purchasing a datsun

[charliec]

Hi im charlie.

this is my first time posting so i should probably tell you a bit about me, and why im posting.

 

im 17 and a few months of turning 18. I will soon have my licence and so have been browing for my very first car. for the last few years ive really loved datsuns after seeing a 260z sweeping the streets of victoria and have always wanted one myself. I love the shape of the car. But this is were my problem is. Id love a datsun but dont know much about the cars themselves besides a bit of history. my mechanical knowlage is fairly poor. But i persist in my hunt to find the perfect car and would love help in information and opinions on the Z series.

 

So far ive been interested in this 280zx, series 1 (i think). its $3k. (see pictures below).

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqEOKo4E0Wp3rQb8BNW1tRi8cw~~_1.JPG?set_id=8800005007

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqUOKjkE0fYIlIneBNW1tmQQU!~~_1.JPG?set_id=8800005007

 

I like the fact that it has 4 seats so i can cart my friends around. Its automatic (i have learned to drive in an auto). and it has the basic luxuary of air con. the car aparently gets from A to B still and has little rust and damage to it.

 

But do you guys think my judgement is good? are the 280zx a good purchase, and is this good value. i notice 240-260z seem a lot more expensive, does this mean they are a better vehicle?

Please help! opinions and information wanted!

 

thanks a lot, charlie.  (apologies for spelling and grammer. i had to re-type the entire post after my log in timed out the first time i wrote this, so this post was written again fairly fast.)

 

[.]

I can't comment on that particular 280zx but generally they are a good car. I have owned one for 18 years and would not part with it....In fact I am wondering what it would take to be buried with it / in it :0

 

They are given a hard time because they were not quite as light or fast as the 240z or 260z  2 seaters (in standard form) and the 280zx shape wasn't quite as popular. Mechanically the are just as solid if not more solid than the earlier cars but they just don't have the same attraction. I much prefer driving my 280zx than my 240z on the road but much of that is because my 240 is a mild race car.

 

Make sure to get someone to check any car before you purchase. 280zx prices range from a few hundred dollars for a wreck up to around $11K for an immaculate one. So unless that one is a bargain I would expect $3K to buy you a barely registerable car and expect a few problems. $4 or $5k would buy you a much more reliable 280, but the only way to know is to have someone check it.

 

[Sirpent]

Hi Charlie,

 

Welcome to the forum, and a good intro.

 

The mystique of a Zed, and why older is probably better.

 

The original 240Z was a revelation, up until the time of the RX7's release, it and the subsequent models after it were the highest selling sportscar in the US, unfortunately, it was the U.S. that dictated what it should become and japan listened, by the time the 240Z had morphed into the 260Z and then 280Z, the American market was looking for something more substantial in terms of creature comfort, the purity of the original S30 class had become to Sparten.

 

So the 280ZX or S130 series was released, it was heavier, longer, and packed with what Americans thought they wanted, wrong, what they said they wanted and what they actually did were 2 different things, and to prove that, in 1979, Mazda picked up where Nissan had gone wrong, the RX-7 was built on the same premise as the original 240Z and it became America's new top selling sports coupe, but as fate had it, the RX-7 eventually went down the same ill fated "Up size me" scenario.

 

Well Mazda got it right again about 12 years later with the MX-5 and now you can see a continuity of the basic refined development of a sports car in its series.

 

So you ask why a 280ZX isn't as popular?, well the facts are it isn't considered as being superior to its ancestral forefathers the S30 series of 240Z's and 260Z's, but neither is it a bad car, it would be a safe bet that in coming years it will gain in popularity, it may never reach the same status as the S30 series, but it will hold it's own.

 

If you are thinking of going into one, I would suggest just one thing, stock up on spares, 2 reasons, 1st the 280ZX's seem to be disappearing at a much faster rate and secondly if S30 parts, good parts, are anything to go by, you will be paying a pretty dollar for obscure parts in the future.

 

Cheers

 

John

 

EDIT: If i remember correctly, the s130 280ZX was actually penned at Nissan in California, you can just imagine someone saying " Yer think valour seats would look real nice in maroon, and while ya at it, stick some glass panels in the turret"

[FLEXZED]

Welcome mate

 

Good luck in your search

 

+1 for what my bro sirpent said

 

Loui

[charliec]

thanks for the info so far.

im slowly learning! that and my mum is plesed to be getting a bit of insurance in her knowlage of the possabilitity of purchasing a datsun.

(she is the money holder lol)

[gav240z]

So the 280ZX or S130 series was released, it was heavier, longer, and packed with what Americans thought they wanted, wrong, what they said they wanted and what they actually did were 2 different things, and to prove that, in 1979, Mazda picked up where Nissan had gone wrong, the RX-7 was built on the same premise as the original 240Z and it became America's new top selling sports coupe, but as fate had it, the RX-7 eventually went down the same ill fated "Up size me" scenario.

 

Well Mazda got it right again about 12 years later with the MX-5 and now you can see a continuity of the basic refined development of a sports car in its series.

 

Hey John,

I pretty much agree with the rest of your post, However I don't think later RX-7's (FC / FD) followed suit of the Nissan Z-series. In fact I think they kept their back to basics approach and the FD was made as light as possible with complete focus on the driver.

 

The FC was a bit heavier than the earlier SA / FB / First Gen's but they also had the Turbo variant. The FD is actually lighter than the FC.

 

I think each generation of Z-series has got heavier and heavier. Not sure about the 350 / 370z though think the 370z is lighter?

 

Incidentally the 350z was penned in the US, as was parts of the FD RX-7 which in my opinion is 1 of the best shapes to come out of Japan since the S30. So whilst the 280zx may have been penned by the American's I can't say that's the reason it was slightly *uglier* .

[benny]

great idea man!! youre never too young to own a zed (some beg to differ) I had 260z's since I was 16 and have learnt alot. Now I have a 240z thats almost on the road!! Where abouts in VIC are you located??

[Whittie]

great idea man!! youre never too young to own a zed

 

QFT

 

I've been in zeds since 15 (well, bought it the day before my 16th birthday ) and also say go for it!

 

As above: get out to see a few cars in the flesh to get an idea of prices and quality and then get an inspection on any potential buys to find any hidden nasties and you should be on your way to nirvana before you know it

[benny]

QFT??

 

depending on where you are and the cars you're looking at I may be able to come with you to look for trouble areas!!

[Whittie]

Quote For Truth

 

[charliec]

im an ivanhoe lad.

but the 280zx that i was looking at is all the way it sheperton.

I should probably do a bit more shopping around and as you guys said actually see the cars people are offering up

[benny]

dont just jump on the first one... I have made that mistake. It seems that if you spend that little extra on a zed then there seems to be less headaches!! Also keep your eye out for a 2+2 they do come up for around the 4-6 grand mark sometimes!!

[Sirpent]

Good points Ben

 

I just looked on Ebay and this seems like an interesting one that may be right up your alley charlie.

 

A good starting point.

 

Cheers

 

John

 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DATSUN-260Z-2-2-UNFINISHED-PROJECT-/260742292770?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item3cb573a522

[Scoota G]

for the last few years ive really loved datsuns after seeing a 260z sweeping the streets of victoria and have always wanted one myself.

 

Any Details on this Zed you've seen? Was it in the Ivanhoe area?

[Johnboy]

Hi Charlie,

 

Being a newbie myself it can take a while to find the car you want, so take your time, and ask questions.

 

The guys here know a lot about these cars, so do your reading and ask for advise, let us know if your are interested in a particular car as someone on here with a wealth of knowledge (unfortunately thats not me) may even have a look at it for you and give you some valuable advise.

 

Good points Ben

 

I just looked on Ebay and this seems like an interesting one that may be right up your alley charlie.

 

A good starting point.

 

Cheers

 

John

 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DATSUN-260Z-2-2-UNFINISHED-PROJECT-/260742292770?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item3cb573a522

 

Nice posibilities with this shell, but if Charlie hasn't got a good mechanical knoledge he may be better getting a complete car rather than chasing an engine and getting it installed.

 

Good luck.

 

Johnboy

[nizm0zed]

once you get your new toy, err, reliable motor vehicle , have a look at your local college or tafe for basic automotive classes.

your insurance company may also have a recommendation for you?

They usually only go for a few evenings, and cover basic maintenance and servicing.

They are excellent for giving you that first bit of confidence to open the bonnet and get right in.

 

If anything a little more difficult comes up later, we can walk you through it, or recommend a good workshop.

[chris240]

A 17 year old with manners...!?!  welcome onboard Charlie..

IMHO Id maybe stick to tracking down a nice 280, mainly for the handful more creature comforts and power steering...I must be getting old.

if you can get one of the guys to tag along on an inspection that would be a blessing. I just wish I had access to a forum as good as this 20 years ago.

[jamo240]

Welcome Charlie...we were all once where you are now!

 

While the 240Z could be argued to be the 'original and best'(Disclosure: I own one!), I think the 280ZX may be more practical for you.

 

When I bought mine in 1987, the situation was the other way around...240Z's were relatively cheap compared with 280's, and were easier to work on...280's had fuel injection and more buttons and stuff to go cack. Nowadays the 240's are collector cars, and any cheap ones will need a zillion dollars spent to fix them up. All good ones are dear.

 

A 280ZX on the other hand is relatively cheap to procure, and provided it's not stuffed, could be made nice and kept going for less than a 240. You should understand that at the age 240's are now, just about everything is worn out on them, and all those little bushes, grommets, rubbers, brackets and things add up to lots of $$ to find and make your car nice.

 

Finally, the 280ZX will have more room for your mates than a 240. If the Z bug bites, you'll probably find yourself in a 240 or 260 at some stage, but they're probably better to suited for when you're a touch older and have the money to do it right.

 

Happy to help you look at cars when the time comes.

 

Cheers

 

Jamo

[MaygZ]

Welcome charlie,

 

good luck in your search.  I agree that patience is a virtue that few of us possess when it comes to these cars.  had I not had the support of these guys here, I would have bought a complete money pit for way too much money.

 

When it comes to 'projects', Mum's very rarely understand.  this is even more important when one is of tender years, presumably still in the nest and especially when she is the financier!!  You will find a complete and running car for a reasonable price, if you are patient.

 

MaygZ

[charliec]

fantastic info. keep it coming!

also found an add for a nice 260z 2+2.

think im going to go with my dad to sus the 260z and the 280zx out on the weekend.

 

out of intrest whats it like trying to put an air con into a 260z. is it a task close to hell or fairly easy? (cross fingers the 260z has hair con)

 

the toss between a 260z or a 280z is thrilling lol

[Sirpent]

Charlie,

 

If you can find the original unit it will need a lot of love and care to nurse back to an operating proposition.

 

However, there are aftermarket kits available.

 

http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/air-conditioning/datsun-260z-280z-1974-1978-indash-ac-system-403.php

 

Cheers

 

John

[charliec]

hi again all.

guess what, just purchased a datsun 260z 2+2.

cost $4k. has little to not rust on/in it. the motor is aparently in good nic. it ran when we drove it so thats a plus. but a keen eye might find somethings that need to be done (think it had had some parts replaced and has been partialy repaired, hopefully all lol).

the interior is all original. the dash is cracked though (like all of them seemed to be) and there is a few tares in the brown vinyl seats. (also needs an antenna)

cross fingers with a bit of money put into it she will be looking like she was straight from the show room, luckily it was purchased for only 4k

 

[Cozza]

Good on ya Charlie, reading your thread makes me feel all nostalgic, thinking back to my first project of an early Mini when I was 15.

Best of luck with it and never give up your dreams.

[luvemfast]

Good work Charlie.

Little to no rust  More likely a good base to start.

Pics?

[charliec]

ill try and get some pictures up as soon as i can. think the seller is sending some he took through.

the car is residing at his house till the followign saturday while we are away on holidays. his garage is safer than our open carport. so a bit over a week till she is sitting around at ours.

But yes ill try and get some pitures up, id love to hear about what you guys think. maybe get some help in doing it up