i'm a newbie to these cars but have always liked them.

i was wondering what are some major differences between the 3 cars(besides the engines). any help would be appreciated....

thanks...laters

this is a topic that has been dicussed many times recently. You have to realize that by going to this site that most people are going to be particular to 240Z hence the web name. The 240Z was the original Z and had the lightest body and the fastest body until many years later when Nissan came out with the turbos. The 260 and 280 were very similar to the 240z body wise. The main differences between the group is weight. The cars later years they started adding heavier bumpers and more lucturies. These all made the vehicles slower and more lucturious. It is all a personla preferance to be completly honest. I personally would love a 1971 240Z, while others may be drawn to 280 Z. Shop around; seeing is believing. Find what is most important to you and look for a car in that catagory

Finery and weight. Ignoring the drivetrains (260 has smog controls...280 is FI and came with a 5-sp.......), the further you get from the original 240's the heavier the car gets and the more "luxury" you find inside. Most of the books refer to it more or less as such: "...while the 240 was a true 'sports car', Nissan designed the 260 and 280 more along the lines of a 'GT' car..." A big factor was maintaining the car's appeal to the American customer. Carpet, controls, insulation....... Another big factor was safety. The later 240's had thicker sheetmetal and the 260's and 280's thicker still (no pun intended). The 240 started out in the 2200 lb range and by '78 (the last year of the 280) they were up into the 28-2900 range.

There are lots of subtle differences. Even if you are VERY familiar with your own model, it is always eye-opening to go to a show and start poking around in other models. It is amazing to see the little differences.

steve77

hmmm...lightweight, no luxuries....yup, think the 240z would be best for me...

for a nice 240 you will be paying a slight premium for the 'classic car' status that comes with it. you can get it back when you sell it, of course.

-james

65 FFR cobra

73 240z

thevenom.net