Ok i am new and I am looking at purchasing a datsun around my area because they are so beautiful. Anyways I went and took a look at it and there is a little rust on the passanger side frame rail and on both floor pans. The exterior is in great condition and the engine needs a little work i can purchase it for $1200. what do you guys think?

There is more to it than that! Check under the battery, and the frame rail below that, check the rails in the wheel wells too. Check the tires, if they aren't worn evenly across the face, there is probably a suspension problem Make sure you take the car for a test drive. What "little work " does the engine need?

Since you are not too familiar with what to look for, you might see if there is a member in your area, or a shop specializing in Zs in your area. The Shop will charge you for looking at it, but someone with some familiarity with a Z will be have had a chance to point out any problems before your money changes hands.

Will

ok well under the passenger seat and a little up the front of the car up into the wheel well just barely. and its clean under the battery and the suspenstion is fine. although the problem with the engine is it just isnt running right. seems like a timing problem. But my main though is that i can not do much better for something in my area for about $1200

$1200 could be a great price, or a terrible price. The rust you talk about is typical. but normally there is at least some rust in the areas I mentioned-especially if there is rust anywhere else. Tap in those areas with a metal rod, the noises should be metalic, and not a dull thud. The "thud" could come from tapping on a seam, but if it is in the middle of a smooth area, it could be body filler. which could mean the area was repaired cosmeticly and not necessarily structurally.

I drove 4 hours to look at a Z that was said to be in great shape and to be rust free. When I looked at the car, the doors were sagging out of alignment because the frame rails were almost gone. When I sat in the drivers seat, and looked in the rear view mirror, I could see cardboard inside of the car all the way at the back. I popped the hatch and found that the owner had taken a piece of cardboard and held it inplace to smear bondo over to fill in a gapeing hole in the rear. He had sanded the ouside, and painted it. The car did no have any rust, he had removed it, and filled the holes with bondo. This car had been a rustbucket, and was repaired to look right form the outside. It was not structurally sound. I told the man he needed to strip the car and sell it for parts-he laughed, I opened the door, and steped on the sill, it gave. He quit laughing, and demanded I pay for the car. If you aren't sure that you know what to look for, I would take the car to a mechanic and have it looked at just to be safe.

No, I did not pay for the car.

DJ - where are you? There might be a local Z club around with members who could help you check it out.

I live in Toledo Ohio and just looking for general ideas. I am going again to look at it on Saturday so i will take a whole bunch of pictures and post them. For your eyes. to see.