I have an opportunity to buy a 1972 240Z that looks like it is in good shape. Just has some rust on one rocker panel. My concern is that the owner just bought it for his son off of a man who had it sitting for 5 years. Don't know if he started it up regularly. The new owner is now wanting to sell it to me at a very good price (his son is going to college) and he has driven it a bit and says it drives great( except the idle sticks on high revs). My question to all you Z specialists is, what should I look for when I go to look at it, and, if I buy it is it worth risking driving it home? It is about a 2 hour drive. Thanks for any input!!!

 

Keep in mind that driving any car that has been sitting for 5 years is going to risk blowing something. ...but, you are talking about a Zcar here. These things, especially the older ones, seem to be able to take a real beating. If the price is good take a shot at it. Is there a Jiffy-Lube near your pick-up point? If so, take it to them and have everything done (oil, differential, tranny, lube, etc). They might even be able to tell you how things look engine wise. Even if you do get it Jiffy'ed take it really easy on your ride home. If it were me I would drive it hard just to see if it would break but that is why my cars wear out quickly. Take the drive slow, maybe even stopping half way to grab a burger and let it cool down. Carry extra oil and water (and tranny fluid if it is an auto). If you really want to baby it and make sure you get home I think this should be fine. I just drove an '82 turbo that I purchased for about an hour with all the warning lights flashing. It told me it had no oil pressure and that it was over heating. I had no choice but to do it and sure enough I pulled into the driveway just fine. Since I am going to rebuild the engine anyway I wasn't too worried. Good luck and let me know if you have any further questions. If the price is really really good you can always rent a car dolly from U-haul.

Houston
hgray14@aol.com

 

Hey, Thanks for the great advice! I was also thinking of taking it directly to a Jiffy Lube but I didn't think about the other stuff. Appreciate you taking the time and helping out. I'll let you know if I buy it and how it goes.

 

Hi! I too just recently bought a Z that had been sitting, though I was the one who had to get it up and going, though mine had only been sitting about 2 1/2 or 3 years. If your new to Z's keep coming back here, these folks are great. They are quick and great to help and have a lot of good input. It really helped me get mine up and going. Along with the fact that I happened to have found an Autozone that has a part-time employee that his full time job is a Nissan mechanic. He's very knowligeable and super friendly, he has been invaluable in the process. You might try the same, by checking out some of your more reputable autoparts stores.

 

thanks for the advice. I do know a mechanic at a local Nissan store that is an avid Z enthusiast. If I buy this Z I will probably be calling on him.

Dan

 

Hi Millie!
The early Zs are always a good buy, but trying to drive one for two hours after a 5 year sleep is just too unrealistic! The likelihood that the car will breakdown somewhere on the side of the road before you get home is very high! This bumpy ride home for you could affect your future relationship with the car!
My advice is to find a way to haul it home, either with a car trailer (preferable) or a car dolly. Then you can examine hoses, belts, plugs, wires, etc in the comfort of your own driveway!
Good Luck!
Jim from Paradise, CA