Slight

no, that's awesome! Thanks for sharing.. I think I do agree too.. I'd like to get one where I can learn on.. but at the same time not be overwhelmed by a full restoration process.. As for what I'd like to do? well as far as mechanically.. I definitely like the idea of keeping the stock engine in.. as a chance to learn more about them, dealing with the good and the bad.. aesthetically.. I love the idea of the Jdm look; fender mounted mirrors, zg flares.. lowered... * Lots of ideas are Rolling around now heh but yeah..* oh I was wondering where do you look replacing parts? like I'm just thinking knowing what certain things cost is good.. *ie. A new dash is about $1200? aside from that I guess I'll just keep searching forums and learning =)

thanks guys, yeah i think that's probably the best bet.. save more money in the long run anyways... where are good places to search?

where to start? i've been looking around at Z's... and I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do with one. but the question comes back to me, where do i start? the aspect of rust is a little daunting... and the price of a fully restored z is.. expensive! what do you folks think? where is the middle ground? for a young student like me who wants to get into these cars, but doesn't want to get stuck with a rotting heap, ie. do i start with something like http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-Modified-Datsun-280z-W0QQAdIdZ318044066 and deal with the problems as they come? learning to fix and restore? learn how to do the body work... or should i skip the process and just save 7-8grand and find a real clean z? anyone have any stories or advice on searching out the right z?

yes, I think the novelty of owning a jdm doesn't sway me too much in the matter, I guess my opinion is that if i am going to buy a summer car, then I should get something that moves me... and classic jdm cars do... so if i can get best of both worlds; a usdm car thats still a classic jdm... seems like a win win deal.. and thank you FastWoman for laying it out like that, that's what i'm looking for- a car that isn't so complicated that i'll have to pour every single last penny i own to it, something i could take the time to learn more about...a car i'd actually want to invest my time/money into. and judging from what i've seen, the Z community is something i want to be apart of.

yes, i think with all this input and information I will decide against this car, especially with your first hand experience Spitz, thank you. and thanks to everyone else too. I shall keep looking and learning =)

it seems like this may be a endeavor beyond my ability.. if those costs are high and the parts are hard to source..

where do i start to look for those items? are referring to the trim around the wheel wells? thanks for the opinion

thanks Spitz, after doing some looking around i guess my opinion is somewhere around the fact that the coupe looks better than the 2+2 but the difference to me is negligible. my major concerns would be costs of those certain parts to repair. ie. "Signals and Light Switch on opposite sides (potentially expensive to replace)" how potentially expensive am I looking at? and the add says that "Has factory air [ not working ] - the Hitachi compressor is free wheeling, so it is not seized. all the copper lines from it are are intact. The heater hoses are not hooked up - suspect it might need a heater core" my situation is that at this point i dont have all the money in the world to straight up restore, I am a student. but having said that i do work at the local nissan dealership and I have access to tools, help, cheap labor rates, and the like. the more I look at these cars the more enthralled I become... I guess my understanding is that you can expect normal to high maintenance, but it is worth the effort and work.

some very good things to put to mind, do you know of any specific things i should look at when i see the car? thank you so much for your help =D

cool thanks for the insight

of course, the jdm were the fairlady's and the 240,260,280 were under the datsun badge.. I'm just wondering if those differences are significant In way that would drive the cost of parts up by a lot.

I've yet to take a good look at it, hopefullly this week. i'd assume the guy would list it accurately as he is apparently a hot rodder. if it is a 2.0 L does that indicate more accurately the year of the vehicle? do you know of any major differences between the Jdm and Usdm versions? thanks!

yeah, i think that would be nice... agreed its not full race... but its a touch more practical thanks for the thought, I have lots to learn about these cars.

hey all, here's my situation. I found this fairlady z close to home and I'm wondering more about it. first off, is a 1975 fairlady z similar to the 260z? is that correct? what kind of differences am i looking at? weight reduction, stiffness, power, engine? and i guess mainly i am curious to what kind of 'trouble' ill be getting into if i bought one. I'm not the most mechanically adept guy and i'm not wealthy by any means... but i absolutely love the looks of the z... do these cars cost quite a bit on parts? are they hard to find? I was seriously considering getting a 240sx from the states, but what i find is that what I really want to do is invest time and money into something I love. not so much as a practical car, but as a hobby. here's the link to the car i'm looking at. http://www.oldcaronline.com/ocdetail292188.htm thank you so much for helping!