surreal

So, The car ive owned since i started driving finally bit the dust, and i found a 280zx 1983 online for 5k$. it has 87k original miles and everything on the vehicle is original. Ive read and done tons of research on this vehicle as i am not to familiar with it, ive always been a 300z and higher fan, my concern is if this would be a good buy, i Really really really want to buy this vehicle, but to play it safe and feel like im not jumping into something i will regret, i thought id ask on here to see peoples opinion. What do you like? what dont you like? what advise would you give me to look at? is this car going to break down at 100k miles? just tell a newbie to this world what you know please! Sorry if this post was a little jumbled, its about 1 o clock in the morning here and im very tired but thank you for reading and replying!!!

NismoPick

Welcome to ZDriver!

I personally wouldn't ever spend $5k on a 280zx (I've never spent more than $500 on any of the ~15 Z cars I've owned)... I could go buy a fairly new car for that price. Having said that, if you are dying to have a clean 280zx, go for it.

We have lots of info on this forum. Feel free to search. Begin with checking out the https://www.zdriver.com/forums/240z-...pection-16386/.

The 280zx isn't a UFO. Just like any other car, it's condition / reliability depends on how well it's been taken care of. Also, doing a quick calculation, a 30 year old car with 87k miles means it's been driven ~2900mi per year. Realistically it's probably been garaged a long time. Unless it's being driven right now, it will probably need a lot of new rubber (tires, suspension, fuel system, etc). Also expect rust, unless the car has never been washed or driven in a moist environment.

surreal

83 280zx this is the post on the car, to me everything looks sound, i really want a good z car for 5k ish, that i dont have to do to much work on right away, something that will last me, so im just worried im going to get in this and be stuck without a car in 2 months.

NismoPick

Looks clean. The CL posting doesn't say it's "all original". Have you talked to him? Seen it in person? (Looks restored to me).

It's a 3 speed auto... not the best for daily driving freeway commutes.

surreal

I spoke to him briefly and he said only thing ever replaced was your basics (brakes tires ect). im debating against this one, or this one, 1981 280ZX Datsun/Nissan
187k miles but its turbod and stick, so kinda tempting

NismoPick

... This is a non Turbo 280ZX Coupe with over 187K miles. ...

Not a turbo. Has 15" turbo wheels... but it's n/a.

surreal

this is why im on this thread, i completely missed that little none in there and thought it said turbo, my bad

borini63

Where are you located?
All these cars from Phoenix CL!

ohsemix

I personally would only pay at the max $3000 for a completely stock DD i would also say to check for rust but its Arizona not a big issue.Advice on buying, take a friend(that sees cars for what they are) with you and let the buyer do all of the talking and that usually causes them to talk them self's down on the price. And than after that if he is still over $3000 offer $2000 and see how low you can get him i would stay under $3200 just because i dig that dash but that is till some what on the i bought it for what its worth side i like the i got a good deal side better which is like $2000 or so( all of this is if the car is in a good DD condition) and that is my 2 cents lol

surreal

Okay, so ive done huge huge huge amounts of research, went and looked a bunch today, and that one seemed the best buy(the 1983), i talked the price down to 3750, ive talked to my more mechanically inclined friends and coworkers and they said to fix the three speed problem they would do a manual tranny swap in it, so i believe tomorrow may be the day i will buy my first real z car!

surreal

and im also located in phoenix!

NismoPick

So you're going to buy an all original 280zx for a high price, and day one make it not original?

surreal

i dont like the way you say that:/

surreal

but i must say it doesnt make sense when you say it like that..

NismoPick

Hey... it's your car, money, and time... just making sure you think things through before you pull the trigger.

surreal

and that one reason im on here, trying to get a non bias opinion on what to get, the hard part is price wise, i can find any card in my area for under 4000 that runs, everything under is a project, and i dont have time to wait, in dire need of a vehicle, so im having to make a decision quick

borini63

With that money I can find me a Turbo ZX!!

surreal

where at?

NismoPick

Probably 2 or 3.

Just gotta search and be on the lookout.. They pop up, and usually go quick.

borini63

[QUOTE=NismoPick;329796]Probably 2 or 3.




I agree....or I can get 3 or 4 ZXT parts cars.Lol.

borini63

[QUOTE=NismoPick;329796]Probably 2 or 3.




I agree....or I can get 3 or 4 ZXT parts cars.Lol.

borini63

You have to look hard to find your Z,they pop up once in a while and always there is good deals.
The 83 that you are looken to buy,it's a good Z I think it has the original paint and she's under 100K miles but it came from the east cost and there is a repaired rust spots!!!God knows what hidden under here or there.Also the little down side is the auto tranny, N/A,digital cluster and auto climate control.
BUt still everybody has his own tast,the car is nice with crack free dash decent interior and it seems with good paint.
It's your call anyway.

There is a 79 in Flagstaf in realy nice condition from the original owner and he's asking 3K
If I am in your shoes then I will buy the 79 over the 83.

Nissan Datsun 280zx Classic Car For Sale

FricFrac

Agreed - that's a nice car for $3K... if the pictures tell the truth

brandon904

The $3k '79 in Flagstaff is a much better buy. It's a 5-speed, analog dash, manual climate, slick top, 2 seater. Much better than the $3750 '83, auto-tragic, t-top, digital dash, auto-climate in Phoenix.

Especially since the Phoenix car spent 15 years in Colorado. That means salted roads. Salt and paper thin Japanese sheet metal DO NOT get along.

I've got 8 Z cars right now, 3 show cars, 3 race cars and 2 project cars and I would rather get the '79. You'll end up with fewer problems in the long run and you'll spend less money.

brandon904

On the '83, the T-Tops will leak at some point, the rubber only lasts so long. The automatics are hell on gas mileage and rev too high at modern highway speeds. The digital dash is a almost unrepairable when it goes bad. The auto-climate control is notorious for failing.

The slick tops are more rare, they weigh less than the T-Top models and your roof won't get broken or stolen. It's a 5-speed so it's easily repairable if something breaks. They get better fuel mileage and they rev at a much better rpm at highway speeds.