Bought a 1979 280z for $500

[Shutdown]

Here's the story.

I found a red 1979 Nissan/Datsun 280z on Friday evening, and went to pick it up with my dad on Saturday morning, the car was advertised as $500, runs&drives come take a look. A 20 minute drive to Fremont and I was standing in front of a much cooler car than I remembered 280z's being. I used to own a 1985 Corvette, but it's long since been gone, (spun a bearing and sold it for $2,000.)

The seller was an awesome guy about my age, and he told me about the issues with the car...

-engine misfires

-Rust chunks in some areas of the paint

-slow leak in front right tire

-no battery

-needs a tune up

-??? miles because the odometer is 5 digits, and reads 31,000 miles

-cracked dash

-shoddy ignition cylinder

-heater core leaks (Was bypassed to prevent leaking)

-antifreeze puddle in passenger side floor

-window roller handles broken off

and some other misc. things, Anyways I went to buy a battery and had to drive to two different Wal-Marts to get the right one, I didn't have an old battery to turn in so my $67 battery was actually $87. I get the battery back to the guy and the fuel line hose under the hood (9" length) split, so I had to drive to the local Autozone and buy a $2 hose line (mind you, I haven't decided to buy the car yet, I needed to know it ran)

came back, he started it and when I drove it around the block I noticed the steering wheel squeaked, and the engine misfired a lot. Also, the spedemoeter and the fuel gage were twitchy (speedometer also shimmied) But I had a good time driving it, so I came back and we wrote up the bill of sale, he told me the pink slip was in the mail or tied up at DMV and that he would help me take care of the title issues.

I decided to buy the car and let the seller drive his U-haul away, I went to start the car and the ignition cylinder wouldn't turn....

I kept trying....

and trying....

Then my dad tried...

then again..

Finally it started!

I was off (worried the engine would stall, so we avoided the highway, and I didn't know if the gas gauge was accurate or not) Drove the car to his work, then had lunch, The next morning I called a locksmith to tear apart the ignition, $180 later he said he had to stop and order a new ignition cylinder.

I called AutoZone and found the part for $22, I finished the job myself a few hours later and when I went to finish the job I tried to find the cylinder cover but it was missing, I called the locksmith, and he had it 90 minutes and another trip to Autozone for plugs/wires later (he got lost along the way) He showed up and I finished the ignition, unfortunately it was too dark to do the wires and plugs so I'm finishing that up today after work.

So far my $500 car is up to $782, Without DMV registration. I was told the car was smogged about 4 months ago, and last registered around the same time. I'm looking forward to fixing the misfiring engine (the fun stuff is under the hood) If it's not the plugs/wires distributer cap, I found a place locally that will clean the fuel injection system for 50 bucks. So far I'm really enjoying the car.

I'll post pictures up after work. Thanks for taking the time to read my first Z story, I'm trying to think of a name for her...

-Shutdown

[Gary in NJ]

1979 280z?

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The seller didn't know what exact year it was, when I found it on Craigslist it said 1987, I get there and the guy said 1981. The door sticker says 1979. The strange thing is that the car has a turbo emblem on the hatch and it says 280zx, but the engine (as far as I can tell) is N/A.

I'll do some research after work and see what I come up with, I'll take some pictures as well

[Gary in NJ]

It's a 280ZX then. Yes, please post photos.

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Taken from my mobile phone, just some quick snapshots.

[Bruce Palmer]

Well, look at it this way. Your expenditures are just starting as it will need a boatload of 32 year old stuff replaced so you'll know the status of all systems. The good news is you bought it right. Good grief, shiney and all one color is worth more than what you paid for it.

I just heard about a 79 ZX 2+2 for sale here in Salem for $300. Running driving car. Buy 2make one. Can't have too many old Datsuns.....

[Shutdown]

Pink slip in hand? Might be worth paying the towing expense to San Jose, CA for the right condition. Parts are parts

[Gary in NJ]

That's about the best looking $500 Z, er...ZX, I've seen in 25 years. Really.

[Bruce Palmer]

Pink slip in hand? Might be worth paying the towing expense to San Jose, CA for the right condition. Parts are parts

The one here in Salem? It's a running driving car. Buy the car, cover my expenses I'll drive it to you..... The girl who runs the changing room at my gym drove it daily until she bought a Del Sol a couple of weeks ago. I need a road trip.....

[SportBikeMike]

Wow...thats a great looking car. Nice purchase!

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Bruce if you're serious, send me a PM with details about covering your "expenses" I hope I don't have to pay for your plane ticket back to Salem, . I'm very interested

[Bruce Palmer]

Still waiting to hear back from the owner. Apparently telephone challenged or something.

And no, I've crawled on my last airplane (commercial at keast) ever..... A train ride would be nice south to north though.

PM or call me with a phone number and I'll call you as soon as I hook up with the owner.