S30 2 Seater

[mhombsch]

Hey Guys,

A S30 has been a long time dream for myself and I'm currently seeking a 2 seater. Im located in Victoria but willing to travel for the right car.

Basically I'm looking for something that I can drive and enjoy now without need much if any work but can also slowly do some work on to make it my own.

For me this will be  car that I will keep forever and will be looking to buy in 6 weeks or so but will be selling my daily (Toyota 86) to fund the car and buying something cheaper to use as a daily. My budget is 30k and I realise this is tight but I also think its realistic so have been looking for a 260 to get one in the condition I'm after.

 

Cheers!

Edited September 30, 2018 by mhombsch

[gav240z]

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/240z-datsun-/253903937330?oid=253867627718

Or

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DATSUN-260Z-2-SEATER-SUIT-RESTORER-NO-MOTOR-OR-GEARBOX/192667555938?_trkparms=aid%3D777003%26algo%3DDISCL.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140117125611%26meid%3D360e8cdce90f41909a52e53b2b54139f%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D10%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D253903937330%26itm%3D192667555938&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

[mhombsch]

have seen these but not really what I'm after in terms of condition. Honestly the closest thing I've found is the green 260 thats on here for sale but a little out of my price range 

[HKSZ]

What are you looking for? something standard, race inspired or modern engine make over?

[mhombsch]

at this stage the more standard the better but would consider modified cars as well 

[mhombsch]

On 9/30/2018 at 12:12 PM, gav240z said:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/240z-datsun-/253903937330?oid=253867627718

Or

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DATSUN-260Z-2-SEATER-SUIT-RESTORER-NO-MOTOR-OR-GEARBOX/192667555938?_trkparms=aid%3D777003%26algo%3DDISCL.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140117125611%26meid%3D360e8cdce90f41909a52e53b2b54139f%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D10%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D253903937330%26itm%3D192667555938&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

Gav what are your thought on the condition of the 240?

[gav240z]

It seems relatively honest, but I'd go see it in person first before bidding.

[HKSZ]

I have a 260z two seater on club reg i maybe looking to sell over summer if i have time

 

[mhombsch]

That’s when I’d be looking to buy

Ideally wanting to get uni done for the year before I sell my current car 

[gav240z]

On 9/30/2018 at 1:29 PM, mhombsch said:

have seen these but not really what I'm after in terms of condition. Honestly the closest thing I've found is the green 260 thats on here for sale but a little out of my price range 

Honestly in my experience with cars, spend a bit more money up front. Even if you have a borrow a bit more and get a good solid car that needs minor work, vs buying a project. You'll always always always always spend more on project cars getting them up to similar specification. After all these years I always under estimate the costs of restoring items. And I usually over-estimate to be on the safe side.

Therefore I recommend if you have limited tools, skills and expertise to buy a good solid car to start with. Not only can you enjoy it right away, but you'll be able to do incremental improvements to it over time.

As a side note, I never take my own advice and always get excited about potential projects... I guess I prefer to build it to specification I want, than buy someone else's vision etc..

PS: Some owners here would have more than $35k in rust work and body repairs / repaint jobs alone... Not that they would admit it in most cases. :). That's why I think the 260z is good buying.

PPS: I have not seen the Green 260z in person, it could be a basket case. Best to buy a plane ticket and go view it or ask Curtis for more photos of underside / common rust traps etc..

[mhombsch]

Yeah I definitely agree 

And will definitely be going to look at whatever car I decide on before I purchase it 

[gilltech]

Quote

And will definitely be going to look at whatever car I decide on before I purchase it 

Absolutely. But if you see a likely car come up at a sensible price then get on to it ASAP or you'll miss out, there aren't too many to choose from so the well priced ones change hands quickly no matter what condition they are in. Plenty of people come on this forum bemoaning that they can't find one, either because they are too slow, too picky or just too tight ie. keep trying to get a car at yesterday's price.

[gav240z]

What @gilltech said, sometimes in hindsight we look back and think I should have bought that 1... I know I did that with a rare special edition FD Rx7 I looked at when living in Europe.

I've been collecting data on these cars for some time. 2 things stand out to me in the data and from the photos I've seen of what's out there.

1. More cars have survived than I thought!

2. The cars that have survived are often in a sad state of repairs. Very few good original cars out there. Lots and lots of cars in need of serious money thrown at them.

Many many years ago now, 1998 or so. I spoke to a fella in Sale by the name of Shane. Some here will have bought spoilers off him.

When I told him I'd bought a 240z (I had called about a 260z 2+2 for sale), he said if you find a 240z in good shape you hang onto it.

I took his advice to heart. Although I did end up selling that 240z to buy my 72 240z. I still regret selling the first 1 all these years later.

[mhombsch]

I’ve been a member of this forum for over 2 years so have been considering a z for a long time but I’ve finally decided I’ve got to do or I’ll regret it 

If all goes to plan it will be a car I’ll hand onto forever so I do really want to find the right one but at the same time I’ll have a long time to fix anything that’s needed