dream car; z car

[wanganmidnight]

Hey guys ! Now all this will probably sound a bit stupid but first off i really dont know all that much about cars (ask me something). However; considering they are an integral part of everyones everyday life i figure its something i should know about so im learning as much as i can. Therefore I have a couple of questions for ya. I would like to buy an old 240 Z, and over the summer repair/learn it so that it can atleast be reliable and so that i can know what im doing in the automotive world. I really have my inspiration from the DevilZ in the Max Tune games and just that there are no other cars that are literally as OG (whatwhat) as the Z series. I live in Colorado as well but im willing to stay inside if it snows, no matter how much fun it is to do donuts in parking lots. So what im getting at is do you think this is a good idea or plausible ? I have friends who work on and know about cars to help, one of my friends is going to college to major in automotive, and i dont mind learning. Im very ambitious about this and im not worried about restoring the car to its factory state, just so that it runs and however close to clean/reliable i can get it. I'm not sure how much money i will have but somewhere near 3,000 is what im guessing, it may be an overestimate haha. Gotta pay for college. However i hear your first car isnt supposed to be nice, but i wouldnt mind taking the time to make it nice.

[Chris'sZ]

Welcome to the club...! This site has such knowledge and expertise that your questions will be answered. I have a '76 280Z that I totally Love. I have learned so much from just reading others input's... I'm not totally car friendly either so every little bit helps...Enjoy the club and look for other threads to help answer other questions

Chris...

[=Enigma=]

240Zs are starting to get a bit pricey compared it's younger brothers. You would probably get more for your money if you focused on a 260Z or even better a 280Z. The lines of the body or "shell" nearly identical with only minor changes over the years such as larger bumpers, different tail lenses and turn lenses. For a few grand you should be able to find a 280Z that can be nursed back to reasonable health for another grand or so. Start watching the local papers and craigslist.com for your area and go to see a few cars but don't buy anything without a second opinion. There are members from the site in your area who I'm sure would be more than happy to go with you to a car you are serious about and lend some expert advice. Enjoy the site and good luck in your search.

[Surfsup]

haah welcome. looks like we got a fanboy here. just like initial d...:paranoid:

[DaveN]

Welcome!

Sound bodies and frames are rare now and costly, but the added cost of restoring a rusted or damaged car is more than the initial savings. There's a well done tutorial on rust prone areas in another club's (I don't remember which) tech section, well worth finding and reading. Also check carefully for signs of serious body damage, especially upper and lower front frame rail misalignment. Camber and caster are not adjustable, if the frame rails aren't aligned the front wheel alignment will be off, too. The fit of the front sheet metal is unusually sensitive to frame rail alignment in the early Z's, making frame alignment problems fairly easy to spot. The clearance between the air filter and inner fender well is barely enough for access to the filter when all is well, so making sure you can get the outer cover off with everything else in place is an easy way to detect the most common misalignment of the hidden upper left frame rail.

Are looking for a Z that is stock or restorable, or planning to customize the car. Cost is no object collectors go for very low s/n restorable '70's, but in stock form the 72's were the best of the 240's for street use. (I have had a 70, a 71, and am now driving my 2nd 72.) Several early design weaknesses were corrected for the '72 model run. New emission controls in '73 hurt performance and driveability badly, but the bodies are OK so if you don't mind major engine mods (get rid of the flat top SU's and EGR) 73's are a good starting point. 260's had a stroked 73 engine engine with tweaks to minimize driveability issues, but the weight of impact rated bumpers offset much of the higher engine power and made handling feel heavier. The "74 1/2 260" was a 260 engine is an even heavier 280 body, a crisis response when the 280 F.I. engine didn't get EPA emission certification in time. If you're willing to consider a 280 check this & other forums for posts re which is the best. In the late '70's we liked the 77's with round exhaust ports, but I don't know whether that has stood the test of time.

[beandip]

:rambo: All that has been stated is right on. For someone that wants to learn about cars. I think a 280 or newer would be a better choice. Because from now on all cars will be injected and have computers. Learning on old technology like our beloved 240s while good for all other aspects will be valuable. Today most shops don't know how to work on Carburated engines. Not only Nissan but Ford, Chevy, and all the rest. I prefer the 240 over the later cars because I understand and can work on my early Z . My Son recently took his Ford truck in to the dealer to have it worked on. When after a week it wasn't finished he found out . The dealer had to send a mechanic to a training course because they realised that none of the employees knew how to work on carburetors. He finally got the Truck home, running like crap. I was able to have it running smooth and fine in 10 min. they didn't know how to do the adjustments correctly. This was not a small town dealer either. Just a sign of the times. I really love my 240 for not only the looks, but for her simplicity. The looks and style extends up to the ZX . The ZXs have the superior engines but the bodies are different and heavy . Still a great Z . One day I may own one. I won three injected vehicles and I don't attempt to tune or do much with them . Gary:rambo: