This has prob been covered a million times but search has not helped me on this one :)

 

Can anyone point me towards a thread comparing the two? I'm trying to decide which one to go for :) always had the lwb in mind but don't really need the rear seats...

 

As long as it's Targa and TT I'm happy :)

 

Thanks,

Mark

Main visual differeces are fuel tank filler cap .. lwb after wheel arch .. swb before wheel arch

And no bk seats ...

 

Thay are more but with out scouring it all over go unoticed

 

From a distence not much In sight

Cheers :)

 

I spotted the petrol cap giveaway but never really seen the two versions side by side :)

My signature pic is a a pair of red ones, one Lwb one swb. As mark said give away is the filler cap, the cars are identical b pillar forward. The rear hatch is steeper to meet the difference and the rear bumper shallower in the swb. Nissan were very keen to achieve a visual closeness, unlike earlier zeds which the Lwb is very obvious.

 

It's all personal preference, a Lwb is a more stable platform. However a swb makes a better twitcher car more suited to a race car.

Here you go mate

http://www.300zx.org.uk/mod_comp_1.htm

 

The main external difference, apart from being shorter would be the fuel cap, behind the wheel arch on the LWB and I front on The swb.

There's then a targa top, slicktop and convertible

Champion! Thanks :)

 

Still the LWB for me I think then and definitely Targa :)

That's what I thinks the best like. Not just because its what I have or anything lol

the LWB definatly looks the better out of the two imo. the swb looks to short. The Zed is ment to be big and impressive but even a LWB looks small these days compaired to newer cars

LWB it is :D

Champion! Thanks :)

 

Still the LWB for me I think then and definitely Targa :)

 

Depends whats you want from the car. If you need the rear seats for children then the LWB is a good choice, if you don't then go for the SWB.

 

Looks our subjective, personally I prefer the SWB looks. When you are used to the SWB, the LWB looks stretched and gangley, but anyone used to the LWB will say the SWB looks too short and stumpy. (...and the rest cant tell the difference. especially non Z owners). Its all about what you are used to. Most of the best looking Z's in the world are SWB though.

 

You dont choose one just for looks though, the Z is about driving, and I personally would never go back to a LWB.

 

LWB's are plentiful though, so it is easier to find one in the spec/colour you might want, than it is a SWB in this country.

Edited November 4, 201312 yr by Yowser

Get a slicktop if you can find one as they will be the first to appreciate in value in the future as they are the rarest.

 

Although if you are set on being a Targa, then I guess get one of those!

Most of the best looking Z's in the world are SWB though.

 

Nah, nee way lol. I think the LWB is the better looking car. It's all about your own preference like

if you dont need the back seats get yourself a sports car ie swb, slicktop and convertible otherwise you could always get a family saloon lwb

Nah, nee way lol. I think the LWB is the better looking car. It's all about your own preference like

 

lol yeah, its all about what you are used to. I was always happy with the LWB looks till I became more used to the SWB, and now it looks long and thin to me, but most LWB owners will say the opposite.

 

But most of the best looking Z pictures out there, posted up by LWB owners on this site are of SWB's. Mostly becauase most of the pics come from the U.S where the TT was only available as a SWB.

 

The driving differences are more noticeable than the visual differences though.

Edited November 4, 201312 yr by Yowser

I appreciate the slicktop will be a tighter drive (im assuming? ) due to less flex and probably lighter but I really miss having open space above my head from my S2000 days...

 

I currently drive a tintop TT (legacy though not 300 :) )

 

The convertibles are gorgeous but I need boost and couldn't afford a converted convertible :)

I appreciate the slicktop will be a tighter drive (im assuming? ) due to less flex and probably lighter but I really miss having open space above my head from my S2000 days...

 

I currently drive a tintop TT (legacy though not 300 :) )

 

The convertibles are gorgeous but I need boost and couldn't afford a converted convertible :)

 

The slicktop is tighter, but the difference between the SWB targa and LWB targa is noticeable.

 

The SWB is more nimble on its feet, the LWB feels lazier. With the shorter wheelbase you can feel less flex in the chassis, it reacts and turns quicker. When I get out of a SWB and into a LWB I feel like the rear end is just wobbling around behind me. The lower weight allows it to accelerate, turn and brake quicker. You also get less rattles and creaks in the interior.

 

The slicktop just exaggerates these differences a little further.

 

The SWB is more of a sports car, where the LWB is a GT. Thats not to say the LWB does'nt make a good sports car, or the SWB a good GT though.

Edited November 4, 201312 yr by Yowser

I prefer the swb versions they look and feel more like a sports car the 2+2 IMO is to much of a sports tourer

I think the SWB looks the best personally. Although if you're not bothered, just find one that matches all your other requirements and get the best you can for your money.

I think the SWB looks the best personally. Although if you're not bothered, just find one that matches all your other requirements and get the best you can for your money.

 

That's the important part, buy the best one you can regardless of its trim.

That's the important part' date=' buy the best one you can regardless of its trim.[/quote']

 

As long as it's a manual :p

 

The front aspects are identical and the rear is fairly similar (different position of exhaust outlets and wider rear screen on a SWB) so only the side profiles differ, there are plenty of pics to study on Google to help you choose...

And turbo Joel don't forget turbo.

I like both visually. I wouldn't own a slicktop or convertible. Whilst I like both of those too, I really enjoy having the option of having lift out roof panels. I think the LWB looks more elegant with a sleeker roofline, but perversly, I like the SWB for different reasons.

Edited November 4, 201312 yr by Funkysi
Shitty grammar!

I'm near to the Z world myself.

 

From looking and comparing the SWB and LWB versions, the SWB just looks a bit odd. As if the rear is pulled up. But that's maybe just me. I do agree with most in the thread here though, that if you're looking for something like a race car or the likes, it's the SWB. The LWB is more like a Grand Tourer. It's also nice to have the extra space behind the front seats.

 

I definatly agree on that the Targa or T-top is the best choice. Again, personal preference.

 

I didn't want a turbo for two reasons: one being the cooling issues that can happen with the TT, the other and most important issue being the turbos muffling the sound.

 

When I went and bought my Z, I bought on 4 factors: manual, condition, Targa and non-turbo. In that order.

 

So what I ended up with was a LWB 2+2 Targa manual non-turbo Fairlady Z with only 86000 km (or 53k miles) on the clock and a full service history both here and from Japan.

 

Normally I would also have preferred a leather interior, but the cloth interior with the electric seats, that's in mine, are just perfect. So I won't complain.

 

/M

Just purchase a SWB now and have the best of both worlds.....lol.