ozzy 79

G'day,

Just after some opinions...

I currently own a 1979 280zx 2+2... Has some rust above windscreen, in c-pillar join, needs full paint job, new radiator, new ball joints, interior needs major refreshing.

There is a 1984 Anniversary 300zx at a caryard... (the AU edition - not the US edition; just a non-turbo 300zx with pretty badges; no big deal especially) It has rust in the rear passenger quarter panel... beautiful interior... fairly good paint... catch is a) have been told the digital dash is dead, and that it has a leaky fuel hose that caused an engine fire.

The caryard wouldn't even start the car for me, "due to the chance of another fire". So I don't know if there are other problems...

I wont go into the $ums, as we pay a lot more for Z's in Australia than you guys do in the States... and we pay even more where I live in Darwin, NT (3000km from civilisation)...

What I'm after is people's opinions - would you go the 300zx... or keep the 280zx? Why? etc

Thanks


Travis

duckyz

Well, after having an AE (Stateside version) and the simple fact that it was a money pit....I sold it and kept my 280ZX.

Since the AE is a new model year, body style, engine, etc., There are a lot of kinks that Nissan hadn't worked out yet.

Now, if you plan on doing a major overhaul to the 300ZX, then by all means, tear it up!

Just my opinion....but I find the 280 much easier to work on than the 300's.

bluefairladyz

Travis,

I'm fortunate enough to have an 84 50th 300ZXT. It's a Canadian version(basically the same as the US version, except the first 300 imported to North America went to Canada and were sold with special numbered certificates and plaques...mine is #233/300). It has had a full no-costs-barred restoration back to absolute showroom condition. I love it and drive it to shows and when the weather is perfect. However, it is really a "cruiser", not so much a "sports car". Also, it cost big money to restore, and there were no problems other than age and poor routine maintenance issues. Yours may well be cost prohibitive to fix.

A friend of mine has an 82 280ZX that she has restored for a much more reasonable cost than my 50th. We've gone for many long drives, and she even lets me drive it now and again. It is much more of a driver's car than the 300, sportier, not so bulky and over doo-dadded. She's easily convinced me to get one myself. So, I'm on the lookout now for an as-close-to-perfect 280ZXT as I can afford.

The Morale: I am fortunate enough to be able to fit both cars in my life and enjoy the best qualities of each as I choose. If I had to have/restore just one, I'd get more bang for my buck if I chose the 280ZX. It is much more exhillerating to drive if you're looking for a more "sports car" feel, has more traditional Z lines, and due to lots of reasons, like not being as rare as the 50th, it would be much cheaper to restore.

Of course, common sense rarely surfaces when buying Zs. If you are in a position to keep the Z "forever", restore the one you like the most.

Now that I've made this short story as long as possible, good luck, and keep us posted.

bluefairladyz