I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
10-16-2002, 10:01 PM
#1
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I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
Hey all, I'm new to this site, and I've always been drooling over Nissan Z's. I'm 18, have a s#$%#y job and am a senior in high school. Enough about me, my cars more important.
I saw it listed under the parts section of the classifieds and said what the hell, and called the guy. went over, took a look and heres the status of the car (as far as i looked which was n't very):
3 tires are near flat, 1 is blown.
body needs work--ill leave it at that
interior is amazingly nice
engine is slightly rusty and dirty
frame is rusty and possibly bent in the front.
the guys says the only thing keeping it from running is the fuel pump, because he "has put fuel in it manually and it starts up fine."
also the only key is broken and stuck in the 'on' position in the key cylinder, but no biggy.
i just bid on the only 79 280z fuel pump on ebay, hoping i could get this thing running ASAP because....
my mom doesnt know i bought it!!! see she told me it was junk and she doesnt want a lawn ornament. how can i convince her otherwise? did i buy a z-lemon? how could i go wrong for 100 bucks...plus 20 for delivery?
thanks,
nick
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by Russ83ZXna on 10/17/02 05:50 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
I saw it listed under the parts section of the classifieds and said what the hell, and called the guy. went over, took a look and heres the status of the car (as far as i looked which was n't very):
3 tires are near flat, 1 is blown.
body needs work--ill leave it at that
interior is amazingly nice
engine is slightly rusty and dirty
frame is rusty and possibly bent in the front.
the guys says the only thing keeping it from running is the fuel pump, because he "has put fuel in it manually and it starts up fine."
also the only key is broken and stuck in the 'on' position in the key cylinder, but no biggy.
i just bid on the only 79 280z fuel pump on ebay, hoping i could get this thing running ASAP because....
my mom doesnt know i bought it!!! see she told me it was junk and she doesnt want a lawn ornament. how can i convince her otherwise? did i buy a z-lemon? how could i go wrong for 100 bucks...plus 20 for delivery?
thanks,
nick
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by Russ83ZXna on 10/17/02 05:50 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
10-16-2002, 10:57 PM
#2
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Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
dude! you scored! you may not have a real z for a while.....here is why
you take that car (sounds like A LOT of problems) and part it out completely. You will make your $120 back on one part alone. you may make enough $$$ off of parts to buy another z car that is at least in fair condition.
look at my ride pics. i got her for free 2.5 years ago. i have done LOADS of work on her, but only because i wanted to.
David K- SoCalZ Prez
you take that car (sounds like A LOT of problems) and part it out completely. You will make your $120 back on one part alone. you may make enough $$$ off of parts to buy another z car that is at least in fair condition.
look at my ride pics. i got her for free 2.5 years ago. i have done LOADS of work on her, but only because i wanted to.
David K- SoCalZ Prez
10-17-2002, 06:24 AM
#3
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Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
I gotta agree with ghostkilla. You made a great purchase, and you can definitely sell off the parts. By parting it out you should easily be able to make $700 or $800 I would think, which is a really good starting point towards a little bit easier to fix up Z. Best of luck and keep us posted as to how it goes.
Jamie Shelly
kd5izq@msn.com
ICQ - 159705433
IZCC Number is #12402
Jamie Shelly
kd5izq@msn.com
ICQ - 159705433
IZCC Number is #12402
10-17-2002, 11:40 AM
#4
The Evil Twin
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 9,294
Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
The problem with parting it out is where to store it while it is being ripped apart. Your mom sure won't have that in her driveway, and you can't park it on the street or it will be towed and you'll get a ticket. You're 18 so its your responsibility, not your parents.
If you can fix the fuel pump and get it running, maybe you can turn around and sell it as a running car to someone else for $300. Or if you want you can try to fix it up yourself. Once it is reasonably reliable as transportation, start working on the body and get it all primered one color. That will at least make it look decent and will probably calm your mother. From that point on you can work on a paint job, interrior/sound system, or engine work.
If you can fix the fuel pump and get it running, maybe you can turn around and sell it as a running car to someone else for $300. Or if you want you can try to fix it up yourself. Once it is reasonably reliable as transportation, start working on the body and get it all primered one color. That will at least make it look decent and will probably calm your mother. From that point on you can work on a paint job, interrior/sound system, or engine work.
10-17-2002, 12:39 PM
#5
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Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
As usual Bleach makes many valid points, that I will only add one thought to. You mentioned that the frame may be bent. Have that checked out and give some serious consideration to how much you want to invest into the car if it is, I think Bleach will agree with me on that.
Jamie Shelly
kd5izq@msn.com
ICQ - 159705433
IZCC Number is #12402
Jamie Shelly
kd5izq@msn.com
ICQ - 159705433
IZCC Number is #12402
10-17-2002, 01:25 PM
#6
The Evil Twin
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 9,294
Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
Oh ya! I overlooked that one. If the frame is bent, I would just part it out. No use in trying to correct it. Its not like a 79 ZX is rare or anything that you can't find again.
Another note, if you do part it out and it is parked within view of your family, you can get a car cover. That will make it look more neat and less of an eyesore for the neighborhood.
Another note, if you do part it out and it is parked within view of your family, you can get a car cover. That will make it look more neat and less of an eyesore for the neighborhood.
10-17-2002, 02:14 PM
#7
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Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
well I really want to work on it and see if I can get this thing going. My friend's dad owns a shop and i found another friend with a trailer so we can haul it over there this weekend.
As long as Its not driven or drivable, I dont have to register/title/insure it do I?
As long as Its not driven or drivable, I dont have to register/title/insure it do I?
10-17-2002, 02:27 PM
#8
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Posts: n/a
Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
Better check with local officials on that, shouldn't take more than a phone call.
Jamie Shelly
kd5izq@msn.com
ICQ - 159705433
IZCC Number is #12402
Jamie Shelly
kd5izq@msn.com
ICQ - 159705433
IZCC Number is #12402
10-17-2002, 02:36 PM
#9
The Evil Twin
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 9,294
Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
Some "nice" areas in washington require tabs on a car if it is viewable from the street. No, you don't have to have insurance on it if you are not driving it on the street. If you do park it on the street though, you will have to have tabs no matter where you are...
10-17-2002, 09:01 PM
#10
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Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
WOOHOO the car came today. well since the key is stuck in the on position pushing it up my friends driveway wasnt that hard, except turning with out p/s and on flat tires isnt something id like to do often.
my friend (whos dad owns a car repair shop) and i measured the frame, and it doesnt seem to be bent. i got another friend to get his truck and trailer and he can tow it tomorrow to that shop.
the clutch feels... easier than it should, or something. the stick shift seems like a euro one, you have to move it way left and up to get into first (like the reverse on volvos). well i cant really say much--i drive civic in need of a new clutch, and have never driven a (stick) Z.
The guy put new spark plug wires on it, so i know it was running at some point not too long ago. or at least he wants me to think that.
and finally: ive been priming my mother to announce that i did in fact buy the thing. she told me she wouldnt mind if i buy it as long as it runs... i hope for the day i drive home in it and show her! the look on her face will be amazing...
anyway thanks for the infos, and if anyone knows what the differences between the Z and the ZX are, let me know... im not sure this is a ZX. sorry about the curse in my first post.
my friend (whos dad owns a car repair shop) and i measured the frame, and it doesnt seem to be bent. i got another friend to get his truck and trailer and he can tow it tomorrow to that shop.
the clutch feels... easier than it should, or something. the stick shift seems like a euro one, you have to move it way left and up to get into first (like the reverse on volvos). well i cant really say much--i drive civic in need of a new clutch, and have never driven a (stick) Z.
The guy put new spark plug wires on it, so i know it was running at some point not too long ago. or at least he wants me to think that.
and finally: ive been priming my mother to announce that i did in fact buy the thing. she told me she wouldnt mind if i buy it as long as it runs... i hope for the day i drive home in it and show her! the look on her face will be amazing...
anyway thanks for the infos, and if anyone knows what the differences between the Z and the ZX are, let me know... im not sure this is a ZX. sorry about the curse in my first post.
10-18-2002, 02:48 AM
#11
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Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
Good score, mine was free too, but 120 for a Z still ain't bad. Now then, if your car's a '79, it's a ZX. Plus the earlier Z's looked a little different. Best way to tell is to look at the badges and year model on the car itsself, and look at some of the pics around on this site and others to compare yours to. As far as your mom, dude, just tell her straight out. The car is already paid for and yours, as long as you used your money and not hers to pay for it, it isn't in her yard, and you get it running, there isn't much she can really do is there? Well, welcome to the club, and enjoy the Z.
Jeremey L. Britton
IZCC# 12491
ICQ# 99755840
email: jlbritt1@alltel.net
Sheridan, AR
'81 ZX N/A Daily Driver, Needs Much Work
Jeremey L. Britton
IZCC# 12491
ICQ# 99755840
email: jlbritt1@alltel.net
Sheridan, AR
'81 ZX N/A Daily Driver, Needs Much Work
10-19-2002, 10:38 AM
#12
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Posts: n/a
Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
I just recently hooked up my battery to the Z. door chime was working. power windows do work! dash lights up; it seemed like everything electrical inside the car was working (didnt check for any engine lights and such, though). The headlights, brake lights, and turn signals all work.
So far so good! tonight my friend is coming to help me tow it to the shop, then the real interview starts.
19020-110-1005_img2.jpg
So far so good! tonight my friend is coming to help me tow it to the shop, then the real interview starts.
19020-110-1005_img2.jpg
10-20-2002, 05:44 PM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Posts: 2,893
Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
ugh...its been a year and a half and my parents are still yelling at me cuz i bought my z lol........so so bad lol but i wanted it...150 000 km on it engine is awsome condition...few leaks but nuttin major....but the thing they hated was umm rust.....lots of it....next spring im getting a new clutch and some new shox...stored now.
10-20-2002, 11:30 PM
#15
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Posts: 2,893
Re: I got a '79 280ZX for 120 bucks, newbie needs help
is tehre lots of it??
cuz i had to do floor panels, back 1/4 panels, around the doors fron fenders, i got new doors, and i didnt touch the frame its still rusted....oh well ill sell it next summer
cuz i had to do floor panels, back 1/4 panels, around the doors fron fenders, i got new doors, and i didnt touch the frame its still rusted....oh well ill sell it next summer
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