S13 240 vs. 350z - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Jared_s13 · 12-13-2014, 10:09 PM

Wanting to get opinions from people who have owned both 240sx's and 350z's. I have been daily driving my s13 hatch for a little over a year now(stock other than bc coils, intake, and exhaust) and am thinking about trading up to a Z. While I absolutely love my hatch, I am a college student it has been very hard to find the time and sometimes money to work on it. I'm thinking of upgrading to the z to have a newer and more reliable car to daily but also still want to have a car to go out and have fun with like my 240. I guess my question is how does the 350 compare to the 240. Both in handling (track, drifting) and in daily drivability and how reliable they are. Thanks in advance for any replies, just trying to figure out if I want to keep fixing stupid shit on my car or get something new.

ultimateirving · 12-14-2014, 12:32 AM

Well as a broke college student, extrapolating, you probably should keep the 240. A z will be no cheaper to work on and it doesn't sound like you have money to buy a z straight up, nor should you saddle yourself with a car payment. Focus on school and keep your 240 as long as possible. Save cash for a nicer daily and make the hatch your track hooner. Thank me later when you are financially in a better place

Ilya · 12-14-2014, 08:25 AM

Ding ding ding^ that's what I did and after being out of college for 2 years and having an amazing job, I still drive my vert.

blueshark123 · 12-14-2014, 09:57 PM

civic.....

badass8 · 12-14-2014, 11:35 PM

Just get a nice daily that's good on gas and that's reliable. I had a subaru wrx as a daily and traded for a honda fit. I save $1400 on gas a year, it only has 105hp so god knows I wont try anything stupid. Don't worry I still have a project 240sx at home I take to track days when I have it running.

I don't think its practical to use a daily as a track a car as well especially before having a career. Don't be like most of these kids now a days and spend everything on your car. Please realize you should start investing into owning property ie: a house or condo.

zurud · 12-15-2014, 12:28 AM

trade your car plus some cash for geo metro

HORShi · 12-15-2014, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared_s13

Wanting to get opinions from people who have owned both 240sx's and 350z's. I have been daily driving my s13 hatch for a little over a year now(stock other than bc coils, intake, and exhaust) and am thinking about trading up to a Z. While I absolutely love my hatch, I am a college student it has been very hard to find the time and sometimes money to work on it. I'm thinking of upgrading to the z to have a newer and more reliable car to daily but also still want to have a car to go out and have fun with like my 240. I guess my question is how does the 350 compare to the 240. Both in handling (track, drifting) and in daily drivability and how reliable they are. Thanks in advance for any replies, just trying to figure out if I want to keep fixing stupid shit on my car or get something new.

Well me too as a "broke college student"...I'll say keep your 240 and keep it STOCK. I daily mines and drive it spirited often (no drifting in the winter, it's too cold) but I keep it STOCK. It's reliable, it's relatively simplistic and nothing can go wrong really. I'm anal about my maintenance though and all always fluids and tools on the go. Unless you have some serious problems that you haven't mention...I'm just assuming it may sound like it because of:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared_s13

it has been very hard to find the time and sometimes money to work on it.

Keep it stock, do proper maintenance and it will work out for you. 240sx don't really cost much to maintain, they're pretty stout in stock form. Save up money when you can and keep it on standby. Good luck with your studies!

omgosh · 12-15-2014, 12:35 PM

Go drive a Z at a buy here pay here or something. They are cheap now. You shouldnt have a problem getting behind the wheel..

In my opinion, if you want an S13 but want something a bit nice but not quite a Z , get a nice S14.

A stock Z is quick, but feels sloppy under braking and cornering. There is no room inside at all. It has a stupid high belt line so even at 6'1 I feel like Im sitting in a giant bathtub with no visibility. If you have to do any engine work on it at all, kiss the skin of your knuckles goodbye. You have to take the entire front end off the car (headlights, bumper, CORE SUPPORT) just to UNPLUG the a/c triple pressure switch and replace the a/c dryer.

An S14 with $2000 in suspension/brakes/wheels/tires handles like a dream compared to a stock Z, has 4 seats, trunk, room, visibility, you can work on it no prob... looks better IMO.

S13 coupe is cool but so old. Its a bit harder to get one to good condition but basically the same as S14 with cheaper parts..

LockOn! · 12-15-2014, 01:10 PM

I've owned many s13s and have been driving a 350z since April.

While the Z is far more quite and comfortable, even with coilovers and and exhaust, somehow it manages to be less practical. I cannot fit anything in it and if your like me and traveled distance for college and need to pack your shit up regularly, the space in an s13 hatch or even a coupe is very useful. It can actually be difficult doing something as simple as getting grocery with the Z.

Driving an 240 in a spirited manner is more fun IMO then the Z as well, the reason I made the move is I ready for something "nicer".

blueshark123 · 12-15-2014, 01:14 PM

Yaa z not practical when it comes to hauling shit. The hatch is a fucking joke.

mickluvinnz33 · 12-15-2014, 02:03 PM

i daily my z and i'm a "broke college student" you can easily find a good stock z that hasn't been abused. I think they handle great, super reliable, and basically bullet proof. 04 vq burns a lot of oil though. It just depends on your situation i guess, money wise, if you can afford it do it.

simmode1 · 12-15-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueshark123

Yaa z not practical when it comes to hauling shit. The hatch is a fucking joke.

There's always the G35 coupe if you need to haul stuff. Virtually the same price & performance as the Z. But yeah, OP needs to stick with the cheaper 240, focus on just finishing college & getting a good job.

SilviaSR20DET · 12-15-2014, 06:50 PM

240's do just fine for college... learn to live with it and maintain it every so often. I drove my s14 daily through college and worked out just fine. Your just throwing more money into a Z if you get one IMO and it gets expensive for parts to maintain one. As everyone else says, keep it relatively stock until you're done with college, find a job, then spend money tracking it when you have a stable income. Exactly what i did...

Jared_s13 · 12-15-2014, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the replies and advice everybody! Leaning towards keeping the 240 and keeping mods to a minimum as everybody is suggesting. I love this car and would hate to see it go anyways. As for the geo and civic comments, thanks mom

mothon · 12-16-2014, 04:26 AM

Since it is your daily I would get the Z. I hated having to daily my 240.

driftsucky · 12-16-2014, 06:31 AM

IMO, don't take on any more debt or expense while you're in college. It just doesn't make good financial sense to do so IF your car is working now.
That said...

If you're going to get a nice daily with creature comforts and a VQ, get an 03/04 G35. You can get them for Z money, they're almost identical (feel a little heavier when sliding around a track, but the difference is nominal), and you get back seats and usable (albeit barely usable) trunk. The same nonsense you have to do to work on the Z, you have to do on the G. I've had my G for almost 4 years and have had no real issues. I had to change my headlight bulbs a few times so now I have a quick release front bumper. But other than that, it's a workhorse. But, it's not in any way shape or form a daily. Hell, it's barely a monthly at this point...a summerly kinda sorta.

BuildingDreams · 04-06-2015, 03:56 PM

I have owned both and a Z is a really nice dd but depending on how u drive and how much u drive because is not going to be the same on gas, 240sx usually ~$30 every other week against ~$50 at least once a week (driving 15 miles a day) assuming that both are reliable also parts are around 2 or 3 times more that 240sx parts. Plus a monthly paymant and more expensive insurance so unless u willing to expend ~$600 a moth go for it.

12-13-2014, 10:09 PM	#1
Jared_s13 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 3 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	S13 240 vs. 350z Wanting to get opinions from people who have owned both 240sx's and 350z's. I have been daily driving my s13 hatch for a little over a year now(stock other than bc coils, intake, and exhaust) and am thinking about trading up to a Z. While I absolutely love my hatch, I am a college student it has been very hard to find the time and sometimes money to work on it. I'm thinking of upgrading to the z to have a newer and more reliable car to daily but also still want to have a car to go out and have fun with like my 240. I guess my question is how does the 350 compare to the 240. Both in handling (track, drifting) and in daily drivability and how reliable they are. Thanks in advance for any replies, just trying to figure out if I want to keep fixing stupid shit on my car or get something new.

12-14-2014, 12:32 AM	#2
ultimateirving Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: arizona Age: 37 Posts: 1,521 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Well as a broke college student, extrapolating, you probably should keep the 240. A z will be no cheaper to work on and it doesn't sound like you have money to buy a z straight up, nor should you saddle yourself with a car payment. Focus on school and keep your 240 as long as possible. Save cash for a nicer daily and make the hatch your track hooner. Thank me later when you are financially in a better place __________________ Z32 with lq4 swap Desert Street Scene \|\| Dssevents.com

12-14-2014, 11:35 PM	#5
badass8 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SoCAL Posts: 453 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Just get a nice daily that's good on gas and that's reliable. I had a subaru wrx as a daily and traded for a honda fit. I save $1400 on gas a year, it only has 105hp so god knows I wont try anything stupid. Don't worry I still have a project 240sx at home I take to track days when I have it running. I don't think its practical to use a daily as a track a car as well especially before having a career. Don't be like most of these kids now a days and spend everything on your car. Please realize you should start investing into owning property ie: a house or condo. __________________ Lexus V8 Into S13 Build

12-15-2014, 12:35 PM	#8
omgosh Zilvia Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 210 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Go drive a Z at a buy here pay here or something. They are cheap now. You shouldnt have a problem getting behind the wheel.. In my opinion, if you want an S13 but want something a bit nice but not quite a Z , get a nice S14. A stock Z is quick, but feels sloppy under braking and cornering. There is no room inside at all. It has a stupid high belt line so even at 6'1 I feel like Im sitting in a giant bathtub with no visibility. If you have to do any engine work on it at all, kiss the skin of your knuckles goodbye. You have to take the entire front end off the car (headlights, bumper, CORE SUPPORT) just to UNPLUG the a/c triple pressure switch and replace the a/c dryer. An S14 with $2000 in suspension/brakes/wheels/tires handles like a dream compared to a stock Z, has 4 seats, trunk, room, visibility, you can work on it no prob... looks better IMO. S13 coupe is cool but so old. Its a bit harder to get one to good condition but basically the same as S14 with cheaper parts.. __________________

12-15-2014, 01:10 PM	#9
LockOn! Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: MAPLE BLOCC Posts: 1,070 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've owned many s13s and have been driving a 350z since April. While the Z is far more quite and comfortable, even with coilovers and and exhaust, somehow it manages to be less practical. I cannot fit anything in it and if your like me and traveled distance for college and need to pack your shit up regularly, the space in an s13 hatch or even a coupe is very useful. It can actually be difficult doing something as simple as getting grocery with the Z. Driving an 240 in a spirited manner is more fun IMO then the Z as well, the reason I made the move is I ready for something "nicer". __________________

12-14-2014, 08:25 AM	#3
Ilya Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego Age: 35 Posts: 712 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Ding ding ding^ that's what I did and after being out of college for 2 years and having an amazing job, I still drive my vert.

12-14-2014, 09:57 PM	#4
blueshark123 Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 5,481 Trader Rating: (55) Feedback Score: 55 reviews	civic.....

12-15-2014, 12:28 AM	#6
zurud Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: evansville, in Posts: 391 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	trade your car plus some cash for geo metro

12-15-2014, 01:14 PM	#10
blueshark123 Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 5,481 Trader Rating: (55) Feedback Score: 55 reviews	Yaa z not practical when it comes to hauling shit. The hatch is a fucking joke.

12-15-2014, 02:03 PM	#11
mickluvinnz33 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: sacramento Posts: 7 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i daily my z and i'm a "broke college student" you can easily find a good stock z that hasn't been abused. I think they handle great, super reliable, and basically bullet proof. 04 vq burns a lot of oil though. It just depends on your situation i guess, money wise, if you can afford it do it.

12-15-2014, 06:50 PM	#13
SilviaSR20DET Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,221 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	240's do just fine for college... learn to live with it and maintain it every so often. I drove my s14 daily through college and worked out just fine. Your just throwing more money into a Z if you get one IMO and it gets expensive for parts to maintain one. As everyone else says, keep it relatively stock until you're done with college, find a job, then spend money tracking it when you have a stable income. Exactly what i did...

12-15-2014, 08:46 PM	#14
Jared_s13 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 3 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the replies and advice everybody! Leaning towards keeping the 240 and keeping mods to a minimum as everybody is suggesting. I love this car and would hate to see it go anyways. As for the geo and civic comments, thanks mom

12-16-2014, 04:26 AM	#15
mothon Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: oklahoma Age: 39 Posts: 837 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Since it is your daily I would get the Z. I hated having to daily my 240. __________________ instagram: madness_garages14

12-16-2014, 06:31 AM	#16
driftsucky Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rochester NY Age: 45 Posts: 1,345 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	IMO, don't take on any more debt or expense while you're in college. It just doesn't make good financial sense to do so IF your car is working now. That said... If you're going to get a nice daily with creature comforts and a VQ, get an 03/04 G35. You can get them for Z money, they're almost identical (feel a little heavier when sliding around a track, but the difference is nominal), and you get back seats and usable (albeit barely usable) trunk. The same nonsense you have to do to work on the Z, you have to do on the G. I've had my G for almost 4 years and have had no real issues. I had to change my headlight bulbs a few times so now I have a quick release front bumper. But other than that, it's a workhorse. But, it's not in any way shape or form a daily. Hell, it's barely a monthly at this point...a summerly kinda sorta. __________________ @be_henney kranstogram is full of nonsense and foolishness.

04-06-2015, 03:56 PM	#17
BuildingDreams Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Silver Spring MD Age: 35 Posts: 157 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have owned both and a Z is a really nice dd but depending on how u drive and how much u drive because is not going to be the same on gas, 240sx usually ~$30 every other week against ~$50 at least once a week (driving 15 miles a day) assuming that both are reliable also parts are around 2 or 3 times more that 240sx parts. Plus a monthly paymant and more expensive insurance so unless u willing to expend ~$600 a moth go for it.