Wanting to get my dad a 280Z, have a few questions

[spydercrabb]

Okay, basically I have the oppurtunity to get a 280Z from a family friend who lives quite a ways away, it has had a lot of work done to it to keep it in decent condition (Rebuilt engine/trans and new clutch, floor pans replaced, frame reinforced, and next to no rust anywhere, replaced suspension, and a bunch of other stuff). My dad had a Z years ago when I was a kid, and the thing was a blast, but he and I were both a bit smaller back then (it happens to the best of us I guess ). What I want to know is if any of you guys out there are bigger? I sat in a Z like 1yr ago but don't really remember how I fit in it (I am 6'2" 270lbs and my dad is 5'11" and about 250lbs), I know I had enough headroom so that isn't too much of a worry of mine but I am wondering if me and my dad would feel cramped in it? If I get it I will be driving it 16+ hours home, not all at one time but I do want to be semi comfortable while I am doing so, and I want my dad to be comfortable when he drives it daily. So is there any bigger guys out there that can give me advice on how a 280z fits you, and if it is uncomfortable how you changed it up a bit. This is going to be a late Christmas Present/55th Birthday Present for my dad, and I am set on getting him a 280Z, just want to know how to make it as comfortable as possible for him, I know he wants one (been talking about how he regretted selling it more and more recently). Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

 

PS: I am sorry if this is posted in the wrong thread, I am new to the site and trying to get everything figured out, I am hoping to become a daily user once I get my dad a 280Z!

Edited January 17, 2010 by spydercrabb
Forgot about the last part

[z-ya]

I'm 6'2" and 250lbs and I fit in a 280Z. It might be a little tight width wise. 240Z have a bit more room. I drive my 240Z 700miles in one day without feeling too bad after..

 

The stock seats are not all that comfortable. I put Miata seats in mine, and it made a big difference in comfort.

[spydercrabb]

Thanks z-ya, that is what I was wanting to know, my dad is a little smaller than I am, although I am pretty proportionate and he as a little bit of a beer belly haha. The Z has aftermarket seats in it too, not Miata seats but they are definitely wider than the normal 280z seats. I love the old Z's, and have some good memories in them. I remember my dad taking us to the bus stop, me and my little brother sitting in the window while my older sister/brother sat in the front seat. It stinks that he had to get rid of it, but my larger family didn't permit for a car as small as it was. I am hoping it will be a decent surprise for him, I think he'll love it, it is definitely better than the older Miata he was considering buying. I am definitely gonna have to sneak in some drives of it when I come home though

[datsun723]

Just pick one up for yourself

[turboHLS30]

^You have a point. Spydercrab don't you think you will have a long enough "sneak" joyride on the way back??? LOL

[zpizzaman20]

280 seats are not the best, when I put new covers on mine the shop put a bunch of extra foam in them, helped a lot. I am 6-2 and about 280lbs.

[spydercrabb]

Well, I am biting the bullet and I'm gonna go pick the Z up sometime this week for my dad. I am also stopping in Dallas to check out a Z for myself, sometimes you just can't resist the temptation (I have always loved these cars). Luckily for me, both cars have aftermarket seats in them so that should make things a lot more comfortable, I just can't wait to drive them

[NATURALLYASPIRATED]

Well im 6'1 and 250, and bigger shoulders the width is not much but roll that window down and your good to go!

Man i miss the excitement of going to pick up the zed for the first time!

[spydercrabb]

I picked up the Z today, and also got myself one from Dallas area . I literally just got back, and am excited to have gotten my first Z, and one for my dad as well. I will post pictures as soon as I can of mine, it is definitely not mint condition but it is a beast of a car, and is WAY to easy to peel out in (I did it a few times unintentionally). The car did feel a little bit cramped but nothing I couldn't deal with, I was fine with it after a little while.

[T-Bone028]

Congrats!!! I think there would be nothing better than sharing a passion for S30's between father and son, along with having a little friendly competition on who's car is better in what areas as you two start making some changes. Its going to happen, might as well lay out a gameplan now! Hope to see some pictures of both when you get a chance.

 

I would also second the miata seats. They were in my 240Z when I got them and they are a lot more comfortable than the stock seats in my 260Z...but then again I'm only 5'9" and 160.

[spydercrabb]

Yeah, I am definitely going to take some pictures of mine as soon as I can, I go to college though so it will have to be when time permits haha, my dad's is 200miles away from me right now (took it home and then came back to college) so I wont be able to get pics of it for a little while. The racing seats are pretty comfortable, they do dig into my legs a little bit but it isn't something I can't deal with, I mean, I am willing to make sacrifices to have this car. AND the Z is really really loud, I love the fact that it doesnt sound like a late 90's model honda civic. Okay, you can probably tell I am excited about the car, so I am going to stop my rampage now:icon45:

[turboHLS30]

How did your dad react to the Z???

[spydercrabb]

He loved it!!! I was kinda mad at the guy I bought my Z from though, he put normal lug nuts on the rims (I believe you have to put lugs that go inside the hole around the stud) so I was driving 20mph and my wheel flew off The rear quarterpanel bent but is still in alright shape, so are the axles and everything, but considering the fact that I drove the car 250miles with the wrong type of lugs on it, I was kind of ticked off (he told me they were tightened). The wheels I have are stock aluminum 280zx non-turbo rims like these http://www.dorikaze.ca/guides/guides_280zx.jpg , so now I get to order the right lugs before I can drive it again

[spydercrabb]

O'reilly's had the lugs I needed, got 16 for 20 bucks, a lifesaver compared to the $8 it cost to get the OEM ones. I am going to get some pictures up of the Z soon though, so I'll keep you posted

[turboHLS30]

Dang that sucks atleast your OK, and there's no major damage to the Z.

[JMortensen]

OEM Nissan wheels take a different size than the O'Reillys aftermarket mag wheel lugs. I can't see your picture, but you did describe the wheels as Nissan wheels, if so get Nissan lug nuts. Get some from a wheel shop used, or go to a junkyard.

 

Very cool thing to do for your dad, BTW.

[NATURALLYASPIRATED]

It's good you got them home! I ran into a issue with mine on the drive home from Chattanooga to Nashville, the tire valve was leaking air because of the

Boot the college put on it because of the P O, fortunitly for me my sisters nissan versa spare fit!

 

Your lucky though my dad likes my cars but too hard for him to get in and out of as well as my 944, if I could afford to I'd get him the car he used to own back when he was

My age, a 1971 442 w30 oldsmobile cutlass 4 spd, now that he would love

[spydercrabb]

Luckily for me, the lugs fit it perfectly, so I am out of the rough on that one. I am still trying to get some pics, for some reason my phone dies everytime I take a picture.