Old vs New - Does the New Nissan Z Really Live Up to The Original 240Z?
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- ( www.alltfl.com/ ) Check out our new spot to find ALL our content, from news to videos and our podcasts! The new 2025 Nissan Z has a ton of throwback elements to Zs of the past, including the iconic 240Z that started it all. How well does the brand-new sports car actually live up to the ideals of the original, though? Let's find out!
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#nissan #classic #review
my first car, in 1987, was a 1973 240z. The price was $600 and to say it needed work is an understatement. But it was a ton of fun. I'd love to have a new Z.
Bro, mine was a 71 240z ,classic orange with grey and black primer and bondo all over it. I paid 800 and even that was too much!...it literally had no floorboards cuz they were rotted out.. the seller had sheetmetal from an old washing machine, screwed over the gaping holes that were there under the sheet metal! unbelieveable!... I had a neighbor who was a welder. tackle cutting out the rot and welding in proper sheet metal.. My 1st sportscar.. lots of work and alot of fun!
No. I do not understand why everyone is nutswinging on a V6 powered overweight, overpriced 'sports car'. It's not a Z and never will be. 1970-1978 were the years of the true Z.
I grew up in that car, learned to drive in that car, and I will always love my Dads car
Buddy I grew up with, his dad had a 240Z. Then a Heritage black and gold 280ZX. Loved those cars and eventually bought a gently used 2006 350Z with the 6speed, convertible top, factory NAV, the works. Amazing car and you never miss a chance to rev out that sweet V6. That sound is addictive. Great review guys
My grandfather had a '71 240Z. He regularly drove through the mountains of North Carolina for work and he adored that car. I remember riding in the back when I was very little (it was a different era) and just having the best time while he whipped around corners. My only real gripe 50+ years later is that he didn't save it for me! He sold it and I had to settle for an '82 280ZX in my teen years.
I agree that the newest one pays the best tribute to the original. In '95 I became the 2nd owner of the last year 240Z. The original owner cut the exhaust at the 2-1 collector and made it dual exhaust all the way to the back with glass packs and there was a flat spot between 4500-5000. I found out from Z-tuners that it needs the exhaust to go into single in order for the pulses to help draw out the exhaust so I had a 2- into 1 collector back on the stock manifold and ran 2 1/2 tubing to the back with a single turbo muffler. Immediate difference and ran hard to redline. Sounded like a small V-8 at low RPM and half a Ferrari at redline. One time I made a 360 mile trip in 4.5 hours and the car ran like a champ. When I got home I could have jumped back in it for another trip. I spent two years taking it apart and replaced every bushing and rubber part with factory parts. Mine was a rare blue with white interior(black dash and carpet), had A/C, intermittent wipers, electric antenna. After all that work I was about to have the head rebuilt and ported and the car painted but, I had an unfortunate garage fire and lost the car. One of my saddest days as I still think it was my favorite car I ever owned and I've owned a few nice cars over that time period. Love all of your reviews.
Man...that's brutal...
No it doesn't. WTF does the original Z have that this does? NOTHING. If you have a 240 (I have a 1973), then you should know this is an overweight, electronic-laden, V6 piece of schidt.
@@VBMichael_D The bulge on the front hood, the long nose and the split grill like he mentions. I didn't say it's exactly the same. I said it pays the best tribute so far. Every new car is laden with weight because of all the safety equipment regulations so you can't compare that at all. If you read my comment you'd see I no longer have it but, mine was also a 73 with a 72 motor (less restrictive emissions on intake manifold) and a 78 hood with air vents. I also had replaced the stock SU's with rebuilt ones that addressed the air leaks on the butterfly shaft by having a bushing in there. Mine ran like a champ and had it to 140 with a tailwind and only a 4 speed. I would never buy any new car let alone this Z but, it looks better than the previous ones it replaced.
@@RedBud315 Yes I can compare it. If Nissan is going to call it a Z, then it should have Z qualities. Stop deflecting! They did the same stupid s*** with the R35 GTR.
It's laden with weight because of all the sound deadening crap, the electronics (we know it will have a nav system, etc). Define 'safety regulations' that are REQUIRED on this car.
The Scion BRZ/Subaru FRS weighs about 2800lbs. A proper inline 6 in a frame like that would not weigh more than 3000lbs, and it has the 'safety equipment' stuff you are trying to use as an excuse as well.
There is zero excuse for this car to weigh this much. Zero. As well, ZERO excuse to use V6 engines in sports cars. You and everyone else who has been in the tuning field for more than even a few years, should know this. Toyota did, when they brought back the MKV Supra, even though Toyota's 2gr-fe is about as good of a V6 as you can get, in their lineup.
@@VBMichael_D Every one is entitled to their opinion and I really could care less about any new car out there as I have no plans to ever buy a new car at my age. In my opinion the Corvette is the best bang for buck in its entire history but, it's not everyone's.
Story for you: I laid out a back-road rally course in University using a Volvo 122S. It came freezing rain the night before the rally and the winner on those bad roads? A then-new 240Z with one very proud lady driver.
A lady driving a Fairlady? (That was the original name of the car when sold in Japan.)
@@jimcady9309 Yes indeed - this being Canada, the car badges read 240Z
@@BWGPEI yeah, same down here in the soon to be Fourth Reich. My brother had a 260Z back in the day. Great cars!
When I was 13 in 1969 my dad bought a brand new Datsun 2000 Roadster. Man, I loved that car and we would take Sunday drives through beautiful back twisty roads of upstate NY. My dad is gone now but those are some of the best memories of my life.
When the 240 came out shortly after, we were both very enamored but my dad was not able to buy one. Ten years later, I was able to buy a 1970 240Z and loved that car too. I wasn't old enough to drive the 2000 so can't compare the driving experience of them both but having the top down on the 2000 added to the overall feel.
I did own a 350Z a few years ago and really liked that car too but it did not have the raw feeling the 240 did. I'm sure the new one is an amazing car but way too much money and too much electronics for me. I think I might starting looking foe a 240 but I think prices of them have gone up quite a bit.
Tommy's quote of the carbs being soulful hits the nail on the head. As I get older, the carburetor is a bit of magic. It's adds so much to a vehicle. Tinkering, fun, having to gain knowledge of an "archaic" fuel delivery system. By far I feel like the classics are peak automotive culture. Back when vehicles had to be built with purpose in mind. Not built to be a Swiss army knife.
Both look exceptionally amazing! Great video, fellas!
Love the 240Z- I was a big Datsun fan when I was a kid- from the B-210 hatchback to the 620 truck.
My sister had a 71 240 in 83/84 and someone shot bottle rockets in the open windows in the driveway. I was leaving for my busboy job after school and saw flames coming out... Inside was destroyed, a shame as she did alot of work to it. I used to get the spare keys and drive around when nobody was home when i was 15... Loved it, quick and fun, had an 8 track with Blue Oyster Cult Godzilla on it, perfect. Saved up $1200 and bought a one owner 67 Mustang 289 coupe a guy inherited from his aunt, he needed a minvan... Daily for 4 years, midnight blue metallic, my girlfriend loved it. The 80's was wild.
I feel like the fact that I see old z cars on the road maybe once a week but I haven't seen a new one on the road in the last 5 years speaks for itself.
LOVE IT! Love them both! But man the sound of the Datsun 240/280 series, , , , just amazing.
My first car was an 86 300zx 2+2. I've had 6 Zs since, including my current Z...my 7th...a 2014 6mt Roadster Sport Touring that I ADORE. I've had it for over 8 years now. Was considering trading it in on Mt GT-R but couldn't do it. "¿Por qué no ambos?"...lol
Another great video guys. I really like that 240Z. It did sounds good too.
That classic 240 always sort of reminded me of my all time favorite Ferrari the classic Daytona.
AWESOME EPISODE 😁
I had a 1970 240z back in the 80's when they were just old used Datsuns. I found my car for sale for $3800 in the classified adds. Loved that car.
That was a lot of money for that car in the 80s. When I was looking, they were under $2500.
I have still yet to see a new Z driving on the road today! Cmon Nissan !?!
I wish Nissan would bring back an actual modern classic 280ZX turbo 2+2 with T-Tops. They would absolutely sell like crazy.
I'm not very into japanese classics but you just have to love the 240Z, such a fine design!!
The new one seems fun to drive, but I'm not sold on the looks, too much of a generic modern sports car, even with the throwback styling cues. Fun video though, thanks guys!
Lol, new one is safer in case of a crash, though
@@zythr9999I love safety and technology, but this would probably not be a "daily driver" car without some modifications, as long as you're a pretty good driver you wouldn't hurt to drive an older car once in a while.
Doesn't look generic, and older sports cars look the same as each other as well
Enjoy the Old vs New reviews. Keep’em coming
Its a good day when TFL drops!! More pre war content please :)
The first generation is so unique and stylish
Well done brothers.
The original Toyota FRS reminds me of the 240z in the simplicity and driving.
We need a new drinking game in which everyone takes a shot when Kase says: “To your point” in any video. You guys are doing a great job.
Great video guys ! I always liked the Z cars. I wanted a 280z when I was younger, but couldn't afford it. Now that I'm older, I have a 2017 370z convertible. I love the car.
240z hands down no contest which i would want.
A friend and coworker had an immaculate red 240Z and for some inexplicable reason chose to sell it and get a new car. This was back in the late 90s. I still give her grief to this day…
Another new car making the old car look really good.
New car looks better troll
When you see the 2 cars side by side, the 240Z is much lighter and lithe looking. Probably weighs a good bit less, too. So on exterior looks, the older car has it, but the modern car is going to be so much safer and, dare I say, reliable, that I would choose it.
Thanks for the great overview from someone who remembers the original when it was new.
i have a 75 280 2+2 . so much fun .i would never give her up
Ohh the RZ34 has mechanical hang brakes. Love those over the press to brake buttons.
The rear visability of the 240 is impressive. Notice how light that rear camera shot it. No need for cameras!
60k for this is silly… at 45-48 it might be compelling, but you’re in C8 territory among many others. Nissan has to figure something out. No one is buying them (or any of their other cars at the moment).
17 “sustainability” goals nobody voted for = root cause
Declining auto sales seems to be the norm lately.
I suppose the model they drove was more loaded but the one sitting on my local dealers lot is priced at 52,000. And if you can buy a C8 new for anywhere near 60K do it. Nothing here is less than 80K
@@davep2945 You can get them at sticker now... I had no issues picking up an LT1 at $63k. Guess it depends on the market?
300zx TT, best looking Z ever made
The heritage really is how the Z should have looked from the get go. They nailed the old vs new style and feel. They fixed the terrible design of the front intake and did all the nice throw back touches. Good job.
400hp Z is a little too late. The 350Z should of had 400hp to compete with 400hp C5 Corvette. The 1990 Corvette had 300hp and so did the 300ZX. The Z use to compete with the Corvette. Even in the 80s those cars had 200hp. 400hp for $60-70k is steep when that is the price of a 490hp base model Corvette. The Z needs 500hp in 2025. Upgrade turbos and injectors.
I knew a guy, when I was in High School his entire property looked like a junk yard. The only thing that was polished and clean was his dad's 240z.
Lots of guys used the 240z to break into the vintage racing series.
The new Z looks great, but Nissa missed the mark with the headlights. They could have design it with round headlights with the clear plastic and the double grill. That would have been the ultimate homage to the 240z and it would have sold better. I own a zx83 and was looking forward to the new one. But didnt sale me on the classic look, except for the badge on the side pillar.
Plastic.
My brother had many really cool cars in his time (an early '70s Camaro, an Alfa-Romeo GTV6, a Triumph TR-6 until it was totaled less that 24 hours after he bought it, a Lotus. . .etc.) One of the coolest was a Datsun Z (I think it was a 260Z). Metallic green, fairly close to the color you might see on an early '70s Gran Torino. Beautiful car! I was too young to drive by a long shot. Too bad. Anyway, the new Toyota Supra is actually a Z car of sorts. . .under the skin it's a BMW Z4!
The biggest problem with sports cars is that manufacturers can't make them like the 240 anymore due to crash and safety standards. I think sports cars would sell more if they could still be made, small, light, stripped down, and affordable. But the problem is, the emissions, crash, and safety requirements make them big, heavy, bloated, and expensive. Most people can't afford a second car as a "toy". So modern sports cars have become $60k-$100k "daily drivers" that are impractical to drive daily.
I'd take the old one. Datsun used the Jaguar XKE E-type coupe for styling inspiration.
Newer one is much better
@@bobdylan6773 To each thier own. I like old school simple over new techno gadget.
I still haven't seen any new generation Z, Regular or Nismo. Not on the road, car shows, C&C, race events. Frankly not convinced it even exists to actually be sold and it feels like just a marketing bait-and-switch/showroom art to try and sell Rogues. Someone at Nissan really didn't want to do another generation after the 370.
Meanwhile I've seen quite a few 240 & 260 z's, and they're so awesome.
My local Nissan dealer has some lying around in fact they got at one point 2 of them for sale
i've seen about 10 dodge hornets, 3 cybertrucks, but not a single z.
I've yet to see one in my area either. It's kind of weird.
The Zs are everywhere, open your eyes
@@bobdylan6773 clearly not
I drove these old Zs in the early 00s when I was in college. I had 3 of them despite being a broke college kid. They all ran but I could only afford insurance on 2. Loved them. After I started working I got a 350z and did a lot of tracking with it. Later on I go a 370z after owning the 350z for 4 years. The new Z is more like the 350/370 duo and not really like the 240/260/280 cars. The Supra to me is more old school Z with the long hood ect. ect. I wanted to get the new Z but went with the Supra because it harkened my old Zs.
280z I my favorite! But the new Z is absolutely amazing. And with the proper upgrades, you can actually hear feel and know what’s going on with the car.. not like other cars that are made today which are very numb feeling behind the wheel. Some give you no feedback at all.
I have driven the 240Z, 280Z, 280ZX turbo 2+2 with T-Top. 280ZX turbo is my favorite.
These are both beautiful cars. One would be lucky to have either
I had a '72 240Z back in the 1990's, loved that car. I quite like the new Z but it's way too expensive, and has far more technology than I'm comfortable living with.
The "badges" on the 240 were also vents I believe? True?
Sidewall is most of the reason that car is smooth.
My first experience was in 240z. Then a close friend growing up had a 280z. I own a 370z and really do not want a replica of a 240z. Nissan made a huge mistake by paying homage to models where consumers have no awareness and are looking for a bargain priced sports car. With the Nismo we have a more track focused car - but 99% of z car owners are not tracking their cars. I've driven mine up and down the East Coast and cannot fully explain the thrill of it. With this newest gen, I was hoping for an upgraded center console, dash and plastic door panels. The Heritage edition and Classic should have contrast stitched leather seating, improved interiors teamed with some of the latest tech. Nissan nearly put the Z into the grave...I'm hoping it can survive!
4:26 that altima with both bad bumpers looked like it was going to pull out and t-bone the cooler Nissan
The old one, all day, any day
Any S30 are great the S30 in my Opinion are king!
I have yet to see the new Z in Kansas City. Do they really exist?
Does the engine have a timing chain or are they still hanging on that rubber band timing belt?
The 240z is the best of the z cars.
Yeah, they missed the boat when they dropped analog gauges. I see no advantage of a computer screen, other than they cost more and add to profit margins.
More reliable, no cables or servos, cheaper.
@ more reliable?? 😂😂😂. I’ll agree to disagree. So will my original 67 Bonneville and 53 Chevy pickup.
@ We used to have to change some of them, put graphite in them, seems fuel gages were the worst to be off, but who knows about temp and oil pressure and such. And the speedo needle wobbling and making noise, they weren’t great.
@ yeah, I had to use the graphite for speedo on 67. Gas gauge went out in 2018(I’ve owned since new.) I’m just old fashioned and think old gauges look much better. On the other hand the 53 Chevy has never had an issue.
My dad had that 240z 1975 they need to bring back the I6 we traded for the 1983 Datsun maximum with the straight six with the 5 speed manual transmission the car when to my mom.
While those both are beautiful cars in their own way, the 300zx has design cues what were revolutionary for it day. Which The new Z borrowed its rear taillight design from
I wish the new Z exhaust sounded like a 300zx
Back when cars felt like they had a soul and character. They were drivers cars.
Unfortunately that characteristic is being taken away from us from automotive manufacturers. I feel we are reaching the end of an era.
Local dealer is trying to get 65k for a new nismo. 65 for a tarted up 350z. They couldn't even be bothered to redo it.
what happened to the rectangle grille on the new z 😂
I love my 2018 370Z heritage it's a great car cost new $31,000.
The new one looks better. A lot better.
Hands down, the best looking Z is the 300ZX. Between the two though, I wouldn’t turn down either.
I admire extreme pation some folks hold for some cars.
The shear praise for older cars gives an impression that old cars are real deal and new ones are just trash.
Yet, the same journalists drive modern cars daily. Noone from them dare to drive a classic car daily though.
I was kind of on the fence on the new Z styling from the front but this update to the grill IMO makes it look worse. 😨😵😳😬
I've seen enough of TFL's videos to know that while Tommy complained it was missing analog gauges the truth is if it had analog gauges he'd complain it wasn't modern enough. The Supra versus Z debate needs to stop. No one is cross shopping them. They either like the look and performance of the Z or of the Supra and that's that. And absolutely no one who can afford them and is actually planning to buy either is worried about a tenth or two in zero to 60 times or track times when they will never once put a tire on any track. And, seriously, if you must debate their merits then wait until Toyota actually makes a house built Supra again. The current Supra is a BMW with a Toyota skin and some tweaks whose performance is equaled by a couple of BMW's that share the same power train but that give you more features and room for less money.
Yeah, the Bimmer is another Z. . .the Z4!
I remember when 😁
I understand that you want to switch drivers when you switch cars, but one driver could provide a better comparison of how the cars feel.
The original 240z looked like no other car. Icon.😊
The new Nissan Z looks like every other car. Meh. 😐
what you say?! the original Z was a budget copy of the E-Type Jaguar. In it's time it looked like what a lot of JDM of that era was. itty bitty 'best hits' of popular European and US car styling ques.
I think the younger generation has forgotten that in the 60-early 80s Japanese cars were regarded in the same vein as Hyundai and Kia in the 90s-early 2000s.
150 gross HP, probably 105 or so SAE net which makes it a sled by today's standard.
Of course the 240z is better looking; it was styled after the gorgeous Jaguar E-Type.
Gimme the original 240Z! Forget the new 400. IMHO,,Original,,all day,every day
Dealers still ruining them
It's just a refreshed Z34.
One is a driver's car, the other is a rolling computer.
Nissan is in danger of going out of business.
Jaguar has just quit making cars.
My dad had a 280Z as our “family” car and his commute car. No it was not a 2+2 my brother and I rolled around on the parcel shelf.
In the what?
Be happy it exists . Nissan trying to keep the lights on at the moment
They don't have issues keeping the lights on
I go for original Datsun zed 240🤓
I know it's trivial to some but...one is a Datsun 240z the other is a Nissan. Would rather see a 2024 Datsun 240z
It's feels like Camero making a Firehawk. Just isn't the same
Same company, Datsun was the name before it became Nissan. When they started selling cars in the US success was by no means certain. Since Nissan is a contraction of the owner's first and last names they used Datsun in the US to avoid damaging the company and owner's name if the venture failed.
The 240 is a better car More race heritage The new one is owned by stellanis would not trust the reliability The late great actor Paul Newman raced for Datsun
The Datsun Z along with government regulations killed the British sports car industry…
The original Z was a much better design. The new version is just another video game on wheels.
240 😊
It looks better but the new z still doesnt look good
I tend to see the new Z more a GT car. Nissan over priced the Z. I have only seen 2 Z’s on the road. They must be doing something wrong as sales seem to suck.
That nissan V6 sounds like a cheap blender
buy new one i would hate the gauge cluster and climate gauges
You would choose one of the worst cars ever made over one of the best cars ever made... Because you like the instrument cluster better??
😂 I wish there were more people like you in the world because demand is driving the old z prices through the roof and out of my range.
Newer one is better in every way, including looks
That 400 is not a Z. I have a 73 240Z. That 400 has NOTHING that makes a Z, a Z. Lightweight? Hell no. 3500lbs is a 4dr sedan. My 240 weighs 2450lbs.
Inline six engine? Nope. Nissan's CEO decided to be cheap (you are cheap when you put V6s in sports cars, esp when you have built world class I6 engines). Affordable? LOL, no. $50000 +. This is priced like KTM priced their RC8.
Simple/bare bones interior? Nope. Chocked full of nanny electronics for beta male drivers with no skill.
Dude you should see the engine that’s in it is known to blow up in the Infiniti version and these engines are expensive
More like "old and older" Nissan Z's
❤Both
I had a 370Z, I see the 400 is worse .... way more expensive with a lot of flaws some of them are quite major .... the market agrees with me, nobody is buying it and Nissan is on the edge of bankruptcy
Nissan should have released a modernized Z32. Instead, they went with a retro 240Z that almost none of their customers have a connection to. (Which is a refreshed 370Z in reality.) Then, the dealers marked them up to a level that made them irrelevant.
Poignant.
This, completely this.
Digital gauges on the driver seat… Nissan fail on that part
I know looks are subjective, but NO-ONE ever said a S30/240-260 Z was a "beautiful" car. It looked "nice" but I remember these cars when they were cheap and plentiful, and it was neve an icon for looks. It was a budget copy of the Jaguar E type for goodness sake! lol. The Z was ALWAYS a great budget performance car. Sure it can be made to look more aggressive. but it was just what it was. That said the New one objectively looks much better to my eyes. Maybe i's a generational thing. with younger people having a slightly misplaced nostalgia for what they never experienced and frankly over rating objects of the past since they have no context of the time peiriod.
Well, it was a budget copy of the Porsche 911. But with a budget copy of Jaguar suspension.
Nissan came around and ruined the Porsche 911's market, just like Lexus did to the Mercedes w126.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While I lean more towards sports sedans than two seaters it is you in need of context. When introduced the Datsun's looks were praised and placed in league with the E type 911 and Ferrari Daytona. And FYI the E type was also a budget sports car and the Datsun had the nicer and much better laid out interior. It was also well made and reliable compared to the questionable British build quality and biblically poor reliability of the Jag. Not to mention it was as quick as the 911, handled better and sounded as good as the Ferrari (the Italian v12 and the German designed Japanese i6 were perfectly balanced) while selling for 1/4 the price of either.
I love watching these cars for sure but i don't enjoy driving them. I prefer quiet cars where i don't fell shifting at all