My first Z need advice.

[nasamedic]

I'm think about my first Z

I really love the 240. But find the 77 280s look much like the 240s

I love the less clutter in the engine compartment of the 240. Are the 280s fuel injected.

I would like to spend about 3,000 to 4,000 Make it a weekend driver, and over time make nice.

Did any one see the 280z with 30000 miles sell for 4500 bucks on ebay. Is this bull $^!# or can deals like this be true.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-Datsun-280z-rare-original-30K-miles_W0QQitemZ250174788742QQihZ015QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Rick

[DeesZ]

Welcome....You will enjoy a Z-car if you get a decent one. At first glance, the 240Z & 280Z do share very similar lines, but there are some fundamental differences as well. Don't ask which is better..... that's all in the eyes of the beholder (or owner). We all own pretty much what we prefer, and those preferences are based upon the differences among the cars. You seem to be picking up on some of the differences already, so you may wish to do a bit more research before throwing a wad of cash at the situation. Do a search on eBay for the 'completed' (sold) 280Z. You'll find 280Z's ranging from $500.00 to $10,000.00 in various conditions. $4,000 ~ $5,000 should get you a really decent driver. Be very picky and patient and you will get a good car for a fair price. Watch for rust and the usual killer issues. I suggest that you use eBay as a way to determine the value of what you are looking for, and then I would look around 'locally' in Florida for a while before buying one that is very far away... travel and or shipping can be a real pain in the rear and expensive, and sometimes the vehicles are not all that they are cracked up to be. Check out the classifieds here, too. The members here are generally pretty honest and fair with each other, and will certainly be willing to make suggestions related to the value of those that you find.

[MEZZZ]

Great advice on searching for the Z DeesZ. I was a recent victim myself of buying a car sight unseen. I looked locally for months and finally turned to Ebay. After looking around for a couple months, I finally came across a '77 that looked good at a glance. The ad was not all that descriptive so I emialed the P.O. back and forth a few times ascking specific questions and was satisfied with the responses I received. Made the resrve price bid and figured if someone bid over me, it wasnt meant to be. $4000 was the reserve, I won the auction, paid another $777 to DAS to ship across country, got the car...AND...you guessed it...a MAJOR disappointment!

Was told the car was rust free...I always take that with a grain of salt anyway...upon closer inspection, inside rear hatch was rotted, a very small hole inner passenger fender. Was told no evidence of bondo, very obvious bondo work (looks like a wad of gum about 3 inches long) in pass. fender. Was told you can tell they didnt use a piant of "high quality", in reality, it was a home job, overspray EVERYWHERE, inside the car, the entire engine compartment, every hose and wire, all weatherstripping, even the windshield and wipers, solid in spots! The radio didnt work, blower motor. Was told everything but the clock worked.

And to top it all off, I won the auction on Aug 17th, sent P.O. (P.O.S.) check on 8-18, today is 10-23 and I STILL dont have a title! Said he would send FedEx, now claims he "mailed the tiltle" on 9-07 and it must have gotten lost.

I filed fraud claim on ebay, they investigated, called me and tld me P.O. is filing for a replacement title. I follow up 2 weeks ago with the investigator and find out he JUST Applied to have the title transferred into his name on 10-3! Seems he bought the car 4 weeks prior on Ebay for a "Buy it Now" price of $1750! The classic flip scam! Didnt do so much as do an oil change on it as the filter had paint overspray just like the rest of the motor!

Ebay wont do anything, the seller is an idiot that stopped answering my emails. My next step is to petition the BMV in my state with my cancelled check an Ebay ad and see if I can get a title that way.

Make a long story short, BE CAREFUL doing what I did! I bought 2 other cars and a Harley on Ebay with great results..this was a disaster!

To top it all off, I climbed under the car tonight, I have been so disgusted with the whole thing, I havent done much to it in the 6 weeks I have had it..I want to take the rear bumper off..had a light under the car, looked forward and saw a small area of undercoating off the pass. frame rail...looked closer, you guessed it, RUST!! About an inch long hole that I am sure would open up bigger if I pushed it.

Take it from me...be careful! I saw that car on Ebay in Indiana, the '78 with a claimed 30K on it...sounded great for the price and the pics looked nice. It is about a 3 hour drive from me, I was tempted to go look at it but my wife shunned the idea after what happened. I guess I have no recourse but to slowly fix the problems and have more $$ in it than I planned.