Considering Parting with my Z .......

[Griffon]

I have had this Z for a while now and am considering parting with it well, because times are tough and I need money.... (If I didnt need the money Id hold on to this Z forever.)

Im the second owner of this Z and it has slightly over a whopping 45K original miles on it. The owner before myself purchased it brand new when he lived in Cali and blew the motor in 78 when he was moving to Washington, and it sat in the garage of his house in Washington untill I picked it up in 2002. (Last active registration expired in 1984) I first just got it running having to swap the motor out since the old one was not salvageable, drove it around for about 8 months before I decided to do an all out build on it. Since its been "built" its won 4 1st place trophys to the 4 shows I brought it to and has mainly sat in my own garage as a show piece. I have a 9mo old son so cant really drive this car with him with me (no room for the car seat). So I am tinkering with the idea of selling it. This Z has an insured value of $24k through SafeCo Insurance and can provided papers to prove. Im not asking $24k but wouldnt want to stray too far away from that number as thats the insured value from 2 years ago (value has risen since then). If anyone might be interested or know of an extream collector that might want to add this to their garage please let me know as Im open to offers. (please do not low ball).

These are more recent pictures from a Show at the Honda Dealer on McLoughlin Blvd.

List of mods of the top of my head:

L28 Block (280z motor)

.40 Bore

With a Built 240z Head (Higher compression)

Chrome Valve Cover

Triple Mikuni Carbs W/ K & N Filters

3-1 Header

Custom True Dual Exhaust (chrome side pipes)

Has a factory four speed

New Alt.

Optima Battery

Moded Suspension (struts springs)

Big Sway Bars

Roll Bar

Center Line Rims

Yokohama ES100 Tires (225/50R15)

IMSA Fender Flares (Front and Rear)

Kaminari Front Air Dam

Vis Roof Scoop

H4 Bulbs and Casings

Clear Headlight Covers

Euro Clear Turn Signals

280z Hood (Vented)

Red and Black Racing Seats (fully adjustable)

RCI Racing Harness' 5pt (only 4pts on)

Racing Wheel, Pedals, Shifter, e-brake Handle

Sony CDX-M3DI In Dash CD Player (custom stereo not pictured)

There Is also All New Carpet

Much Much more done, this is just the things I could spit out off the top of my head.

The paint job on this was $9000 alone in 2005. Car was fully gutted and stripped for paint:

Body Stripped getting prepped

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3620/2301/21548650045_large.jpg

All Glass/lights etc removed and in the paint booth being painted

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3620/2301/21548650004_large.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3620/2301/21548650007_large.jpg

Re-installing motor/interior ect.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3620/2301/21548650050_large.jpg

[DougN]

I guess I'll be the first to say it - I think you'll have a very hard time getting close to your insured value. It appears to me that values have fallen a bit lately, and the only things I've seen get over 20K are bone stock Series I 240Z's (one ultra low mile 73 240Z) and one very low mile 280ZX 10th anniversary car (which did not sell for the 22K it got to).

While you've got a very nice Z, and may have won many awards at carshows, the "customization" is going to make it hard to sell for big bucks, as you'll need to find someone who is looking for that type of modified Z. My guess is that in today's market, you might get half of what you're looking for if you find the right buyer.

Edited April 14, 2009 by DougN

[Arne]

Joe, living here in Oregon as I do, I think I've seen your car at a show or two in person. And while the build quality looks impressive, getting that kind of money for it - especially in today's market - will be very difficult.

The problem is that when selling a heavily modified car like yours, finding the right buyer is very hard. You have to find someone who shares your vision for the car, but can't (or doesn't want to) build it him/herself. For someone to be willing to pay that much for the car, EVERYTHING will need to be acceptible to the buyer. Any small thing that the buyer doesn't care for – color, stripes, flares, anything – will be enough to either squash the deal, or force a significant price reduction. All this is despite the obvious fact that there is no possible way that one could build a similar car for the money that you are asking.

As I said, to sell this car for anywhere close to your price, you are going to have to find a buyer for whom the car is their dream. My advice is to not limit yourself when advertising it. You need to hit the very widest audience to have a reasonable chance of finding your buyer. I'd use eBay (fixed price or high reserve) and any other nationwide venue you can think of. You can't overlook any possibilities to find your buyer.

Good luck!

[twsutt]

If you don't sell the car, you should be able to get the car seat in the car once your son's able to sit in the car with the seat forward mounted (instead of rear-facing.) My son's now 23 months old and he loves to ride in the Z - he threw a fit the other day when he saw me moving the cars in the driveway to get the Z out of the garage and he thought that I was going to go for drive without him. As if. He's my co-pilot - besides it gives his mother a moment of quiet without me or a "two-year-old" in the house.

[Griffon]

If you don't sell the car, you should be able to get the car seat in the car once your son's able to sit in the car with the seat forward mounted (instead of rear-facing.) My son's now 23 months old and he loves to ride in the Z - he threw a fit the other day when he saw me moving the cars in the driveway to get the Z out of the garage and he thought that I was going to go for drive without him. As if. He's my co-pilot - besides it gives his mother a moment of quiet without me or a "two-year-old" in the house.

Well I have a 1995 Hard Top Supra that I take him for rides in. With the Supra I have room for him and my wife, its just that the Z is the most impractical of all my toys for my lifestyle now so unfortunately I think its going to be the first to go :/

[sblake01]

...its just that the Z is the most impractical of all my toys for my lifestyle now so unfortunately I think its going to be the first to go

I'm at a similar point in my life and plan to sell all my Datsuns over the next three years in reverse order of practicality, the truck first, then the Z, then the 810 since it's been my daily driver. Edited April 14, 2009 by sblake01

[bigoak]

I'm at a similar point in my life and plan to sell all my Datsuns over the next three years in reverse order of practicality, the truck first, than the Z, then the 810 since it's been my daily driver.

Wha???

Unacceptable....

The king of the fuelies must retain his Z.

[Arne]

Wha???

Unacceptable....

The king of the fuelies must retain his Z.

No, really he doesn't have to. This is life. Things change. No one else can judge what is appropriate for others. If Stephen, I or others decide the time has come to move on, then the time has come. End of story.

While I have no thoughts right now about selling my 240Z, the reality is that my motor vehicle obsessions tend to last 5-8 years, and then I sell and move on to something else.

FWIW - I'm well into year my fourth year of Z ownership now...

[bigoak]

No, really he doesn't have to. This is life. Things change. No one else can judge what is appropriate for others. If Stephen, I or others decide the time has come to move on, then the time has come. End of story.

While I have no thoughts right now about selling my 240Z, the reality is that my motor vehicle obsessions tend to last 5-8 years, and then I sell and move on to something else.

FWIW - I'm well into year my fourth year of Z ownership now...

Easy now...

Meant to provide props to Stephen (his commitment has been a trifle longer than a mere 4 years...) for the continued contribution he has made to this board and by extension the Z community...

As it turns out I know I'm not his boss..

[Arne]

Easy now...

Meant to provide props to Stephen (his commitment has been a trifle longer than a mere 4 years...) for the continued contribution he has made to this board and by extension the Z community...

As it turns out I know I'm not his boss..

Sorry, Michael, that came across much harsher than I intended. I understood the sentiment you were posting, Stephen's knowledge is great and his help here is well appreciated.

My point was that every time someone posts about their desire/need to sell their Z(s), everyone posts about how wrong that is, try to keep it, you'll regret it later, etc. But we need to acknowledge that for some people, selling is the correct thing to do, and help and support them in this every bit the same as when we attempt to help them with a problem. Saying, "No! Don't sell!" isn't helping.

[bigoak]

Very fair...I just hate to see the good ones go...

[=Enigma=]

My son's now 23 months old and he loves to ride in the Z - he threw a fit the other day when he saw me moving the cars in the driveway to get the Z out of the garage and he thought that I was going to go for drive without him. As if. He's my co-pilot

That's awsome. I love the pic. He looks pretty damn happy. He looks a little like that talking baby in the eTrade (i think) commercials.

Edited April 15, 2009 by =Enigma=