Hi, my name is Ian. I live in a small town in CT, just under that notch at the top of the state. I first laid eyes on a z car when I was 14, at a car show with my father. I was in love. The shape and styling of these cars appears to me as what every sports car strives to be, but cant achieve. To me, these cars are the absolute pinnacle of automobile perfection.

My father has always been a car guy. He grew up in Stafford Springs but he never followed in everyone else's interests with muscle cars. He has always ahd a thing for the small european sports cars, MGs, alfas, sunbeam imps...etc. He has only owned one muscle car in his whole life, a barracuda. He had sold his cars when my siblings were born some 28 years ago, and he hasnt owned one until recently. He purchased a 97 miata M-series just last year, mint condition, in marina green. I would say that I have inherited his enthusiasm for these cars, although I prefer the styling of the datsun z cars over european cars.

I am now 23 years of age, attending UCONN for IT Administration and Business Law, with some offshoot studies into economics, accounting, business management, and graphic design.

I own a 96 honda civic DX, purchased with low miles for my commuter car. I am now looking at a 1971 Datsun 240z that is being sold in cape cod. These cars are so rare in this area, usually they got for several thousand if they need heavy restoration work done. This particular Z needs floors and the rails under the floors redone. The car was restored in Texas, although you couldnt even call it restored, more like they just covered the issues with fiberglass resin and rust proofing material. I will know if I will be purchasing it withing the next couple days, and will post more when I get it.

If you're able to do the work yourself, it will be an extensive project. If you've got beaux-coux cash, no problem.

I'd suggest you look around, a lot. You don't always marry the first girl you kiss, and you shouldn't necessarily buy the first Z you see for sale. From the sounds of it, you could get a better car for the same or less money...

Leave that one alone. It's the rust you can't see is the problem. Look further afield. Something will come along . Have patience. I loved these cars when they first appeared here in 1970. After raising a family and running a business for 30 years, I finally found my dream car. You are right, nothing else compares.

I was looking for a project car that I could take apart and build back up. This is a project, and I understand that. I dont have huge $ to blow on it but I do have some skills, tools, and some very knowledgeable friends, who have all offered to help me with whatever I need. It is selling for a low price, low enough to be able to turn a profit after restoration, easily. I doubt I would ever sell it after I repair it though, I would more than likely be buried in it hahahaha.

You just can't begin to imagine how big a project a car with cancer can be. The rebuild will be measured in years, not weeks.

If you really want a Z you can enjoy right now but still needs a bit-o-work, find zs-ondabrain posting here. He's got a dandy Z, reasonably priced but needs a bit of body work to make totally right. His would be a better deal, by leaps and bounds, than the apparent rust-bucket you have your heart set on.

But hey, it's your money.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/1798947355.html

Thats the ad, the interior is newly upholstered, has a freshly rebuilt tranny, tie rods, and some other parts. Good condition Zs out here usually go in the teens. = /. perhaps I will take the advice and wait on it.

Something stinks here.

The ad clearly states $2,500. But he's willing to take $2,000 in cash (as if he'd accept a personal check). But he has $9,000 invested. Fuzzy math.

Frank has given the best advice; buy Dave's 240. You'll get a car with a known history. needs little in the way of mechanical attention AND you can talk with the seller ANYTIME you have a question.

Bonus: you'll have a great time driving across the country to get it home. There is nothing like driving across the US in the summer. You and a friend will have a trip you'll talk about for the rest of your life.

Run from the Cape Cod Z.

I have told my story several times so take it for what its worth. I bought my 240z for $500 dollars. It had some rust issues but was really anxious to finally get a z car. I have spent over $8000 restoring the car and trying to fix all the problems. I could have saved thousands of dollars by waiting and getting a car in better condition and enjoyed it more along the way. It would be a shame to tear out the newer interior and have to replace it again. Anyway, good luck with your search. Let us know how things work out. Regardless of the car you get, this site is a treasure trove of information and helpful advice.

carl

Thank you for all the advice guys, I decided to turn it down. I just couldnt run the risk of having that turn into a huge project and costing me thousands.

Don't give up. Keep looking! You will find one that works for you.

carl

A wise choice, Ian. You'll find another, maybe not in your neck-o-de-woods, perhaps in AZ or CA, OR, or WA, maybe TX. There are a lot of Zs in these states. Canvass eBay and Craigslist. Find one with the least amount of rust (all old Zs have some rust) as that's the most expensive part of a Z to fix. Mechanicals are "easy," relatively speaking. Good luck in your search and use your eyes and camera to allow us here to help you find a decent car. We'll help all we can.