Looking at a zed tomorrow

Mr Volvo · November 29, 2003

hi all (first post so please be kind)

Tomorrow I am going to test drive and have a thorough look at a 260 2+2 that is for sale near me. I am taking along 2 friends that are very cluey when it comes to cars, and they will be doing a lot of the looking. But I was hoping I could post some pics and details of the car tomorrow evening? Would this be possible, because I would really love some comments from zed owners.

From what I have seen so far it has some rust, Im not sure how major it is, but the seller reckons he has enough parts for at least 3 cars in his backyard (i get it all if i buy).

Thanks in advance, but please tell me if this is a forum 'no-no'.

-David

Alfadog · November 29, 2003

This is a definite forum 'yes-yes'! We'd love to help you with your potential Z - nothing worse than buying a lemon.

Take some pictures too if you can - you know what they say - a picture tells a thousand words.

260DET · November 29, 2003

Just make sure that it is straight and the rust is not excessive. A bloke I know bought a nice looking 240 a while back but the bloody thing is bent, it crabs on the road. Which is easily seen when following it.

Murph · November 30, 2003

Spend a good amount of time checking both the general condition and also for rust, under the car. Maybe bring a screw driver and do some pokeing.

I'd say this is a pretty important one, otherwise you'll end up with a zed like mine looks good, but its underside is (was now) made of rust.

280zx Fever · November 30, 2003

make sure its complete, inside and out and the interior in good shape.. i would pressume find good replacement parts would be hard to get a hold off.

The under body is critical because thats the hardest to fix...

Rust on doors or front fenders is fixable if you have experiance

Rust around the windows and on roof is a little more complex.

and NEVER beleive what the guy says.. if he says it got a little rust pressume its got a lot.. etc etc..

good luck..

Mr Volvo · November 30, 2003

Whoops!

I meant monday arvo, not today (sunday) sorry for my stupidity, but i will post a detailed desription and as many good pics as possible tomorrow.

Alan Pugh · November 30, 2003

Hi David,

Make sure the car is complete is very critical for a 2+2.

You would think that with all the 2+2 parts cars out there that getting parts for these cars, especially interior parts, wouldn't be a problem. If only that was true.

I've been rebuilding my 2+2 for three years now and I am still chasing a few bits and pieces.

Make sure the bottom of the doors are okay as door skins are next to impossible to get.

I hope it goes well.

Alan.

Zedrally · November 30, 2003

Originally posted by Alan Pugh
Make sure the bottom of the doors are okay as door skins are next to impossible to get.
I hope it goes well.
Alan.

Alan,

I believe Dash Resto's in Qld do the door skins.

HIH

Mike

Alfadog · November 30, 2003

I think Alan's talking about the exterior door skin there?

Alan Pugh · December 1, 2003

Mike,

Lachlan was right I was talking about outer door skins and I am seriously considering sending my door trims to Jim but it all comes down to dollars.

The extra 300mm on the ( station wagon ) costs quite a bit when your doing a full rebuild.

2+2's forever.

Alan.

Mr Volvo · December 1, 2003

Okay

After driving and looking a fair bit this is what i can say.

The car started alright after only a few goes (owner said he hadnt started it for a couple of months) there was no smoke from the exhaust when it did start. Using the battery from my parents volvo.

It idled rough until it was warm when it smoothed out quite a lot.

There was a fair bit of rust (most of which i captured on camera) but my mate went under the car with a screwdriver and said it was all pretty firm.

We took it for a drive (3 in the car, ouch that backseat is squeezy!) without the owner and while the car ran alright it had really heavy steering. The owner said the tires were flat and that is why, but they weren't that bad, so i doubt pumping up the tires would do that much.

it also had a blood curlding grind when shifting into second, so i think the gearbox is in need of some work. Although no other gears seemed that bad. hmmm, to be honest, i doubt we would have gone past 3rd, i dont even know if its a 5 speed, whoops.

The interior was as i would expect for a 30 year old car with some major cracks in the dash, but alright everywhere else. The interior fan and brake lights weren't working though.

The owner had 3 engines, 1 out of the car was being polished (outside), but he hadn't bored it out or anything, it had done under a hundered grand, while he said the one in the car had done 168k.

The owner also had 240 carbs ready to install from another 260 engine. Aswell as a heap of other miscellaneous parts.

He was asking $2700 a few months ago, so i guess i could get him quite a bit lower than that. My mate who has wokred on cars said that for my budget, $4500, i could get something better that would require less work, specifically getting it roadworthy (shocks springs etc.) and getting the gearbox fixed. While I dont want to agree with him, and was hoping to learn about the finer details of cars with this purchase I guess he has a very valid point.

I will post links to the pics and put them in my own webspace, so stay tuned. There are too many to post in here.

I guess my 3 main questions would be:

How much would you pay?

How much for a new/rebuilt gearbox? (or could I do it myself, if i take the time?)

Is the sterring always like this?

But please voice any opinion you have on the car, or my budget or whatever.

Thanks so much for your time.

(oh, i'm 19 and was wondering if anyone can comment on insurance rates or ocmpanies to use in australia, thanks)

David