75 280z on eBay - Your Thoughts...

[QMan]

What do you think is wrong with the rear suspension? I emailed the guy and he said it's a common problem with them.

Yes it runs good, I just fixed it. It only needed a fusible link replaced and it started right up. I just changed the oil and filter and fixed the clutch with new master cylinder and slave for the hydralic cutch, it already had a new clutch mechanism from a few years ago. Has almost new tires, good brakes and exhaust. It would only take a little TLC to start driving it. I drove it as is around the block about 2 miles, engine seems strong, shifts smoothly, but needs the old gas ran out of it, I put new gas and cleaner in it so far. The rear suspension is just the strut assembly from what I have been told this is a common problem with these cars. I have picked up several parts cars so I'll have any part you would need.

Thanks!

Never really heard of it but never had an older Z - a couple ZXs but not a Z.

Here's the link:

75 280z on eBay

Looks decent and I live less than 2 hours from him so maybe we can make a deal. Any thoughts in general on the car and specifically the suspension?

Thanks all,

~Q

[zbane]

Don't know about the suspension, but it seems that the bumpers are missing some rubber. Didn't he say there was an issue with toe in in front? Seems odd that this car was driven cross country but now has a toe in problem.

For the price though, may not be too bad, but then again, I'm no mechanic and, like you, have no Z experience, only ZX.

I would suggest waiting for others to chime in before buying.

[Virto]

Hard to say without getting under the car and having a better idea of what exactly he's on about.

Considering the rails and floors could be rusted out (ala my car, even though she looked superb on the outside...) I'd say 1800 is a bit steep for a parts car.

If we had a little more firsthand knowledge of the problems she has, it might be a good buy...but without at least knowing the underside condition, I'd pass.

[sblake01]

Rear end out of alingment as in camber adjustment is common on these cars. But the rear end being shifted to one side? Never heard of that. Sounds like some kind of damage to me. It also seems to be missing both bumper valences. I'd have to agree that the price is a bit high for a parts car. Plus I'd never buy that 'needs the old gas ran out of it' line especially on an EFI car. That usually equals 'crud in the tank' which stays there after all the 'old gas' and cleaner has been run out.

[hls30.com]

I would either get a club member close to the car to have a look for you, or leave the car alone. There aren't too many things that can cause a rear suspension to shift that much, and none of them are good. Consider the car a running parts car and it is way over priced. Too many unknowns, and unanswered questions. Add that to the fact that the pictures show a place with lots of car work going on(multiple garages and a yard lift with a truck on it in the background) and you have a car waving a huge red flag! I don't know too many people who would put in a new clutch and just let the car sit-unless they found something bad while putting in the clutch...since there is a lift in the yard 20 feet from the car, putting it in the air would be very easy, and that would make getting under it to see what is bent and take pictures easy too-there is a reason he doesn't want to spend 10 minutes to do this-and you probably don't want to find out what it is after you have committed to buy the car. The seller knows the car is not economical to repair, or he would repair it and swell it for a profit-after all, that is obviously what he does on ebay!

Will

[oldroaddog]

I would definitely take a hard look at the chassis and floor boards for rust. Ohio can be very rough on older cars if driven during winter months. There is a lot of bumper rubber missing which will be expensive to replace if your restoring to original. Also note the composite steel wheels. My car came with some like those and they're not the best quality.

[COZY Z COLE]

That's a $500 car... plus towing it.

LARRY

[SteveJ]

That's a $500 car... plus towing it.

LARRY

I second that.

[EScanlon]

I'd guess the guy is a boneyard recycler and is trying to get the most buck for the bang.

East coast pricewise...he'll probably get it as the car is not a total loss from what he's posting. Rough, yes. But we've all seen worse and have encouraged people to repair them. Even the mis-aligned rear wheel. It may be as simple as a pair of control arms...not nice but not insurmountable.

Rest of country.....overpriced.

If this is your first one to look at....pass on it. It would be a challenge to someone who's worked on them before, and knows what to fix and where to buy it. If you don't have that experience...you're just throwing money away.

2¢

E

[COZY Z COLE]

To me this post appears to be the same car and look at the problem he has... I wonder just who owns this car and who is selling it??? I'd stay 100 miles away from this car...:stupid:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22426

LARRY

[jmortensen]

If it is that same car finding a new strut and control arm assy shouldn't be too hard, and installing it is downright easy. If the chassis is bent then I'd say forget it, but I wouldn't completely dismiss a car because it had that strut issue.

[COZY Z COLE]

I guess I should of made my post more specific. If this is the same car and in both posts the yard looks the same, Yellowjacket05 said he just bought it while Qman is getting an e-mail as if it still is for sale. Something doesn't add up here IMO....

LARRY