Im thinking about buying a Datsun 1973 240z. It has a 327 v-8 with a 350 turbo automatic w/a shift kit. The engine has 8,000 miles on it, the car has 67,000 miles. Says theres no rust and the paint is in good condition. It has a custom rear and front bumpers. I think the fuel pump is messed up, because the person that owns it said it only starts when you put fuel in the carburetor and theirs a leak in one of the tiers. Other then that it runs fine.

Any way he is asking for $6400 for it, and I was wondering if thats a good deal. Also what should I look for when I check out the car in person.

This is the 73 datsun 240z that Wired was thinking of buying.

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It sounds a little steep to me. Check the bottoms of the fenders, battery tray, rear deck lid, floors, spare tire well, quarter panels, rockers.

I wouldn't pay that much, then again I'm completely against V8 swaps.

Seems high for me. I guess it depends how how good of condition the interior is in, assuming there isn't much rust and how reliable it is (assuming you want to drive it regularly) I probably wouldn't pay more than $4 for that one, but I really don't like the appearence mods he's done to it.

Well, ...

I'd be inclined to wrap a good magnet in a soft cloth and run it over all the usual areas where car cancer is found. I get very suspicious when someone says, "There's no rust in this Zed". If the magnet loses attraction, there's bog, not metal under the paint.

Rick.

:devious: :devious:

that car has been for sale for over 6 months on craigslist. you might be

able to knock the guy down a lot of the price.

One would think that for that amount of money everything would work. As to the "custom bumpers," they appear to be nothing more than painted steel bars.

Ask the seller for photos of the frame rails, battery tray area, inner fenders, spare tire area, under the carpets, etc.

Thanks guys for your input it has been very helpful. Im going to check out the car Friday so I hope it all goes well.

If any one else would like to add their advice im all ears.

I agree with all the statements above, but it would be nice to know what's been done to the engine as well. If it's a stock longblock, it's certainly not worth as much if it's been heavily built up. Without knowing all the details it's hard to spculate as to the worth of the vehicle. Based on the asking price my guess is that he's actually looking for something in the neighborhood of $5000. Assuming there's no major rust and the engine and everything else is in good running condition, I'd lowball him at $4000 and work up from there based on my comfort level. If it were all stock in the same condition without the customized body work, it would actually be worth more. IMHO

Looks like somebody really wanted a corvette.