Ranger Posted March 3, 2008 Share #1 Posted March 3, 2008 Hello! I'm interested in buying an S30 Z-car and came across this site. I've lurked here for a while, and decided to finally register. I've never owned a Z, but I am a big Nissan fan...currently have a G35 coupe as my daily driver, and just sold my project 240SX. I've done a lot of research on the old Z cars and know what to look for when buying, but I do have some questions concerning a particular 280Z that I'm looking at...should I make a new thread? (I hate making new threads on an old subject, but I'm terrible at using the search function, especially since I have specific questions, mostly concerning price.) For now I will post it here...http://denver.craigslist.org/car/590435701.htmlMostly I'm curious...is that a good price? There aren't a whole lot here, so I'm not sure what a fair price to pay is. Some things about the car that aren't listed...it's a 4-speed, has no power steering, and has a sunroof. Those "minor body dents" are actually kind of bad...the car took a hit in the front. Kind of looks like a truck backed up into it. The radiator core support is bent, and so is the hood. Front bumper was replaced with an aftermarket piece that doesn't fit well. There's a dent on each door, by the handle. The door would have to be taken apart to fix it. There is also one on the rear quarter panel on the passenger side. It's not too bad, but the paint is peeling off and it's rusted a bit, you can kind of see it in the picture. The interior smells really musty, maybe water damage? Exhaust fumes leak into the cabin, I know that's typical for these cars though. Now for the good...the car runs strong and pulls hard. It fires right up and idles well. Previous owner says that the engine was rebuilt, but was unable to produce documentation. It runs rich and could use a good tune, but idles well. Sounds like it has good compression but I haven't had it tested yet. It feels like it needs a new clutch, but shifts fine. The interior looks practically like new (doesn't matter to me, since I'll be stripping it, but it implies it was treated well). And other than that dent, there's no rust that I can see. Overall, I think for a 30 year old car that hasn't been restored, it's in good shape. So what are your thoughts on this? It should be noted that I will be using this car for road racing, but not before I give it a refresher (new clutch, brakes, suspension components, aero body, etc.) Anyway I'm glad I found this site, there's lots of useful info here, and I'm sure I'll be sticking around regardless of if I get this Z or not! Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblake01 Posted March 3, 2008 Share #2 Posted March 3, 2008 4 speed was standard on a 78, 5 speed and automatic were optional. Power steering was never offered on any S30 and didn't show up until the 280ZX in 1979. The sunroof which is an aftermarket item as they weren't offered on S30 either, is a negative IMO. Exhaust leaks are fixable. Don't know of anyone road racing a 280Z though I know quite a few that road race 240Z's. As far as a fair price, my opinion differs quite a bit from others here and I'll defer to them on that point but, to me, it seems a bit overpriced considering the condition. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239306 Share on other sites More sharing options...
snag point Posted March 3, 2008 Share #3 Posted March 3, 2008 I would pass, and keep looking. If the car was hit hard enough to have damage back into the front radiator supports other things could be out of line. Jon Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239308 Share on other sites More sharing options...
240ZX Posted March 3, 2008 Share #4 Posted March 3, 2008 One item I would pay close attention to, since the car is a colorado car, is the rust monster....! The car looks as though it has been repainted and may be hiding the usual points of rust....at least for a while anyway. Tom Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239309 Share on other sites More sharing options...
beandip Posted March 3, 2008 Share #5 Posted March 3, 2008 I agree about the front end damage. The car took a pretty good hit to bend the support. I am of the same opinion with the sun roof , but if you are going to gut the car for a racer , just have a panel wilded in. I am curious also where and in what class are you going to race a 280Z. With the damage up front , I would pass on this one . Gary Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239310 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted March 3, 2008 I would pass, and keep looking. If the car was hit hard enough to have damage back into the front radiator supports other things could be out of line. Jon Yes, it has me concerned...and it did pull to the right a bit to be honest. Could be an alignment issue though...you never know. And it's on a consignment lot, so conveniently they know nothing about it. I know you guys are right...I should just keep looking...but sadly, this is one of the cleanest one I've seen here in a long time. It's really hard to come by one that's not a) a total rust bucket or fully restored and too expensive. I figured the sunroof was aftermarket, and it would be removed, but I would have sworn that I read that 280Zs (not ZXs) had power steering as an option... I have no idea if it's originally a Colorado car or not, but even if it is, I'm not too worried about rust. Yes, it does snow here, but we don't put salt or mag chloride down on the roads when it does. Also contrary to popular belief the Denver area is a very arrid climate...no humidity. Then again I know how these cars are prone to rust, just like anything else from the era. How can you tell it's been repainted from just those pictures? Just because it's not likely to have original paint in that condition? Also, I doubt I will be doing any SERIOUS road racing in it...just NASA HPDE. I don't have the money to be a professional road racer. But eventually I could run in NASA Super Touring / Super Unlimited. I've been looking at the various spec classes, but none of them are really that appealing to me... Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239312 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zak's Z Posted March 3, 2008 Share #7 Posted March 3, 2008 My 72 had a hit to the front corner, rad support was damaged and repaired. This happened probably 15 years before I owned it. When I took it in for body work recently, we found the damage needed more repairs and the whole front needed a bit more 'straightening'. I think another user here said, Z's are like the bus...if you miss this one, another will be along shortly. It cost me alot more in the long run to repair a previously damaged frame than it would be to get a straight one in the first place. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239317 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncolz Posted March 3, 2008 Share #8 Posted March 3, 2008 Ahhh, but Colorado DOES put down Mag Chloride, and has for the past few years. Before that it was essentially sand - one of the main causes for the "brown Cloud" seen around Denver. I'd pass on it, there are nicer cars around for similar money.How much work are you willing to do on the car to get it ready to race? Is a complete builder an option? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239322 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share #9 Posted March 3, 2008 Huh...I've been told a few times over that we do NOT put down mag chloride. I've only ever seen sand. But I'd rather take your word for it. As for another Z coming along...that's not necessarily true up here...I have been looking for the past few months and only seen a few clean examples. From what I've seen, there just aren't many left up here...honestly I don't think we got many to begin with. If there are nicer cars up here for similar money, I sure haven't seen them. But I don't really want to go out of state just to look at one, and I wouldn't buy a car without looking at it. This car would fit what I'm looking for if it weren't for the frame damage. I'm willing to pay $5-6k for one in decent shape, but that doesn't seem to exist up here, haha. The others I've seen all needed paint and/or major body work. Or they were too expensive. And while paint isn't a huge concern, since it will be a track car, it does affect price, in my eyes. It's funny because S130s are plentiful, but not S30s. Too bad I don't like S130s very much. As for what I'll be doing to it to get it ready to race...HPDE doesn't require much. You don't even need a cage for HPDE 1 and 2. I'd probably install new bushings on the suspension, give it a good clutch and lightened flywheel, coilovers, strip interior, brake upgrades put in racing seats (with support for harness in case I did have a cage built), decent rims and tires, etc. I'm willing to do whatever work is necessary...it'll be an ongoing project and doesn't need to be in pristine condition. Just as long as it's road worthy. I think what I will do is have it inspected by a frame and alignment shop I know of, to see how bad the damage really is. If it's minor, then maybe I'll get it...if it's not, I'll keep looking. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239329 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted March 4, 2008 Share #10 Posted March 4, 2008 Huh...I've been told a few times over that we do NOT put down mag chloride. I'd never even heard of it so I had to look it up. This article is a few years old:http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=14621 Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239334 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share #11 Posted March 4, 2008 Yeah, and Colorado is a pretty environmentally friendly state. Which is why I thought it made sense that we wouldn't put it down. But who knows... Also, I thought the "brown cloud" was a result of smog, not sand...interesting. People should just learn how to drive in snow. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239342 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncolz Posted March 4, 2008 Share #12 Posted March 4, 2008 I take it neither of you have lived in the Denver area very long. The news has constant stories of mag chloride reserves with every snow storm. Search the Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, etc will provide several articles on its use in Colorado.Some examples:http://denver.yourhub.com/Lakewood/Stories/Ask-Dot/General/Story~168812.aspxhttp://www.thedenverchannel.com/video/2690818/index.htmlCheers Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/27242-another-introduction-and-a-question/#findComment-239390 Share on other sites More sharing options...
zKars
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now