Daily Driver

[AndysPlit]

This Sunday I'm going to look at an 83 ZX 2+2, 5 speed, digital dash, with T-Tops. The most I'll offer is 2K. The going price is at 2.5K. My 78 has been my daily driver ever since my VW took a dump on me a few weeks ago. Luckily I got rid of it but unfortunatly for less than what I paid for.

From what I understand the ZX's can be good daily drivers. I hope it looks and runs as good as the seller claims. I really want to get back to taking it easy on the 78. Wish me luck!

[Hrududu]

You really think a 280ZX 2+2 non turbo is worth $2000? Personally I think anything you want to use as a reliable daily driver needs to be much newer. I use my 77 280 as a daily driver about 50% of the time, and use my 97 Geo Prizm the rest of the time. I found even my 87 Buick Century with 70k original miles wasn't reliable enough to use as a daily driver. I just find its nice to have a newer car to use. An 83 is still 24 years old. Its gonna have issues I'm sure.

[Fun_in_my_z]

beets the hell out of making payments...

[red_dog007]

All cars are going to have problems, even new cars off the lot can get problems minor or major.

I think that $2k is a good price as long as there is no to little rust and no major problems. If it is going to be a project car and a daily driver, make sure that the motor is already the way you want it, or just one afternoons work away from being there. (air filter, fuel filter, battery, hoses, clamps, fluids, ignition, distributer, ect.)

If all is in check, I would get it. The 280zx T-Tops 2+2 is actually my preferred choice of a Z car. I have a 240z that I love and will only get ride of for a 2006/2008 Viper, but I would have rather had gotten a 280. Though due to costs, I settled for the awesome deal that I found for my 240z in awesome condition for an awesome price. I basically got a perfectly running, no cancer rust 240z for the price of a parts car.

[bigoak]

beets the hell out of making payments...

True...but you might be putting in a equal amount on an old car.

Right now my summer DD (I live in Canada) is an '87 300ZX 2+2 bought because it was near mint and in that configuration it wouldn't have the crap beat out of it (tranny was rough and did need a rebuild though...).

Just a lot more fun than a '97 Geo Prizm (no offense).

Make sure the basics are right (no rust, but you're in Cali...shouldn't be much...) and have fun with a summer Z.

Cheers,

[Arne]

Maybe I've been spoiled by living in a mild climate for so long. To me, any car can be a daily driver. I generally drive my 240Z to work at least once a week. I drove a (personally restored) '67 MGB every day for the better part of 5 years. (It was 25+ years old at the time.) Properly maintained, you don't need a modern car for a DD.

Provided, of course, you live somewhere that A/C might be optional...

[sblake01]

I'm in agrement with Arne. I've used my 79 810 as a DD for the last four years. Prior to that, it was my 78 280z for 9 years. And they both have more than adequate A/C.

[Hrududu]

Just a lot more fun than a '97 Geo Prizm (no offense).

None taken. Its probably the most boring car I've driven in my life, but it does excellent on gas and has never had any problems. Sometimes I just need that "new" car feel.

[Arne]

And they both have more than adequate A/C.

Yes, your cars would, Stephen.:classic:

I could get decent A/C in the Datsun, I'm sure. But that wasn't a realistic option for many of my past hobby cars - like the MG for example, or the hopped up Fiat 600...

[AndysPlit]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. The seller told me that the paint and body are in good shape and that there is no rust. Even if the paint is a little dull, perhaps I'll throw a 1-Day paintjob just for the sake of keeping it nice and for any potential buyers in the future.

It's either this route or I do get sucked into payments for a more recent model. I also strongly considered the Sentra, Maxima, Altima, and 240SX's ranging from 1990 to 2000 from private sellers. I am simply not that excited about those models with all due respect to Nissan's bread and butter vehicles. I'm still young and I have been wanting a ZX 2+2 for a while. Initially that was the model I was looking at but when I discovered the S30 series I had to have one.

My 78 has been my faithful DD for a decade and she's done well. Now it's time to have her as the weekender. Although an 83 is old, I feel with some money and a little faith she'll be as just as reliable.........I hope I do not eat those words later but I'll keep you posted.

We'll see. I'll feel it out this Sunday. For 2K I hope I find what I'm looking for.

Otherwise I'll walk away.

Cheers.

[AndysPlit]

I checked out the 83 yesterday. Again I had to pass. The guy was asking way too much for the car. The suspension was shot, the tranny sounded noisy in 3rd, and the hood had a busted hinge. The body was straight and the engine felt fine, but I just saw another project.

I also checked out an 86 last night. Great looking car but again I had to walk away because I felt this kid was hiding something. That and he had no recollection if the timing belt had ever been serviced.

Honestly, since I am looking for a ZX 2+2, hands down the Z31 seems to be a better car than the 280ZX's. Since they were aiming for the GT market back then I feel the 300 all around is a little more exciting. Funny, I never thought I would hear myself say that.

[hls30.com]

All cars are going to have problems, even new cars off the lot can get problems minor or major...

Only in a new car, you have to wait for the dealer to take care of it-if its under warranty, or pay the dealer to fix it if it isn't because aftermarket parts are not available.

Short of a serious accident or major engine work, I could fix the Z faster than I could get a tuneup at my local Dodge or Volvo Dealers...and after paying $479 for having an alternator replaced, I know it is cheeper to repair...I swear new cars are engineered to support the dealers service department first and foremost. I have put more than 200k on strut insulators, alternators and starters in a 240Z, My S80 has had two alternators, a new set of strut insulators in less than 40K! A Volvo 240 ran like a top for 250K plus! If the technology from 30 years ago worked with that much reliability, these failures have to be planned into the new car parts.

Will