How Good Is an Old School Japanese Car? - Datsun 240Z Review

We're going back in time to the very start of the Z platform. What is this iconic car like to drive? Stay tuned to find out.

[vicmilam]

I’m 76 years old now. I took delivery of one of the first of 3 240Zs sold in Atlanta in November of 1969. Oh the stories I could tell you.

[jonathancarrero]

I’m 17 and just bought a 77 280z I just got it running the other day and that proud moment of hearing something you fixed on your own I will never forget

[mostlyirishcarguy]

The looks of these old Z's are just spot on.

[rjbros]

Datsun 240Z is definitely one of the most beautiful (and one of the most legendary) cars ever

[msignal]

You got it. Plenty of room inside cause there's no air bags and crap.

[cj-ibzw]

Great review! You hit the essence of spirit that lives within these cars spot on..Makes me wanna go for a ride in mine just so I can have the same smile glued on my face.

[terrysmith]

I owned a 71- 240Z from 1971-1983. In 13 yrs I put 446, 000 miles on the car. I did springs and valves —honed the cylinder walls and installed new rings. I drove it till I sold it in 1984 and bought a new 300ZX. The 240 was a much simpler and more durable car👍

[Dirtyboxer]

I had a '72 240Z when I was younger, and what I recall of it was it was the best pure driving experience I had ever had. That shell, with slightly tighter suspension, disc brakes all the way around, a short throw shifter, power windows, and a bit more hp would be perfectly at home on a Nissan new car showroom.

One of the features I liked best about the Z is that the back glass is big enough to let you see. There's no need for a backup camera because you can look behind you and actually tell where the hell the car is. Left and right over-the-shoulder visibility is also good, which makes up for the near useless (but cool looking) side mirrors. I never felt unsure where other vehicles were in relation to me when driving the Z, unlike most modern cars.

[ALTREDBAST]

How an enthusiast car should be. No fluff. Just the basics for solid driving fun.

[Solittletimetoomany]

I also owned a 1971 from new! Had a great time running it over the hills and thru the corners of southern Indiana and on many road trips. Loved it. Now a nostalgic moment spurred me to buy a ‘72 a few months ago. In the shop getting fixed up for more fun. Can’t wait to drive one again. Nicely done video.

[DavidBooze]

Thanks for a great review man. I own a 280z, and yes it got somewhat bloated weight wise in 1976. But, the visceral experience of owning and driving a Z is what it's all about. You nailed the feeling and essence of owing a Z in your comments. Keep up the good work!

[OsirisPL]

Great car. Just too many shots of a talking dude and too few of this beautiful machine.

[fifteenbyfive]

The S30: Looks great, sounds great, handles great, feels great.
Linear, visceral, comfortable, roomy, dangerous, FUN, and slow.
IMO the first and best if not only performance upgrade old Z's need is brakes. Put disc brakes in the rear and bigger discs up front and it'll remove the Z's one true deficit. If you can handle well and stop well, you have a much safer car that makes up for the lack of modern safety features like reinforced passenger compartments and airbags.

[AntagonistBK]

Best way to describe driving a 240Z is just the absolute raw experience you get from it. The brakes, the lack of power steering, but the car is a blast to drive. I’ve been daily driving mine for the past year and now I’m finally getting down to the restoration.

[meganspecv]

great video. i have a 260z project car than i'm dying to eventually experience on the road. Thanks for the motivation to keep going.

[richardzedman]

ive been driving mine for 33 years they are also super reliable and a blast to drive

[ibrahimsalame]

I like how the camera shakes, it makes me feel like i'm in the car

[paulandrewforget]

Great review on the legendary iconic 240Z. Good job!

[OAK_MTN]

POP POP POP so much crackle on the L series engines :) I love mine much

[jadjd]

And you have the hippie hair and beard. Looking the part man. True nowadays it's the Subaru BRZ. Comfortable your right. But some people think that it's low in the seat. I like it. Oh, the steering is tight on mind because I replaced all the bushings with polyurethane making it a bit tighter and feeling a little heavy on the steering. Got to love the sound. Just the windscreen pillars are thin, not like today's cars because of safety standards. And we'll besides the engine noise which I like. It is buzzer. But I can live with it. I just saw a 280z being converter to electric. After watching that I thought it was a nice job. But it's soul was removed. The people who did the job did an excellent job. But again the engine removal. It has no soul. So it great to see someone appreciate the machine as it is. Thanks again for showing it. I've seen this video several times . And each time it just brings me back.