Getting frustrated

[Zedyone_kenobi]

You fellahs are inspirational. And a breath of fresh air! I am far more accustomed to the newer automotive forums, and I am continually disappointed with the replies and amount of help there. I have owned 6 subarus and I am going to be selling my 2006 STI. Its a fantastic car, but my 3 month gets jarred around quite badly in it. So is off to races to get a newer more family friendly car.

The good news is that I am going to pick up a Z as soon as the 'right' one finds me. I think the right Z may have just fallen into my lap. Its in North Carolina, but its exceptionally clean and just what I have been looking for. I am looking to buy a plane ticket next week to go see her.

Again guys, thanks so much for the encouragement. Mat, I will be looking at one of those on craigslist if this one does not work out, but I as Oiluj said, go with money in hand! Take no chances.

I will keep you posted on my status if I pick up this mint jewel!

[Arne]

I'll confirm this too. Don't be in a hurry, wait for the right car. I bought my first 240Z after 4 months of research and looking. And I still bought the wrong car.

12 months later, the right car found me, when I wasn't actively looking. So patience is the key, the good cars ARE out there.

[five&dime]

Is it the white one in NC? We just directed a local guy to that car last week. He said he was buying it. The car with white front and rear spoilers

[BR-Z]

Continue the seach. Like many in this thread, I searched for a long time before I found a candidate that fit my need/budget requirements. It had a nearly perfect body, and "delightfully neglected" mechanicals.

The "delightfully neglected" mechanicals meant that there were a lot of problems to fix, but no "poor fixes" to fix!

The strut inserts, for example, were so worn out that there was about a 1/8 deep gouge worn in the side of the chrome strut shaft where it had been developed a lot of play and was grinding itself away on the gland nut.

It wasn't cheap, easy, or quick to get new strut inserts, new ball joints, new tie rod ends, and put all new bushings in the suspension, but now it's all copescetic.

Having previously worked on a car that needed a lot of bodywork, I was CERTAIN I didn't want to do that again when I got this z. That previous project was rewarding and successful, and it was a great learning experience, but JUST LIKE EVERYONE ALWAYS SAYS! - it is not a time-efficient or cost-effective approach.

No matter what car you get, you'll likely need to spend some time sorting it out (this naturally excludes the big-dollar perfect restorations). And you almost certainly want to 'customize' the car with your preferences, so don't forget to buget for that.

Good cars are out there. They're not dirt cheap anymore, but is sounds like you have a very realistic budget in mind -J

[Carl Beck]

Two Days to go on this one:

E-Bay Item #330237123980

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3D330237123980%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1&item=330237123980

This is a nice 72 that has already had a bunch of money put into making it road ready. Fly in to GA and drive it home...

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Arne]

Two Days to go on this one:

E-Bay Item #330237123980

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3D330237123980%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1&item=330237123980

This is a nice 72 that has already had a bunch of money put into making it road ready. Fly in to GA and drive it home...

FWIW,

Carl B.

Looking at it through the eyes of someone (me) who has done it both ways (bought the wrong car first, and the right car later), Carl is right. That green car will be a great buy for someone.

[five&dime]

I agree with many here. Get a car with a very clean body. Mechanical stuff is easy and can be fun. That is what I am doing with the 510. Perfect rust free body but quite a few mechanical gremlins. All easy to fix and a great learning experience. I do all my own paint work but I absolutely hate body work. Rust and bondo are your worst enemy

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I looked at that green car and its on my back up buy list. The price seems right and its no doubt been taken very good care of. I missed that white Z in North Carolina by 2 weeks. Almost had a plane ticket in hand. But now I think I have found the right car with the right owner. Not enough emphasis is put on the owner of the car your buying it from. Buying from a Z enthusiast, makes all the difference.

Pics to come if it comes true, I dont want to post pics of it here, scared I will jinx this sale too.

[Mat M]

I read it here somewhere.... "Needs a litte TLC" really means "Needs Tons of Loot and Cash"!

[Diseazd]

Buy the green car, but please replace the front seat covers. While you're there take it around Road Atlanta!

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Ha ha, road atlanta... that would be great, but I have a confession to make. I am a bit worried that I will be a little disappointed in the Z. I have always love them for their sweet styling and good engineering, but I have been autocrossing a decently modded 2006 WRX STI for the past two years and its just an insane beast of a car. I have never actually driven a Z, and this one in North Carolina will be my first taste of the Z experience. I love the weight, and the layout, and the looks. I do not expect it to be an STI killer, but I am looking forward to some balanced car RWD goodness.

[Diseazd]

Sorry but the white Z in N.C. just got bought by a Richmond Z guy.