I have already had a discussion on whether I can afford a Z or not but now I need some help. I've been looking at a 75 280z about 50 minutes away from me. The car has a 4 spd, 92xxxx miles (think its a rebuild but I've seen it and its in good shape), completely redone interior everything brand new and brand new tires. Now the only thing stopping me from getting this car right now is a little bit of rust around the wheel well. Its not bad but I am afraid it will spread everywhere and Ill be left with a rusted piece of junk. The price of the car is 3600 obo (guy said he will negotiate.) What do you guys think, am I all worked up about nothing or is this going to be a serious problem. Really appreciate some opinions,

Collin

Drop 3 grand at the gutys feet. He Will come around

Rust, unfortunatly is a problem with all Datsun Z cars. I would do I search for the right thread that discusses the most prone areas to rust on a z car; then return to the guy and check out the car again. Hopefuly everything looks okay and you can drop the price a bit (looks a little high to me).

Scotty,

Don't let your emotions drive this purchase!!!!!!!!!! If the 280Z has a rust problem around the wheel wells, you can bet it has alot more in other places. Take a look around the battery box area, all the rocker panels for the paint blistering from the hidden rust underneath, open the hatch and look around this area, look under the car, look under the carpet and insulation on the floor boards. These old Z's are prone to rust, especially cars from back east or from rainy areas. $3600.00 is far too much to pay for a rust bucket...Just my thoughts on your potential purchase.

Listen closely to the advice above! Don't learn the hard lesson. have all the information you need to inspect the car AND be ready and able to WALK AWAY from a car that "looks good" but will never be a whole car again without a Microsoft budget.

I looked over the car quite a bit and its no bad in the engine compartment, floorboards or under the hatch but I was just wondering if that rust will become really bad really fast.

Any rust you can see in the wheelwells, or rocker panels is just the tip of the iceberg. There is more ROT in places that you cannot see.

Rust will ALWAYS get worse if you don't remove it (or treat it with something, assuming it hasn't already ruined the panel)

If the rust on the fenders is just infront of the door or just in back of the door. This is rust coming through the fender from the inside. The front stuff is at the beginning of the frame rail and the rust to the rear is the back end of the frame rail and the connect where supports go accross the car to the other side. If the frame rail is rusted , for this kind of money WALK AWAY !! Sorry but this is big dollors to fix properly .