Ebay....what parts can be trusted for my 240Z?

[CarCrazy24]

Hey everyone! I've been searching around Ebay, taking a look at common parts that might be useful for my 240Z sometime in the future (clutch kits, water pumps, etc). I just wanted to hear what kind of parts you guys bought from Ebay, and I was wondering how they're working out for you! Appreciate it guys =)

I've been trying to restore the original steering wheel and shift knob...i thought that was gonna be easy...ha :stupid:

[Walter Moore]

Most of the Z car parts on Ebay are usually available for less money on one of the many Z car parts sites. About the only "deals" you are likely to get are on parts that are not available new, and don't deteriorate with age.

Here are a few:

http://www.thezstore.com/

http://www.courtesyparts.com/

http://www.nissanparts.cc/

http://www.zbarn.com/

http://www.classicdatsun.com/

http://www.datsunstore.com/

http://www.ztherapy.com/

I have not dealt with all of those people, and there are others out there, but generally I believe that the retail outlets give better service, and have better products than what you will find on Ebay.

The only parts that I bought on Ebay that ended up being good deals were bumpers, used wheels, and perhaps some various other small parts.

Beware of "New old stock"...

[Arne]

I'm with Walter. I don't buy any new parts from eBay, only used and truly hard-to-find stuff.

[hls30.com]

Find a local (to you) Z club-tidewaterZ maybe, and see what dealer they have worked out a deal with-My local club gets parts form our dealer at a very healthy discount.

I have bought a good many things from Rock auto, and the local parts houses as well.

I share the consensus above-if it is a new part and it is on ebay-it is marked up more often than not-ocassionally a deal is to be had, but it is the exception, not the rule.

If the part number is hidden, count on it being still available no matter how rare or NLA Reddat, or any of the others call it. If it was truely rare or NLA-there is no point in covering the part number! I would order the club CD and check part numbers to check dealer pricing on most parts-more often than not new parts on ebay are lazy people lures-to damn lazy to see if it is available and cheeper from the dealer-more often than not by the time you add shipping, those parts are seriously overpriced.

Will

[JohnnyO]

Can someone post the link directly to the cd ordering page?

TIA

[MikeW]

Can someone post the link directly to the cd ordering page?

https://www.classiczcars.com/store/

It appears as though the security certificate expired recently so your browser will likely complain about it but the link and site is valid.

-Mike

[beandip]

I've been trying to restore the original steering wheel and shift knob...i thought that was gonna be easy...ha :stupid:

On the per verbal scale it should be a 3 in difficulty. You don't need to make it a big deal. Just scrub the ''wood'' part down with dish washing liquid and one of the 3M pads that are used to wash dishes. Sand the metal part to remove and feather out chips in the paint. Mask off the metal and use rattle can gloss urethane . You apply thin coats , don't try to do it with one or two thick ones. you will get runs. I usually apply about 4 or 5 over two or three days. to be safe. The more you lay on the longer to dry. When completely dry mask off the ''wood'' and spray the metal with satin black. The wheel will look as good or better than new.

I agree with the others about E Bay. Check out Craig's list also. Gary

[JohnnyO]

Thanks for the link Mike. Why isn't anything like this available on ebay? I would think you guys could generate a little revenue by offering it on ebay.

Is there a list of active Nissan part numbers out there somewhere? That would be a nice list to have.

John

[Arne]

Is there a list of active Nissan part numbers out there somewhere? That would be a nice list to have.

I don't think there's any such list, as it would be a bear to keep current as supplies change. Once you have the CD it's pretty simple. I get the number I want off the CD, and call my local dealer and ask. Simple as that. I've heard that there are dealers who don't want to mess with looking up parts for old Datsuns (mine is NOT one of them), but I can't imagine any dealer refusing to get a part if you provide the number.

[hls30.com]

If you supply a dealer with a valid part number, it takes less effort than to look up a part for a current car to see if the number is still available, but, many are not-at least in the USA. According to the past Parts Department manager of our local dealership USA dealers cannot order direct from Japan, but Canadian Dealers can-he went the extra mile to get a few parts for me before returning to the Virginia area.

I have been keeping a(long) list of the part numbers that have come back as NLA, and I will start a thread to share that info.

Will

[JohnnyO]

Thanks for the info.

Will if you put that thread together I think a lot of people would find it of value.

I will be ordering my cd tomorrow. Hopefully I will have it by next week.

[hls30.com]

I'll be rounding up all of my dealer wish lists Monday morning befroe work after dropping of the boys at daycare, and hopefully post sometime monday

Will