Not yet a ZX owner ?'s
 

First post so please be gentle.
Been readin some of the old posts. Would love to get a zx soon. Tryin to talk the fuddy-duddy girlfriend into it.
Found out it is possible to add a turbo to a non-turboed car. Is it worth going that route or should I just wait and find a turbo model? Not thinking about having a show quality car or a screaming fast car. Just a quick mostly original looking daily driver so I can forget about the graying hair for a while.
Local guy has a 1980 zx non-turbo for $1500. Couple spots of very light rust, crappy newer paint job, havent found any bondo yet, of course car is dirty, interior is mostly there but needs help, VW seats and everything in the dash is loose as he was gonna strip her down for restore. Has had $2800 worth of motor work, just tuneup style and stock replacement stuff.
Is this a possibility for me or should I find one that is a driver now? Maybe find an 82 or 83 instead? Have no problem with the work, just don't wanna get so bogged down with a project that is so big that I become discouraged.
In other words, I am a complete noob at this and need some advice.

Finding a solid car is the first thing I'd be looking for. A turbo engine swap is fairly straight forward so you can always get the turbo car you are looking for. It's best to get the car with the turbo motor in it but you're looking at a car that is approaching 30 years old. Finding both a turbo and in good condition can be a challenge.

If you can afford to buy a nice NA and have the financial option to buy a turbo if/when the opportunity presents itself you can always sell the NA after you've picked up the turbo car but enjoy a 280ZX in the meantime.

You'll likely want to go with a complete turbo engine swap, not bolting a turbo setup on the high compression flat top motor. The P90 head has the best quench for preventing knocking that the hot turbo air can cause. It's doable but you need to have some knowledge about the heads and turbo setups if you were to go down that road.