What to expect for under $3000. . . in Georgia

[Sailor Bob]

They are out there for less than 3K - gotto be patient and look. You will still have to spend some money to get her sweetened up but there are some real good buys out there, esp in the 280 vintage.

[andrew22888]

But you have to think with a more expensive car that the work is already done to. There could be things wrong. Like it had a really careless PO and all the wiring is messed up. And you don't know that tell you get home. Or in my case you could of found a PO that did not know what they had. I bought my 74 260z for 250 dollars drove home after putting new gas in her plus i'm the second owner. And it's my daily driver. I have put quite a few miles on. I guess my point is if I where buying a car. I would only buy a old car that needed work. That way when I do all the work I know it is not all secretely rigged up behind the dash just so it will run fine tell I get home. Just my 2 Cents but I would buy cheap and do the work myself. So I know it's done right.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

THat is a good point andrew and definitely another way to look at it. I knew my limitations when I bought my car. I wanted one with 99.5% rust free, as I am not a body man. I can replace parts and install and rebuild things with the best of them, but I have never honed my skill as a body man, and quite frankly I do not really want to. I just do not have the time or space for a proper spray area. So when buying my car I knew the body had to be near pefect and that was going to cost me. I also knew I wanted a near original car, with the original interior and no engine work done for all the reasons you listed above Andrew. That all came down to looking at many cars and talking to the owner. You can tell quite a bit about a car if it has a good history, and a current owner who will talk to you about it. Sure there are sleazy people out there, but I find that a good car with a careful inspection will 'talk' to you just as well as a person.

I had to fly to another state to get my car. It was the right combination of car, owner, detailed records, and originality.

I think jrecee has the right idea and is going about this the right way. I think that for 3000 dollars you can get a 280z in the condition you are looking for,but you are going to have to look, and be very cautious. Andrew is right that these cars have lived a long time. Some have not been treated as well as you would hope. For 4000-5000 dollars you can buy a daily driver that you can work on every weekend and get to a point where you can be proud to show it off. You may have to travel to get it though. When you do, BRING MONEY. Be ready to pounce. A buyer is willing to budge more when you show up with cash/certified check, etc.

You are never bothering anybody with your questions jrecee. Please feel free to ask as I get the impression you have a very level head and have realistic expectations. The Z community would be thrilled to have you.

[andrew22888]

By the way when you do find one. Make sure you look VERY VERY carefully for rust. Rust is very sneaky and alot of people wanting to sell quick will try to cover it up rather than fix it. By the way if you want to travel. Here is a nice buy I found seen it driving around guy does not drive it to hard or anything. Plus looks clean as long as the rust monster isn't sneaking around underneath or anything.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/1614896929.html

[moonpup]

One more try....:cross-eye

http://gadsden.craigslist.org/cto/1626502682.html

[jrecee]

Thanks. That is actually only a few hours from me. I'd have to figure out the logistics of getting a car from a distance though. I've never towed a car, nor do I have a vehicle capable of towing. I'm going to keep my eyes open for out of state (yet somewhat close) vehicles. Although that orange one looks like it has potential. . .

[Kathy & Rick]

I want to publicly commend all those who posted advice to jrecee. This

is some of the most wise, insightful, down-to-earth counsel I think I have

ever seen on a thread.

No smart-alecky stuff, no putdowns for being less informed than you all

are, nothing snide or demeaning. Just good, common-sense, experience-

based thoughts for him to consider as someone who is new to Z Cars,

wants to learn, and wants to avoid any traps that he may be unaware of

as a newcomer.

We all remember that we were once at that stage ourselves. We all

consider that if we were in jrecee's shoes we would want to be treated

with kindness and respect. Sadly those qualities seem to be lacking on

some websites.

So once again, I commend you. I am confident that the way in which

you took jrecee under your wing will result in his enjoying a long term

relationship with Z Cars, with this website, and with you as individuals.

With great sincerity and appreciation,............................Kathy & Rick

[jrecee]

I want to publicly commend all those who posted advice to jrecee. This

is some of the most wise, insightful, down-to-earth counsel I think I have

ever seen on a thread.

No smart-alecky stuff, no putdowns for being less informed than you all

are, nothing snide or demeaning. Just good, common-sense, experience-

based thoughts for him to consider as someone who is new to Z Cars,

wants to learn, and wants to avoid any traps that he may be unaware of

as a newcomer.

We all remember that we were once at that stage ourselves. We all

consider that if we were in jrecee's shoes we would want to be treated

with kindness and respect. Sadly those qualities seem to be lacking on

some websites.

So once again, I commend you. I am confident that the way in which

you took jrecee under your wing will result in his enjoying a long term

relationship with Z Cars, with this website, and with you as individuals.

With great sincerity and appreciation,............................Kathy & Rick

I appreciate the advice as well. Although there's still time for snide and demeaning comments after I mention I can't drive stick:stupid:

[moonpup]

Thanks. That is actually only a few hours from me. I'd have to figure out the logistics of getting a car from a distance though. I've never towed a car, nor do I have a vehicle capable of towing. I'm going to keep my eyes open for out of state (yet somewhat close) vehicles. Although that orange one looks like it has potential. . .

First, I'd give the guy a call and find out all you can about the car. If you're happy with his responces put 2 grand in your pocket, hop in your car with a friend or family member and inspect it in person. (like you said, it's only a few hours away) It looks very driveable, test drive it and if everything checks out mention a few flaws you might have spotted and offer him something a little lower. If he bites, you're that much further ahead of the game. Now, just drive it home following your friend/family member and start enjoying your new Z! (see...no need to tow)

:Self edit...Take someone who knows how to drive a stick!

[fiveleaf]

I fondly remember my first lessons on how to drive stick, from the same 240 that is my current daily driver (I walk most places in the winter).

my opinion

Some new wires, sanding out the rust, letting little projects get out of hand (ie painting) etc... even electrical issues, it's all part of the process. Slightly dented fenders can't be hard to replace, the dash looks new after a nice full dash cap, and even a clock/tach that doesn't work (my current little project) can all be done with a little intuitive thinking and a good set of tools.

A good frame is, of course, important... but just about everything can be fixed. Don't get me wrong -- I started with the least daunting of tasks myself (removal of old weatherstripping). Two days ago I was all excited after making my first actual creation from sheet metal -- A pair of flat oval brackets to mate something to the front bumper. Soon enough I'm hoping to go through everything from brake bleeding to body rust to fibreglasing.

Edit - body rust is currently hidden by paint, fibreglass=speakers. It's not as "bad" as that last sentence sounds.

Sure, there are days when the car doesn't run. It does run most of the time, and sometimes you can even plan out when it won't be running. Has it ever left me stranded? Absoutely. The cost? Being an ongoing project, you can pick the cheaper and lenghty things (clock/tach rebuild, cleaning wireing terminals) when finances are tight... and save the more expensive (gauges, interior trim, fibreglass resin) for when the budget sees a little room to expand. Lots of love, too.

It actually runs probably 95% of the time I want/need it to. Maybe not perfectly, but working out those quarks is... can I say... part of the experience?

I really understand what you mean by wanting to be able to drive it off the lot and drive it home... just realize the first thing you are going to be doing after inspecting it is (probably) ordering parts. It's addictive, watch out.

It's really great that you have a seperate daily driver. As much as I love mine, there were days when I just wished it worked. No quarks in the powerband, no slamming the doors, no keeping the window rollers in the centre console.

Then again, after I worked out the powerband, I really was able to appreciate the torque of an L6. After fixing the passenger door so it doesn't slam, I notice it every time it closes. And I'm sure that after I fix the tach, I'll certainly appreciate having one a whole lot more.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm trying to say, maybe that I absoutely believe in "The Journey" you will take with your car, and not the final result. Really, as the owner and mechanic, only you will be able to really appreciate and love it on it's way. I say this as you seem that you want this journey. Some don't, or have already gone through it, or are willing to pay $20k for an amazing z. Their cars look the true 98 points in show. But to me, there's really something to be said about the "Amateur" approach in loving your z.

Frank, from CTZCC, said to me awhile ago,

"It's a weird phenomenon, but many Z people would prefer to see a lovingly but well-used and driving Z than one that is crated around and taken to shows [paraphrase]".

I'm pretty new myself, and the only advise I can really offer is to make sure the engine is good. Engine work is expensive and not something I was willing to try my hand at.

Edit... and "there's the perfect tool for every job". Quoting my grandfather, a freelance millwright. If it doesn't feel right with the tools you have, there is a tool designed for exactly the job you are trying to do.

Edit 2.0 And buy a bunch of the nice big ziplock bags. Label everything that comes off. You think you will remember, but you will froget.

I apologize for spelling. I need to get back to this psych asignment.

Edited March 4, 2010 by fiveleaf
Spelling

[Zedyone_kenobi]

That is a great write up five leaf. It is definitely a journey. You just have to know long a journey you can make at this time in your life. I was not in position to make the complete journey, nor did I want to buy a completely finished car. I sort of fell in between. But I did that because I knew my limitations in space, time, skills, and money.

jrecee you will find your place in this journey when you assess those 4 things, and pick the car/companion that suits your life.

Good luck, keep us posted!

[SteveJ]

This one is a few hours away, but it might merit looking at.

http://macon.craigslist.org/cto/1618834051.html