AndysPlit

Well, it seems that my Z will be the DD for a while. My Vanagon has transmission issues now. I'm just frustrated because it wasn't suppose to go like this.......Then again, that's life in the fast lane. My trusty 78 is back on full-time duty until I get that ideal DD. Anyway, just venting. DO NOT own a Vanagon, especially if you do not have the financial resources of a small country..........Jason, we're going to have to make it ALL Nissan again! Cheers.

Very nice Z31's!

I admit, that's why I liked driving the Vanagons. It's pretty high up there which makes for an entirely different driving experience.

I think they are great cars in their own right. Especially the turbo version. However, a lot of enthusiasts regard the Z31 as the neglected cousin of the line. They strayed even further away from the original idea of the 240Z with it's refined comforts, styling, and price for the time. Also it was criticized for not being innovative in the performance arena and some have even called it "an underpowered slug". Although I do not think these ZX's are slouches, they did lose the soulful appeal that the earlier Z's had in my opinion. Funny, I recall reading about the Z31 in a classic car book. It was written by an Englishman ( they still can't get over how Z's wiped the MG's out in the US ) and it started with these words: "History will probably not be so kind to the Nissan 300ZX." However, the damn thing still made it into the book so go figure. Despite all mentioned, I wouldn't pass one up at the right price. They still have "cool" factor. I think upon release of the Z32, that really reinvigorated what was supposedly missing from the Z in the last few years. The Z32 is one hell of a car. But that's a different story.

I believe that was the "sport" version of the Sentra or Sunny as it is known in Japan and elsewhere.

Yes, I think that eventually became the Altima. Remember the second generation Pulsar with the quasi-camper shell? That was one odd looking car but kind of cool. You don't see those around anymore.

I would say it's a great deal! He could be asking more for a 240.

Thank you. I am probably in the market for something in the mid to late 90's. Actually, my first car was an 83 Sentra station wagon. My father owned a 94 model and that car had a lot of kick four a Sentra. It was the base model too. They are very reliablle cars. I suppose I'm fretting because it is not a Z. Well, you're all right about the DD concerns. It needs to be in this caliber I agree.........a Maxima would be nice, but they are not as economical.

...crap. I think I'm looking at a Sentra now. That would best suit my needs and budget. I'll spice it up with the SE-R, or 200SX versions.

I don't think the parts themselves are that expensive. Do you plan on doing the work yourself? If not, labor will always get you in the end especially fir a head job. Question to anyone out there: Is it advisable to change the head gasket seal if it has been sitting for a long time?

It is a common modification to drop an engine from a 280 in to a 240 and 260, along with the 5-speed tranny. The earlier models (240 & 260) were originally equipped with carbs, while Bosch fuel injection was introduced in 1975 for the 280Z. The 77 & 78 280 engines had 170 hp, the 240 with 151, and the 260 with 139. However, the increase in power mainly balanced out the added weight for the later first-gen Z cars (1975-78).

Hello. I don't think anyone would frown for a 260 having a 240 engine.....even better if you ask me. It is a better engine and more reliable than a stock 260. The 260's had poor carbs, and slower performance. I think the only 240 engine you need to weary of is one from a 73. I may stand corrected, but I am pretty sure of this. Like any other old car that has been sitting around you probably want to change a lot of the rubber and maybe seals. Rust is always a first generation concern, as you would probably want to have the undercarriage and floorpans, looked at first. The are trouble spots that cannot be detected from the surface. Well, that's all I can think of and I'll leave it to the guys here to either correct or finish what I have started. Good luck!

Wow, that is an awesome looking Z! Great engine bay too!

Well, there is something to be said about a 24 year old car, I agree. (sigh)........decisions. Thanks for the tip.

Funny. I had the same thoughts about this a few weeks ago. Maybe I'm just trying to find an excuse to simply collect another Z even though I want to do my best to preserve the 78. I know one thing is for certain; I'm keeping it Nissan or at least Japanese this time around. No more Vanagons!

If anyone has info on that panel that would be great. Thanks Scott. I see your car set-up is similar to what I want. OK, so I'm not so crazy. Should I be weary of an automatic transmission for the ZX?

Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, I just can't afford to keep the VW. I have a feeling it will eventually cost me more. My first Vanagon's engine caught on fire. This one seems to be having problems with the transmission. Anyway, I'm hoping to find the right 2+2. Don't know if I want t-top because of the leak factor. By the way, anyone know if you bake under the sun when the T-Tops are on? Do they come tinted?

Any thoughts would be appreciated on this. I own a 78 280Z that has been my project/baby for 10 years. After all it's been through I have finally gotten her to the point where I refuse to have it as my daily driver. Simply, she just looks too good for that sort of abuse these days. I have gone through a lot of trouble to accomplish this, and I wouldn't want to drive her back into the ground. She WAS my sole source of transportation for 9 years. It's the "weekend car" now, I suppose. I am now about to sell my daily-driver which is an 86 VW Vanagon. The gas mileage sucks and these things are charming but full of problems. I think I want to find a 280ZX 2+2 to step in to be my daily-driver. My budget isn't that much (maybe a couple grand or so) otherwise I would be looking into something newer. The ZX is a reliable car, I know. That and it wouldn't be as much as say a Z32 or 350. I'm not even expecting to cherry this one out. One project is enough for me. Does this sound ludicrous or should I consider a Sentra?......something less exciting but reliable. 2 Z's..............one for work and one for play. Anyone else out there doing this?

I have trouble with VW's, specifically 1980's Vanagons. I'm on my second one, and I plan to sell it ASAP. I've been strongly considering getting a 280ZX 2+2 for my daily driver.

Thanks. Further down the road I will add him to my list of places to consider.

That would be....."AWESOME".

A friend of my mother's had a nice two-tone silver and blue ZX. That was the very first one I remember. I would always ask my mother when the guy with the "cool" car was coming back. Then there was a modified white 240Z with triple webbers and a whale-tail attached to it. My friend's father was selling it when I was a teenager. I had dreams of somehow saving up all of my allowance money for that one car. Fortunatley I didn't acquire that Z for my first car. That would've been a disaster. I crashed my very first car and drove it to the ground. It was an 83 Sentra station wagon.

ok, not that i give a damn about Porsches........but I've seen this mispelled several times. It's Porsche, sorry, I don't mean to be abrassive.

I wish sites like these were around when I was searching for the right Z. At first I was hunting for a 280ZX because that was the car I most recall as a child. Then one night after test driving a few 280ZX's , I took a 78 280Z for a spin. That was the car that won my heart. Damn, that was such a rush. I never drove a car like it in my life!...and this was completely stock. That very Z has been with me ever since. Anyway, good luck!

I took my Z from Los Angeles, to New Orleans and back. It was the greatest adventure ever! (4,ooo miles roundtrip) However, I did lose my 5th gear leaving Texas en route to Louisiana. 4th gear got me home just fine though.