Red 944

I remember there being a good 280zx thread a couple months back, but I wasn't able to find it.

I looked at a car a couple of days ago, 1980 280zx blue coupe auto with 104k miles. It has been sitting for a couple of months, and I got there the same time the owner did. He showed up with a battery and it started right up. It has had a recent valve job. There was minor rust that had been taken care of on the front driver fender. I looked at it at night, so I couldn't see any other rusty areas if there were. But, the way the guy was showing me a few trim pieces missing, and other nit-picky stuff, makes me think that rust isn't really an issue on the car. The guy also had a parts car (1981 280zx turbo) that I guess can kind of run, but I don't want a crap car in my driveway. He thinks he has a buyer for that anyway. They were listed as "both for $1200", but he said they had been there a while and he was open to offers. I was thinking of offering him $700. As I see it, I can have a pretty cool, fun to drive that I can put on the road when the porsche isn't running.

What does everyone think about these cars? I wasn't really looking for a second car, but it seemed like a deal and is in pretty good shape.

Micah

Well, it's an auto, so you'll get tired of it quickly - at least, I would. I don't know if I would rely on it to be "fun."

On the other hand, it's a cheap beater... if he takes $700, hell - go for it. You could also sell the parts of the Turbo (or the whole thing) on ebay and gradually make back what you put into the runner.

I forgot one other thing - I would also inspect it more closely for rust. I do know that these things often rust away, so if it had a spot somewhere, its probably got more in hiding.

Micah

Tom R.

i had an 80 2+2 that i got as a gift. car looked great, low miles etc. rusting floorboards.

i drove one cross country, and wasnt impressed with the steering, too mushy.

i think they are great cars, run forever, and if the floor is solid you will buy yourself a great driving car.

my friend had an 81 in 81. his father had a 944 in 83. he traded his 81 for an 84. dad liked his 944s sporty ride, kid liked his ZXs luxory ride. all were automatics.

enjoy

J Berk

As a past owner of both a 79 280zx2+2 and an 83 280zx I can say that theses are very fun cars! The 83 was far better ( I thought ) than the 79 because it had more creature comforts ( tee tops,etc)...although the 79 was closer to being a sports car and the 83 more of a GT car. Both of mine were 5spds and that straight six is full of torque and smooth like silk. Enough of the good stuff....THEY RUST LIKE CRAZY! One day my 83 was mint ( I was only the second owner) and the next day..."hey...what's that bubble on the hood? "....

But I loved the car ( until an x's brother flipped it over on the highway! )...

nh3

Check the frame rails. If they are rusted, stay away. I had 2 pre 79's and they were a blast. Jack the car up and get underneath and have a close look at everything underneath. It just might scare you away.

nh3

special tool

Hey Red - you can HEAR z cars rusting on a quiet winter's night in Boston.

Micah

Hey Red - you can HEAR z cars rusting on a quiet winter's night in Boston.

That made my night!

Micah

Red 944

lol special tool.
thanks for the advice guys, looks like I will have to check it out again and bring my flashlight and a jack.
If it's good .. I might be tempted to put a v8 in. I'm sure it's been done a million times

ELLSSUU

Also, check out the battery tray. They're prone to rust and the rust creeps down the walll and to the floorboard. Other prone spots: Framerails, around the fuel filler neck, bottom infront and behind the wheel wells.

As for the engine, I had one go 200,000 hard miles before it gave up. It's also very easy to work on. I wouldn't waste my time in putting a V8 in the thing though.

Try <a href="Http://www.Zcar.com" target="_blank">Http://www.Zcar.com</a> for several good forum boards similar to this one. Lots of knowledge there.

MM951

Hey Red 944: I just picked up a 83 280ZX N/A (5sp) and this car is really fun! I bought it awhile ago, but got it in yesterday and i think it'd be a great daily driver as long as you can take care of the rust (become friends with a mig welder ). Mine has a lil hole in hte drivers side floorboard, and on hte passenger side framerail (ahead of hte firewall ) that will be repaired..and a lil frame rail rusted through at the rear, still okay till I fix it. An excellent forum to ask around in is the : www.zcar.com forum!

good luck if ya ever wanna get one

PS: I picked mine up for 200 bucks

Danno

I'll take the 280ZX-Turbo if he still got it! One of the more under-rated cars of that time.

AndyK

The first car I thought of buying when I turned 16 was a '78 silver 240Z. That car had GREAT sporty lines, and a hood that went on for days! Unfortunately, every one I looked at had rust from where water must have entered the little "Z" logo, and worked it's way down to the fender. Rust city!

That 2.4 litre engine was a direct copy of the Benz 240...in a tiny car! Vrooom! Too bad they used crappy manufacturing procedures.

ELLSSUU

Nissan didn't make a 240Z in 1978. It would have to have been a 280Z that year.

James86-951

I have had 4 "Z" cars. They are fun, but more like a GT than a racecar. (When unmodified) The engine is a mercedes engine Nissan purchased from Mercedes in 1957. All L-series engines are based on the mercedes engine. They are easy to modify and will run forever. Go over it with a fine tooth comb for body rust in the critical areas mentioned above.

Danno - I agree, the ZX turbo was grossly underrated. (First in the Nissan line to have the heated-wire air sensor.) The head needed to be o-ringed for high boost though.

AndyK

Yeah, must have been the 280Z then.