Guest comeandzpa Posted April 5, 2004 Share Posted April 5, 2004 I really love my Z. It's a great car, loads of fun to drive, especially in summer w/ the T-tops off. It looks nice, gets lots of grins and some thumbs up. Handles like a dream, drives pretty fast. However, it may be time to say goodbye. We found a large rusted-through section in the spare tire compartment, pictures can be found here http://hybridz.org/nuke/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=32602. Last weekend my dad and I were changing the oil and he noticed that he can stick some fingers through my floorboard on the passenger side. When I bought the car we had to have the frame rails welded so they wouldn't crack in half. In the 3 years we've owned it, we've put in 2 new batteries, a new alternator, starter, coil, distributor cap, plugs, plug wires, 3 new sets of rear rotors (e-brake stuck and warped them), all inadition to the frame repair. The body is in really good condition, especially for a 23 year old car that spent its entire life in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There is a little surface rust, but nothing really bad, and certainly nothing that a little sanding couldn't fix. While I do love driving it, what I DON'T love is filling the gas tank every 200-300 miles. ~$35 every week gets expensive when you work a near minimum wage job. That said, I think it may be time to move on. I really want another Z, but there is a depressing shortage of them around me, especially in good condition. I have been looking around lately and there is an 83 2+2 that is in really good condition, 69,000 miles, no rust, all new vacuum lines that the guy wants $3000 for. I just don't like the styling of the 2+2's so I'm looking elsewhere. I found a 1987 Chrysler Conquest Tsi with 70,000 miles for $2700, not sure of the condition though. I also am considering RX-7s. Whatever I get, I'm going to want something nimble that is RWD and cheap to buy. Are there any other cars I should look into? I really hate to part with my Z, but it's just not practical to keep fixing everything that breaks in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted April 5, 2004 Share Posted April 5, 2004 Concerned about maintainence and you're looking at a Conquest TSi? ROFLOL!!!! But seriously, folks. Think about what this car has cost you while you've owned it. Sure, it's needed some work, but think about what a new car would have cost you, in both purchase price, insurance, depreciation, fuel, etc. The cheapest car to have is one that you buy well used (and hopefully well maintained) and keep it up. $70 for a Duralast starter, a new emergency brake cable, a set of rear rotors , $56 for an alternator. Other than that, everything you list seems to be standart tune-up stuff. You didn't think you were somehow going to get out of buying tune up stuff, did you? You'll do that with any car you buy, except a brand new one, which you can't (and shouldn't) afford. And you should probably plan on replacing the driveshaft u-joints soon, by the way. They usually don't last this long, even. And you mention fuel economy - what kind of mileage are you getting, anyway? $35 is about 20 gallons, and if you're getting standard mileage in a 280, that should be good for almost 500 miles on the freeway, I thought. Anyway, unless you're gonna sell your car and buy a Honda CRX-HF, it's going to be a LONG time until you make up the difference in gas savings. Here's the straight dope. The cheapest way to own a car is to buy a well used (and hopefully well maintained) one, then do the repairs correctly so they last a long time. Whenever possible, do the repairs yourself so you can grok your car. (Be sure to look that word up, by the way.) What you save in insurance, payments, and depreciation for even the cheapest car will usually more than make up for any repair costs to a nice car. Unless the rust makes the car unsafe, my advice to you would be to buy a few sheets of steel, rent a wire welder, borrow a sawzall, and spend the next weekend getting filthy. You'll learn a valuable skill, you'll save money, and your car will be much quieter with solid floorboards. But that's just me. If you hate working on your car, or if you've got lots of money stashed away and can have someone else do it, or if you're scared of learning something new, this might be too big a job for you. But I've been reading your writing for a few years now, and I know you're perfectly capable of it. If I were you, I'd keep fixing this car until it required at least one repair a month to keep it on the road. After that point, I'd buy an older, simpler car. But that's me. Good luck, and keep us updated as to what you choose to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZR8ED Posted April 5, 2004 Share Posted April 5, 2004 Good advice. The last crossroads I came to in my life, I panicked, jambed the horn and the gas, ran over the stop sign and came to a stop in a ditch upside down. I am talking about my Z31 that had a head gasket blow. I got ticked off spending $1500 per year on it, so I went out and bought a new Altima. I got the better gas mileage, still got the looks, I have had zero maintainence so far except for oil changes. I got that all for the price of $9000/year in car payments and insurance premiums. Pretty smart eh? I am now selling my Altima so I can get back to basics. Why? you ask? Simple. I love my Z's and the second reason $. I can maintain the worst POS Z for a lot less than car payments. The difference in car insurance is only 1/3 for the Z, so I can afford a lot more gas for that difference. I can change out my starter in my 240 in 7 min. I can't even find my starter on my Altima! So here it is. My advice. Do you love your Z? Then FIX it. at least you know whats going on with it, and don't have to worrry as much about previous owners "fixes" Work on mods to the car that will help with your gas mileage. Don't skimp on maintenance. A Z can be just as reliable as any car. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest comeandzpa Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 Oh don't get me wrong, I'm well aware that a 23 year old car is going to require some repairs and work to keep it running. I just don't want to be installing a new floor and replacing things left and right, the interior isnt in the greatest of shape either. I just think it'd be easier to buy something in slightly better condition. I'm not talking about buying a 3 year old car or something that's going to require major payments. I was just wondering if there are any other cars I should look into or if I really should just suck it up and fix my car. Also, anyone with a mint condition Z who only wants a few grand for it....now is a good time to speak up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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