cdub42 Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 I been thinking of selling my 99 camaro for a first or second gen Z. I don't know enough about either to know what I should look for in a first Z car. How's about some opinions on which is the better choice? 1 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 1st gen (S30) is very very small inside (sub-compact size). High prices. 2nd gen (S130) is for comfort and looks. Bargain prices. Quote Link to comment
darrel Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 Lots of leg room in the s30's. So not compact at all. 2 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 The definition of sub-compact has nothing to do with how much leg room it has. Yes, you can push the seats way back which is a great thing. cdub42, check out the interior of both before you decide. The S30 is more of a performance car, a real sports car. The S130 is more of a GT car. Quote Link to comment
cdub42 Posted July 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 That's my next step. Find some ppl who have them local and talk my way into a guided tour of their car. Datsun guys love to talk for hours about the minuscule quirks of their car (I'm also guilty of this) and what they do/dont like about it. Most of the Datsun guys I've met are walking encyclopedias about their specific Datsun. Which ever I decide upon I'm gonna have for quite a while, so I wanna be 100% on it. I've had my 79 620 for 16 years. Quote Link to comment
cdub42 Posted July 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 I'm lookin for a zippy fun car that I can use as a daily driver till the temperature drops and I hop in the burban for the winter. Quote Link to comment
ArchetypeDatsun Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 Whether you get either a S30 or S130 both are fun to drive easy to modify S30's can easily be swapped for a (L28ET) turbo motor or a nice SU carb or even triple carb set up. Bang for the buck is the turbo swap, you can almost find 280zx turbo cars non running or cheap for almost nothing half the time. Craigslist is a start good for finding a lot of Z cars there a dime a dozen on there. Quote Link to comment
datrod Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Well I've been into S30's for about 15 years or so. I like em. I'm 6'1 and 200Lbs. I fit pretty good. But now that I'm a little older it's not so fun for long trips. And the sky is the limit as far as mods go. In stock form I think they suck. But with a few mods under the car. IE Springs, Shocks, Bushings LSD in the rear. And a few mods under the hood. You'll have a blast drivin one. I have more but dinner is callin.... Quote Link to comment
cdub42 Posted July 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 I've decided I'm looking for a late 280Z. now someone needs to buy my camaro so i can go about seriously hunting for my new Z 1 Quote Link to comment
MaineZ Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Hi cdub42, All depends on what you really want. The first series were built as a barebones sports car, light, fast, powerful and not a lot of frills. They are easy to work on and tweek whereas series two were heavier, softer and a bit more sluggish. The first is a bit more rare thus more money the second more common and cheaper. These are the things to look at that only you can decide upon. I like the first and have rebuilt mine from the ground up, from new floors and rails to custom paint. Built engine with 3 spares (original w/matching numbers on shelf) to two 280's with a couple E31 heads for bolt on high compression performance. Something I have enjoyed for many years building and collecting rare parts to do it again if I ever wanted to. Euro bumpers, Fiberglas racing hoods and fenders, okay, it can be addictive! But hope you enjoy the transition. I had several Camaro's too, 1967, 69, and a new 1977. All great cars but I loved my Z. Now the economy is making me think selling all and downsizing everything. It was fun however. Good luck, choose well, and have fun. 1 Quote Link to comment
goonfan Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 Go with the 240. The 280 is way heavier and looks like doo doo with those bumpers. Quote Link to comment
MaineZ Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 One more thing, I'm 6'3" and have more than enough room in my Z. Fact is, at times I move the seat up a couple inches and still have more leg room than my full sized GMC PU. No back seat but then how many sports cars do??? Oh ya, the Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, etc... But then, I'll leave those behind me on the track... Way behind me! :) Sell the Camaro and have some fun!!! Quote Link to comment
peanutbuttercups Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 Go with the 240. The 280 is way heavier and looks like doo doo with those bumpers. if it's not a240 I don't want it!!! Unless it has turbo swastika rims for a dime lol Quote Link to comment
Dawa Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 Go with the 240. The 280 is way heavier and looks like doo doo with those bumpers. how much a difference are we talking about, i didnt think it was too much? and yeah the 80's bumpers are ugly but you can always swap it out for an earlier one :) Quote Link to comment
goonfan Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 About 400-500 pound difference. On series one 240's it closer to 600lb Quote Link to comment
Edz280zx Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 I've owned both and will say there are pluses and minuses to both chassis. I enjoyed both, just at different levels. Having said that, I'm back in an s30 now...lol. It comes down to personal choice mostly. I suggest sitting in both and hopefully driving each of them to get a feel for what you want. Which ever you choose, just find the most complete, rust free car you can! Quote Link to comment
bonvo Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 i think some people are confusing a 280z with a 280zx a 280z wasnt sold in the 80s for starters the 240-280z and the 280zx are completly different cars Quote Link to comment
Aaron Datsun Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 (edited) I will chime in here, the 240Z had a weaker rear differential and were not made as stoutly as the 280z, the early 280z (I have a 75) were still pretty light and hadn't added a whole bunch of extras (I am refering to some of the heavy stuff like the rear parcel shelf) The 280zx is a great car, it is a bit heavy, but lets get real here unless you are building a race car is the difference going to be much, plus you can get it in T-Top if you want and those rock. So I will break it out below. 240Z + Lightest 2,400lb + More visceral driving thrills - or + No frills just car, gauges, and driveline - or + Carb'd some people like them some don't - Weaker chassis - Rear drum brakes - Hard to have a conversation on the highway with passengers 280Z + Lighter than a 280zx- at least in the early days, and much easier to shed weight on that the 280zx, 2,800lb + More visceral driving thrills + Stiffer Chassis and driveline than the 240Z, 5 speed as well - or + Very Few frills just car, gauges, and driveline, some can be found with AC that is pretty cool - or + Early EFI with flapper box AFM, the EFI is pretty reliable - Rear drum brakes - Hard to have a conversation on the highway with passengers 280ZX + 2800lb still not a pig + More comfortable ride +T-Tops + You can find a turbo model stock no swap required +4 Wheel disc brakes + Stiffer Chassis and diffs - or + rear suspension was changed up a bit on the 280zx - or + 80's styling is a love it or leave it type styling - or + More frills but still just car, gauges, and driveline, some can be found with AC that is pretty cool - Not the original car - Easier to have a conversation on the highway with passengers The 280zx is actually better honestly. Find a decent T-Top turbo and have a blast. That is my advice I had one pop up local that was even intercooled for 1grand I should have bought it but I don't really need 2 turbo 2 seaters, you might ask why and that is because I want my wife to stick around. The next two seater I build is going to be a cute little miata that my wife can enjoy most likely. I will have my 75 280z until one of us dies. I chose the s30 because I love the body styling. Also you can read some other discussions http://forums.hybrid...01494-s130-s30/ http://forums.hybrid...-speeds-100mph/ **Edited to say this is my 350th Post I am AWESOME! Edited July 30, 2012 by Aaron Datsun 1 Quote Link to comment
cdub42 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2012 thanks for all the input guys. from the poking around I've done and the things I've read i think I'm looking for an early 280 that i can start swapping upgrades onto. I'm not looking to build a race car. just a daily driver thats fun and just fast enough to scare the hell out of the wife so she won't ask to drive it :) Quote Link to comment
cdub42 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2012 and congrats on 350!! Quote Link to comment
Aaron Datsun Posted July 30, 2012 Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 This got me wondering how much my car weighs so... No driver, turbo swap, 3/4 tank of gas, spare tire, jack, all carpet, a net book and charger, some junk rolling around on the floor boards. Quote Link to comment
cdub42 Posted July 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 That's not too bad. Quote Link to comment
that one guy Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 The whole '280z is heavier' thing is total bull unless you retain the stock bumpers, which are around 100 pounds a piece. The only real difference would be the stock motor and the length. The L28 is a 2.8 litre monster that produces a stock 175, but can be upgrade to in the 300's with motor enternals and some triple carbs. Now the 280z is around 2 1/2 inches (don't quote, just a measurement from mine to a friends 240z) which really isn't all that much. In any case, Z cars are great fun, no matter what model! Quote Link to comment
cdub42 Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 i think I've found a Z. we are working out the details right now it needs a little work, it hasn't ran in a few years. but it looks like a solid car to start from. minor rust, interior needs work, but a solid car from what i saw in person. Quote Link to comment
Aaron Datsun Posted August 3, 2012 Report Share Posted August 3, 2012 That looks like a very good start, and being stored inside under a cover that is a huge plus! Quote Link to comment
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