Which car would you buy?

[positivetennis]

Yes thanks once again for everyone's ideas, unfortunately X19's and Mr2's as fun as they are, are just way to small. Rx7's I just squeeze in (6.5ft). Comfortable alternatives so far are the Mk3 supra, 944, maybe GTO, Jensen and SVX if I couldn't get an s30/s130. I've owned 2 z32 Australian spec models as daily drives but sold them due to fears of needing to spend lots of money on them. Their steering feeling, handling and interior and exterior style are very nice, and despite the cost of maintenance, reliability was better than the z31 series. The two I sold, one had 160k the other 128k were in excellent condition but had replacement of rear main seals, engine mounts and cam seal replacements which was not cheap. The previous owner also had the torque converter done. A low K 96 model might be better. The GTO, 944, Jensen and SVX would probably also fit in the same expensive to fix category and lack of parts. The supra, once you got over the HG issue seems the cheaper option I'm guessing

I know on the flipside a 240z-280zx's are easier to work on, but where the money could go to is on the body, but at least you have something special and classic. I am hoping to find an original type car for weekend use. At present being 40 years old, how hard is it to source things like rear hatch seals? What things are easier to find and what are difficult? Do many people rely on wreckers or is the internet the source of many parts.

[DreamZproject]

Blah, I see, I meant forced induction.

Yeah i know they aren't meant for drag racing, but there gets a point if its considered slow for a regular car.

I'm sure it would handle fantastically.

[G]

If you want a 240z, wait for a 240z. You'll curse when one turns up and you have something else.

 

Otherwise, this 260 looks ok (if you're happy with a 2+2): http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Datsun-260Z-1976/SSE-AD-2511773/?Cr=8&sdmvc=1

 

I'm 6'5" as well and zeds are great for tall people. If you're looking for a classic which can fit tall people, you'll do well with z's, but forget MX5's etc.

Contrary to your comments, I've driven a Mk1 MR2 and it was fun. I don't seem to remember them being difficult to fit in, however it probably depends if your height comes from from your legs or torso I suppose.. TA22/23 Celica? You said speed wasn't important to you!

 

If you're set on a z, have you thought about a 350z? I found them difficult to drive as my legs are too long, but you may not have the same issue. That said, I have wondered if a set of Recaro CS Sportster seats would fix the problem.

 

You could also try a Mini, I have 6'7" mates who drive those..

 

What's your budget?

[AussieZed]

No one has really mentioned the Subaru SVX ... a real supercar and with some amazing technology. They probably will appreciate in time.

 

The downsides - shockingly expensive to work on and really difficult to work on yourself. They are also very much in the Grand Touring style ... no startling acceleration and pretty soft handling. But a lot of car for not many $$ and still a head turner.

 

How about late model Lancia's (Integrale etc)? Pretty cool, amazing handling and actually reasonably practical.

 

 

[gav240z]

I know on the flipside a 240z-280zx's are easier to work on, but where the money could go to is on the body, but at least you have something special and classic. I am hoping to find an original type car for weekend use. At present being 40 years old, how hard is it to source things like rear hatch seals? What things are easier to find and what are difficult? Do many people rely on wreckers or is the internet the source of many parts.

 

I find original second hand pieces are difficult to source. I got a set of OEM door cards (second hand) and I haven't seen another set come up in quite a few years worth installing in my Z. I would buy brand new but my 72 240z is red and it was originally silver from factory so I'm thinking I might 1 day go back to Silver and do the red interior, hence it doesn't make sense to buy brand new OEM door cards in black, then again I'm not sure you can get them in red from Nissan still?

 

Anything can be sourced if you're going to use the Internet, some things are harder to find than others. Rubber seals are pretty easy to get and there is various options out there, aftermarket wise quality varies but OEM can still be sourced.

 

By far the challenge is rust free panels. Although there are quite a few people now supplying rust free sections to suit the Z for all the 'common places'. If you can avoid a car with a sunroof but these days it's hard to be really picky with what's left. A 2 seater roof skin is quite hard to find, well ask me in a year or 2 if I still think so perhaps?

 

Cheap L28's are getting harder to find in wreckers, just simply because there is less cars being broken these days that are still running this motor, although a search on Gumtree for MQ Patrol with L28 returns several results and they are often being broken...

 

I guess some of the AU specific parts are probably the hardest to find these days, for example an OEM door mirror for a 240z. I've been looking for years now! Although I've found a chap in North American who has reproduced them now, so I'll probably buy 1 from him. Diamond vinyl sets, I've looked at making reproductions but first need a set of originals for copy. Again you can get them already reproduced but results vary.

 

Original 240z tail lights are expensive new and don't come up often second hand, but 260z ones are easier to find due to the 2+2's using same cluster design just different rear light panel.

 

As you know the body work is your biggest expense, the rest relatively cheap, especially when compared to other marques.

[positivetennis]

Thanks once again, great answers and advice which is most appreciated. There seems to be more zeds for sale in Victoria at the moment including the 2 260z 2+2's, maybe I should take a trip down and have a look. Did anyone see that orange 240z that was on Just cars recently. I rang the guy and he sold it very quickly, it looked very authentic in the photos, was a one owner 73 model, shame I missed it. Also just out of curiosity, a few years a man named Laurie in Mosman owned a rare white 240z automatic with an aqua blue interior and seats. It was a beautiful car with wing mirrors and was sold for 15k to somebody around Sutherland. I was wondering if anyone on this forum knows about this car.