I'm in the market for a 240 or 280 Z. I'm doing as much research as I can before I make my purchase. I'm leaning more towards the 240 Z but I have a performance question.
I now drive a boosted z31, so I'm use to a little bit of power.
In the case of my new 1 generation purchase "all out" power is not going to be the issue. But of the 2 cars (280/240) I would like to buy the best performing car from the factory. OK, so stock for stock does the 280 Z out perform the 240 Z in acceleration and handling ? I know it weighs a bit more. I was also told that the interior trim was much better in the 280.
And it's probably a bit harder to work on then the 240 Z. So is the 280 Z worthy to be called a true "Sports Car" like the 240 Z.
I'm losing interest in my Z31 and want to get back into the "roots" of the Z Car. Please give me your honest opinions.

 

personally id get the 240Z over the 280Z just for the fact that it is a 240Z .. and they do seem to be different to drive ... i think id back the 240Z as the better performer stock

 

240 feels alot better than 280. I don't know much about z car and their stats. but when i compare my 71 240 with my friends 81 280, the 240 feels stronger. I have stock everything, L24 engine. Well, with 280 5 speed tranny.

 

yeah, the 240z's are the fastest Z, except for the second gen 300's. The are bit more rough around the edges than the 280z. A little interesting fact that I read on Zcar.com is that the 280zx is actually lighter than the 280z- I found that pretty interesting, as I always thought the Z was lighter

Alan, Australia

 

just to make sure we're all clear on a few things...the z32 is not the only z faster than a 240--280zx turbo and 300zx z31 turbo was faster and ALL versions of the 300zx z32 were faster...by the way, your friend's '81 was NOT a 280 Z...it was a 280zx...280z ceased production in 1977 and 1978 the 280zx was introduced----just thought i would clear up a couple of things.

mnelsonz

 

oops sorry, forgot about turbo 280zx

Alan, Australia

 

That's a tuff one. I've had both. I had a 77 that I droped a japanese z motor into and that thing really moved I was chirp the tires threw all 4 gears no modes. If you want less road noise go for the 280. The best way to tell for yourself is to just go out and test drive some. Maybe one of the guys close to that check the boards would be willing to let you try out their rides.

 

or you could do like some of us...get a 260z with a/c and pre-emissions carbs...besides COMFORT (240 doesn't have a/c) and EASE (280 has EFI, carbs are easy to maintain, although they can be hell sometimes...). Once the pre-emissions are on it's relatively easy to see performance like a 240, not to mention it's rare to see a 260, and you can get the one with small bumpers (1974) or the one with larger bumpers (1974.5) and different front light styles...it all depends on what you want...take a look at the taillights, and the front lights between the ones...that might make your choice--to some people it's about looks. Also take a good look at your comfort and interior options--sure a 240z is all about performance--but how cool is performance in the summer on that bright day without a/c? it's no easy choice, you could even add an a/c in the end if you wanted to a 240z, it's just personal taste i think...