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.

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

Agree. It's a $500 parts car.

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

Dave Ruiz

daveruiz_2000@yahoo.com

Mendocino County, CA

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

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...

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.

What's your budget?

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.

Arghhh... Here I go again..

What do you guys think of this one?

Datsun 280Z 1975

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.

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.