Parking the Z

[76Datsun280z]

I just wanted to give you guys a little heads up on why you probably won't be seeing me around here as much!

I'm going to be going to college in Souther California (Simi Valley) and heading down there on Saturday (the 9th). My parents and I decided that it would be best if I didn't take the Z down there and to leave it in their garage to prevent it from getting damaged or vandalized in the college campus parking lot. My original plan was to take it down, but my parents ended up convincing me that it would just collect lots dings and scratches from being in the parking lot, and I don't want to see that either. My dad gave me his new VW GTI that I will be taking down there.

I will probably end up selling the Z next summer because I don't need or really want to own to cars, especially in two different states and also because I hate to see it have to take up parking/work space in their garage.

I bought a Technalon car cover, putting a Battery Tender on it and also putting a dehumidifier in the interior to store her away properly.

Edited August 6, 2008 by 76Datsun280z

[mally002]

DON'T SELL THE Z!

In 20 years you will be kicking yourself. Just keep it stored and have it driven on occassion until you have the space.

And there is nothing wrong with owning two cars.....Heck I have three classics and will most likely add another this Fall.

Good luck in school,

Randy

PS....Here's the adopted Triplets.........

[cunniwj]

I agree with with the last post. Don't sell it if you don't need to. If your only cost is keeping up your insurance it's well woth it. I have three cars, 240, 280 zxt and a SUV not counting my kids two cars. When one is in the shop at least we have some thing to get around in. You will be sorry when you finish college and you want another Z and what the cost will be then.

[EScanlon]

Don't sell the Z.

Use the GTI at college for the next few years, and once you're in graduate school, if you decide to do that, or graduated THEN pull the Z out.

The GTI will fit right at home with all the undergrads and even some of the upper-classmen. So take your parents advice and use the GTI at college. That car has enough "coolness" factor to get you into enough trouble on it's own without using a Z.

The Z would either be seen as a "sports car" or as a "rich-boy's" toy.... neither of which would be a good thing to have in college because your roommates, dormmates and just about everyone else would egg you on to do increasingly stupid things. If it wasn't perceived as that, the ignoramuses might perceive it as an old clunker and in turn abuse it. You've put in a lot of effort on this car, and so has your Dad. Dont throw all that away.

In a few years time, if and when you move off-campus and can park the Z in a protected area, THEN swap your Dad.

Heck, you might consider swapping your Dad for the interim and see if he gets enthused enough to put in some "improvements"... (hint-hint).

As far as insurance, put the Z into "storage" insurance, and you'll find the price drop down to a few dollars a month, extremely affordable. Transfer your insurance to the VW, or work out a deal with your Dad.

Take our word for this, or in a few years you'll be saying... I should have listened to you guys.

2¢

E

Edited August 7, 2008 by EScanlon

[zhead240]

is there a dehumidifier made just for cars? if so how much are they and where can i find one?

ps- oh yea, keep the zed.

[mikewags]

don't listen to them...sell me the Z for cheap, and everything will work out great. :devious:

[sblake01]

Make sure your dad starts that car and runs it up to operating temp at least once a month. You know how bad it can be on the EFI/fuel system it they sit idle for too long. I see you've already changed your location. Simi is about 90 miles west of where I live. What college are you attending?

[hls30.com]

Get classic insurance, add some Stabil, fill the tank, have the parental units take her for a date once in a while(good for them, good for the car, good for you!), maybe even enter her in a carshow-build their enthusiasm as E said-and drive her proudly when you head home for the good weather holidays! You will have a car that appreciates while you are in school driving one that steadily depreciates...think of it as a saving account if you must, but keep the Z!

Will

[76Datsun280z]

Thanks for the advice guys,

is there a dehumidifier made just for cars?

We have a couple that we used to put in our boat for storage. You should be able to find them at any marine center.

Make sure your dad starts that car and runs it up to operating temp at least once a month. You know how bad it can be on the EFI/fuel system it they sit idle for too long. I see you've already changed your location. Simi is about 90 miles west of where I live. What college are you attending?

Yup, my parents have have told me they plan to start it up atleaste once a month and maybe take it around the block every once and while and run it through the gears. I'll also through some StaBil in the tank too.

I'll be attending Moorpark Community, about a 15 minute commute away from my relatives ranch.

[Danglybanger]

...So I parked an 86 Lotus Turbo Esprit at the dorms, and continued driving it to college for the next four years or so (when it ran). In Riverside, CA.

What do I have to show for it? Aside from NEVER managing to attract a chick through its use :laugh: (seriously, girls either figure you're overcompensating or don't care/know what it is except that they are very uncomfortable in the seats... I now resort to leaving it in the garage, that way when a girl comes by and sees it parked there I can be all like "oh that thing..." and come across as less showy. But I digress.)

No one ever stole it, keyed it, etc...

I really don't know why in retrospect. But I bought the thing to drive, and was ready for the prospect of any of that happening (and so took a few precautions), but somehow it survived unscathed. Though it can't ding, it's fiberglass.

A Z as nice as yours looks I'd worry a bit about, but I'd much sooner feel secure having a Z in the lot than a Lotus... As much as we love Zs, I think its not THAT conspicuous of a car. Yet. The majority of people:

1.)Don't realize that they're actually rare now.

2.)Have no clue what it is.

3.)Think Datsuns equate to old rustbuckets anyway (which many of them were, before they all seemed to go extinct a few years back).

The only people who are likely to give you much attention are the odd classic car enthusiast of any age, or the 40+ year old contingent (who usually approach saying how great they always thought they were and how they're in the market to buy).

But as you have a free GTI, I can understand why you'd rather take that to school. But...

I've gone through more cars in fewer years than many manage in a lifetime... Muscle, exotic, sports, etc... THE best car I've owned, in every respect is my 280Z.

Keep it fresh. You'll come back to it and love it. In 4 years you'll have a degree and be making money, don't worry about it now if you can afford to keep it.

Edited August 7, 2008 by Danglybanger