rsikes

Roger, That sounds very similar. I also noticed that it immediately shifted from 1st to 2nd. It's in great shape but so over priced I think I'm going to move on. I drove a 5 spd 78 with a zx motor yesterday. I drove great and has a very nice paint job (silver). I think there is a little rust but not much (Arizona car). The interior needs some attention, and hood and hatch back are hard to open and close but it doesn't look as though it's been wrecked. It has a bad gas smell when driving - guy said it was the exhaust but it smelled like unburned fuel to me. It needs a good going over - probably a $1000 or $1500 would set everything right (mech, exhaust, fuel, brakes). Ralph

Thanks for everyones feedback and encouragement. I'm looking at another 78 with a 5 spd tomorrow. Here we go! Ralph

Thoughts....? I recently examined and drove a 78 280z. The body looks nearly perfect - no rust. Seriously - no rust. Not in the fenders, not in the rocker panels, not in the rear deck, not in the frame rails. I noticed slight ripples in each of the doors along the outer most curvature of the door - maybe dings not quite smoothed out before a paint job? Car was repainted about 10 yrs ago. Interior was imaculate except for the obligatory crack in the dash. Everything works! Manual steering, brakes, and auto trans. Engine sounds great and trans operated and felt fine. I noticed that there was not a lot of power on acceleration. A mechanic told me that the auto trans really took a lot of power out of the car. Any feelings on this (assuming all engine and trans are strong)? What does it take to convert to a 5 speed? Pedal set, trans & ??? Approx cost??? Input GREATLY appreciated. BTW buyer wants 9K - seems a bit steep to me... Ralph

Thanks again for all the feelback - very useful! Unfortunately I won't be able to see the car this weekend - maybe next week? For anyone else that is interested I did find a pretty good site with a primer on what to look for and rust etc: http://zhome.com/Classic/CommonZRust/RustPrevention240Z.htm Ralph

Thanks for the feedback! I'll look hard for rust. The seller did comment to me: "only minor surface spot rusting on the edges of hatch back and a few other areas before it was painted. Most of the bodyparts and interior and suspension has been refurbished or replaced" I do plan on rolling around under it quite a bit. I've read about the back deck corners rusting from inside out and that it is nearly impossible to find a z without it. I suspect that has happened and it is worse than the owner realizes. I think if the fenders, frame rails and floor pans look good I will suffer the rear deck repairs. Thanks again!!

I'm going to look at a '78 280z that has a 280zx engine. The owner says he has the original engine but it needs to be rebuilt and the zx engine that is in it runs great. Anyone think of an issue here? BTW I'm looking for a fun daily (or otherwise driver) and not to build a show car. I've never owned a Z before and am trying to make the leap. Oh yeah - this Z also just got a shiny new paint job which also makes me suspicious....

Thanks Mike. I'd like to make the meeting - I didn't see a club link in the geographic forum section. Does the club have a web site? Do they meet every month and where? Ralph

Wow - that's too easy. I work in Roswell. Do you remember which lot it was? Thanks!

Hello everyone! I struggling to find a 280z for sale in the Southeast. I'm hoping it can be (or will be) a daily driver. I've completed my American muslce phase with a 66 Mustang, and am now leaving my off road phase with an 84 Jeep Scrambler. All I have to do now is find a z car and explain it to my wife! Help in either arena would be greatly appreciated!!! Ralph