Strictly speaking, the Datsun 280 ZX was on sale from 1978 through 1983, but it rather reeks of the seventies. And the Saab 900 first appeared in 1979, and went all the way into the 90s, but it has 1980s written all over it, especially as a convertible. These two pristine examples just couldn’t be passed up without a shot, and the other night on our walk, I saw the ZX in a driveway up in the hills. It is like new. So which would you take?
What’s the Z’s license plate doing down there in the bumper, and why does it have a full-width taillight panel? Definitely the first one I’ve ever seen like that.
I actually like the ZX, as opposed to some people who find it an unacceptably terrible mutation of the 280Z. And this one is wearing the best alloys. However, of these two cars as they sit, 900 convertible versus ZX 2+2, I’d have to take the ragtop Saab. If it was a 2-seater ZX versus a fixed-roof Saab, I’d take the ZX every time.
I think the owner has installed and aftermarket filler panel to make the taillights full-width. I recall seeing those advertised for this car in auto parts catalogs “back in the day”.
Yes — here’s an ad for a similar kit (though with the license plate in the center) from a 1983 Reliable Motoring Accessories ad
I’d take the Saab, but it’s mainly because I’ve been a lifelong Swedish car aficionado.
The 900 is actually a 1990, which was also the first year for airbags and ABS in the model.
And the 280ZX is a 1981. Don’t ask me why but I know it’s an ’81. 🙂
The Saab, 100 percent, no thanks on the Japanese Camaro ?
You Americans keep sayin´ that BMW´s 3 Series is the ultimate yuppie car.
But to me the Saab 900 convertible is. The car might have had it´s merits.
But more than that it was all about image and attitude.
Oh – and I would take the ZX.
The BMW 3-series is the ultimate Yuppie Car because like yuppies, it has lost all pretense of individuality and character, other than being a caricature of itself.
Not so any pre-GM Saab.
The Saab. That model there is what made me determined to own one someday. While my ’04 is Opelized, it’s still quirky enough to remind me we’re not in Kansas anymore.
I also had a ’78 280Z for a few years as well. Great car, just hard to origami in to at 6’3″.
What I hated about the ZX was its breathless advertising, as if to attract morons.
what was breathless about it?
“AWESOME!”
I’ll take the Saab over the ungainly ZX, which just got worse with time. Put the 900 against a more classic Datsun Z and then it’s a tougher pick.
The silly sideways slanted font in ALL CAPS that screamed at you from every US magazine! That was the “breathless” advertising…
Looks like a reunion of a long-ago high school Homecoming King and Queen from somewhere in New Jersey. 🙂
If ever there were a prototypical pair of cars to suit the hairy-chested football star and the buxom blonde cheerleader with the winning smile, these two are it.
There was a time when I found the 280ZX more attractive than the 280Z. While I still find the ZX attractive today, I also like the Z.
The appeal of the Saab 900 is totally lost on me, the 99 I get, the 99 isn’t my favorite design either but at least it’s pure, whereas the 900 looks like a third world modernization job to it. And FWD and convertible? No thanks. The 280 would be my choice between the two if if I had a gun to my head, but my god is that roofline ungainly, makes the rear end look droopy.
Might be the rare occurrence I’d pick the Prius
My grandma hit a Horse with a 900 and lived then my grandpa survived a multi car black ice pile up in one.
Their front wheel drive was handy dandy in the snow and the ride was nice for those who do not care for land yachts. The Hatchback is quite useful indeed.
To paraphrase the author Michael Marshall Smith, the Saab is a design where you might not like what it has to say, but you have to admire the strength of its convictions.
Personally I love the look of the 900, and it’s the only car I’ve ever owned–I bought a cherry red 1988 T16S saloon around the turn of the millennium–that I bought *just* because I’d always wanted one, and I wish I still had it today.
Sadly it was written off by a careless driver while it was parked at the side of the road 🙁
I’d take the Prius, though the ZX would be OK if not a 2+2. To me, the Saab convertible is and always has been, wrong in so many ways, I don’t know where to begin.
Having owned a 280Z, I’d go for the Saab….assuming it doesn’t have the almost mandatory automatic transmission. If nothing else, the paint job on the ZX isn’t to my tastes.
I would take a 2 seater 280ZX over that Saab any day, 2+2 or Saab, what are my other options…lol. The Z has heritage and gets respect from most people!
I’d take the ZX the last two Saab ragtops that model Ive seen have grass growing around them non runners seem to abound but the Nissan despite its faults at least will go every time.