240z or 1st Gen RX-7?
 

So I'm about to get my 1st car. Been looking at a 73 240z for $2300. My older brother-in-law told me I should also consider an RX-7. He says it will feel more like a sports car and more fun to drive.

What I like about the 240 is that is a classic and perhaps I can fix it easier. But can't you do engine swaps on the RX-7 as well? Is the RX-7 going to be more expensive to maintain? Did any of you ever own or consider the 240?

I have never driven either of them. Hoping you guys can give me some honest feedback on pro's and con's of each! Thanks in advance.

poeple who don't understand rx7's say there expensive. there not. well atleast no more than any other car. the other thing is u can do motor swaps on both cars. my buddy has one and is in the prosses of slaping a skyline motor in it. but all in all the question is whitch of the cars ur looking at is in better shape

you just have to read read read. Tons of info on here. Best thing is to read the FAQ and be a member and just get feedback that way. Also...wherever you live try and attend a meet or cruise. That is the best way to get the best info.

both have pros and cons and we are probably very bias. I would go Rotary..but again it is a bias.

Get a rx7, we need more around here!!!

I had the same dilemma about a month ago. I was between a datsun 280zx and an rx7 I ended up here because of price and proximity to my location...but in my opinion (and I may get flamed for this) is that the 240z is a much, MUCH better looking car. It has great lines and it'll only get better with time.

I have had "both". I was looking for a Z when i found my first 7. Been driving rotaries ever since. It's a tie for me, I like so much about both. I would let the best buy and condition be the deciding factor, look for all the common rust issues on both. Rust is a big issue that is a never ending battle.

Look at rust like dating a beautiful girl with a fat mom, you can get a glimpse of the future and there's no changing it.

datsun is gonna rust a lot quicker, if it hasnt already. shit. i have a 90 240sx and its rusted faster than my Rx7s and its never seen salty winter roads!

It's a fact. I see a lot more rusted out Datsuns than RX7s. It really comes down to preference, though. There are a lot more Datsuns rolling around as opposed to RX7s, making the rotary engine crew a niche group. Personally, I would never take a Z over my 7 having driven both. The 7 just has a lot more to offer in my opinion.

Power -- Z car (150 vs. 100 or 130 for an FB)
Handling -- Z car (independent rear suspension vs. live axle w/bad geometry on FB)
Looks -- Z car (gotta agree that it's sexier than an FB)
Uniqueness -- Z car (I see a lot more FBs than early Z cars on the road)

Value -- FB (you can buy a lot more / better FB for the same money)
Condition -- FB (An early '80s FB is a decade newer, thus better condition car on average)
Performance Potential -- FB (a little easier to mod it to higher performance levels)
Racing Pedigree -- FB (extremely successful, more wins than Z cars)
Quality -- FB (The '84/'85 FBs were remarkably well built, even by today's standards)
Technology -- FB (Rotaries are cool)

So -- in the end, I don't think there's a clear winner. I looked at both and chose an FB due to the rotary engine. I knew a guy with a rotary engine in a 240Z. That was a nice combination, but it just didn't seem right to mix the brands.

Let us know what you decide.

LOL

I was in the same boat. Wanted a 240Z, but thought the rotary was pretty cool, I like the 70's wedge body style of both cars. My 7's little rust and a black interior sold me on it.

The 280ZX is a fair bit heavier than the 240 or 7, it had a reputation as more of a boulevard cruiser than a sports car. Technically, the 240Z is superior to the 7 because has rack and pinion steering and an independent rear, but they're not that much better. Engine parts will be more easier to find though.

here's my $2....

the 280ZX and the Rx7 went head to head new. the ZX exterior um sucked then, and its gotten more dated with time, something nissan excels at. hardware wise the ZX has more power, but its also a porky thing, iron block straight 6 is always gonna be HEAVY

the 240Z is much nicer to look at, but dual carbs and points ignition (plus valves and a cam, yuck) make much more work for the owner. i like the Z but poking around under one, i'm not impressed

on the flip side, the FB is one of the cheapest and easiest cars to run made by man. its also really fun, just because its got the right size/weight/power .

One thing to remember about the 240z also is interior room, you sit in it and the door is right up against you. The 7 just seems much more comfortable.

Just for reference, my RX7 has been the most reliable car I've ever had, and the others were:

Merkur XR4ti (no surprise)
1991 Mustang 5.0
1994 Honda Civic (with JDM SiR swap)
1994 Acura Integra (bone stock with 130k miles when I got it)

LOL, a buddy of mine just traded his Rx7 for a Merkur Xr4ti

240's tend to command way more money than rx-7s. I also feel that parts are cheaper/more available for the mazda.

I looked at 240's before I got my 7, and was able to get much more car for the money with the 7. 240's I looked at were selling for 2-3x what a comparable 7 was.

Depends. i thought most 240 had solid rear axles. Their big thing is that they had rack/n/pinion.

240Z smog exempt nuff said

name an FB that isn't.

Get a sev. Better than the 240s UNLESS the 240 has had a bucket load spent on it - and I've only ever seen 2-3 of these I would consider having over the top first gens I've seen.

I have a 300 zx and a rx7. the rx7 is best it may not be the prettiest but the rotary engine is easy to work on and too get parts

Both of these cars are out of the same mold and general time period. The Z cars were designed borrowing heavily from the 62-63 Ferrari GTO-arguably, the most collectable car on the planet. The Rx-7 came out as direct competion to the Z-car as a package to re-introduce their Rotary engine back to the marketplace. It only makes sense to be interested in either.

I'd reccomend finding a nice example of each and taking them for a test drive. Your gut and emotions will do the deciding for you. Then go search out that certin car which matches your likes and budget.

Look at the economics here.
$2,300 will get you a 240 in beater condition no matter where you live.
The same cash will get you a very nice first gen.

Do the right thing and get an RX7.

I love 240s. 280s were rather porky and should not be in the running.

I love my 7 too, however, I think you are missing one important car from this era that should be in contention and runs in the price range that you are looking at: The E30 BMW 3 series. They are a classic design and are excellent drivers and very livable as DD.

I have always owned a BMW DD next to my 7--two of the best drivers out there. Don't try to get an E30 M3 as that will run you major money. A 318 or 325 will suit you just fine, get about 30 MPG, be very reliable (just change out the timing belt ever 60k miles).

I just picked up a decently clean one for $1600.

I too am a Datsun convert. My last one (of several) was a '73 that I did an unbelievable amount of work to while restoring it. A very impressive and beautiful car. I got a hundred times more compliments and questions about that car than I ever will with my 7. then one day, after about a year of driving, I hit a dip in the road and the car literally split in two (due to underbody rust). That was a sad day, but I'm lucky that I'm still alive to tell about it.

And performance wise, the 240 is hard to beat. But by the time the late 70s rolled around, they started leaning more toward a comfort cruiser than a racer, and basically handed the race scene over to the RX7s and Siroccos.

A Z is a nice car, a ZX is a fat bloated pig but is very comfortable for highway cruising and has a ton more leg room (I'm 6'0").

I was also looking for another Z car when I found my 7. I do not regret the brand change at all. The 7 is a great car, and much more of a racer. I do, however, miss the leg room. :)

If you could find a rust free 240 at a good price (yeah, right) than I'd say grab it. But you won't, so a 7 is going to be a much safer investment for you. And once you remove everything that doesn't have to be there, they are extremely reliable. Mine has nearly 230,000 miles on it, and I didn't hesitate to cruise down to DGRRX with it (I put on 2,400 miles that week).

Datsuns, I think, are better at being fast, while 7s are better at being quick. And realistically, which is more practical? You can be quick all day without killing yourself, and how often will you really have the chance to do 150 mph anyway? The 7 is a much more fun car overall.

Best of luck with your decision. :)



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The 73 240Z is a particularly nice car. When i was a teenager my buddy had a 73 240Z and I was running a 73 RX3. If I was going to build a car to stock original set up I'd go with the 240Z. If I was going to play with upgrades and modifications I'd play with the RX7!

First Car eh! If you know how to work with wrenches AND enjoy it! go for the rotary, If you are new around tools, learn on a nice stock 240Z!