiicle at a discounted rate?

Post by **79`280ZX** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 10:02 am

evildky wrote:5 speed is preferred, they were only available in 77-78 models

For your Information Both the 240Z & the 260Z had 5 speed Transmissions!But only on the European versions.The American Version of the 240/260Z had Hitachi Carbs with many problems!the US version of the 260Z had 139BHP and the European had 162BHP!The 280Z was NOT aviable in Europe, but in Europe The 260Z was also made in 1975!

Post by **evildky** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 7:58 am

79`280ZX wrote:
For your Information Both the 240Z & the 260Z had 5 speed Transmissions!But only on the European versions.The American Version of the 240/260Z had Hitachi Carbs with many problems!the US version of the 260Z had 139BHP and the European had 162BHP!The 280Z was NOT aviable in Europe, but in Europe The 260Z was also made in 1975!

yeah we kinda gathered that when we figured you were not in the US, thats why the little location thing undet your avitar comes in handy, you could actually put your country there. also I know australia got a L20ET but no L28ET, I guess europe got the same smaller displacement turbo motors?

Post by **QUICKFAST** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:45 pm

What is the average price for insurance for a 240/60/80z? I have no idea why but I can't seem to get a job, so my primary concern is just the cost now. I would think trying to get a summer job when I'm willing to work at minimum wage would be easy but that just hasn't been the case...

Post by **evildky** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:33 am

that depends heavily on the driver and location, for me the 240Z by itself on a regular policy was about $400 for 6 months liabulity only, if I had paint I could get a classic policy (which is full coverage agreed value) for avout $200 a year

240z or 280z as first car

240z or 280z as first car

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