looking at buying a datsun

[mcgoonster]

hi, im new to datsuns, and thinking of buying a z.

is any model recommended over another?

whats a reasonable price for one fairly stock?

when modifying, is it better to to convert to turbo or v8?

 

i was looking at this one, is it reasonable value? overpriced priced?

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/DATSUN/260Z/details.aspx?__sid=11ABCBEA2405&__No=0&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime%7C1&__N=4294966615%2082%2041%20834%20285%20257&seot=0&silo=1003&Cr=0&__Nne=20&State=Victoria&R=5308270&distance=25&Make=DATSUN&state_id=82&trecs=1

 

is there anything else i should be wary of when looking at datsun z's?

 

thanks guys

[aegean]

I always love those ads that say it hasn't been butchered, but has a tacho in the corner and an aftermarket steering wheel. Perhaps butchered is not the right word - it's the sellers comment after all, but they seem so intent on extolling the virtues of it's originality, it doesn't quite go together.

 

I think you need to determine what it is that you want. In one comment, you are asking about the price for one fairly stock, and the next sentence, you are talking about modifying. For a reasonably stock one, it is a reasonable price, although I would prefer the one that was offered here recently - should be in the Cars for Sale section, and was around $5,000.

 

If you want one to modify, I suspect you will find one that is a little cheaper - perhaps an incomplete project.

[JP240z]

Butchering isn't a non standard steering wheel and monster tacho, its doing things to the car that cant be reversed.

Monster tacho's and steering wheels can be replaced, leaving the car original once again.

[stevo_gj]

Hey Mcgoonster,

 

I recently purchased a Z and was on the market for about 4 months so i've been down the road your about to start on. Guys if I make a mistake here please let me know! 

 

Basically with Zs there is the 240z, the first of the "S30" type cars to be made, this version had 2 seats and a 2.4L engine (duh). The 260z was released with a very similar body in the 2 seater version and also in a stretched out 2+2 version (4 seater). (Just a quick note: most enthusiasts prefer the 2 seaters and as such the 2+2s will almost always sell for less)

 

I don't know very much about the 280zx other than that they are basically the delu'x'e version of this series of cars and their body shape is more square. I believe that only the 2+2 version of the 280zx came to Australia. The 280z never made it here, not sure why but you probably won't see one for sale.

 

It really depends on what your looking for, have a look around and see which model you prefer.

 

That car you are looking at seems OK, but there are far better deals out there for 2+2s especially for 7K. There is a beautiful one in the Classifieds section of this forums you should check it out.

 

Reasonable price varies, depending upon what you consider fairly stock. Such an old car in "stock" condition is pretty expensive (10K + for 2 seaters) if its in good nick, or in average nick with a few issues could cost you between 5K for a rusty one to 9K for a slightly less rusty one. 

 

The 2+2s vary quite a lot in price. Check the classifieds section of this forums, check www.carpoint.com.au, check trading post, check ebay. All those are great places to look for your second hand Z.

 

As for the engine conversion my 2 c is that the two are apples and oranges and cant be compared. Depends what you want. I haven't done either conversion though so any advice I have would be 2nd hand and probably wrong.

 

 

Hope that helps

 

Steve

 

[RBZ 260]

when i went to get my self a classic car with intentions of modifying it but retaining the classic look.i had few cars in mind at the time and on #1 list was a mazda rx4 coupe. couldnt find one so my second choice was early Z car.

 

it pays a lot to do some reasearch on a particular model like you are doing. though being a nissan freak and knew how to look for a bad car i didnt do to much reaserch. (non at all) ended up bringing home a fairly rough 260z 2+2 with siezed engine and stuffed interior. for $500 cant complain i guess. body and chassis was in very good condition which was the only thing i was interested in and that most of the exterior bits were there.

 

its after joining the forums that i fell in love with the 2 seaters. though i still like my 2+2 for a daily car and dont regret it. eventualy after few months i ended up buying my first choice as well the RX4 and few month after that 240z that i couldnt resist. now im happy got them all LOL. only problem running out of space and got lot of work to do next 5 years on these cars.

 

i guess find out what is the purpose of the car. do you need the 2+2 or 2seater is ok?

the 2 seaters tend to fetch more money than 2+2 but there are some 2+2 that are getting up there in price. eventualy i guess the the rate of the 2+2 dying to help a 2 seater to live it will be the more extinct beast.

 

as for moding well again its what you want the car for. v8 give you reliabilty with big power but also drain your pocket for fuel. Turbos can go as fast as v8 but probably bit easier on the fuel when not driven hard.

 

also some regulations these days will stop you from installing a big v8 in the earlier 240z. unless u buy one allready done.

 

turbo engined are bit less restrictive but still got to be very carefull. do your reaserch with local RTA (road transport authority)

 

good thing about the s30 is that they are very easy to work on and if modding its one of the easiest cars to do. lot of different conversions and upgrades.

 

 

 

 

[mcgoonster]

thanks guys, its been a big help.

now that iv herd all this i'm probably in the market for a 240 or 260, maybe a 2+2.

i'm probably going for something in fairly good nick, already roadworthy, so i can just get in and start driving.

probably something with its original engine, as i'm a p plater and cant drive turbo or v8 

i'm from melbourne

what do you think of the price of something as i described as?

preferably auto

thanks guys

[oldmates260z]

You will be looking at about $5-7k and there are a couple of good ones around at the moment if you are prepare to go for a short drive. See the for sale section, one few hours out of Melbourne the other in Tassie.