Hello from Phoenix - I'm seriously considering a 240Z for my next car and know very little about them except that they're beautiful. I'll be reading as much as can on these forums to try and learn as much as possible while I wait for my current car to sell. If any of you with more experience care to send me some advice on things to look for or avoid, I'd appreciate it all. Thanks.

-Flamenco

Look for: No or little rust

Avoid: Rust

It sounds self-defeating I know, but these cars are very thin skinned and super prone to rusting. Since they're unibody, any rust can end up affecting the structure of the car.

Other that that, you'd need to decide if you're looking for a project or for a restored car.

No project for me - I'm a mechanical dunce. Ideally I'll find one that one of you have obsessed over and let me have based on my sheer appreciation for them (or to fund your next projects)...

Sorry Flamenco, once a Z is in the family, it's there to stay!

Z owners are not totally reluctant to part with thier cars, often times then need a sudden cash injection or life otherwise requires one less car in the drive (or one with more seats).

That said, pristine cars that are loved by owners sell for high dollar amounts. You can certainly find one that's been loved and cared for well, but don't expect it to be a 2000 dollar roller.

Also, these cars are getting up there. My 78 is 28 years old...meaning early 240s can be 36+. Old cars are not without problems, and these cars aren't american built from iron...they're pretty complex, especially if you get to the fuel injected models.

If you have no mechanical inclanation at all, it's best you learn a bit...otherwise you'll have a hard time finding someone that specializes in these cars and a harder time paying for the work.

Hook up with a member of the Arizona Z car club to help you inspect or give you some hints, or maybe leads to the right car at the right price.

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/7808/\

EDIT_ now that I've done a little web searching, It would appear the the Desert Z Car Club seems to be a little more active -

http://www.desertzassociation.com/

Use all your resources and try both!

Hello from Phoenix - I'm seriously considering a 240Z for my next car and know very little about them except that they're beautiful. I'll be reading as much as can on these forums to try and learn as much as possible while I wait for my current car to sell. If any of you with more experience care to send me some advice on things to look for or avoid, I'd appreciate it all. Thanks.

-Flamenco

If you let us know what budget you have in mind - it could greatly alter our advice. Are you thinking $5K or $25K?

A 240-Z that is actually in beautiful conditoin and really road ready.. will run in the $9,500.00 to $14,500 range... Buy selectively and carefully in the $6K to $9K range today and you can realistically expect to have to put another $3K to $5K into the car... The bottom line is the more you can fund up front the less expensive in total cost the 240-Z will be.

FWIW,

Carl B.

Clearwater, FL USA

http://ZHome.com

Thanks for all the tips. I'll check out the local clubs. As I mentioned, I'm not mechanical, but that said, I am not averse to learning as things happen to the car over time. I would like a car that's pretty much done at the beginning so that my potential maintenance costs remain reasonable.

I'd like to keep the car below $15K ($10K is even better!). From the little research I have been doing, it seems like a safe ballpark to get something nicely restored. I won't be showing the car - it's just for personal use. I will definitely look into having someone who knows what to look for accompany me on any potential car inspections.

I think I have found the right forums - nice to see so many helpful people.

Thanks again.

Living in Arizona, you should be able to find a nice rust-free 240Z. By contacting the local Z-Car Clubs in Arizona that Victor provided, that should be a big help. Here are some examples of some nicely restored 240Zs, like some of the other members have stated in this thread, be prepared to spend a good amount of $$$ for a solid 240. Good luck and let us know when you find one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-Z-Series-Datsun-240Z-1971-Fully-Restored-240-Z_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6187QQihZ020QQitemZ300017696133QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-Datsun-240z-ground-up-restored_W0QQitemZ220015587218QQihZ012QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-240z-fairlady-z-look_W0QQitemZ230016349990QQihZ013QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/73-Datsun-240Z-FULLY-RESTORED-SHOW-CAR-LOADED-MUST-SELL_W0QQitemZ280018396611QQihZ018QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$10k? You should get a 240z for around $1000ish. Then spend that extra money restoring it the way YOU want it.

I am getting a 240z for $700. It is in excellent condition for the price and age (see my thread). Though the engine and tranny have recently been rebuilt, atm everything else is running me $1,500 to $2,000 atm to get it the way I want it.

New carpet and padding, new vinyl on the seats, new hoses, new windshield, basic maintance, new tires, ect. Could always get a Haynes manule. They are really good, have pictures and are pretty detail on how to do things.

Red Dog,

I guess you didn't read through the entire thread -he wants to buy one ready to go and doesn't want to deal with restoring a car.

Yep - I'd rather learn on a car that has small troubles occasionally than an entire project. I need the car as an everyday driver... Thanks for all the comments so far. Not to change the focus, but I find I'm liking some of those old 510s, too.