You know how there’s some combinations of numbers that seem to just end up in too many places? Like, they have too many jobs to do? A good example of this is 911: It’s the phone number used to call in emergencies, the date the World Trade Center was destroyed, and the model number of a legendary Porsche sports car. That’s a lot of significant shit for one set of numbers to shoulder. Another set of numbers doing a lot of work, though this time more strictly automotive, is the number 240. There are at least five significant cars, all named some version of 240 with maybe a few appended letters, and I think it’s about time we figure out which one is the Autopian Favorite. Clear your calendars, because this is important, people!
The 240s we’ll be deciding between are what seems to be the most significant 240 players: the Volvo 240, the Mercedes-Benz 240D, the Datsun 240Z, the BMW M240i, and the Nissan 240SX. I also may throw in a couple other 240s, too. I don’t think I’m going to include the Chevrolet Bel Air, which did have sub-models with numerical parts of the name, like 150 or 210 or 240, but I think the model is really a Bel Air, so I’m not including it. TS.
So, before we vote, let’s meet our contestants!
Mercedes-Benz 240
Mercedes-Benz has had cars named 240 for quite a while; while there was a C-class C240 in the 2000s, I want to focus on a particular Benz 240 that feels like the iconic member of the club: the 1970s-era 240D. Yes, the slow one! In 1974, the Mercedes-Benz 240D became the first truly mass-produced car to have a five cylinder engine, the 3-liter diesel that made 80 horsepower and gradually dragged the 240D from a stop to 60 mph in an eventual 20 seconds or so, which was still enough to make it one of the fastest diesels around at the time.
Sure, they were slow, but they were dignified, comfortable machines that got great fuel economy and proved to be just about bulletproof. Plus, the early Euro-spec ones had that fabulous upright-oblong headlight/indicator light integrated unit design. Oh, and if you want to think of the later C240 instead(or even an E240), that’s fine, I guess, but I’m not making a separate category!
Volvo 240
I think the Volvo 240 is likely the first automotive 240 that people think of when someone grabs them and bellows “240! CAR!” in their face. There’s good reason for that; the brick-like 240 is a true icon, an absolutely stereotypical Jungian archetype of “car” made real, an unashamed and literal three-box design that’s somehow handsome and practical and even engaging to drive.
Roomy, reliable, easy to work on, at home in rallies or grocery store parking lots, safe, built like a bank vault, fresh air vent knobs that look like Oreos, the 240 has it all. I had a wagon version, but that was technically a 245, so we can’t count it. But we all know the Volvo 240.
Datsun 240Z
Known as the Fairlady Z in its native Japan, Datsun realized that American sports car buyers were not remotely secure enough to drive something called a Fairlady, so it became the 240Z instead. The 240Z offered a potent straight-six under that long hood and styling that evoked a Jaguar E-Type, but with Japanese reliability.
The start of a line of Z cars that continues to this day, the 240Z showed that Japanese cars were more than economy cars, that they could produce a world-class fast GT car, with great looks and real performance, at a reasonable price. It’s a 240Z! You know why you like them!
Nissan 240SX
This is sort of the second Datsun on the list, because as we know, Datsun became Nissan, and then Nissan gave us yet another 240, this time the 240SX. Introduced in 1990, the 240SX was like the old Datsun 240Z in that it was a front engine/rear drive sports car, but the 240SX was a bit more practical, with more interior room, a back seat, and a larger hatch. It only had inline-fours instead of the Z’s inline-six, but the 240SX was light and handled great and was a really appealing package.
They’re adored by drifters because of their great handling, and it’s tough to find one today that hasn’t had its doors hooned and/or drifted off.
BMW M240i
This fast member of the 2-series isn’t a car I know all that much about, though I believe I have driven the basic 2-Series and enjoyed it a lot. These are modern, fast sports coupés making 380+ horsepower and they handle extremely well. Plus, you can get them in purple.
Two Jaguar XK120s
Okay just for funsicles, let’s open this up just a hair and try two Jaguar XK120s to make our 240. These Jags are, of course, absolute legends, with sensual, swoopy styling and swoopy performance to match. While these were made between 1948 and 1954, they were some of the fastest cars anyone could buy. Absolutely lovely.
Twenty Renault 12s
Okay, maybe not the most thrilling car ever, but the longitudinal front engine/front drive Renault 12 is a respectable, kinda-attractive workhorse, moving people and stuff all over the world, throughout Europe as not just a Renault, but as a Dacia, and also in South America where it was also badged as a Ford Corcel. Even if you’re not excited by a single Renault 12, think what you could do with the 20 you need to get to 240! A spec racing series! A whole ride-sharing company! A fantastic night of demolition derbying! Shut down a city center! The possibilities are limitless!
Okay! There are our 240 contenders! Time to vote!
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M240i driver here, and it’s easily the best daily driver I’ve ever owned. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the Benz and the Volvo and they are both excellent cars in their own rights, but nowhere near as much fun as the Bimmer. Hard to argue with the Datsun being in first place, though. It’s an icon for all the right reasons. I’d go Datsun first, BMW second. Volvo and Benz in a tie for third as they are great for the same reasons: dependable, solid, spacious transportation. Nissan deserves better than last, but it’s a bit of a cult car and doesn’t really beat any of the others in any particular category.
OUTRAGED!! You left off the best one!
48% of a Fiat 500!
“48% of a Fiat 500!”
A “Fi”? Is it part of the linup with the “Fa”, “Fo”, and “Fum”? (“Giant Motors, where we make cars to fit large feet!”)
I’ve ridden in a 260Z while it T-boned a Volvo 240, but my saddest car-regret is the Renault 12 that I abandoned in another country after it blew a heater hose and warped its head on a road-trip.
I have a 240Z and gets my vote.
Specialty used car shop down the street from me had a 240Z for sale last year. I’m not in a position to buy it, but it certainly was lovely to see. Gets my vote.
My oldest sister had a 240Z when I was a kid, and several aspects of it will always be vivid in my memory. I’m pleased to see it in the lead.
I like this as a new series. LS comes to mind as one that could refer to a Lincoln, Lexus, Saturn’s first midsize sedan, dozens of Chevrolets over the years with that as the trim, and of course GM V8 engines.
I went with the Datsun. The original Z’s were the first cars I could spot and name in traffic. I loved them then and still do. It’s a classic design.
Second choice would be the Volvo.
I’m heavily biased here as a 280Z owner, but Datsun all the fucking way.
It’s gorgeous stock or slammed on the ground with fender flares, can hold its own in today’s traffic (and shenanigans too), the I6 purrs beautifully, it’s reliable, it’s practical for a 2 seater and aftermarket support is good.
It just makes me feel things everytime I see one, even if right now it make me sad because mine is at the body shop wrecking havoc on my savings.
Feels like this went up a few days early. It’s not February 40th yet!
The Z is far and away the winner in my mind.
I get the Volvo – a true icon.
The Benz is a great car in its own right.
The SX is meh. Ditto the Beemer.
The Datsun 240Z was a revolutionary car. It single handedly changed American perceptions of Japanese cars. I was very into cars in the early 70’s, and you young guys have no idea how Japanese cars were viewed before the 240Z and after the 240Z. It was a true game changer. If only they hadn’t rusted quite so readily…
But what didn’t back then…
These are all iconic cars, it is very odd that they all have the same number. I think of the Volvo, which is funny because my wife has a M240i. But I’d rather have the 240D.
Volvo, Datsun, Mercedes, Nissan convertible please or coupe, Jaguars, Renaults, etc, more etc, bmw last (cause stupid driver today) , sorry about that bmw drivers here, because I know you would never…….
This should seriously be series! Which is the best 850? Which is the best 600? Which is the best 508? The best 420? The best C5?
Can we agree that if we are talking the company it is MB and if we are talking the talented writer it is Mercedes? This is driving me nuts!!!!
Uh, Context.
Only one of the two Mercedes has any connection to the number 240 (I imagine); now if we were talking about 420 the opposite would be true (I imagine).
Only one on this list I ever owned. The most fun to drive. The hottest looking. The one that changed the industry. The one that would make this world so much less fun if it hadn’t existed. The Datsun 240Z.
We had a 240D when I was really young, and have been told a story of when the brakes failed and it went straight through the bottom paddock gate with barely a scratch.
I’ll take my 240 in the form of 3.0379746835 AU Falcons, mate.
Boxy but good. Especially since I had one and regret passing it on.
Jaguar also made a 240, a variation of the MkII with a smaller engine for fuel economy and in some countries to meet tax rules
If I was more inclined towards cheating, it would be the 2 x XK120s, hands down. But sticking with a true 240, how can you not love the ‘Z?
Now, let’s do 1800 for the next round! Austin 1800, Lancia Fulva 1800, Mazda 1800, and of course another Volvo.
I’ll have a goldwing. Thank you!
A million years ago, I was a parts guy at a Volvo dealer. We had done a wholesale order to a little Mom & Pop body shop, and a few days later I got a call. It was the Mom, and she wanted to talk about the order. I took a breath expecting the worst, but she complimented our service and efficiency. I was relieved and flattered, but then came the “but”. Turns out Pop had placed the order and all the parts arrived as needed, but he ordered Volvo 240 parts and they were working on a Mercedes 240. They brought the parts back to us (with some pizza if I remember correctly) and we wrote a credit.
The 240z is the most iconic car in the list and the easy winner.
The 240 is in the pantheon of iconic Volvos and should be second.
The 240D is an iconic Mercedes among many many iconic Mercedes and deserves
M240i is a great car, but I think to most it is an M2, and just doesn’t have enough association with the number itself
240SX There can be only one original, that it was named after the original Z is all you need to know about what order to put them in
Mathematic Multiples–Pleaz…what else we got, 40 Mazda 6s, 80 Mazda 3s, 120 2Cvs…that way lies madness.
“…that way lies madness.” you say that like it’s a bad thing..
1 200SX
2 MX5s
2 Mazdaspeed 3s
1 Scaldia-Volga M24
Whoa, if you can break the 240 up unevenly like that give me:
One F150 Raptor R
One F40
One Gordon Murray T50
Two-hundred and forty Shelby Series 1s, please.
Finally, I can have 2.75862069 Tatra 87s!
For me, it’s the Z. But the Volvo is a worthy runner-up.
That is the correct answer
Yeah. The Z-car was a major milestone in automotive history—notably, a major springboard to Datsun/Nissan gaining acceptance in the U.S. market. The others are good, but nowhere near as important as the Datsun.
I’d even go so far as to say there would be no Big Altima Energy today if the Datsun 240Z hadn’t been such a hit. Whether that’s a good or a bad thing is, uh, up to you.
…
At least the classic Zs were great.
I’m surprised at how good all the options are. I mean it’s kind of odd that so many brands have used such a specific number, but also that (questions of “best” aside) they’re all very good cars? Weird!
Anyway, narrowly it’s the Z for me. It was a hard choice between that and the Volvo though.
Especially since I don’t think there’s anything magic about 2.4l displacement from a tax standpoint, 1.9 or 1.99, yes
Given that I’ve had 7 (maybe 8?) redblock-powered Volvos of various body styles, I think my choice is clear.