Slight

cool! i'll check that out, yeah i know a few mechanics =) i'll ask around how far do you think $5,000 could take this car? but you're right, doing it yourself is much more rewarding although more work!

a few questions: where should i start to look for those parts? and as a ballpark figure, what do you think i could be looking at spending on parts + labour?

very good point, at this point.. I'd have all winter to work on it, although i have some apprehension about things I don't know how to do myself. I have about 5grand at the moment.. and a fairly limited flow as I do have to pay for school. My thinking is this: I can wait it out, save another 2 thousand or so and find that z that's clean. and I probably wouldn't learn near as much. + costs of changing it to the way Id like, or: spend 650 to get the car to my house. clean it up, do the body work, and pay for the things I want.. so I guess I'll start looking up prices to the parts you generalized there. what I'm wondering is. can I get a car in rough shape going do 4 grand?

sweet, thanks guys so the most important thing is to check the rust; primarily on the crucial parts being : the frame rails and underneath? then of course checking to see that the body is straight.. i think i'll check into this one more =)

well the fellow in B.C. backed out of selling the car, he managed to convince his wife. so that door was closed on me. thus, my mind shifts back to that z that has been sitting for 25 years. so my thoughts are; this could be a great car to learn on. i wouldn't have to fret over messing something up, and i could really get a grasp on all the parts of the vehicle. especially getting it for say.. $600.. my apprehension lies mostly with the rust. so i guess in order of importance things that would need to be addressed: 1. mechanical. getting that engine back to life, just as Chris was mentioning, getting it turned over. 2. fixing that rust! ( I would like to get it painted silver... from the orange it has now) 3. exterior damage, i guess i should see how badly rusted the underside is also, and if the body is straight. what things should I be looking for? would this be a worthy investment of my time? to learn? i just don't want to jump into something that will be more than i can handle. I'd like to do what i can, but i'm sure there will be things out of my ability. on another note, my dad likes this idea more. probably because if i end up $600 out.. its not nearly that big a deal.

hehe yeah definitely space is the biggest factor. we'll see, i just like the idea of learning how to refresh the motor and aesthetics.. -progress on the red 260! my cousin's going to check it for me soon, if all is well i'll fly down (fingers crossed) on another note, how does the whole choke/warming up stuff.. apply to z's? i don't totally understand.. but essentially is it, initiate the fuel pump, let it run to get all the fluids going? warm it up; and she's good to go? the fellow said if i'd be using it as a daily i'd be in for some longer mornings..

when i first was going to see it i was thinking of it as just a parts car, but the idea of restoring it is kind of tempting (as much as i wouldn't trust myself to actually finish it..) I think i'd be better off to buy it, take what little parts i need, and resell.. - rust: as far as i could see... there was surface rust, the lower panels by the door were rusted through.. the guy had gone to the trouble of getting fiber glass rearpanels put in.. and re doing the paint work.. (before the accident) - as far as the accident, he said he hit a curb with it... so there was potential for damage to the frame? but he said most likely just the front passenger side wheel and area.. i'm not really sure how extensive it was.. the fellow is a bit eccentric, he just didn't have money at the time for fixing it, so it sat. and he always had the intention of fixing it... so no one bought it. so i'm thinking this would be a pretty cool car to tow off to a friends farm and take apart and practice on, learn how to take apart an engine.. put the proper fluids as you guys say. in the very least... the parts in the car would probably pay for itself if i bought it..

I got to look at the old 240 today, and well aside from sitting there for 25 years.. it's in pretty decent condition.. a pretty regular amount of rust.. but the good- - engine had no damage in the "accident" he just hit a curb and as a student.. didn't fix it, so it just sat.. -Engine has 116k miles - interior is pretty decent, Completely stock.. uncracked dash. Some shreds in the headliner.. seats are toast.. fabric wise I don't know.. i was surprised at the condition.. I was thinking it'd be a good parts car.. he'd let it go for $800 maybe even less.. I'd just have to figure a place to put it. is it worth it? are most parts swappable between a 73 240.. and 74 260? Ie. dash, engine? ,

hehe, that was a lot of information X.X but interesting.. -chris/leonV yeah, I believe the owner has the badges... I will have to ask him about the paint but i believe it is either stock or the first owner painted it. tomorrow i'm off to check out a z that's been sitting for 25 years heh.. just for kicks =)

haha, yeah thing is.. a 240z was his first car; and he seems to remember more of the headache of tuning the carbs.. oh dear. i think he's mostly worried about me paying for school so if i can show him that I can do both.. i'm hoping it will fly. in regards to this z, red was kind of the last colour i was looking for.. but a relatively clean car.. is a relatively clean car. can't argue with the price. what's you're opinion on paint? how much of a undertaking can that be?

cool, looks like my only goal now is to convince my dad (yes... i'm living at home/ i'm a student =P ) to let me keep it in his garage xD

yeah, i'm thinking this could be the one; i'll have to look into it more... aside from rust, and certain aspects of interior... what things should i be wary about? the fellow sounds pretty genuine over the phone heh; a few pictures show the interior .. has a few things - half dash cap - left side missing the arm to roll the window - glove box loose.. - right side arm hold is a little saggy (might be fixed now though..)

hey guys, i just found this 260z in B.C. (closer to home hah) http://bc.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAd?AdId=318262255&MessageId=MSG.VIEW_AD.REPLY_TO_AD_SENT&mpname=R2S&mpname=Activity-R2S&mpuid=1700142%3B122%3B318262255%3B-1178643037%3B%3B&secev=AQAAATLWh4wAAM0AAAACACIxMzJlMWJmNjAwOS5hMjBiMjZjLjNjOTkyLmZmZmMzNTNlAAAAABL4S%2B8BAAAAAgAAAAEkEBEAiLsNFckgHsHNxvR2%2FGmi4c0wRPE* the fellow says there is no rust to be found; - garage kept - needs to move it out (family and no room) - runs fine.... although it is a 4spd? what are your thoughts on that?

ah he says, 46k on the tach.. but probably 146 or 246

hehe yeah, it'd be quite the trip back. I'll have to check that.. although I feel like as long as I can find one that is in good condition.. that mileage is almost irrelevant.. kind of heh

Good to know, yeah I read that too.. if I get my cousin to look at it I think I'll ask the seller to not warm it up prior. I haven't heard from the guy with the green one.. but from what the owner of the black car says.. it's pretty darn reliable. I think I'll try to check some z's close to town before I commit though heh although considering the price.. the green z is considerably cheaper.. probably for a good reason

or something like this? http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/2587417697.html granted not many photos to go on..

definitely agree, he's working with what he has, on his budget... and man is it a looker.. ooh.. that is cool; so with something like that.. first things i would think: can i pull of those bumpers and replace with cleaner front and rear bumpers (ie. like a 240?) maybe a place like http://motorsportauto.com/products.html or others would have options?

indeed, thanks for the simple lay out.. for now I suppose I should do as much looking as I can, then eventually just make the jump and get one, check it thoroughly and pray for the least amount of hidden rust hehe then roll with it. oh, I was wondering what you folks thought of Yuta's 240z (that slammed/ratrod car that went viral..) http://speedhunters.com/archive/2009/11/04/car-feature-gt-gt-that-240z.aspx - then http://www.loxlee-loves-engines.com/the-heartbreaker-datsun-240z/ - now i guess this is one of those cars that inspired me a bit, i love the aggressive vibe it gives. keeping in mind that Yuta plans to paint and restore the car.. it's still pretty cool to see the work in progress. the interior looks sick, and i do enjoy that colour combo.. the flat gret with black/gold accents.. I know this car has stirred a lot love/hate; just wondering your opinions and why =)

mm, yeah at the very least it's a good example, thanks guys for filling me in on this, it's some interesting stuff. I'll have to keep my eye out and look over cars with the usual rust spots/areas. I'm wondering in that sense.. what would be the "limit" in terms of rust on a car.. I'm just thinking if I come across a car like the one linked, or similar.. when is it just too much to warrant the work involved? On another note, I definitely see how the 240s can require a premium, and I think the body styling .. is more attractive on the 240. thanks again for the help!

is something like this pretty legit? http://www.datsunclassifieds.com/showproduct.php/product/6336/title/1972-240z-great-condition/cat/1

hehe yeah, i just noticed you're from Tucson yourself. I was thinking it would be a good excuse to travel down if I bought a Z in that area I do like the idea of knowing my car inside and out, i'd like to start to learn how to diagnose and fix. and I agree, If I got a 240sx... I have ideas of what I'd do with one, but i think id always want to experience the s30.. I was wondering what about the different generations of the s30. the 240, 260, and the 280... are there aspects of the new models that would be better? maybe it would wiser to be looking for a 280? although.. finding a clean car in any of those models would probably be the first thing.

thanks Threehz, very encouraging... I did suspect that my friend was wrong in stating that a new car would be less complex. i think he was probably thinking along the lines of tuning a car without EFI. As for myself, yeah changing the oil would probably be the extent of my experience; ive done a few odd jobs around the shop ( i work as a detailer at Nissan) but other than that i'm fresh. I hoping a Z will be my first car, I was originally thinking i'd get a 240sx from Phoenix area ( i have a cousin who has a customs shop, he's into the whole drift scene) but i can't shake the idea of owning a classic 240z, especially if it's a car that is simple enough to learn from. nice graph haha, what does FSM stand for?

wow, thanks again guys! lots of things to take into consideration. I'm so glad I found this community here, and I agree Chris, that 280 is ... kind of scary heh.. mm so i was talking with a bud i know, and he's a 240sx enthusiast.. but he advised me to work my way up.. that a 240sx would be a better starting place. and I guess my opinion is that if i'm going to invest my time, it might as well be on the car that I wanted in the first place. although I know finding a clean 240sx would be a lot easier... what are your thoughts? is there a way to ease one's self into learning the mechanics and such that comes with maintaining a older car like a 240z?

that's exactly what i'm looking for, a car that i can learn from and still enjoy, thanks for the insight guys! =)