daily driver

[AndysPlit]

Any thoughts would be appreciated on this. I own a 78 280Z that has been my project/baby for 10 years. After all it's been through I have finally gotten her to the point where I refuse to have it as my daily driver. Simply, she just looks too good for that sort of abuse these days. I have gone through a lot of trouble to accomplish this, and I wouldn't want to drive her back into the ground. She WAS my sole source of transportation for 9 years. It's the "weekend car" now, I suppose.

I am now about to sell my daily-driver which is an 86 VW Vanagon. The gas mileage sucks and these things are charming but full of problems. I think I want to find a 280ZX 2+2 to step in to be my daily-driver. My budget isn't that much (maybe a couple grand or so) otherwise I would be looking into something newer. The ZX is a reliable car, I know. That and it wouldn't be as much as say a Z32 or 350.

I'm not even expecting to cherry this one out. One project is enough for me. Does this sound ludicrous or should I consider a Sentra?......something less exciting but reliable.

2 Z's..............one for work and one for play. Anyone else out there doing this?

[SportBikeMike]

Well both of my Zs are basically weekend toys, I have a truck for a daily driver....but I live in Illinois. If I lived in Cali like you do, I would definitely consider having a Z for a daily driver since you have less crappy weather (and maybe keep the VW for when the weather is bad....). I say go for it!

[AndysPlit]

Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, I just can't afford to keep the VW. I have a feeling it will eventually cost me more. My first Vanagon's engine caught on fire. This one seems to be having problems with the transmission. Anyway, I'm hoping to find the right 2+2. Don't know if I want t-top because of the leak factor.

By the way, anyone know if you bake under the sun when the T-Tops are on? Do they come tinted?

Well both of my Zs are basically weekend toys, I have a truck for a daily driver....but I live in Illinois. If I lived in Cali like you do, I would definitely consider having a Z for a daily driver since you have less crappy weather (and maybe keep the VW for when the weather is bad....). I say go for it!

[SER240Z]

I might be wrong, since I don't have a 2+2, but I thought there was some kind of panel that went under the glass when it was on so that you don't bake.

I have two Z's also. My 240 is a work in project and I just picked up a 280zx for cheap, that is now my daily driver.

Scott

[AndysPlit]

If anyone has info on that panel that would be great. Thanks Scott. I see your car set-up is similar to what I want. OK, so I'm not so crazy. Should I be weary of an automatic transmission for the ZX?

I might be wrong, since I don't have a 2+2, but I thought there was some kind of panel that went under the glass when it was on so that you don't bake.

I have two Z's also. My 240 is a work in project and I just picked up a 280zx for cheap, that is now my daily driver.

Scott

[ggarrard]

Andy - Yes, there are sunshades that "screws" into the frame of the glass t-tops....without them you can feel the sun, even here in the Great White North. I leave the shades in, and rarely even remove the t-tops on my ZXT (use the A/C). Be advised the back seat of a 2+2 is pretty small (even for my 10 year old son). There should be no reason to fear the automatic...

GWGarrard

Osgoode ON, Canada

72 240Z (toy #1 - needing some TLC)

83 ZXT 2+2 (toy #2)

00 Altima SE (daily commuter)

[red_dog007]

I think that I would just a nice modern daily driver like a Sentra or something. A Z car would be nice, but you already got on of those. You might loss your thrill about driving y our weekend car and just drive your daily car ALL the time instead. Might loss interest in the weekend car.

Sentra would also be cheaper/easier to work on, way better fuel economy, passenger friendly, grocery shopping friendlier, possible cheaper insurance.

[SportBikeMike]

Red dog makes a good point! After driving a dog slow boring pickup truck all week, I can't wait to get in one of the Zs (or bike).....that way they always seem fresh and exciting.....whereas if you drove them daily, even a sports car would seem mundane after awhile and you wouldn't appreciate them as much. Having an economical, boring car for a DD can be a good thing...

[AndysPlit]

Funny. I had the same thoughts about this a few weeks ago. Maybe I'm just trying to find an excuse to simply collect another Z even though I want to do my best to preserve the 78. I know one thing is for certain; I'm keeping it Nissan or at least Japanese this time around. No more Vanagons!

I think that I would just a nice modern daily driver like a Sentra or something. A Z car would be nice, but you already got on of those. You might loss your thrill about driving y our weekend car and just drive your daily car ALL the time instead. Might loss interest in the weekend car.

Sentra would also be cheaper/easier to work on, way better fuel economy, passenger friendly, grocery shopping friendlier, possible cheaper insurance.

[Hrududu]

I'd really go for something newer. I have a 97 Geo Prizm that I drive when the weather isn't fair or gas is too much (like now.) I just saw a 95 5 speed sell for $1500 here in KS and I would highly reccomend getting one. They are nice cars and get up to 34mpg easily. They are pretty spacious and I have never had an issue with mine. A ZX might be fun, but I honestly can't believe any car thats 24+ years old is going to be THAT reliable. In the end, I think you would save a lot of money buying something thats a little more recent.

[AndysPlit]

Well, there is something to be said about a 24 year old car, I agree. (sigh)........decisions. Thanks for the tip.

I'd really go for something newer. I have a 97 Geo Prizm that I drive when the weather isn't fair or gas is too much (like now.) I just saw a 95 5 speed sell for $1500 here in KS and I would highly reccomend getting one. They are nice cars and get up to 34mpg easily. They are pretty spacious and I have never had an issue with mine. A ZX might be fun, but I honestly can't believe any car thats 24+ years old is going to be THAT reliable. In the end, I think you would save a lot of money buying something thats a little more recent.

[zbane]

I drive my ZX as a DD. While I don't worry much about short distance drives (@100 miles), anything over that tend to make me a little nervous-not that the car will break down, but IF the car breaks down, the hunt for parts while on the road is not fun. I've done that once, that's enough.

If you just need a DD, look for a smallish front driver-prisms are nice enough, but I would steer you to a second gen (1998-2001?) Honda CRX. I had a 98 as my first car, and wish I still had it. the HF model was quick, and returned @35mpg in town, with a teen driving it . There are many go fast parts (non-ricer), repair parts, etc., and the interior space is quite nice-for a two seater.

Need more space? 1991-93 Honda Accord 4 door 5speed.

FWIW