Z car for daily driver?

[bacarl]

Haha, siteunseen actually has some really good points. If you're a big guy and you're used to a Grand Marquis, (or even if you're a small guy and you're used to a Grand Marquis!) a Z-car is going to take some adjustment. It's narrow, with a low roof, low floor, and low h-point. But settling that point is nothing a test drive wouldn't decide.

Rain is another good point. My car leaks; I'm sure a lot of old S30's do. And whether it leaks inside or not, they don't hold up to water/corrosion like modern cars.

[Hunter260Z]

The first time I took a test drive at the Datsun dealer I was hooked big time. So if you go test drive a Z you best have some money in your back pocket. I've been hooked for 40 yrs.

[2sixTZombii]

I woke my Z from a 14 year nap and it was basically a parts car when I got her home. That was last October, after months of repair work I've been daily driving it since june, and it has yet to strand me(it's gonna do it now that I said that). I couldn't imagine having any other car to daily now, so I think its a great idea personally. Having said that there are a few things to keep in mind. I'm 5‘9 and about 170, I find the interior comfortable, and have plenty of room. My brother is 6‘ and about 325, he looks like he is driving a clown car when he sits in it. It's very small, if your a big guy, definitely sit in one first, with the windows up. Mine sleeps streetside every night, in a bad neighborhood, unless you get one with perfect paint, I wouldn't stress about were its parked, its really in no more danger tham any other car will be in. A/C is something you can fix, or have added, wouldn't let that stop you. It sounds like a back up car won't be an issue, its not like its gonna break that much more than any other used car, so long as you get a decent car. Like everybody else I think your big issue is if you plan to rely on a mechanic for everything. The big stuff yeah thats one thing, but I've found to be alot of little maintenance and tinkering to be done. Not alot that would stop you from getting to work but little things that although require very little mechanical skill to handle, will add up fast at shop rates. Even if you don't possess any mechanical skill, its hands down the easiest car to work on I've ever encountered, and a great one to learn on.

[2sixTZombii]

Bottom line for me. It's the funnest car I've ever sat in, I literally look for for excuses to go places. The drive anywhere went from drab and boring to fun as hell. And it wouldn't be half as much fun if I didn't enjoy it everyday. The looks you'll get, everybody always talking to you about it, asking to buy it, the way it handles, the way it sounds, I couldn't ever daily a normal car now. You give up alot of modern comfort, but you make a good trade in my opinion. I wouldn't let all the fuss and long winded posts like mine, that come from this kinda thread scare you. At the end of the day it'll be a car in everyway you need it to be, and it'll be alot more as well. If when you test drive it, it fits and its comfy for you, and you like the way it feels, and think you can handle at least the little stuff it throws at you, then I would do it. It's not for some it's definitely for me, and might be for you.

[bartsscooterservice]

Hello to all. I'm Bill in Houston. This is my first post here. I'm about to buy a car for my girlfriend-she doesn't have a car now. I drive a '06 Grand Marquis and was thinking of getting her a '07-09 Marquis(those cars are reliable and have such poor resale value). But I've been fascinated with the Z cars since I was a kid. I thought about getting a 240/260/280Z for me and give her my car. Are mechanical parts for them still easy to find? Are they fairly reliable? Would one make a good daily driver? I won't be able to have the Z for an "extra", it will have to be my way to work if I get one. I'm not really concerned with cosmetics or finding body parts-just keeping it running good.

Don't use it for a daily driver, unless it's a completely restored one. But most people won't use that as a " daily driver ".

[FastWoman]

Nah, a completely restored Z is going to be too pretty and perfect for daily use. The best DD, IMO, is a car that looks pretty good (but not perfect), maybe has a scratch or a ding or four, but is mechanically sound. If you can park it at the grocery store, turn your back on it while you buy food, and not worry excessively whether someone will ding it or whether you will be able to make the trip home without a tow truck, then I think it's a car you can enjoy very much. But certainly make certain you fit inside it OK. FAIW, this used to be a popular car for alums to give to football players.

[Stanley]

Main thing for a DD is it's a Datsun. Datsun's from that era are known to last. But any car can be a DD. Main thing for me is it's a racer that beat way more expensive cars.

Bad things: radio sucks, dash cracks, CRX-Si's will beat you unless you tune it well. But it can be tuned very well.

Related bad thing: it's hard to find good cool-cushions.

[bartsscooterservice]

Nah, a completely restored Z is going to be too pretty and perfect for daily use. The best DD, IMO, is a car that looks pretty good (but not perfect), maybe has a scratch or a ding or four, but is mechanically sound. If you can park it at the grocery store, turn your back on it while you buy food, and not worry excessively whether someone will ding it or whether you will be able to make the trip home without a tow truck, then I think it's a car you can enjoy very much. But certainly make certain you fit inside it OK. FAIW, this used to be a popular car for alums to give to football players.

My reaction was based on his first post. Driving a classic car isn't something for him, unless he buys a restored one or he is prepared and skilled enough to do all the work himself.