My old Z31 300zx

[msydnor]

I never really thought my 260 was that great of a handler. The suspension was soft, to much lift on the nose at high speeds, and did not inspire confidence when cornering. My 300 zx was a pig

[jag]

My 280 was a hot car!  I'd rebuilt the engine to push around 240hp and it had a ground effects package on it with the cool plastic headlamp covers.  It was sweet but it really could have handled a lot better even though it had Koni's.  Just no comparison to the MSM.  The only other car that I've had that compares to the MSM suspension was a 914 Porsche (larger engine). That car (mid engine) had amazing handling capabilities. I should have kept it and dropped a V8 or subie engine into it.   

[mr_hyde]

My dad had a few 356s and later a 911s - then I came along and all he could afford was a 914.  I remember holding onto the door pull for dear life as he took corners at astonishing speeds.  I'm sure I was around 5 with no car seat and a non-retractable seatbelt that could have fit three of me but oh well  .  The 914 was an under appreciated gem IMO.
-h

[msydnor]

My 280 was a hot car!  I'd rebuilt the engine to push around 240hp and it had a ground effects package on it with the cool plastic headlamp covers.  It was sweet but it really could have handled a lot better even though it had Koni's.  Just no comparison to the MSM.  The only other car that I've had that compares to the MSM suspension was a 914 Porsche (larger engine). That car (mid engine) had amazing handling capabilities. I should have kept it and dropped a V8 or subie engine into it.   

Don't get me wrong, I really liked my 260Z, but I think the handling characteristic are exaggerated by some.

[Sweets]

By modern standards, they handle like crap. You have to go through the entire suspension setup to make it corner worth a damn. And the aged components don't help it. 

But 30 years ago, it was the king of the track!

[msydnor]

By modern standards, they handle like crap. You have to go through the entire suspension setup to make it corner worth a damn. And the aged components don't help it. 

But 30 years ago, it was the king of the track!

I forget what year my 260 was, but right after it I bought a new VW rabbit GTI (first year). That sucker would run circles around the 260.

[jag]

I wouldn't go quite that far about it being the king of the track.  Far from it.  Yes, it was far superior over american car suspension at the time.  Since it became such a widely purchased car by many americans, folks just went nuts about how well it handled.  The fact is that there were plenty of german and british cars that could easily out handled it.

[Sweets]

But cars in the same pricerange as the s30 didn't compare. The 260 was a bastard child anyways. 240z was the best first generation z car IMO.


I'm not saying it was superior to all others, but it certianly had great bang for the buck.

[msydnor]

But cars in the same pricerange as the s30 didn't compare. The 260 was a bastard child anyways. 240z was the best first generation z car IMO.


I'm not saying it was superior to all others, but it certianly had great bang for the buck.

There really wasn't much difference between the 240 and 260. I know the carbs were differnt (and sucked) and I think the engine got a displacement bump. other than that, very little change. I will say, the VW Rabbit GTI, at $7K new was an awesome handler by the standards of the day and for many years later. I'd love to have one of those cars for a project now.

[jag]

Yes.  The 240,260 and 280 were the same car.  They eventually weighed more because of the extra heavier bumpers that didn't match the car aesthetically. Personally I think the 280 was the best because of the larger displacement and the fuel injection vs. carbs.  The 240 is considered the classic of the three because it was the original and stirred an affordable sports car revolution.

[Sweets]

I am biased, I have a soft spot for old school carb'd cars. Something about the si
plicity of them is just attractive to me. And with a 260 z being my second car, naturally I love them. 

I actually have a 240z fund I am working on. Looking for a white series 1 240z with a manual tranny. Haven't found one yet, which is good because I haven't saved enough money yet lol. 

[mark13]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zX4o_eSWDA&feature=related   I miss the 19 gallon fuel tank-2 fuel gauges full power everything-inflatable seats..If there was a car hall of fame the 240Z-Z31 and Miata would all be in there..

[Kenn]

I miss my over engineered Z32TTs

Did you ever post on 3zc?

[msydnor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zX4o_eSWDA&feature=related   I miss the 19 gallon fuel tank-2 fuel gauges full power everything-inflatable seats..If there was a car hall of fame the 240Z-Z31 and Miata would all be in there..

I'd tend to disagree with you. My 300ZX, (I think it was an 86 or 87) was a dog. Heavy, slow, didn't handle that well. I was in germany at the time and had a few nice BMWs so maybe that killed it for me. I had it for about 6 months and sold it.

[SilverMiataRacer]

I think the difference between a 240 and a 300z are probably the same as the differences between the 1st RX7 and the last one.  Still that same car but no longer the same animal.  Cars tend to get bloated and heavy through their life cycle based upon the owners "wants" changing and the manufacturer trying to keep sales up.  At the beginning of a cycle the sales growth is supported by the enthusiasts but later down it's life the sales come from people who "want one of those sports cars" but don't have the desire to have it with out their power butt warmers and electric nose pickers they have in their luxury car that they normally drive.