Hi guys!

[psp_andy]

hey everyone,

 

My name's Andrew and I'm hoping to become a zed owner in the near future,

I'm in Perth and am 17 y.o

 

I'm about to start uni at UWA studying computer science/economics and am 4 days away from (hopefully) getting my p's.

 

As a result of this I am currently on the lookout for a first car, and am thinking about either a toyota celica pre 1979, as I love the shape on them, especially the RA28! (mini mustang), or a datsun 260z.

 

I was wondering if you guys could help me out,

I've located a 260z 2+2 but it has some issues (see picture)

 

I was wondering what you could tell me about this? I have emailed the seller and he is a little unsure but thinks it is the drive shaft that has fallen off,

 

How much do you guys think this would cost to repair if it is indeed a broken drive shaft, and if not, what is the issue?

 

I know it's hard to see what exactly is going on down there, but any advice would be appreciated,

 

thanks!

[Zedman240®]

Welcome Andrew,

 

Most likely it has done a uni joint and dropped its tail shaft. It'll need a good look underneath just to check everything just in case there is more damage than what it looks like in the pic. Also, looks like there has been some rust repairs in the dogleg section of the 1/4 panel; might be good to give the whole car a once over. Cost is hard to say, when you can't see everything that has gone wrong; so thats pointless. If there isn't much damage, it shouldn't cost much.

[Zeddophile]

Yep, looks like a broken uni joint to me too.  Also seems to have some rust coming through in the body...

 

Don't want to burst your bubble here, but these older cars take a fair bit of time and mechanical ability (or money) to keep running.  Given you are posting asking if that is a broken driveshaft and how much it will cost to fix, I'm guessing your mechanical knowledge is fairly limited.  So my question is, do you have the time and inclination to learn how to fix things yourself, or if not, do you have the money to pay someone to keep it running (as a student, I'm guessing not?).  If the answer is no to both of these, can I suggest perhaps holding off on a Zed or similar aged car until you have a bit more money or time on your side? 

 

Perhaps buy a pulsar or corolla (something that's nearly unkillable) with a good history, and in a couple of years buy a Zed or similar as a second car.  That way, if it breaks down, you aren't relying on it to get you around every day, and have the luxury of time - both to save money for parts, and pull it apart and fix it yourself.

 

Boring I know, but ultimately it would cause you less heartache, and you'll probably enjoy it more....  Just some observations from someone who's been a student with an older car not all that long ago, and is now a mechanic.

[Scoota G]

I think i have a spare tailshaft hanging about but you all the way over west.

[psp_andy]

... I'm guessing your mechanical knowledge is fairly limited. 

ahahaha, you are quite correct, I virtually have no knowledge of cars!

So my question is, do you have the time and inclination to learn how to fix things yourself, or if not, do you have the money to pay someone to keep it running (as a student, I'm guessing not?).

Honestly, I am really interested in cars and the mechanical side of things, it's just I have no knowledge on them but am very willing to learn, one of the main reasons for me choosing an older car. The other thing is, I can very much do without a car, I'm going to be taking the bus to and from university which will be majority of my life for the next 5 years, and I've managed to go 17 years without needing a car. When the time comes for me to need a semi-reliable car, (hopefully within budget constraints) I will buy a semi-reliable car. The car pictured has recently had its engine rebuilt, so hopefully won't have to deal with engine issues, and am hoping to learn about cars through this 260z. My dad has some experience with cars and hopefully can teach me abit...

 

[gav240z]

Hey welcome aboard,

I just want to say that Zeddophile has given some great advice. Let me just say as a 17 year old myself about 10 years back I bought my first Z. I have absolutely no regrets but hindsight is a great thing and if I would do it all again, I perhaps would have bought a cheap run about like a Pulsar or Corolla and abused that whilst working on the Z in a garage at my own pace.

 

It's good that you won't rely on the Z, because trust me anything this old is probably going to need lots of love and have more than a few things go wrong with it. It's not that they are not reliable, far from it. The problem is mainly previous owners neglect and botched jobs. May I suggest if you don't need a Z for a while, saving as much as you can and buying a good clean honest example. As others have pointed out the rust in the sills will be costly to repair and the driveshaft could indicate the car has undergone some abuse (burnouts anyone?) I've never broken a drive shaft in a Z myself, but doing burnouts will definitely do it. It could also be a case of simple neglect and the uni joint just gave up, but without more pictures it's hard to tell.

 

If I can offer good advice here it's buy a Z based on a tidy rust free body. If the motor is blown up you can rebuild it and have a lot of fun in the process. If she's a rust bucket it's going to cost you a lot of cash and do your head in, unless you are willing to buy a welder and give cutting out rust a shot.

 

Finally (I must be getting old), but while at Uni, maybe spend the money on beer and chicks and forget about restoring an old car until your in your late 20's have a g/f and need a hobby haha.

 

However I have fond memories of being broke and fixing up my old Datsun whilst at Uni.