Need your thought on this car!

[psdenno]

Having lived in Florida for the past 36 years, with my 72 Z, I do not find Florida to be at all "rust causing". The second 72 I purchased from its original owner here in St. Petersburg, Florida and found it to be all but rust free as well.

FWIW,

Carl B.

Please excuse my generalization about cars from Florida. It's probably based on cars I've seen from the Keys and the Atlantic coastal area and not the Gulf Coast.

Dennis

[Jeff G 78]

I just bought a '74.5 260Z from an hour south of Chicago. I haven't seen it in person yet, but the underbody is rust-free. The body appears to be decent, but is a mix of paint and primer. I got it for $350 to use as a 24 Hours of LeMons car. It's almost too nice for LeMons, but I was looking for a midwest rust-free Z cheap and found just what I was looking for. They ARE out there! You just have to be patient.

[aceofspades]

Well I dunno I'm still going to go look at it

I wish I could upload photos of the car when there

I mean every thing I find no ones willing to more photos

so I dunno guys if u really wanna help find me some thing that's 2000 mile drive able and is rust free and is 73 and down cuz I don't see that happening for under 4 Gand

[cbudvet]

I would still go and check the car out. Maybe you can talk the owner down on the price. Heck, tell them that you have been told that you can find a better car elsewhere. Ultimately, it is your decision whether you want to buy the car. If you have the money and realize that this could take a lot more money and time but still want to buy it, then get it. Someone is going to buy this car. Maybe you, maybe not. There are better deals and better cars out there but you may take one look, fall in love and decide its the one for you. Point out the rusted frame rail, the tail gate hatch, etc. and try to get the best deal you can. Good luck with your decision. Its a tough one.

carl

[Travel'n Man]

well i won;t pay for 4k for that car as it sits

but I can't seem to find any thing under 4 grand out side of weekend driving rang

thats does not have rust or run at all or well

SO please tell me if you know some thing out there i'm looking every where i can online like hybrid z Ebay

auto traders

this seem to be the only car thats not bad!

I would honestly listen to what is being said by some of the most experienced members this site has. A lot of us (me for example) got the urge you got and made an error in purchasing. It really depends on your check book and annual income. If you have the extra cash and can afford to fix the challanges that comes with a car with known rust then go for it. The guy that sold me my car said it was rust free on ebay, I made the purchase, had it shipped from Californina, paid for freight to the east coast ($1K). If I would have known what I know now I would have had a member from the site go by the location in California and looked at the car

If I had it to do over again I would wait to find somebody else's project that they have gotton tired of and make that purchase. All it takes is a little time and lot less money. Most of us that have done refreshs are in the $20K range and total restores are in the $30K range...........yea, we know the current market does not justify the money we put into it but it's the car we want to be associated with, for me its part of my teenage years growing up back in the 70's........I had a 73 back in '78

Keep your eye on ebay, use any of us as a eye for you if you find something, we have members all over the place and be patient. I do agree you can find better, maybe not right at this moment but maybe tomorrow. Unless you have deep pockets it would be worth the wait.

Good luck and keep us posted with your descisions:beer:

[aceofspades]

Sorry every this is just so hard to make up my mind.

So what should be paying for Real rust free car. That's drive able but still needs work ? I do have use of my dealer ships body shop and I can do alot of work my self . But how deep do those upper tail pans rot? And if there is that hole in the front rail how rusty do they get inside ? Photos?

I mean I won't spend 5 grand on a car that is clean but has been some what patched floor boards. It seems I miss all the good clean cars every time a d they go for more then I'm willng to spend.

If I did buy it and every else is good. Besides those 2 spots could I get I ger away with replacing that upper strip of sheet metal by cutting it off and copying it yo replace ? Also how does any one make that upper tail panel I could cut and weld in ?

[zbane]

Jeff,

Sounds as though you've found yourself a great deal, especially for LeMons. I imagine that if the car makes it through unscathed you could go ahead and make a dedicated track car out of it...

Post up some pics when you have a chance.

[psdenno]

Sorry every this is just so hard to make up my mind. I do have use of my dealer ships body shop and I can do alot of work my self .

I can see that you're already developed an emotional attachment to this Z. I think you should see the car in person, do a very close inspection for overall condition and rust, go back home, and price out parts and labor to get the car to the condition you want. Then, make an offer based on those costs. If you point out to the buyer what it will cost to revive, you'll have a strong bargaining point.

Most of the metal that rusts on a Z is available in the aftermarket as "patch" panels. If you have access to a body shop, and know how to use it, that will lower repair costs.

As it sits, I don't feel that it's a $4K car. Obviously it's been sitting for years, so you shouldn't have to worry about other potential buyers outbidding you. The old saying, "act in haste, repent at leisure" comes to mind.

Dennis

Edited June 21, 2009 by psdenno

[aceofspades]

thats another things I have not found many good site for parts. Is there a vendor listing for parts any where?

Can some one point me to the right area beside the search button and google

Also not hung up on this car pre say but i just miss the 240z style

and the simpleness of the 73 and down cars

[Jeff G 78]

Jeff,

Sounds as though you've found yourself a great deal, especially for LeMons. I imagine that if the car makes it through unscathed you could go ahead and make a dedicated track car out of it...

Post up some pics when you have a chance.

Yeah, I'm thinking it's going to be both a LeMons car and track car. So far, I only have the pictures the seller has sent me. Once I get it, I'll post some better pictures.

[sblake01]

I thought you ware talking about Le Mans (as in France) with a typo until I did the research. I'd never heard of it.:stupid::embarrass:

[Jeff G 78]

Hee, hee. LeMons is becoming a huge thing. The creater thought most sanctioning bodies took racing too seriously and he came up with a goofy, silly, relatively inexpensive, yet REAL race. It's the best racing bang for the buck out there.

If you're bored, do a LeMons search on youtube and see what it's all about.