2009 128i vs 1977 Datsun 280Z

[dorkdog]

2009 BMW 128i 6MT sport pkg SSK 40,009 miles
1977 280Z 5MT 76K miles

I am soon to inherit a friend's 280Z - he has willed it to me after catching me driving it without his permission in 1978 when I was a teenager. He cares for the car meticulously, rarely drives it. Has had it serviced at the same Datsun/Nissan dealership since it was new.

He is 80-something and on a decline so I may be getting the car sooner than I'd hoped. I hope to go drive it this coming week; maybe I'll take some pictures.

I'm wondering what to expect in comparison between the 280Z (this is one of the original ones, before the ZX series) and my 128i. I can promise you this Z is completely stock so no HP mods... if that's even done in Z world.

Any of y'all have any old Datsun Z car experience?

[cheshirecat79]

Two completely different classes of vehicles.

The Z is about 500 pounds lighter. The engine, if it's still original, will put down about 130hp and 150tq at the wheels. It's a true sports car versus a sporty coupe.

There aren't many original, well-maintained 280's out there anymore. If I were you, I would forego any major modification (short of restoration work), as there are plenty of cars out there to purchase if you get Z fever and want to drop in a V8 for track fun (see video).

First thing I suggest you do when you get it is inspect it (or have it inspected) for rust.

It's a very rewarding car to drive and work on, plus the enthusiast community is full of great people.

The most similar thing between the Z and the 1 are the amount of interior rattles. I'm not kidding.

Anyway:

[JasonCSU]

That 280Z will be a fun little car to drive. I saw an early 70's Z the other day that was restored and looked fantastic. Its driver caught me staring at it which gave him some amusement.

[ken1137]

Nice! I had a 1978 280z ...B-day gift from my pops when i was 19 Fun car to drive and yes some modify them. My father had a 240z at the same time. Jack it up and check all the joints and bushings. They were notorious for rusting. I've never driven a 128 but did own a 135. The 280z is 2nd on my list of drivers cars. The 135 of course is #1.

FYI...

http://www.datsunzgarage.com/engine/

[TripleThreat]

There is really no comparison as those two cars are completely different. However, I would take the Z styling over 1's on any day. If only it were 240Z or even better, 432Z..... 280Z is still very slick, though. Just the engines of the two earlier variants are much more praized. The engine of the 432Z is a mechanical marvel, 4-valve DOHC (4), 3 carbs (3) and 2.0L I-6 (2). The engine of 240Z is much simpler (SOHC I-6), but puts out almost as much power and more torgue on account of the larger displacement.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by TripleThreat

There is really no comparison as those two cars are completely different. However, I would take the Z styling over 1's on any day. If only it were 240Z or even better, 432Z..... 280Z is still very slick, though. Just the engines of the two earlier variants are much more praized. The engine of the 432Z is a mechanical marvel, 4-valve DOHC (4), 3 carbs (3) and 2.0L I-6 (2). The engine of 240Z is much simpler (SOHC I-6), but puts out almost as much power and more torgue on account of the larger displacement.

sounds like you would really dig a modern version of the 240:

[TripleThreat]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

sounds like you would really dig a modern version of the 240:

I absolutely LOVE it. Is this a concept or just a beautifully done restoration?

[ken1137]

subscribed for pics if you get it

BTW...

[dorkdog]

I do remember when I drove it all those years ago that one of the things I liked about it was how it felt like the car was a garment to be worn, not a bench to sit on while being transported.

I have no plans to modify the car. If it is truly in the condition I expect it to be in (based on how he has maintained it over the last 35 years) I will only have to worry about what's happened to it while it's been sitting 3-4 years. I don't think he drives it now that his health is declining - it sits in the garage full of gardening supplies LOL. None the less once I do get it I will be taking it somewhere to be checked over - not sure if Nissan dealer is the best place? Would they even have a clue about a car that old?

Meanwhile I will be doing some research as to who locally has a passion for working on these. Yes I will definitely post some pics.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by dorkdog

I do remember when I drove it all those years ago that one of the things I liked about it was how it felt like the car was a garment to be worn, not a bench to sit on while being transported.
I have no plans to modify the car. If it is truly in the condition I expect it to be in (based on how he has maintained it over the last 35 years) I will only have to worry about what's happened to it while it's been sitting 3-4 years. I don't think he drives it now that his health is declining - it sits in the garage full of gardening supplies LOL. None the less once I do get it I will be taking it somewhere to be checked over - not sure if Nissan dealer is the best place? Would they even have a clue about a car that old?
Meanwhile I will be doing some research as to who locally has a passion for working on these. Yes I will definitely post some pics.

Definitely not the dealer. They would have no idea where to start. Your best bet would be a car shop that specializes in the platform. Are you in Kentucky?

The best suggestion I can give you is to join zdriver.com and introduce yourself. Chances are, you'll find more than enough people that will jump at the chance to help you out.

Out of all the car scenes I've been a part of, the Z car people really are the friendliest of the bunch.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by TripleThreat

I absolutely LOVE it. Is this a concept or just a beautifully done restoration?

unfortunately just a render that was the result of some study a while back

What I wouldn't give for Nissan to reformulate the platform to something closer to the original....

[sea6speed]

I need to start stealing more cars for joyrides...

[TripleThreat]

By the way, it is widely believed that S30 Fairlady Z and Toyota 2000GT are loosely related.

[TheSt|G]

Probably the last good car Nissan made.

As other's said, get it checked out for rust immediately. That is the biggest problem with cars from that era.

[TripleThreat]

Originally Posted by ken1137

subscribed for pics if you get it

BTW...

They had this exact orange on the 2007 350Z to honor the original Z. I was so close to get one, so close.....

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Probably the last good car Nissan made.
As other's said, get it checked out for rust immediately. That is the biggest problem with cars from that era.

Apparently the GTR is not a "good car".

[brusk]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

Apparently the GTR is not a "good car".

I think the main thing here was the fact that the original Z cars were pure sports cars that tried to connect you directly and machine becomes kinda of an extension of the driver. Where the GTR is a beast it will never have a pure sports car feel and you are really just along for the ride and letting all of it's wonderful electronics do their thing.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

Apparently the GTR is not a "good car".

The GTR epitomizes everything that is wrong with modern sports cars. It is my least favorite car, followed by the Prius.

[TripleThreat]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

It is my least favorite car, followed by the Prius.

Ouch... To Nissan's credit, they made some good cars after the original Z. Just not as great as the original Z, but still good. Also, they did not sell as many cars here in the US as they sold in Japan.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

The GTR epitomizes everything that is wrong with modern sports cars. It is my least favorite car, followed by the Prius.

Eh, it's garnered worldwide acclaim.

Granted- it's a computer on wheels, but the performance numbers are off the charts. While it's not a "sports car" in the purist sense, it is a "sports car" of the future.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by TripleThreat

Ouch... To Nissan's credit, they made some good cars after the original Z. Just not as great as the original Z, but still good. Also, they did not sell as many cars here in the US as they sold in Japan.

300ZX was pretty excellent, all downhill from there.

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

Eh, it's garnered worldwide acclaim.

Granted- it's a computer on wheels, but the performance numbers are off the charts. While it's not a "sports car" in the purist sense, it is a "sports car" of the future.

Z06 is faster for less and requires actual skill. I also don't care about numbers. They are meaningless when you are behind the wheel.

If that is the future, I want none of it.

[TripleThreat]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

300ZX was pretty excellent, all downhill from there.



Z06 is faster for less and requires actual skill. I also don't care about numbers. They are meaningless when you are behind the wheel.

If that is the future, I want none of it.

I personally would not buy a GTR either. Not that I have that kind of money anyway. Even if I did, I am not sure how many cars I would be interested in buying. 1 series are not perfect either. For one, what kind of an ultimate driving machine when it is not even equipped with an LSD of any sort. It still is one of the simplest.