I found a 74 260z with an L28 this weekend and was wondering if I should pick it up? The guy is askin' for $500, but he said to make him an offer... im thinking$200-$300...

Details:

*Has not been registered since 2002

*Carbs need to be synchronized

*AC needs to be recharged

*300zx wheels with new tires

*Clean title and never been in an accident

:stupid:

The tires are worth 300 if there really new, 500 sounds fair to me.

Some of the other guys in California can help you more on the legal aspects of re-registering after that many years.

But as with all these cars, the key factor is what the car's condition is.

If it's a rust-bucket, are you inheriting someone else's junker? Have you checked to see just how much rust it DOES have? (And there are very few truly rust-FREE Z's.) Do a search on "Rust Spots" and you'll find tons of reading material.

Not too long ago, there was another member in the LA area who had one in the Classifieds who just couldn't get anyone to buy it....that also needed some work. Have no idea if it's the same car or not.

You might even get Stephen Blakeney, the club's resident AC expert to help you out with what needs to be done to the AC, he's been in the business for years.

The carbs need not be a problem, Z-Therapy has good info and material.

The 300ZX wheels are also not a problem. MSA sells wheels, and you'd be set.

The biggest question is how much would you have to invest into it to make it into a driver and what YOUR intentions are.

2¢

E

Look for crash damage as well. I know that sounds like a no brainer but he could be tyring to get a furtune out of his wreck

Look at the front frame rails for wrinkles and check for bondo

Here's the link to the one I recalled in LA, it is a 75 280 though:

http://www.classiczcars.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=1589&cat=1

E

4 years without REG..You better check with the DMV to see the fines to re register.. Might not be that much since it is an older car but I would still check..

In California, you'd most likely have to pay those four years of registration unless he's paid for a certificate of non operation for each of those years. The only other option is a salvage title but that's not such a great option since it would give you insurance problems and pretty much kill the value of the car.

I'm not clear on the registration issues. Why would you need to pay any back registration if the car has been off the road, the insurance cancelled and the car has a bill of sale with it? I know in some states titles are not given after a car is over 30 years old. In other states like California if the title is provided with the car and then registered by you they may or may not provide a new title.

As for the car itself I suppose you may want to consider that old addage " you get what you pay for." Unless the seller just wants to get rid of it and has no use for it a $500.00 car is usually just that a $500.00 car and all the possible trouble that goes along with it. If you want a project car and you like 260s and you don't care what condition it's in then it may be a good bet. If you want to just drive the car and not do too much with it then it's also a good bet. But if you plan on restoring the car or refreshing the car and you have some level of that in mind then if it was me I would attempt to try to find a 240z in that simlar shape and price range, but that's just me.

Good luck with the decision.

McKrack

What I said was based on my experiences with the California DMW. Since he's in Calfornia I thought it would be of some use. I can't speak of other states. As far as the car itself, like you say a $500 car is a $500 car.

As Stephen mentioned, in California unless the owner applied for a non-op registration, the California DMV will extract its blood. All past years of revenue will be collected by the DMV prior to their issuance of the new title. This also comes from my personal experience with the DMV.

thanks everyone for your $0.02....

I figured that i would have trouble with the DMV registration, but that 's okay...

*The guy said that he drove it back in '02 and that he just needs to get rid of the car because he has his other car, a mustang and its parked at his mom's house and she wants it out of there... his loss could be my gain i thought!!!

btw, i already have a 1974 260z sitting at home already.. i could use it for parts.... hmmm

Ill give him $250...

Thanks again...

thanks everyone for your $0.02....

I figured that i would have trouble with the DMV registration, but that 's okay...

*The guy said that he drove it back in '02 and that he just needs to get rid of the car because he has his other car, a mustang and its parked at his mom's house and she wants it out of there... his loss could be my gain i thought!!!

btw, i already have a 1974 260z sitting at home already.. i could use it for parts.... hmmm

Ill give him $250...

Thanks again...

Good bet son,

good bet.

~Z~