1977 280z as daily driver

[keval]

Greetings.

I'm looking for a daily driver and found a very low mileage (about 30K) 1977 California 280z for sale for a reasonable price. Assuming it's had regular service and no accidents, do you guys have any thoughts on its probable utility as a daily driver? I've always wanted a Z, have some experience working on old cars, but don't want to purchase this one if I have to turn around and buy another that's more reliable for those days that the Z just doesn't feel like getting out of bed.

How long do these cars typically last? What tends to go wrong with them?

Thanks,

Kevin

[cunniwj]

The Z is a strong car but the one your looking at is over thirty years old and things will break. As far as the mileage you says it has isn't much considering the age if it's truly represented. I don't know about the 280's but my 240 oddemeter turns over at 100,000. If it will be the only car you'll have you may want to reconsider. If some thing breaks even though there's plenty of parts out there, there not always avaible on a moments notice. I have two Z's a 72 and 82 and my truck just for that reason.

[hls30.com]

THe cars typically go 200k plus with proper care and maintenance. The 280z is less finicky than a carbed z, and I would think it would do just fine.

I drove Zs for daily drivers for most of the last 25 years, other than brakes, a couple of half shafts, the odd starter and alternator, shocks and an exhaust stud, nothing but typical maintenance-except upgrades!

Just have a Z familiar mechanic go through the Z before you put it in daily service to be sure nothing (belts, hoses, fluids, tires, bushings, etc) has deteriorated from sitting(30k in 31 years-the car has done some sitting).

Will

[keval]

Thanks for the input.

Frankly, my daily driver is a motorcycle and we have a couple of cars I use as back-ups. However, there are times when I can't show up to meetings in a helmet and safety gear and, for those times, I'd like to consider this Z (or another one like it). I had the same idea when I bought a '67 MGB; although I learned volumes on how to maintain old cars, I eventually had to buy a Miata as a daily driver 'cause Brit sports cars don't like rain and really aren't reliable. Therefore, before I risk doing the same with a Z, I'm seekin' informed input.

[Arne]

...I eventually had to buy a Miata as a daily driver 'cause Brit sports cars don't like rain and really aren't reliable..

Hmm.

I'll agree that a well maintained 280Z (or 240Z) can work fine as a daily driver. But your comment above makes me wonder if that will be true for you, your driving conditions and habits. I don't mean any of this as any kind of criticism, no offense is intended.

But you see, old Brit cars can be plenty reliable as well. I drove a '67 MGB as my daily driver for over four years after I refurbished it mechanically. In those four years, I had not one single failure that compromised its use. Not one. It never left me stranded, and always started and got me to where I needed to go. And I'm in Western Oregon, where it does rain now and then.

So when I compare your MGB experiences to mine, it makes me question whether a Z will be the kind of reliable car you need, under your conditions.

[keval]

No offense taken.

Don't get me wrong - my MGB was an amazingly reliable little car. Heck, I'm about the only person I know who can honestly say that he never had electrical issues with it. Problems were two-fold: first, it didn't have overdrive and we do a lot of highway driving here, to the point where I began to be concerned about taxing its abilities; second, northern Virginia has never really believed in snow and ice removal. Come November, you take your life in your hands a couple of times a month by driving on unprepared roads. I refused to drive the MG on those kinds of days for fear that someone would hit me or I'd spin out and disrespect a tree. Otherwise, it was a great little car to drive and lots of fun to work on.

But it was 35 years old at that point with probably 200K miles on it. With the kind of driving I was doing, I just didn't feel confident that something wouldn't give out on a dark highway one night.

If it develops that a low mileage 280Z would make me feel the same way, then I'd probably pass and get another Miata instead. Which would be a pity, 'cause I've always loved the early Zs.

Kevin

[Arne]

No offense taken.

Glad to hear it. I will admit that I do now drive my 240Z regularly, although not every day. But several times per week, at least. But that might not be for everyone.

first, it didn't have overdrive and we do a lot of highway driving here

Understood. I've been back to your part of the country on work once, and I'm aware that to get most anywhere you do have to hit the highway or freeway. Much more like us out West, not so much like the NE, for example. That being the case, you'll definitely want a Z with a 5 speed. Because the 4 speeds (and automatics) are buzzy by modern standards. I don't find this too bad if I keep to the back roads around here (generally around 60 MPH), but if I was on the freeways much I'd be looking for a 5 speed for mine. (I did have an overdrive in my B, you're right, it was much more relaxed on the highway.)

second, northern Virginia has never really believed in snow and ice removal. Come November, you take your life in your hands a couple of times a month by driving on unprepared roads. I refused to drive the MG on those kinds of days for fear that someone would hit me or I'd spin out and disrespect a tree.

Early Z cars don't have much of a reputation as a winter car, either. And Zs aren't all that much larger than the MG, either. It doesn't snow much where I live, but when it does, the Z stays in the garage.

But it was 35 years old at that point with probably 200K miles on it. With the kind of driving I was doing, I just didn't feel confident that something wouldn't give out on a dark highway one night.

If it develops that a low mileage 280Z would make me feel the same way, then I'd probably pass and get another Miata instead. Which would be a pity, 'cause I've always loved the early Zs.

Kevin

Remember that the last of the early Zs ('78 280Z) are now 30 years old. Even a low mileage 280Z will likely have experienced some deterioration over the years.

Don't get me wrong, I think that a clean, well maintained 280Z might work well for you. But make certain you've found a good one, as it doesn't sound like you are looking for a rolling restoration project.

[keval]

This is exactly the kind of input I'm looking for. Thanks.

Kevin

[76Datsun280z]

I use my '76 280z as a daily driver and it works great, I couldn't say more. It's my first car, so I've been driving it for two years now and not once has it ever broken down or left me stranded. My dad and I have done a whole lot to it both mechanically and cosmetically since I got it four years ago from what it used to be, which of would account for why it's been so reliable.

Just expect little things to happen every now and then as would happen with any 30+ year old car and as long as you're ok with that, then I think you would be real happy with the 280z as they make a really fun and reliable daily driver.

[DatsunZsRule]

Not to disappoint you, but on the winter factor alone, I'd go with something else thats newer and has more of a fighting chance against old man winter :mad: The classic 1st generation Z Cars will just get destroyed if driven in the winter Period. That goes for not only the Z's, but ANY vehicle in that same age bracket.

I just hate when I see people purchase a nice mint condition southern low mileage 1st gen. Z and subject it to the salt belt But you can and will do whatever you want. Just voicing my concearns