Robotsan
Club Member
Apologies in advance - I'm still asking questions and generally mithering you lot for answers, and I've still not bought a Z!
But - I've now driven a 73 240z, and I liked it a lot. It was as cool, great sounding and exciting to drive as I hoped - but also as rattly, noisy and smelly as I expected. I want a car that my other half will actually enjoy being in for road trips and won't be fearing for her life in. But some things about the 240z made me think she may not like setting foot in it! So I'm kind of thinking maybe the (allegedly) more modern and refined 280z may actually be more suitable for me. So I have some questions on the differences..
1. Seatbelts - the 240 I drove had the strange vintage ones where you somehow (I didn't figure it out, and the owner doesn't use them!) clip one thing into another clip and they both go into a 3rd part?! It had barely any give in it - not sure it was even an inertia reel?). I think she would run a mile if that was the offering. So would a 280z have a more modern inertia reel seatbelt as you'd in find in 80s and onwards cars? I'm aware I could probably fit more modern seatbelts to a 240z, but its just another thing to pay for.
2. Smells - the 240z was a smelly experience as I expected! Lots of fuel fumes with the windows down, and up I think, which I gather is either a design flaw regarding air flow, or faulty seals? Question is, did they fix this in the 280z?
3. Noise - I hear the 280's have better/more sound deadening? Are they noticeably better for road noise etc than the 240s?
But - I've now driven a 73 240z, and I liked it a lot. It was as cool, great sounding and exciting to drive as I hoped - but also as rattly, noisy and smelly as I expected. I want a car that my other half will actually enjoy being in for road trips and won't be fearing for her life in. But some things about the 240z made me think she may not like setting foot in it! So I'm kind of thinking maybe the (allegedly) more modern and refined 280z may actually be more suitable for me. So I have some questions on the differences..
1. Seatbelts - the 240 I drove had the strange vintage ones where you somehow (I didn't figure it out, and the owner doesn't use them!) clip one thing into another clip and they both go into a 3rd part?! It had barely any give in it - not sure it was even an inertia reel?). I think she would run a mile if that was the offering. So would a 280z have a more modern inertia reel seatbelt as you'd in find in 80s and onwards cars? I'm aware I could probably fit more modern seatbelts to a 240z, but its just another thing to pay for.
2. Smells - the 240z was a smelly experience as I expected! Lots of fuel fumes with the windows down, and up I think, which I gather is either a design flaw regarding air flow, or faulty seals? Question is, did they fix this in the 280z?
3. Noise - I hear the 280's have better/more sound deadening? Are they noticeably better for road noise etc than the 240s?