Been trying to sell my baby and now HE is gone. Yes. That car was manly and was not a she.

Anyhow, I was faced with a decision and I made it. My 280ZX 2+0 with 5spd, T-tops, and a great running engine was a really cool car and served me well. But alas, he had too much rust and many other this and thats needed replacing, and I am but a jobless student, not yet able to take on such a project car. Jumped through alot of hoops to sell it, though.

I drove 20 minutes away to show someone the car, who decided against it but gave me $40 for the time and gas. Then someone else was going to buy it, even filled it up from 0(21 gal tank, total cost was $42). We drove back to my house to do the paperwork, and after talking to his dad, he was going to think on it further and I was sure he wasn't going to buy it. I've been driving my brother's Explorer while he's in jail, so naturally I syphoned out 15 gallons of gas to fill it up. Well, the same guy called me a few days later and wanted the car to have a 40 point inspection or something along those lines done to the car, so he paid $21 for just that.

Wow. Simply wow. They put it up on the lift, and I got a good look at everything. I didn't feel safe driving home. MAJOR frame damage to the left side. The frame was rusted through in several places where the frame cracked from the accident. All 4 tires were extremely loose, and no wonder, there were no bushings and practically nothing left of the tie-rod ends. The rack and pinion system was totally shot. The boots were torn and leaking, too. Exhaust system was completely ate up except for the muffler. Front rotors were original, warped, and as I knew, needed pads. Failed brake test. Also, as I knew, all 4 tires needed to be replaced. They were severely cracked all thoughout.

The totalled the cost for the repairs(sans rust and frame problems) for $1950.48 after taxes. Even after all this, the guy offered $500 from my $875 asking price. I told him no, and he ended up taking it home for $700. Well, I don't know if it made it home yet. He called me 15 minutes after leaving, he blew a tire on the freeway.

Geez, it was a total nightmare. Even with a brand new battery and other stuff, the car couldn't have been worth more than $400. Someday, I hope to own another. One in better shape, when I have a job that can support a project or two.

--Ryan

 

Yowsa!

#1: I've learned to NEVER drive a for sale car TO someone. If they are interested enough to possibly buy it, they should be interested enough to drive to it.

#2: I've bought several 280zx's for $150 that sound in better shape than that car. But... they are getting more rare... right?

 

sounds like this z has been the victim of chiuaua plated cars

 

Yowza is correct, I would have not paid that much for the troubles you mentioned...you have any pictures, maybe that would change my mind lol!

 

sounds like a pretty dick move to turn down his offer when you dont even think your own car is/was worth it.

 

Yeah, second that!

 

Yeah, but I do used car sales and some mechanical repair, its my thing. Anyhow, I wasnt selling this car because it was taking up extra space, I was selling it because I needed something more practical and reliable. A $500 whatever didn't fit the bill, and I could've sold it to $875 to a woman on Monday who was just waiting for her paycheck before she bought the car. But from a moral standpoint that would have been wrong, but from a business standpoint, that would have been wisest. But the guy wanted the car bad enough so I let him have it. I told him I'd think about his offer but then when he offered $700, the thing was sold.

--Ryan

 

He's been replaced with a she. A 1991 Mercury Capri. 1.6L DOHC 4cyl 5-speed. Convertible. Interior is immaculate, exterior is a 20-footer(looks good from 20ft away). AC cold, hot heat, everything works. Everything. Well maintained, bougt from someone who owned it since 98, when it has 98000 miles. It now has 225,000 miles, I'm told highway. She drove every day 1 hour to work and back. Runs great, looks good.

--Ryan

 

Right on. Odd cars... but cool!

 

Not sure I have ever heard of someone going from Japanese to American. Usually the other way around

 

Yeah, I had Mustang GT 1992 and now I am a proud owner of 1982 280ZXT!!!!
I do miss the sound of V8 but not the rattling of the interior every time the sound of V8 would go high

 

Hell no. I love Z cars and Supras and VR4's but other than that I say no thank you Japan. Asian sports cars are sweet but your typical jap car just isn't that practical (unless you're one of those people who's all obsessed with mpg) for everyday life. Anyone that lives that far away from me has no clue what I value in a car. For a daily driver I like me a large, nice looking, sturdy (rust free) American tank that is cheap to buy parts for and has a displacement larger than most soda bottles. Not trying to bash anyone's opinion and definitely not ignoring the fact that there is some stupid stuff wrong with many American cars but it makes me sad how many American car haters there are living right here at home.

 

lmao you based your dislike for american cars on a foxbody mustang? Oh NO! boy I would start to hate american too

haha just kidding man not trying to make fun