damage Posted February 19, 2011 Share #1 Posted February 19, 2011 Hi,I'm shopping around for my first Z car and will be checking out a few this weekend. What are things I should be looking out for? Are there certain areas that are common rust areas? Any danger signs or red flags?Thanks! Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
SportBikeMike Posted February 19, 2011 Share #2 Posted February 19, 2011 Rust, rust and rust! Look carefully at all the usual spots...lift the carpet and check out the floor pans. Look underneath the car especially the frame rails. Also look under the hood, particularly the battery tray. These are all common spots for rust. Rust should be your main consideration.....the mechanical stuff you can easily deal with! Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346484 Share on other sites More sharing options...
d240zx2 Posted February 19, 2011 Share #3 Posted February 19, 2011 Mike said it all. Every nook and cranny (with no offense to the delicious muffins) should be inspected for the iron oxide demon. Body work will, literally, eat any budget you might have established, therefore, the less work for the body, the more you'll have available for go-fast and pretty. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346489 Share on other sites More sharing options...
IdahoKidd Posted February 19, 2011 Share #4 Posted February 19, 2011 Decide too if you are wanting carburetted or fuel injected, or if it matters to you. By starting with the best unit you can afford, you may save yourself a ton down the road. Buy according to your ability to maintain the car. If you are a weekend mechanic and enjoy the work or if you want turn key and no hassle, the price does vary. Rust is 'the' issue, but there are a lot of cars out there that are rust free to choose from. Search the forums here for specific areas, but floors, battery trays, and hatches are common problems. If you find rust in one area, almost certainly there is more elsewhere.Good luck! Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346499 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted February 19, 2011 Share #5 Posted February 19, 2011 Good reference material. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346502 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSCReno Posted February 19, 2011 Share #6 Posted February 19, 2011 +1 to the posts above... Since we don't know where in Cali you're located, we don't know how likely your potential Z will be to the dreaded tinworm. If you're located in the high desert, rust won't be a problem. If you're near El Lay or San Fran, the coastal air will rot a Z at an alarming rate so you'll need to check your potential purchase over VERY carefully. I always get a kick out of my overseas buyers who want a Southern California car. Uhmm, okay, but don't bitch when your car is delivered to you with rusty doglegs and floorpans. Cars that come from the California coast are just the same as cars that come from Florida. The only difference is the black license plates. Salty air is salty air. If you can, buy a car from Arizona or Nevada. Just my opinion. Cheers, Scott Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346532 Share on other sites More sharing options...
damage Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted February 19, 2011 Thanks for the info. I'm in the bay area. Then current owner says there's rust in the corners when opening the hatch. Does that mean the hinge area? How do I check for rust in the dog leg area? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346535 Share on other sites More sharing options...
IdahoKidd Posted February 19, 2011 Share #8 Posted February 19, 2011 If it has rust like pictures one and two, don't buy it! The doglegs are under the door and in front of the rear tire. They can be replaced, as I did this one, but can be an indication of more rust. Hatch rust usually occurs on the top of the tail light area. My car has the hatch off, but check that flat surface area. I don't have a pic, but look under the battery and tray. These often get rusted quickly. The other likely spots are under the floor mats and in the frame rails under the floor. Once you find a car you are seriously considering, get under it somehow and have a look. Not all rust is fatal and should make you pass on a purchase, but you really need to be aware it is there. What model do you have your eye on? 240? 280? ZX? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346544 Share on other sites More sharing options...
damage Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) Description: It's a 73 240z. "it has 2.6 block 240 head triple 45 webers header electronic dis new clutch 280zx turbo 4 wheel disk brakes 280 zx turbo 5 speed turbo diff." Edited February 19, 2011 by damage Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346556 Share on other sites More sharing options...
damage Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) More pics Edited February 19, 2011 by damage Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346557 Share on other sites More sharing options...
IdahoKidd Posted February 19, 2011 Share #11 Posted February 19, 2011 hmmm, can't see the pics. What kind of price tag? Sounds like lots of work has been done. One of two things. It will be a great unit because someone has already done the work. OR. It will be a nightmare because whoever did the work didn't know what they were doing.you need to go to the footer that says "go advanced" , then manage attacments, then browse and find the files, then upload to get the pics to show Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346562 Share on other sites More sharing options...
damage Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) hmmm, can't see the pics. What kind of price tag? Sounds like lots of work has been done. One of two things. It will be a great unit because someone has already done the work. OR. It will be a nightmare because whoever did the work didn't know what they were doing.you need to go to the footer that says "go advanced" , then manage attacments, then browse and find the files, then upload to get the pics to showHe's asking $5500. Pics reuploaded through the attachment feature. If it's relatively rust free, is $5500 reasonable? Edited February 19, 2011 by damage Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/topic/38632-first-time-buying-a-z-car-what-to-look-out-for/#findComment-346563 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yarb
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