240sx vs. z32

[NichiSan]

Hi,

i currently have an S13, 1991, hatchback. I am very happy with the way the car handles. However, I was considering buying a 300zx made after 1990 (z32). I've driven z31s before, never a z32.

My question for somebody who extensively drove both s13 and z32 (eventually owned them both): does the z32 handle as good as the s13? I know the power range is very different but handling is a bit different from straight line acceleration.

thank you,
NichiSan

[mkddoc]

i drove a 92 twin turbo for year and have never driven an s13, but am looking to buy one now.

i know that the concensus on twinturbo.net seems to be that stock for stock the z will handle slightly better, but that is a z forum.

i remember them saying that if they were going to build a car for handling though the 240 would be a much better place to start.

[zweebach]

I have a 94 300ZXTT and a 93 240SX.  They have very similar handling characteristics and are both great cars.  comparing stock cars, the Z is obviously better.  The 240 isn't bad at all though - it is a better performer than the z31 I had with upgraded shocks/springs.  With modifications however, it's hard to say which I would prefer.  That's actually a problem for me now (sad huh?) which car do I buy stuff for?  The Z is a heavier car though and that should be considered.  Plus the Z has wider, better tires (at least mine does) so it gives a better feeling of control and stability.

It's a tough call - I like em both.

[AKADriver]

Ultimately, you want the lighter car with the longer wheelbase, which would be the 240SX.

The 300ZX does however have a few advantages...  wider track, more tire clearance, and a multi-link front suspension to match the rear.  They're also not that heavy IF you can find a plain-jane NA 2-seater without T-tops - about 3150lb.  Still a 400lb disadvantage to the 240SX.

If I had to choose (all over again!<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>, I'd get an S14 240SX. &nbsp;The weakest handling in stock form of any car so far mentioned in this thread, but that's only thanks to Nissan's strange US marketing in the mid-'90s. &nbsp;The chassis has all the right hardware.

[Jim96SC2]

Cornering is ver weight dependant, especially if your taking it to the track. Weight will contantly wear your tires down. That being the case and at an equal amount of modification the S13 should win. However the S14 has a better chassis (much stiffer) so I'd look into that unless you want to buy a few more dollars worth of stuff to get the same tortional stiffness.

Z32 is nice though, but you'd need to find a hardtop and lighten it up as much as possible.

[NichiSan]

Well, my problem is that I like the design of the z32 a lot and i wouldn't mind spending the money to buy one. Then, I cannot afford to keep both the z32 and the s13 (inssurance kills) unless I convince my wife to drive one of them (difficult task <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> ). On the top of that, I simply cannot concieve to sell my s13. I didn't have very many cars until now, but this one (the s13) has absolutely fabulous handling (it's stock).

I am concerned about the following scenario: I buy a z32, i sell my s13. Then, I crave after my s13 and, because of that, I start not liking the z32. Then, I desperately start searching for another s13 in good condition (mine is in excellent condition with only 70 something K miles on it.)

In any case, I cann't stop thinking about this 1991 z32 I saw for sale...

tough...

[mkddoc]

you won't be disappointed with the z <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[whateverjames]

i think the z32 handles better in stock form, definitely. it's handling really shines at higher speeds. but for autocross, i would have an s13.

[fairladyz]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mkddoc @ Oct. 25 2002,6:14)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">you won't be disappointed with the z <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I second that. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> Although I would love to get an S13 parked right next to my Z

[DSC]

I'm making assumptions here, so don't hang me yet <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

But the 240sx being longer (% to width) and lighter would be the better handling car. Now in stock form, maybe the springs were a bit soft or whatever, but that's just a matter of tuning...

The z32 is a bit more "square" in that it appears to be nearly as wide as it is long. Of course this isn't the truth, but it's closer to square than the 240 making it less stable over bumps/high speed and harder to recover oversteer.

I know there's some truth to what I said, but I'm not sure how other factors (aerodynamics, etc...) would come into play as far as overall handling abilities, high and low speed.

[transient]

I think a lot depends on what type of car you like to drive. I've always believed that you're either a GT style person or a sports car person (the Z being a GT car and the 240 being a sports car). GT's are a heavier more solid feeling car, but lack the sort of "tossability" that a sports car has. A friend of mine has a dodge stealth, and I can't stand driving it because it's so heavy, and he doesn't really care for my car that much because he's used to a heavier car.

[drift freaq]

I have to give a strong second to Transients response.
I feel the Z32 is a GT car. That said I have always been a sports car fan. Its one of the reasons S14's have always bothered me. Ya , I now you guys like to trumpet the stiffer chassis. In all honesty though having driven these different cars the S14 feels more akin to the Z32 than a S13. The S14 to me feels like more of a GT car. It feels larger it feels heavier . I am very much a fanatic about weight as far as a from the factory sports car goes. To me the S13 is already at the upper limits of acceptable weight to begin with.
Give me a 2350lb 72 240z and you will see a big grin on my face as I throw thru corners. NOw given that the S13 was a vast improvement in suspension technology and over design from the 240z concept. I.E. a very modern version of the whole idea behind the 240z .
That is where the 350z comes in. I have yet to drive one but am itching to. It was designed around the same concept &nbsp;that 240z and S13 were.
It is also why I desire a FD until reality sets in. i.e. realiability. I may yet own a FD its a very enticing automobile.
All in all I would say to the person who started this thread . You have to look at in this way.
Do you want a sports car? or do you want a GT car.
It is that simple. I know for me I might feel the z32 drives nice but I would miss the tossability of the S13.
YMMV <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[NichiSan]

Hey, transient and drift freak,

what you guys said is exactly what I was worried about. I like the tossability of my s13 and this is what makes me love the car. Now, the z32 has a very nice design and more power. I really don't care for heavy cars, though. I want the tossability.

[esper]

what exactlyu is the definition of a "GT" car vs. a "sports" car.

and arent grand touring cars a class of racing?? i dunno and if it is then i see all kinds of cars even s15's in those classess i beleive.

and what would be GT and sports??

GT &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Sports

Supra &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Rx-7
Z32 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; S13-14
GTO (3000GT) &nbsp; &nbsp; Roadster (Miata)

what about the Honda NSX and z33 ??

[gschroeder78]

I have both an 91 Z32 NA and an 89 S13 Coupe. I haven't auto-X'd in either of them and I imagine that the Z would be pretty tough to handle in that case compared to the S13. It doesn't like to give up grip that easily. I do drive very fast in both cars and like to see how fast I can take corners or accelerate. The Z definetly wins out there. It can manuvere down a curvy mountain easily at high speeds. It isn't a car for drifting or anything but more for aggressive driving. Remember this is NA. The TT probably doubles the enjoyment. Overall I'd go with the Z but only if you have a steady and stable income otherwise maintenance and repairs will kill the fun. On the other hand, if you plan to auto-X, the 240 is the better choice. Do what I did and just get both.

[NichiSan]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (gschroeder78 @ Oct. 27 2002,11:45)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I have both an 91 Z32 NA and an 89 S13 Coupe. I haven't auto-X'd in either of them and I imagine that the Z would be pretty tough to handle in that case compared to the S13. It doesn't like to give up grip that easily. I do drive very fast in both cars and like to see how fast I can take corners or accelerate. The Z definetly wins out there. It can manuvere down a curvy mountain easily at high speeds. It isn't a car for drifting or anything but more for aggressive driving. Remember this is NA. The TT probably doubles the enjoyment. Overall I'd go with the Z but only if you have a steady and stable income otherwise maintenance and repairs will kill the fun. On the other hand, if you plan to auto-X, the 240 is the better choice. Do what I did and just get both.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Thanks for the answer. In any case, I am not sure I understand the difference between autoX and driving on a curvy mountain road. AutoX is not about drfting, as driving in the mountains is not necessarily about that either. In my opinion, they are both related to the ability of the car to take curves at high speed and to the ability of the car to "follow" your intended course (and not understeer or oversteer).

In other words, I would expect the same car (the s13 or the z32) to be superior both in autoX and on mountain roads (assuming that the straigth lines are kept to a minimum, so that the z would not win easily).

Regarding maintenance, my s13 did not cost me ANYTHING until now (in more than a year and excepting oil changes and things like that). This is actually one of those things that make it so difficult to part with this car. I have no complaints, whatsoever...
thanks.

[gschroeder78]

I didn't really mean to relate autoX and mountain driving to drifting. I guess what I meant was the Z doesn't handle repeated sharp turns like you would find in autoX. Like someone said above, it's just harder to control in that type of driving than the S13. You lose the rear traction in a Z and it's tougher to correct. maybe cause the weight, I'm not sure. In the mountains, at least around here, there tend to be for sweeping type fast turns which is where I like my Z. It feels like it's on rails, much more than the S13. Anyways, I'm not sure if that helped or not, just figured I could give my impression of the 2.

[GamblerZ]

I have both(see sig) and each has its own attributes. &nbsp;The power to weight ratio is better on the 240, while the 300 has a wider/lower stance. &nbsp;I like them both because each is independently unique, but VERY fun to drive. &nbsp;It is an opinion question and everyone will have a different answer. &nbsp;Buy both and problem solved. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[NichiSan]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (gschroeder78 @ Oct. 28 2002,8:00)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I didn't really mean to relate autoX and mountain driving to drifting. I guess what I meant was the Z doesn't handle repeated sharp turns like you would find in autoX. Like someone said above, it's just harder to control in that type of driving than the S13. You lose the rear traction in a Z and it's tougher to correct. maybe cause the weight, I'm not sure. In the mountains, at least around here, there tend to be for sweeping type fast turns which is where I like my Z. It feels like it's on rails, much more than the S13. Anyways, I'm not sure if that helped or not, just figured I could give my impression of the 2.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
OK, I get it. Your opinion is very much valued, as it comes from somebody who owns them both. I understand now what you meant. Actually, sharp turns is where my s13 is at its best. This is what I would miss if I would sell it. So, I'll just wait, then, until I can afford to pay insurance for both my s13 and a z32. Or, until I cann't stop myself and go out there on a frenzy and jut buy a z <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

thanks for your replies.

[turboex]

Heres the deal. I had a 91 240 back when they first came out. It was a great car but really slow. As the sr20 stuff had not started yet. (not popular) So then i got a 91 nissan 300zx yeah the car looked very nice handled good and i thought it was fast. I could not afford the TT one due to insurance. So then i ran my mouth to my friend in his 93 civic ex with a little baby greddy turbo on it. We raced and he kicked my ass. I drove his car and at 6 psi it was alot faster than my 300xz. So down the road i sell the 300 and get a truck....
Ok so now its 1999 and i want the import scene again. so i get a 2000 civic ex and throw in a b16 fully built with turbo (drag3 kit) i made 259hp at the dyno. i Loved the car but the whole idea of having to buy axles (500bucks), a diff (800bucks). and other stuff like slicks was just not my bag. pluss the 300buck car payment sucked. So i needed a cheep car and a RWD for my racing habits. as a civic sucks without slicks and who wants to have slicks all the time so you can use the power you make. So i sell the civic and i now have guess what? a 92 nissan 240sx coupe. and plan to dump about 8 grand in it. then i shall be done. Over all i think that if your gonna get a 300zx at all get the TT one. and the NA one is a pile of shit. you will get waxed by 90% of the faster hondas out there. What good is a car that only looks fast? However i would take a 300xz TT any day if i could afford the insurance. But the 240sx... a perfect car all around