Djmack Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Hello, My name is travis, i live in north texas, i own a 1995 jeep cherokee 4door 4x4 5speed, i'm still in high school, but i have made some plans to buy a 2nd vehicle. my choice has been (possibly) this 1977 Datsun 280z. The owner wants $2000 for it, i was wondering if i could get some input on your thoughts, does it seem worth the money? the only real things wrong with it... 1. minor rust under driver side floor pan 2. bold broken off on the right side of intake manifold 3. interior needs to be redone 4. needs new paint job 5. bad gas sensor (needs to be replaced) The good things about this deal. 1. Comes with brand new weather stripping 2. comes with 2 transmissions(auto in car, manual out of car) 3. Comes with all new trimming 4. appears to be 58,xxx miles, might be 158,xxx Note: Engine hasnt been started in over a year, but there is no signs of oil leaking, appears to just need a new battery to start. but i plan on making my decision of purchase after i hear the engine start and run for a couple of days (non-continuous) Here are some pictures. If you want more pictures to make a better decision, ask. The car is down the street from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B00STDZ Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I would say its worth $1,500 MAYBE $2,000... It does seem pretty solid though... Some bad things about it would be the auto trans and the small amount of rust starting on the floor pans... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djmack Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 thanks.... i posted this on zcars and some one must have seen some of the images wrong and thought there was tons of rail damage and rust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Z Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'd try to start it and do a compression test if possible. Doesn't look too bad for 2k. I'd also try and take the body kit off to check for rust as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators BRAAP Posted March 29, 2009 Administrators Share Posted March 29, 2009 This link, please... http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=130441 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_b Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 It has a few nice things like the msa body kit or the rims (if you like 'em), but the drivers side floor pan is bad. Usually rust doesn't just appear in one spot, so make sure you poke other spots from underneath. Generally, a car with a shot interior and not run for over a year would not be worth 2000 to me. The oil pan looks like oil did leak, running down on it. The different paint color inside the trunk could mean it had a rear end collision at some point, and the fact that the guy has two transmissions leads me to believe there was something wrong with the original transmission, I'd assume the one installed, since the automatic shift lever looks original. Now, not seeing the car I don't want to discourage you, but I do strongly recommend to take it to a car shop and have it thoroughly inspected. Rather lose 100 bucks on that than waste 2000 on a car that may or may not only be worth 500, if that. Either way, good luck with this or any other car you will get! Kenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
two40zjunky Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Don't buy it!! if you are willing to spend 2k on a car just keep hunting. you will find a car that you won't regret spending your money on. I am just being honest with you because I have made that same mistake in the past. I would pay about $500 for that Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Please don't spend 2k on that car! Set out a budget and look around online here as well as locally/craigslist. For a bit more than that you can get a solid runner with little rust, and for under 5k you can have an very nice car. I wouldn't necessarily assume there's anything wrong with the auto tranny. Most people will prefer a manual in a sports car and the owner probably just wanted to swap it over out of that personal preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I wouldn't buy it. Along with all that's been mentioned above, it's got a sunroof. If it bothers you that it has one, it's just MUCH easier to just find a car without one. I almost bought one with a sunroof and I am glad I didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djmack Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 i talked to the guy, he said he doesnt wanna loose "what he put in it" so the price stays right around $2000... i was waiting to hear it start... turns out theres a bad connection to the fuel pump.. so ive lost all hope for the car... mostly because he doesnt wanna go down on price.. and i think some one here mentioned something about yellow being on the inside... apparently the original color was yellow.. besides that, ill just save up and keep a sharp eye out on craigslist. Thanks for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
two40zjunky Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 good for you!! who care's how much money he put into that thing 10 years ago. I dont think he will sell that car anytime soon. Chances are he will be checking out the Z you decide to purchase to see how messed up his Z really is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duder280z Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 good for you!! who care's how much money he put into that thing 10 years ago. I dont think he will sell that car anytime soon. Chances are he will be checking out the Z you decide to purchase to see how messed up his Z really is. +1 For 2K you should be able to find a much more solid car. He's dreaming if he thinks that rust infested thing is worth that much. Typicaly on an old Z, if the rust is that bad on the surface, it's a total nightmare under the paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzzzzzz Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 If you've never done a project vehicle then you really don't know how much time and money can get dumped into it. Double that if you've got minimal tools and limited mechanical experience. Plenty of us have been there too. You are better off spending twice the money to buy a really solid car that won't drain you financially or emotionally. Give him your phone number and politely ask him to call you when he is willing to sell the vehicle for a reasonable price. It would make a good project or parts cars for half the money...maybe. If some one else buys it then consider it good fortune. You'll find something better for $2k just keep looking and don't jump too quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotfitz Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 $2000, for that Z, in Texas? Don't bother. Look at the body seam underneath. If the spot welds are rusting, imagine what might be hinding underneath elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citjet Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Here are a couple of 280ZX's in craigslist that might be interesting: http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1093449634.html http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1099764912.html For $3500 there are a couple of 280Z's and a turbo 240Z project if you're willing to spend a little more. Every day there are more of these showing up for sale, just pick and choose carefully. Find the car with the least amount of rust possible as a base to start with, this will save you more money than anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 I agree, keep looking. Automatic, MSA type 3 kit and a sunroof. Run away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djmack Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 lol.. umm, i would rather a 280z, and would love it to be 5spd. thanks for the help, and ill probably get one this summer cause i graduate in like 8 weeks from high school, so ill get a 40hr/week job and start racking up cash for one. by then, i should be able to go up to $4000 if needed for a really solid z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_b Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 i talked to the guy, he said he doesnt wanna loose "what he put in it" so the price stays right around $2000... i was waiting to hear it start... turns out theres a bad connection to the fuel pump.. so ive lost all hope for the car... mostly because he doesnt wanna go down on price.. and i think some one here mentioned something about yellow being on the inside... apparently the original color was yellow.. besides that, ill just save up and keep a sharp eye out on craigslist. Thanks for the input. That was me mentioning the different color... Glad you didn't take it! Good luck with your search... And your grad and finding a job and... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neotech84 Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 The tape deck is a BIG seller for me!!! I say keep looking wait for the right moment and don't get sucked into a car just because its a Z! There are other treasures out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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