Zedyone_kenobi

While I agree with lots of what you said Big Oak, we simply cannot cut back on the use of oil by 6x to equal the global average. Everything we touch is petroleum based to some degree. Every office laptop, every interior door panel, the entire medical field is based on petroleum products. There is no way we can cut back on our usage that much anytime soon if ever. It would mean an entire lifestyle change, and 'doing without' is not a popular American attitude. We want what we have, and most people feel they deserve what they have worked for. I know its how I feel. I am proud of our abundance in this country, not ashamed of it or apologetic for it. If we have more than any other country, its because we made it that way. For better or worse is debatable. But its not dumb luck we are the most prosperous country in the world. If you look at the rate at which our population is growing compared to how fast we are developing new energy savings technologies, its a grim picture. Combine that with two very important facts. 1) Going 'green' is mostly for the middle to upper class, as green technologies are expensive and or inconvenient. Lower income families are too busy worried about paying their bills to worry about being green, and... 2) The fastest growing part of the US population are from lower income families whose main goal is not to save the planet, but to feed their children. Unless going green is made cheaper nothing is going to happen. Only when non petroleum product substitutes are made less expensive will people switch. Not one second sooner.

xray, well stated, and very well written. I concede to most of what you said, but you have to understand that I assume the owner takes care of the car, and does not pay a mechanic to do it for them. When you take the mechanic out of the subject the price to maintain such cars are very tolerable. the Porsche example was flawed, but I suppose I should have written it better to be more specific.

Upon reviewing all the new CAFE standards and the extremely strict emissions people will have to meet, it seems that besides all the current wonderful things the Z offers, it has yet another feather in its cap. Let me explain. With the feds clamping down on pure bred sports cars, they could very well cease to exist in the next 5-10 years. According to the new Cafe standards, Porsche and Ferrari must be at over 35 mpg by 2015, hardly possible. And while a company like Ferrari can just pass the fuel penalties over to the public (whats another $3000.00 anyway), companies like Porsche who mass produce cars simply cannot meet that standard and stay competitive in the US marketplace. Cars like the 911 may very well cease to be sold in America in a worse case situation. Porsche will not sell a watered down version of their cars here just to meet CAFE. The Staunch Germans would rather pull out than to compromise their principals. Having said that, the solution to this is simple and elegant. Buy classics. Here me out... here. With more and more cars becoming generic cookie cutouts of a prius of some sort, without souls, or any kind of character that can last more than a model year, classics offer a sublime alternative. Classics never go down in value. Their styling is timeless. They are completely immune to all the latest Federal CAFE rules and regulations. They are free from needing expensive emissions equipment. They are easy to fix and maintain. I say to the man who is ready to spend 50000 dollars for a newer 911. Redirect your thinking my friend. Spend 50000 dollars on a pristine restored 1970 911S. You now have a car that will go UP in value, will never look old or dated, performs amazingly and can be improved upon quite easily, and every time you drive off, you are now a connoisseur, not a rich yuppie. I give you my fellow lovers of the Z....that classics are destined to be greatest choice to free yourselves of the shackles of CAFE and the green weenies.

This is exactly what I wanted to know! Thanks again folks. As usual great info.

For drag racing your looking at peak power, so the 6-1 is the right choice. A 3-2-1 is more a midrange power maker and would seem to suite daily drivers more.

THat green car is on my back up list of cars to look at if my North Carolina Z does not work out.

I keep reading adds for Z's that have a electric fuel pump and the stock mechanical fuel pump. In my experience this is a tad bit overkill. Why would you want both. If I was going to install an electric pump near the gas tank, I would simply remove the mechanical one and block it off. Anybody know of why you would want to have both?

Agreed, this reeks of somebody trying to cash in on the Z's growing popularity.

YOu and me both Frank!

Here is the pic of the car I am flying out to see. If the entire car is this clean, I will be handing him a certified check. The current owner is a stand up guy, and he has taken great lengths to keep this car in great condition. I cannot wait to see it, and drive it. Barring any large surprises it will be coming home with me.

I would love to do it, but I can't right now just leave my job and my wife for a week or so. Believe I thought about the awesome adventure. I even had three friends bidding for who would get to ride with me. Fun is not even the word!

my son is 3 months old, I think I will be doing most of the driving! hahaha

wow thats unreal

north carolina again! lots of cars there it seems

yeah, the owner called me. Its cool. I have my eye on another. Bought my tickets yesterday, flying out on the 11th, wish me luck

Ha ha, road atlanta... that would be great, but I have a confession to make. I am a bit worried that I will be a little disappointed in the Z. I have always love them for their sweet styling and good engineering, but I have been autocrossing a decently modded 2006 WRX STI for the past two years and its just an insane beast of a car. I have never actually driven a Z, and this one in North Carolina will be my first taste of the Z experience. I love the weight, and the layout, and the looks. I do not expect it to be an STI killer, but I am looking forward to some balanced car RWD goodness.

Seriously, I feel smarter just reading Mr. Becks posts, I think my IQ has risen in the past 5 minutes.

As I think I have found the car, is there a car delivery company that is used widely by the people on this site? Who is good, fair, and honest.

I looked at that green car and its on my back up buy list. The price seems right and its no doubt been taken very good care of. I missed that white Z in North Carolina by 2 weeks. Almost had a plane ticket in hand. But now I think I have found the right car with the right owner. Not enough emphasis is put on the owner of the car your buying it from. Buying from a Z enthusiast, makes all the difference. Pics to come if it comes true, I dont want to post pics of it here, scared I will jinx this sale too.

You fellahs are inspirational. And a breath of fresh air! I am far more accustomed to the newer automotive forums, and I am continually disappointed with the replies and amount of help there. I have owned 6 subarus and I am going to be selling my 2006 STI. Its a fantastic car, but my 3 month gets jarred around quite badly in it. So is off to races to get a newer more family friendly car. The good news is that I am going to pick up a Z as soon as the 'right' one finds me. I think the right Z may have just fallen into my lap. Its in North Carolina, but its exceptionally clean and just what I have been looking for. I am looking to buy a plane ticket next week to go see her. Again guys, thanks so much for the encouragement. Mat, I will be looking at one of those on craigslist if this one does not work out, but I as Oiluj said, go with money in hand! Take no chances. I will keep you posted on my status if I pick up this mint jewel!

I did not have the money a month ago...timing is everything.. I looked at that one, believe me!

Its the body work that keeps me looking, I know my limitations of skill, time and space. I need an immaculate body, as anything that has to do with respraying or repainting is out of the question. I don't have the space to strip a car down, nor the time. Anything mechanical I can fix. I do not worry about that. I am not in a position to take car down and get it ready for paint. I will keep looking... the journey is part of the fun right!? RIGHT!!!?

I have been trying to find a clean 240Z for months. These things take a while, but I am getting frustrated on always finding Z's with huge holes in them on some place. I keep getting, OH, yeah, I did not see that hole in my own picture, sorry, its not that bad. Or, the car is sold, sorry. Then there are the Did I mention it does not shift into gear? HAHA. Thus is the joys of Z hunting. I am really looking forward to finding that Z with a good body and good guts. I am willing to pay a fair price for it, and do not expect to find a perfect show car for 5000 bucks. I am far more realistic. If anybody has or knows of a good quality 240Z for sale in the 8-11 thousand dollar range, please let me know.. as I have run out of places to look on the net, and locally. I am calling down help from the Z powers that be. It will have a great home in a brand spanking new garage. And will be loved and driven and cared for. I live in houston, but I am perfectly happy to have a car transfered down here. Thanks fellahs. Keeping fingers crossed for some luck, as lately, I have had none.

This thread can be closed, the car I was looking at was sold. So its back to looking for a clean 240Z

It has more to do with the RPM band of where it gives the most HP, from my experience, three into to will give you more mid range punch, while a 6 into 1 give more High RPM power.