datsunlover Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 Ok here's the thing: About 3 years ago, I 'built' my first car. I put a SBC in an 85' Mazda RX7. It took about a year and a half of my life, and over $3000 of my hard earned $$$$. I loved this car. It was just amazing to drive, and LOUD!! I have a sick conection to this car.. and I can't explain it. It needed finishing tlc, but it drove ok as it was. After a few months on the road, I had to take it OFF the road (ran out of money to finish/insure it, had to hide it from the cops.. , ect) So after a year of slowly parting a few things out ($300 rad, $250 ratchet shifter, ect) there was now an imobile car sitting on my mothers garage: she wanted it gone and I needed rid of it quick. I ended up trading it for 2 91 Ford escort GT's;one with good engine, one with BAD engine, but good body/interior. Threw two cars together, scraped one shell, sold other car for $800. I kicked myself since then, but figured I got out not too bad (ie; didnt loose ALL my $, just some.... and time) Anyway, I buy my 75 280 for $800 this past summer, and start rebuilding/building it. It's really rough.. been fixed previously god knows how many times, still don't know why it runs like crap.. it needs brakes, and the rockers/door's are rotten. (Ive already welded up the front unibody, rear quarters, frame conectors, ect) Now after all this is fixed, I was thikning of a V8/other engine swap (and I know what is involed in that sort of thing; Read->RX7/V8.) Ugh... Oh I forgot to mention that my RX7 was NOT rotten at all, and had a factory 4 link rear suspension. To which I bolted a Chev 10 bolt rear end. SO...this is where my problem crops up: Today, me and a pal take a drive to look at a 240Z/snowbank behind a house. Its been there for years, and I was thinking of harassing the old lady that owns it to give it to me for $100 or something. She's not home. Down the road (I remember'd looking at a car for sale from last summer) a guy lives that HAD a 280zx, and a 260z. Me and my friend take a drive to his house to see if hes got parts, cars, ect for sale. Holy crap. in his driveway sits my RX7!!! (covered in 2 feet of snow mind you.. ) Turns out he's friends with the guy I traded it to, and HE owns the RX7 now! (Even though the ownership is still in MY name!) Apparently, this guy is working for Honda making good money. He got rid of the Datsun's, and at this point, doesnt have the time/inclination to finish the RX7. He just wants rid of it. I had to ask... He said "I dono... $500 or best offer.." Seeing as he just needs rid of it, I could probly get my car back for 3 or 400 bucks! It would need a rad, drivetrain ($100 chev pick-up or something) and some TLC, But I would love to buy it back.. Thing is, my 280 is out in the back in a portable garage, on blocks, needing brakes, rust repair, engine/electrical work.. and whatever else I find(!?!?) I would like to have both cars.. but don't think it's possible.. I love the Z.. it's a better looking car I think, and I have a lot of time invested in it at this point.. but not too much $$$... maybe $1500 or so. (although in it's current state, I'd be lucky to get $500 for it) but I had a year and a half and $3000+ into the RX7... and to get it back would mean I didn't actually loose all that!! (basically like paying around $400 for storage for the last year! ) And the RX7 is already set up for a SBC. And I know it worked/drove. Needed a front brake upgrade, but so would my Datsun... but I don't know if I could part with the Z.. I've been searching for one for soooo long! AAAHHHHHHH!! I don't know what to do!!! some help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dot Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 I can’t make up you mind for you Matt. Many will try. What I have learned from watching others is that if you keep switching cars all your cash goes to what ever it takes to make the cars road worthy and to your liking. If you stick with one through thick and thin it will turn out nice in the long run. There have been many time times I have thought of selling the Z, even years I haven’t driven it…just no interest. Other times it’s the passion of my life. But if I sell it I will be out for good. Maybe I’ll make baskets or take up drinking…more drinking …and vice. Hhmmmm It doesn’t matter which one you pick as long as you follow it through 100% for the long term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted January 10, 2004 Author Share Posted January 10, 2004 Well, I've got myself stuck on this one now... The RX7 was my first real 'project' car.. and I kick myself because I got out of it before it WAS done to my liking.. I should have stuck with that and seen it through till it was finished... I guess I feel like this is a chance to actually see it finished the way I wanted it.. now that I have the ability to do it.. (half the reason for not finishing it was a lack of knowlege and skills) Also, it's old enough now (1985) that it won't need smog testing, and I'll be 25 in May.. so hopefully insurance won't be as high. But as any of my friends will tell you, I am a Nissan/Datsun guy.. just love the Z.. and would probly kick myself forever if I got rid of it.. My friend who was with me today suggested something; Buy back my RX7, and sit on it. Finish the body work on the Z (in the spring) get it running/mechanicaly fit, and leave it fairly stock. Just a nice summer cruiser/show car. (At least at that point, if I wanted to sell it, I'd get someting for my invested time/money.) Then, build the RX7 back up (after the Z is mobile) ...like a 350/700r4 w/shift kit ...and drag race it, but keep it street legal so I can drive it to the races, and still have fun around town late at night.. heh heh...god.. the hondas have no idea what's about to happen.. I dono.... like said, the Z is pretty rough... after welding in the frame rails last week end and seeing just how much work has been put into the front frame/unibody (before I got it) it scares me to think what might happen with a V8/other HiPo engine in this car.. on the other hand, the 85 RX7 is a very strong unibody; the 'rails' extend from the front all the way to the rear, over the axle (they had to, for mounting purposes for the 4 link rear axle), and I know it was not as badly rusted as my Z is. see.. I've got that pesky Put a V8 engine in a little sports car.." bug.. and I dont think it's ever going to go away.. what am I gona do! Maybe just quit playing with cars all together and join you for a drink dot? hmmm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dot Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 There is basket weaving and vice to do as well. I had a "70 El Cameno with a 454, four speed, all original, as well as the Z. It was hard trying to decide which one to sell. It took me a year to decide. Sort of like women. You really should only have just one. Too dang expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 Funny... I like my girlfriend... but I like um.. other women too... tough to decide... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denny411 Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 Take one look in my shop and my answer would be very clear. Buy back the rx7 and finish them both. I`m currently doing a frame off rebuild on my 71 chevelle, restoring a 79 mgb for my wife, and doing a sbc conversion on my 75 280, not to mention all repairs and maintanance on friends and family vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 Well, I have thoght of that.. At this point, heres the needs list for both cars: 280Z; -weld in/rebuild bottom of both doors and rocker panels -re+re rear brakes/replace front wheel bearings -replace ignition system with zx dizzy (+maybe MSD6AL box) -figure out sensor problem causing poor running engine (TVS, AFM, or ?) -Interior needs carpet, cleaning, and drivers seat re-cover (or maybe 240zx seats?) -Complete full body job/paint when weather is warm enough to allow. (May?!? ) RX7/V8 -source out suitable radiator (needs to be fairly narrow to fit in RX7) -purchase complete chev vehicle to obtain the whole engine/trans/wiring harness/computer all at once. -upgrade front suspension and brakes (??? dono. I'd figure something out) -buy shorty/block hugger headers and get exhast run under car so I have more that 1" of ground clearance! -finish cowl hood and other minor body TLC To me, it would make sense to get the RX7 back and 'sit on it' until I can finish the Z. Then finish the RX7 this summer. (.. really, this would be the only way for me to do it cause I'd be storing it outside in a driveway, as the Z is in the portable garage out back!) The stupid thing is, if I had put the money I've spent on the Z into the RX7, it would be DONE by now! Life is strange... The only real prob is money... there's never enough of it!! From what I figure, I'll need another $1200 or so to finish the Z (Im doing all the work myself, except spraying the paint) and a little less to finish the RX7 to my liking. That's about 2 months of pay for me right now, but I've (obviously) got other bills to pay for besides project cars. Oh yah, I was on the web site last night of the guy I bought my conversion stuff from 3 years ago. I bought a 10 bolt rear end rigged to bolt in to the mazda suspension, and a motor/trans mount kit for $1100. He is now selling the rear ends for $1150, and the motor mount kit for $400!!! That means for me to do this again (with another RX7) it would be impossible financialy right now. Unless I could buy a car with all this stuf already in it for like 3 or 400 bucks.. hmm.. wait a sec!! Looks like I gota find some cash... and make sure the land lord's (the girlfriends parents.. heh heh.. they love me.. not sure why though...) are cool with another car on the property! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZR8ED Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 Well you didn't have that Rx very long.. and neither the Z.... And you mention that you don't even have a place to store it?... you need to see if you can leave it at your GF's parents place?... Sorry man.. I'm not picking on ya at all, but that is a recipe for disaster... I have owned my Z for 15 years to get it this way... I have seen WAY too people come and go with their Z's... If you can't stick with it, your gonna lose.. If you flip flop around with projects, your gonna lose, If you need others assistance to maintain your hobby, your gonna lose..That takes some of your control away, when someone says " ya gotta move it/sell it" etc.. I can't help ya make the choice, but I can tell you juggleing projects.. ESPECIALLY projects in the beginning stages is bad news... Also.. sorry if it I sound like the devils advocate here....but you have no idea what that RX has been through since you had it...don't assume its in decent condition because that is the way you sold it... it could have seen some off road action, and may not be as strong/straight etc.. Parts break... and who knows where it was stored since then...beware of RUST, animals...or worse...police warrents...(since the car was never transfered out of your name, who knows what the car may have been used for....) Becareful.... Good luck... Don't bite off more than you can afford to lose... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted January 12, 2004 Author Share Posted January 12, 2004 OK.. as for storing another car, it's not really the issue. I live in an appartment with my girl, and the appt happens to be the basement of her parents house. And I wouldn't say I NEED others assistance to maintain my hobies, but more often then not, it's offered to me. I help my friends out, they help me.. just the way it is.. Now as for the RX7; when I sold it, it didn't run/drive (needed rad, carb, exhast, ect) and from what I saw of it the other day, it hasn't been driven ANYWHERE in the last year.... so am 99% sure it hasn't seen any offroading/insane abuse/criminal activity. Granted, it is parked outside under the snow... but I wouldn't think it's rotted too much in the past year just from sitting in this guys driveway. And he seams to just want it to go away.. lack of interest in it..and to tell the truth, seamed not to have too much expirience/knowlege about this kind of project.. I think he got the car because his pal (that got it from me) probly owed him money. As for juggling projects.. I can see your point.. but the RX is not in the begining stage in my eyes. It has an engine in it, but if I was to redo the car, i'd drop in something FI w/4speed auto. The design/testing/building stage is done. The rear end, motor mounts, wiring, guages, ect are in. It drove it before in V8 form, so I know it will work again with a good engine/trans and rad. I think that I could probly put the car back together in a week if I had a doner vehicle with the necassary runing gear... The Z.. well, yah it's gona need a complete resto.. which is going to take more than a week. I don't want to sell it though.. it's the better looking car.. just gona cost more money in the long run. Hey.. just like women! imagine that! ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 I'll take the risk, and suggest an actual course of action: definitely get the RX-7! Why? Because you know already know RX-7's well, and it's always best to go with what you know. You already know what parts work, what parts are ill-matched, what the car's weaknesses are, what's best left alone, what needs total rework. I also think that Z's look better than RX-7's, but what matters more is which car you're more familiar with - because skills and experience (and NOT time or money!) will be the main factors that determine whether the car gets built, and how good it will turn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 I guess I fall into the same camp as Michael. Get the RX7 but I'll go one further and say that if you do then sell the Z. It sounds to me like that's really what you want to do and just can't bring yourself to admit it. You REALLY want that RX7 and are willing to draw funds and time away from the Z to acquire and "finish" it. You've listened to several people here tell you it's not good to have more than one project (which is very wise advice), you agree and then you make an argument that justifies buying the car back. So buy the RX7, sell the Z and invest the time and money into the RX7 to do it right. Then when you're satisfied the project is finished and you're ready, find another Z and build it. We won't ostrasize you on this site if you decide on this course of action. I would hazard a guess that all of us have wrestled with this type of decision and the only truely wrong answer is to have to many projects and neglect them all because you've over extended your resources. I hope this helps a bit and feel free to tell me I'm all wet. Ken W. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 You're all wet. (just kidding) Thanks for the replys guys.. Im still on the fence here... I guess what this is comming down to is.. selling the Z.. But in defence of my 'skils', I do know a fair bit about the Z cars (this is my 4th Z, and um... 23'd car in the last 7 years!) and I have a soft spot for them because my first car was a 280zx. The problem now, is that in the Z's current state (read list above) and the fact that it is imobile, would make it worth about... hmmm $250 on a good day? If someone was being generous to me... and I have about $1500-2000 into it already!! stupid cars... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 Hey datsunlover, just get the RX7 back, it's your first love, it's faith that it found you again and you just seem to want everybody here to tell you to get it, so GET IT! You have'nt become attached to the Z yet, your only sore about the Z because of the money. You can always earn more money, you cant earn the same RX7 that you had blood sweat and tears on it. So just get the RX7 sell the Z to another member here and just suck it up and earn more money that you lost on the Z and live with your first love the RX7. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 Well, I'm a little attached to the Z... and parts of it are attached to me.. ouch! damn metal slivers...and rust in my eye.. Anyway, I think I'll put a feeler post out in the Buy/Sell forum.. but my location sucks.. don't think ther'll be much intrest. I'm still toying with the idea of having BOTH cars.. and trying to figure out how to do that.. It's not like I've lost sleep over this (well, maybe a bit..) and I've got some time to decide. The RX isn't going anywhere for a while, and the Z.. well, it's progresing slowly. I go out there and tinker with it/do something on it every few days when the temp gets above -15C. And I need to get a phone # from my pal for an insurance co. that does clasic/hotrod cars. Apparently his father only pays like $200 a year. Hes got a mid 60's triumph convertable. From what I hear, they base your rates on an apraisal of the car, and estimated milage per year. So I'm gona check in out. Heck.. I'll get a quote for the RX, and a quote for the Z... that might be a deciding factor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.