Jforve09

hello, I am brand new to this forum, and have been addicted to Z's for about a year or so now. I'm a senior in high school, and have been savin up for a 350z for about two years now[hopefully in june i'll have one =)], but today, I was just lurking on craigslist, and found this potential beauty.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/1058439444.html

the seller SAYS its an '85 Z31 with turbo for $800...but apparently the car doesn't start, and the alternator wiring has been eaten out by rats, and many other problems, and if I'm lucky, it'll just be the alternator wiring preventing the car from starting. My dad has been a mechanic[now turned smog-tech, but still knows plenty about cars] and wants him and I to fix it up, however, I was just wondering if you experienced Z enthusiasts could give me some tips/opinion on this car. I think it has a lot of potential and could be a very awesome car, but I don't know nearly as much as you guys.
Thanks in advance

NismoPick

Welcome to ZDriver!

Indeed it has potential... but w/o info on why it doesn't run, it's anybody's guess... could be a rod through the side of the block....


Check it out, and if it looks good, low ball him in cash... like $500 right now.

Jforve09

thanks =)
and yeah, definitely, I would probably try to bring it down to 400. this is the SECOND time something like this has been within my reach[there was a red 89? turbo'd Z31 at the goodwill junkyard in perfect condition 'cept rats ate the wiring harness, was selling for $500, but was only a little sophomore at the time and mom thought I'd kill myself in said car, and it was gone the next week =\] but now I'll actually be able to get it, and if I do, i'll be sure to fix it up right and update

NismoPick

Is there a massive overpopulation of rats in SD? Why would rats want to eat wires?

Jforve09

hmm, I'm gonna go with an average population of rats...but a very high population of people with a very low IQ. They must like the taste of the plastic..either that or it does their heart good destroying perfectly good Z's but either way, I hope this isn't too bad because I've always wanted my first project car to be a Z car..and although the VG engine turbo would probably be a bit tougher than a 280zx engine, ill take what I can get

mike88se

If you and your dad are looking for something to spend time together that would do it
If rats chewed the alt wiring then they must have feasted on the delicate morsels of injector and sensor wiring. I can tell you that there is hidden rust. You may not miss the heater or a/c in San Diego but you might miss the defroster. I bet if you squeezed that urethane spoiler you could feel the rusted frame crunch. Take the hatch panels off and look under the tail lights and 1/4 windows for rust. I'm going with the $400-$500 offer opinions.
I don't buy that "never got a chance to retest after the new Catalytic Converter" story at all. You could have some fun with that car but it will cost you.

Jforve09

yeah, that whole cat story seems like a bunch of bull to me..
i'll definitely check for rust and I'm already expecting an ample amount of rust to be on it, and not to sound snooty and pompous, but money isn't too much of a problem. i'll probably get rid of that god-awful spoiler that looks completely warped if I do get it, but long story short, is this a diamond in the rough or a worthless pile?

KasbeKZ

a complete, little to no rust turbo Z is a must have for under 1K in my book.

Jforve09

I'm checking it out this weekend, hopefully. I've got 500 ready to go, although that'd cut into my 350z down payment fund....but if it has only a little bit of rust very well worth it in my opinion. Thanks a bunch for the info guys, ill definitely keep in touch with what happens with this thing, and hopefully there's not too much wrong with it.

KasbeKZ

i don't know if you've considered this, but you could have WAY more fun with a Z31 turbo. it has the potential to beat that stock 350 in performance, and you can do all your own work on it. you'd have a lot of fun building it up. just thought i'd mention that idea.

Jforve09

yeah well the trouble is, I need a daily driver..and its kinda been a dream to have a 350z =\

I'd imagine that fixing up a Z31 turbo would be awesome and when it gets to its final point, it will rock my socks off, but at the same time I need a really reliable car for commute and such, and a turbo'd 24 year old car just doesn't seem like it'd last that long as a daily driver...

slydnz31

i wouldn't put it past a z car to live on well past it's time. hell my 84 was still fully functional after it got rear ended, and my 85, well it's time expired long ago but it still gets me where i need to go and is completely reliable. it's weird, z's don't give up easy. if the rust isn't to bad and you never get into an accident that totals the z31, it just may outlast the z33. only time will tell.

for the sake of it here is my deceased 84

KasbeKZ

true story. a rebuild and good maintenance would ensure LOTS of good use. but the 350 goal is understandable. i'm just saying not to out the Z31 because of reliability.