Do to technical difficulties beyond my control, yeterday I was unable to post, so today there will be a double posting comparing two great sports cars at great prices in Southeast Kansas. The first continder, representing Japan, is...

a 1981 Datsun 280ZX! Now, I know what you are thinking-that the 280 was just a minor revamp of the iconic 240Z that made it slower and more cliche...kind of like when a remix of a favorite song of the 1970s comes out...it loses its comforting retro-ness while still failing to be ultimately contemporary...just sort of wishy-washy. While the 280ZX may never overcome its older brothers the 240 and 260Z, it is still a nimble, glamourous, and powerful sports car of a byegone era...something we all can appreciate.

This one, listed on Kansas City Craigslist,  is in unusually good repair, as these early Datsuns had a reputation for terminal rust problems. This one is also in running condition, rare as these cars came with one of the first Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) systems and were therefore sometimes sacrificed at a young age by flightly and uneducated owners who feared massive repair builds- some thought it just easier to junk the car, especially if it was beginning to develop rust. Today, however, some 280ZXs are receiveing the loving enthusiast ownership that they have long deserved. This car appears to fit in that catagory, but is only priced at $3200. Here's the link to the 280ZX:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4050278326.html

So, will the 280ZX be able to compete with its competition from Germany, which is this 1984 Porsche 944?

WIth its distinctive paint job and revered badge, the 944 wins almost immedaitely on the topic of curb appeal, but not so fast...while a new Porsche may last a long time, this one has 29 years worth of use, and Porsche is a luxury brand and therefore charges a relatively high price for parts and repairs. Also, you won't get much love from the Porsche purists, who regard the 944 about like Shelby enthusiasts regard the 1978 King Cobras...not pleasantly. Still, for pure street cred, it would work so much better to tell your blind date about your Porshce setting in the parking lot as opposed to your Datsun-just be prepared for some skepticism when she finally sees it, as it does not fall under many of the stereotypical Porsche styling cues. This one does cost more than the Datsun at $5250, but it is still about the most snob appeal you can buy for less than $7500. Here's the link to the 944:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4045707878.html

So, which would I have? I would most definetly go for the Datsun, and I would use the extra money left over from the purchase for a snazzy new paint job, a pair of lambo doors, and some Countach badges...you have to admit that looks wise, the 280Z looks just as much like a Lambroghini as the 944 does to a 911. Don't agree with my descision? Leave your opinion in the comment box and we'll see which one the readers picked. Until then, keep your foot to the floor and drive on!