OK guys, I didn't mean that anyone HERE had dissed the ZX; just that the historical image of the ZX in books, magazines, etc. etc. is very unfavorable. Please don't get defensive. 
Just for the record, for me, the plusses of the ZX over the Z are: FI (I'm really spoiled by it; I hate working on carbs, and supposedly there were reliability problems with 78-78Z FI), gearing (easy to find ZXs with 3.93 rear end), shifter feel (my 5sp is ssooooo slick), SOME degree of comfort without being too soft (from what I do remember about the Z I drove, it knocked the **** out of me), T-tops (love 'em), availability of a stock turbo model (fast fast FAST!), somewhat lighter than the late-model 280Zs (as someone else already mentioned), nice stock rims (esp. the turbos), rack-and-pinion steering feel, and other little misc. things.
The Zs certainly have more classic lines (arguably cleaner and better-looking, though I like the '82-'83ZX a lot too), 240Zs can probably be made faster than a NA ZX easier, arguably better handling, 240Zs are lighter, etc. etc.
Not meant as a flame; I love all Z cars (well, except maybe the first-generation 300 and any 2+2
, just my opinions. I'll gawk at a nice 240 or 280Z just as much (maybe even more) as a nice 280ZX.
Jon
Just for the record, for me, the plusses of the ZX over the Z are: FI (I'm really spoiled by it; I hate working on carbs, and supposedly there were reliability problems with 78-78Z FI), gearing (easy to find ZXs with 3.93 rear end), shifter feel (my 5sp is ssooooo slick), SOME degree of comfort without being too soft (from what I do remember about the Z I drove, it knocked the **** out of me), T-tops (love 'em), availability of a stock turbo model (fast fast FAST!), somewhat lighter than the late-model 280Zs (as someone else already mentioned), nice stock rims (esp. the turbos), rack-and-pinion steering feel, and other little misc. things.
The Zs certainly have more classic lines (arguably cleaner and better-looking, though I like the '82-'83ZX a lot too), 240Zs can probably be made faster than a NA ZX easier, arguably better handling, 240Zs are lighter, etc. etc.
Not meant as a flame; I love all Z cars (well, except maybe the first-generation 300 and any 2+2
Jon