Sovietterran

Ok, so I'm sure this question pops up a million times but after a situation with a dealer blow-up I'm conflicted whether I'm really that far off base or if he just is that bad a salesman. OK, so, currently I'm in the market for a 280z or zx 2+2 because I'd love a semi reliable (for a classic) DD to work on.

-yeah, its not a new car, but I have recently realized I do not really spend on anything, need another hobby, and whenever I say "Oh no, I am almost out of money." I'm really saying "Oh no, I'm almost to the point where I may be in need of breaking into my massive back up savings accounts I have because I save habitually." And I'll probably end up with a secondary beater with a GMC 3800 or a civic of some sort for winter to take up the slack.-

So, anyway, 3 months ago I came across a dealer selling a 1978 280z, mechanically iffy, but still running. The body and frame are excessively rusted, all the fenders have disintegrated, the bumpers are missing, the paint is bubbling, but the interior is pristine-ish. Car ran but had a surging idle and I never had a chance to test drive it then. They wanted waaay too much but I dropped them to 2000 in negotiations but walked away because it was early in my search and I was still in the market for a restore and not a beater. (rust repair on that scale... No...) After a long time searching I have opened up to just getting a beater for now, so I poked over there again. I told the guy 2000 MIGHT be in my price range if I get the car checked out and the issues weren't some of the parts that don't see a heavy after market. Long story short(er), the car needs 2500 in repairs from a fairly well price mechanic (struts, front brake system, tuning, so could DYM if I really wanted to) and a new air-flow sensor. After hearing that, and considering how much that would be into a car beyond my definition of a restore project, I told the guy unless they were willing to go closer to a K, I'd be unable to make a decision. The dealer... Didn't take it well. This all took place on the side of the road too, because they didn't bother to see if the car had gas, or if the gauge worked, but that's another story.

The question is:
Am I really off base to the value of that beater? I'm tempted to call in again and make my highest counter offer of 1500 to a manager to see if it'll roll. I was interested in the opinion of people who deal with these cars a lot. The mechanic told me it wouldn't be worth it to him to go over 1000, but he also told me an AF would cost me around 500 dollars. So, honest opinions?

P.S. I'm also really interested in this one because it's really the only 2+2 I can find or get a response on right now.

Bleach

Its a heap and the dealer is trying to screw someone on selling that car. Pass it up. The dealer will find a fool elsewhere.

evandubya

For 2k you should get a good runner with almost no rust that needs some love, not a pos about to stroke out on you!

theramz

Look at this. For 5k you can have a real nice dd.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/280-ZX-2-2-1979-low-mileage-2-owner-clean-original-280-ZX-5-speed-car-/330980202365?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4d0ff5177d

77280ZX

Sounds like a pos. you can buy a good running one for 1500. Spend the other 500 on gas to drive out of state to go get it.

Steve260Z74

Where are you located that you would consider paying more than $500 for a rustbucket?

Sovietterran

I am located in the dead center of Colorado and man do we only get Zs from out east. It's been next to impossible to find any manual 2+2s, even after opening up the zxs and 300zs as contenders. I did have an operational budget of around 4500 but now I'm sorely tempted to throw 2000 at an eclipse my buddy is selling, then save up for another run at a Z next year. I'm glad I'm not off base with my budget, I was just starting to wonder if I was just low-balling myself out of the ballpark without knowing it. I've seen a whoooole lot of priced up rust buckets, and a few close deals I had to pass on, but 1500 for a fun pos DD is tempting. That's probably the impatience in me talking though. After test driving even the rust buckets, I have really fallen for the Z line up.

Steve260Z74

Spend $500 to $1000 to travel to Southern California or Arizona to buy a Z from there. There's a better quality & quantity in those locations giving you more for your money. Just my opinion.

NismoPick

Dude... check out KSL Classifieds, mostly Utah postings but includes the whole Intermountain West.

Cars: KSL Car Classifieds
Everything else: Classifieds for Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming | ksl.com

KSL classifieds is about 1000x bigger than Craigslist. Also check out your local car clubs / forums... Utah has several Z car clubs, Nissan clubs, Drifting clubs, etc.

This 280z 2+2 was posted & sold just the other day on Drift Utah. It sold for less than $4k:

theramz

here's a manual 2+2. You could prbably get it for 1200 and have it delivered for 700.
1981 Nissan/Datsun 280ZX 25mpg for sale or trade

Sovietterran

Thanks for the input. I'll definitely check those out. I did just stumble across a craigslist ad in my area for a 1978 2+2 with the l28et swap and a moon roof for about 1500. Needs new paint and interior looks rough, but it does run and could be a nice starting base for a body kit and a fresh coat of paint. Edit: Will be doing price negotiations and rust sweeps when I go to see it.

Actually, this is my third post: Here is the ad. Upon closer inspection he doesn't say whether it's the turbo or not and there may be more than just surface rust. http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/3995354117.html Thoughts? If that is rust I don't think I'll go near his asking, but I may field an offer.

Sovietterran

Going to see it today. I will post the results.