Opinion needed (56k sorry pic heavy)

[Seppi72]

As long as you realize that you will undoubtedly have at least $5000 spent on this car by the time you're done, it's your call. Project cars are great as long as you know what you're getting in to. That's the value of having "friends" like us to lean on. Our combined experiences make all of us vastly more knowledgeable.

When you visit the car ths weekend, take a jack and pull all the wheels so you can check the wheel wells for rust using a screwdriver probe. If you don't know where to probe, you can look at my gallery or PM me. My original owner '72 has every rust condition known to Z-dom to one extent or another. Your potential purchase looks pristine by comparison.

I'm gong to spend well over $10k getting my car resurrected, but that's my sentimental choice. Some may gasp at my folly, but where else can you end up with a screamer for that kind of money? Besides, at 57, I'm only going to do this once.

[ToXIc]

As long as you realize that you will undoubtedly have at least $5000 spent on this car by the time you're done, it's your call. Project cars are great as long as you know what you're getting in to. That's the value of having "friends" like us to lean on. Our combined experiences make all of us vastly more knowledgeable.

When you visit the car ths weekend, take a jack and pull all the wheels so you can check the wheel wells for rust using a screwdriver probe. If you don't know where to probe, you can look at my gallery or PM me. My original owner '72 has every rust condition known to Z-dom to one extent or another. Your potential purchase looks pristine by comparison.

I'm gong to spend well over $10k getting my car resurrected, but that's my sentimental choice. Some may gasp at my folly, but where else can you end up with a screamer for that kind of money? Besides, at 57, I'm only going to do this once.

thanks for the advice...

[hls30.com]

I won't tell you, but if you give me the owners name I'll pull the trailer by your house on the way home...

Will(that's a yes)

Sorry, with the new info, locked motor, it would not be a case of bringing a trailer and stopping by on the way home.

That's what happens when enthusiasm and assumption meet and bar good sense from entering!

I wouldn't haul a car anywhere unless I got a great buy on it, or it needed nothing.

Will

[Sailor Bob]

It is really hard to say from the pictures provided. I would look at the trouble spots and asses it from there - some important things (in no particular order):

Frame rails - from the front to the rear

Battery tray and below (right to the frame)

Glass

Interior damage

Exterior damage or rust (how much and how deep)

Paint (original - if not how much work was done on the car befor)

Was the car in any accidents (I would stay away from any car that had ever been significantly damaged)

Was it used for towing (I just bought one that was - it may have changed my opinion if I had known)

Hatch sill (rust)

Door bottoms (rust)

Was the car used for racing

Mechanically intact

Floors and spare tire well

Wheel wells

(check the what to look for list in Zhome.com)

Matching numbers

If these things (or even most of them) seem acceptable or good I think I would have it picked up by now. From the pics you have shown - I like it, but it appears not to be original paint - so there may be hidden body damage that you can not see.

Edited September 4, 2008 by Sailor Bob
I read someone elses comments that reminded me of other things. (Mike)

[Mike]

FYI, you can make this less graphic heavy for our modem users by using the ATTACHMENT option instead of the link to outside pics... Our server will size them down automatically..

Anyway, for an early model car... that price isn't bad. Try to see if he'll take $1k. Just know that you'll spend at least $5 - 10k to restore her...

HOPEFULLY the engine is good for a rebuild. You want to keep the matching numbers (if they are matching).

Mike

[ToXIc]

is that silicone/insulation/rust on the vertical part of the door

Edited September 4, 2008 by ToXIc

[tibZ]

I think it all depends on what you are looking for.That would be a 3K+ car here in new england. $1500 would be a good buy if you want something to putter on for the next 3+ years and finish as your funds allow. Like eveyone has said though, Carefully inspect the entire car so you know what you are getting into.

[Sailor Bob]

I would have bought it in a minute if it was here, particularly if is solid.

[tibZ]

Me Too.......

[Carl Beck]

gotswap and carl...

i'm with you guys about spending more money up from and getting something in better condition but i cant afford that right now..

Hi ToXIc

If you can't afford it right now - how about just putting off the purchase while you save a little more cash to start with a better car. Alternatively - you can start buying the most common parts needed to refresh or restore a 240Z now. Then get the car later - its far easier to store cash or parts than to keep a car in a garage space.

Personally, I don't see how the car pictured could be mildly "refeshed" for anything less than $15K.

i dont really need to have the car running right now and don't mind working on her piece by piece

If you want something to work on - and really enjoy doing that sort of work - then by all means go ahead and get it. It's just that it is SOOOO much more enjoyable to work with a car that isn't a rusted mess to begin with...

good luck,

Carl B.

[Weasel73240Z]

I'm with tibZ on this one. In Cali, Florida or Texas, that may be borderline car. But here in New England, that car is damn near cherry. But it will be costly to get her going again. I though I would just "refresh" my 73 for a couple grand when I bought it. It was in much better condition than that one, and my couple grand quickly swelled to about $6,000 in no time.

Even still, I would scoop that car up in a minute for $1,500.

[Carl Beck]

As long as you realize that you will undoubtedly have at least $5000 spent on this car by the time you're done, it's your call.

AND

Just know that you'll spend at least $5 - 10k to restore her...

HOPEFULLY the engine is good for a rebuild. You want to keep the matching numbers (if they are matching).

Mike

As you can see - many of us have different experiences. I don't see how you could get that car in even "presentable" condition for less than $10K, even if you do the body work and paint yourself.

Past that, its been my experience that once you start "refreshing" every thing leads to the next - and you'll be lucky to have less than $15K in it.

Lots and lots of little stuff adds up in a hurry on these projects.

FWIW,

Carl B.