keep/sell my z? value?

[gen z]

When I found my 83 280 zx turbo I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world. Beautiful body, 100k mi. , t_tops, cruisecontrol and fully loaded. 90 pt. diagnostic revealed near perfection. My mechanic was stunned. The only problem was moderately worn

brakes(rotors, not just pads.) Plus it's a salvage, but it had been repaired look like new. After a 3 month search for a 280zx for $2500 or less, she was 100% nicer that anything else I'd found.

Ran beautifully for a year. Then it started stumbling during accelleration and eventually stalling intermittantly and not restarting for 10-20 minutes. I had the fuel pump/filter replaced and it helped for a few weeks. Then the problem started to gradually reappear. Then I blew the engine( totally my bad and unrelated, but it now has a $2000 rebuilt w/ only 300 miles on it and bored out cylinders, which increased power slightly but noticably.) The acceleration/stalling problem got worse but would disappear whenever I took it to a shop. Four mechanics said they couldn't diagnose it until the witnessed it and I got so frustrated I parked it. That was two years ago, but I've been starting it bi-monthly so it hasn't been totally dead. I don't know if it's worth selling $$wise or worth fixing(when I have $) non-op reg. not currently smogged. Basically, I can't afford to fix it but I think it would be a find for someone who could. the problem seems minor but being a starving artist I can't deal with smog, insurance and registration just to try and find a mechanic who will do more than say "it's running fine now but we could try replacing some expensive part which may or may not be the problem." I am considering selling only because I need the money. I won't if I can't get a decent price though. Does anyone have an oppinion on it's potential worth? If you were me and you kept it, would you try to fix it? Are 83' 280zx's notoriosly bad and I just don't know it? I'm just a turbo-charged 280z chick, not much of a car chick and I have no clue. Help!!

[Rob]

The problem you describe could be anything but I'd put my money on the igniter (that's part of the ignition, I think it's in the distributor on a 280zx) starting to die.

The trick with these sorts of problems is finding somebody with a car like yours and a sense of adventure, who will let you try bits of their car in yours until you track what the problem is.

The risk with doing this is that if 'part A' has failed and fryed 'part B' on you car, and you try someone else's 'part b', you will fry their 'part B', which can be embarrasing.

As you have said you are not mechanically inclined, you would probably be best trying to find a good workshop that is zx savvy, who can track down the issue without trying a whole bunch of expensive parts. There must be a good z/zx workshop in California. Anybody?

[Victor Laury]

When I found my 83 280 zx turbo I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.

And you will feel the same, one this problem is tracked down.

As Rob suggested, you need a better shop. But California is a big place. Narrow your location down to a city for us.

I'm just a turbo-charged 280z chick

This is the audenience that understands:love:

[GunnerRob]

Hi Gen Z,

Victor and Rob (not me, the other one) have given excellent advice. I've had a 280Z since 1980, two 280's, and can testify how important it is to have a repair shop that truly is into these cars. My mechanic often finds and suggests corrections to past mistakes made by other non and so-called Z mechanics. Its amazing what some people do to these cars.

Personally I can't see myself without a Z. And I'm also realizing how important these people on this site, and their advice and support, are to me as well! There's a lot of knowledge and experience here.

You didn't say what part of California you live in. If you live near or can get to the Ventura area I'd be more than happy to turn you on to my mechanic here. He has done most of the major work and all of the diagnostics on my Z cars since 1982 without even one unnecessary repair, period!

I refuse to let him retire!!!

Good Luck,

Rob

Oh, by the way, this mechanic of mine only works on Datsun/Nissans (approximaly 90% are Z's).

[2ManyZs]

I agree with the other posts, it sounds like it might be something fairly simple in the ignition or FI that is causing the problem.

I would try to find a GOOD mechanic to diagnose the problem for sure before you decide to sell it. It might only be a 100 dollar fix, or it might be more. Decide whether to keep the car only after you find out what is causing the problem.

Just as a caveat, I bought my first 240 back in the early 80's, the girl who owned it had trouble with it and traded it in. After I bought it and talked to a couple mechanics it turned out it was just the water control valve on the intake that was causing the problem. I blocked off the line with a blind rivet I got at work and it ran great for years after words. It cost me nothing but a little time to figure out the problem. I met the girl not long after I bought the car and fixed it, and believe me she was PO'd that it was something that simple! She wanted to buy the car back on the spot, but since I had waited to find one for so long, I didn't sell, and kept the car for about 7 years.

Finding out what is the problem will give you a good idea of whether or not it is time to sell..... you might regret it later if it turns out to be something simple.

[Ed]

Let us know where you are in CA. Then someone can suggest a Z shop. If you are sure you want to sell it then you will get alot more if it's running. A dead Z usually ends up as a parts car.

[Sean Dezart]

Simple - if you love the car, persist and get it fixed !

I know people over here who'd kill for a 280ZX Turbo and a lot of people who don't know much about the Z series know there exists a 280ZXT.

Rustle those lil' yellow feathers, take the advice here when you can find it and get flashing those other Z/ZX drivers but a word of advice, don't be too hasty giving out your address to these guys, some of them spend too much time in their garages or on their computers to date normally !

[2ManyZs]

Geez Sean, you are no help at all...

[Sean Dezart]

You're lucky I'm off the shelf and getting on a bit !

[Zlishous]

Hey Gen Z,

I am up here in Sanat Rosa and know of a pretty good honest mechanic up here, only problem i cannot remember the name of the garage he works in:stupid:. I know it is on Piner road.. i will get the name and e-mail it too you. I agree by the way with the other post about your problem, i think it is probably ignition/starter related. I had a simular problem in my 240 and found it to be starter related. Anyway good luck and i'll talk with you soon.

Z ya,

Paul

[gen z]

Wow! Thanks for the great introduction to this site. My friends either knock my car, (mostly guys who pretend to know about cars) or they just can't understand my attachment. Besides being no help, they all got tired of hearing about it a long time ago. The knowledge, advice, support and shared Z-passion here are just what I was in need of.

I really appreciate your concern as well, Sean. Although I can't claim to do ANYTHING normally, dating or otherwise, I did rethink the map attachment I was working on......lil' yellow feathers??shelf?? Inquiring minds want to know.

I'm sure I'll be posting my progress with the zombie( so named cause she keeps coming back) For now I'm gonna go sit in the driver's seat and make "vroom-vroom" noises.

bye-bye

[GunnerRob]

I for one am glad to see you've decided to stay!

Hang in there with fixing up your ZX. I have a close friend who works on and just loves his '80 ZX. I've tried putting a bug in his ear to try out a 240-280 Z to no avail.

It's nice to have you as a member with a new perspective.