I also have a Porsche ( 1987 928 S4)  that is the stablemate to my 72 Z.  The 928 is my trip/touring car while the Z  fulfills my "down and dirty" desire to feel every physical force that accompanies the no frills driving aspects of pure sports cars. No computer assist, no automatic leveling, traction control or completely quiet cockpit...just you, the Z, the sounds and the next demanding road.

In it's day, the 70-72 Z ate the basic 911's lunch. Fiat, MG, Triumph, Lancia all played catch up after it's introduction.  150 hp, great design, superb handling and a great cockpit led to their being forced to the back of the bus.  The 996 is a great deal for a cheap "initial" buy in to the Porsche fraternity.  Like any German engineered car, they need constant inspection and strict maintenance followup.  They will cost more to own, you will not recoup your investment, but like the Z they are made to drive, the harder the better.

For my money, if you are patient, you can find a solid, well taken care of 1st generation Z but you must look everywhere.  Get up an hour early, go through craiglist in other cities and states, set up a automatic search engine, go to other unknown listing sites and you will find your car.

I am currently finishing up an 8 month engine refurbish upgrade to my Z.  My goal was keeping the stock appearance and just concentrating on engine, trans and suspension enhancements. Rolly the "Zombie" Alberto is masterminding the engine and he is a savant when it comes to squeezing max hp from 4-6 cylinder engines.  Rolly is from the Philippines and has two speed shops there that build drift cars for the Asian market.

I will post everything here once we are finished in about 3 weeks.  The early Z's are so simple to work on, so simple to up grade that its makes much better sense to buy one if you can't afford both.

 

Good luck keep us posted.

 

Edited December 3, 20168 yr by Marine240z

Fun topic!  We've gone from buying a Z, to buying a Porsche, to buying a Ferrari.  Is this an eclectic group of car enthusiasts, or what?

What we haven't discussed (getting back to the original topic, sort of) is that there are a lot more good jokes about Porsche owners than there are about Datsun owners - another reason to buy a Datsun Z instead of a Porsche.  I can't remember ever hearing a Ferrari owner joke.  BTW, here's a picture of of my Porsche - a 1970 914-6.

Dennis

 

20 minutes ago, psdenno said:

Fun topic!  We've gone from buying a Z, to buying a Porsche, to buying a Ferrari.  Is this an eclectic group of car enthusiasts, or what?

What we haven't discussed (getting back to the original topic, sort of) is that there are a lot more good jokes about Porsche owners than there are about Datsun owners - another reason to buy a Datsun Z instead of a Porsche.  I can't remember ever hearing a Ferrari owner joke.  BTW, here's a picture of of my Porsche - a 1970 914-6.

Dennis

 

Sweet! Are you a 914World member Dennis? 

On ‎11‎/‎25‎/‎2016 at 1:33 AM, Chickenman said:

The most expensive car you will ever own is an inexpensive German car.....   

So true, especially the low mileage " barn finds"...

 

Dennis, nice 914-6. Is the engine original to the car?  Those baby's have sure gone up in price, ten years ago they were give away's.  I was lucky that when in college my fraternity brother's let me use their cars on dates,  71 240Z, 72 914, a TR 7, and Lotus Europa.  I drove a 1972 Celica GT, funny no American muscle in the frat.

 

Edited December 3, 20168 yr by Marine240z

@Marine240zIs that a Harrier?

No actually it's a shot my son sent me the day after Pres. elect Trump had won..  I was a Harrier driver in the Marines ( started out in the A-4 Skyhawk, that was a sports car!)  My son is currently in flight school for the USAF in Pensacola, Fla.  That is a T-1 trainer.  He graduated last week and will be moving into the T-6 Monday.

Check the reflection in the visor. 

Edited December 3, 20168 yr by Marine240z

56 minutes ago, Marine240z said:

 

 

Dennis, nice 914-6. Is the engine original to the car?  Those baby's have sure gone up in price, ten years ago they were give away's.  I was lucky that when in college my fraternity brother's let me use their cars on dates,  71 240Z, 72 914, a TR 7, and Lotus Europa.  I drove a 1972 Celica GT, funny no American muscle in the frat.

 

 

Thanks for the kind words.  The engine is a 2.7 liter.  The original 2.0 is in storage in case the next owner wants to put it back in.  It's crazy how prices have jumped the the six cylinder 914s in the last few years.  I've had this one since 1992.  It's been judged Best in Class at the annual Porsche Club of America Parade and by  the Porsche 914-6 Club USA, and the Porsche 914 Owners Association.  It's retired from car shows.  Leather interior, heated rear window, original tool kit, all the extras.  History documented back to the original owner.  I'll sell it before I sell the Z, however.

Dennis

 

 

16 minutes ago, Marine240z said:

A-4 Skyhawk, that was a sports car!

That is a beautiful plane

16 minutes ago, Marine240z said:

That is a T-1 trainer.  He graduated last week and will be moving into the T-6 Monday

Very cool. Congratulations. My son wants to fly in the Air Force. We'll see, he may outgrow the size requirements

Yes the cockpits have gotten much tighter in the fighters. However, the support aircraft, C 5's, C 130, P- 5, helo's etc. are a little more forgiving as to size requirements.  There is always the private flight training school route as well.

He is in civil air patrol and really likes it. He is over 6' at 16 and I am 6'-5". I don't know that his heart will be broken if he doesn't fly a fighter. He just enjoys flying...

16 minutes ago, psdenno said:

Thanks for the kind words.  The engine is a 2.7 liter.  The original 2.0 is in storage in case the next owner wants to put it back in.  It's crazy how prices have jumped the the six cylinder 914s in the last few years.  I've had this one since 1992.  It's been judged Best in Class at the annual Porsche Club of America Parade and by  the Porsche 914-6 Club USA, and the Porsche 914 Owners Association.  It's retired from car shows.  Leather interior, heated rear window, original tool kit, all the extras.  History documented back to the original owner.  I'll sell it before I sell the Z, however.

Dennis

 

 

Man, the decision to sell one of my cars is not something I am looking forward too.  My son will have his choice when he is ready. I think he will probably take the 928 which will not hurt my feelings.

I also have a Porsche ( 1987 928 S4)  that is the stablemate to my 72 Z.  The 928 is my trip/touring car while the Z  fulfills my "down and dirty" desire to feel every physical force that accompanies the no frills driving aspects of pure sports cars. No computer assist, no automatic leveling, traction control or completely quiet cockpit...just you, the Z, the sounds and the next demanding road.

In it's day, the 70-72 Z ate the basic 911's lunch. Fiat, MG, Triumph, Lancia all played catch up after it's introduction.  150 hp, great design, superb handling and a great cockpit led to their be forced to the back of the bus.  The 996 is a great deal for a cheap "initial" buy in to the Porsche fraternity.  Like any German engineered car, they need constant inspection and strict maintenance followup.  They will cost more to own, you will not recoup your investment, but like the Z they are made to drive, the harder the better.

For my money, if you are patient, you can find a solid, well taken care of 1st generation Z but you must look everywhere.  Get up an hour early, go through craiglist in other cities and states, set up a automatic search engine, go to other unknown listing sites and you will find your car.

I am currently finishing up an 8 month engine refurbish upgrade to my Z.  My goal was keeping the stock appearance and just concentrating on engine, trans and suspension enhancements. Rolly the "Zombie" Alberto is masterminding the engine and he is a savant when it comes to squeezing max hp from 4-6 cylinder engines.  Rolly is from the Philippines and has two speed shops there that build drift cars for the Asian market.

I will post everything here once we are finished in about 3 weeks.  The early Z's are so simple to work on, so simple to up grade that its makes much better sense to buy one if you can't afford both.

 

Good luck keep us posted.