Purchasing 1975 280z please help (pics)

[SteveJ]

Now if you can get it for $500 and you have an understanding wife, I once bought a Z just like that for $400 sold the front spoiler for $75, wheels for $300, bumpers for $100 each, various other parts for about $800 more. I handed a couple hundred to my wife and said "go shopping." Now, she never questions anything I do parts car wise... I kept the engine and transmission and built it up for my other Z.

Oh, I agree with Zedy, triple what you see and you will have an idea of just how much rust you're dealing with...

I lack the entrepreneurial spirit to capitalize on such opportunities. Besides, when I bought the 74 in 2008, it was with the understanding that I would be selling the 73 that still sits next to the 74. The wife has not forgotten, nor will she ever. I am not allowed to bring home any more without getting rid of one first.

[LeonV]

Glancing upon the rusty Z, Camelot and his men retreated in horror...

[Jeff G 78]

Agree. It's a $500 parts car.

[Powderkeg]

If you decide against this. I'm going to be selling my 76 280Z.

Dave Ruiz

daveruiz_2000@yahoo.com

Mendocino County, CA

[mjr45]

I agree with all of the above, $500 tops or walk away very quickly.

[RoCa]

Thank you all so much for helping me dodge a bullet. I'm still in search of a running Z, 1975 or earlier if anyone knows one for sale. California preferably. I have owned 2 Z's in the past, none were running or even close to running. Bought them off craigslist, just find them back on it after realizing how far am I to get them to run. I learned my lesson and decided to save up to get at least one that is running. I really just want to feel the thrill, exhilaration, bliss of owning and driving one. Yep, i got the Z fever...

[RoCa]

If you decide against this. I'm going to be selling my 76 280Z.

Dave Ruiz

daveruiz_2000@yahoo.com

Mendocino County, CA

Thank you Dave, but I'm going for the smog exempt Z's.

[LeonV]

What's your budget?

[RoCa]

What's your budget?

1k for running, 1.5k for decent and 2k for exceptional condition from what I've seen so far on Craigslist. I just missed a 240z 89k miles, nice interior and engine bay so clean you can eat off of it for 2k, could've got it for 1.5k probably.

[RoCa]

Arghhh... Here I go again..

What do you guys think of this one?

Datsun 280Z 1975

[SemiEvolved]

I was just looking at that, especially since I live in Alameda. I think it's a possibility, assuming rust isn't an issue (check under battery, floorpans, quarter panels, etc.). If it's rust-free, that may be a good deal.

I'd jump on it if I hadn't recently picked up a '78 that is currently undergoing minor surgery.

[ksechler]

Unknown. You still need to crawl under the car and check the usual spots for rust. It's not promising, though. It's been sitting for 10 years in a non-running state.

How much are you willing to spend to make it run? IMHO if you want to make one of these cars run cheap then you need a lot of knowledge and I mean specific Z-car knowledge not shade-tree mechanic knowledge. If you don't have the knowledge then you need a lot of money.