Ok, so here's the deal, I've allways been in love with the Z32 and I think I'm finally ready to give in and become a very happy Z owner.

Here's the deal though - Most of them around here are going for over 9k and that's not really a figure that I can afford right now. I found one which is EXACTLY what I want. It's a 92 (If I'm not mistaken) NA, 2+2, T-top. The interior is in great shape for a 14 year old car, and the motor is in great shape as well from what I've been told. The problem ? She's a sick old girl. She has cancer, and it's pretty serious. It needs a new front right fender, metal-work on the rear hatch and serious metalwork on both rockers; i.e. Looks like there's more metal gone then there is left.

The silver lining to this very dark cloud ? The guy will let me take it for $1000. Yup, a grand and it's mine. I have the time to do all the work as I'm off from my job due to a work related injury, and I have a place where I can do all the work; all the tools required are also at my disposal. This would be a ground up restoration. the car would be stripped to bare frame and sandblasted. I realize that this might be something that could take me a year or two to complete on my own, an over that time might end up costing me the same 10 grand that I'd spend to buy a decent shape car right from the get go.

What I would like to know from you guys is what do you think ? Should I save my money for the next two years and buy something in decent shape to begin with ? Or should I go ahead and get my hands dirty ?

The way I see it is like this, for $1000, even if the car is beyond restoration, I'd still have alot of good parts to sell off. Engine, drivetain, rims and interior. So really, I wouldn't be losing much if I couldn't bring it back from the dead. On the other hand, what happens if I go out and spend $10, 000 or more on a car that looks good from the outside and maybe have it rusting from the inside out ? I might end up having to strip and restore that one anyway. At least with this, I know what I'm getting into. And in the end I could look at the car and say "I BUILT THAT"

What do you guys think ?? Give me some opinions !!

The car is parked in a driveway 3 houses down from my g/f's house and I almost cry every day when I pass by. It's been abadoned and is sitting there with expired plates on four flat tires. It makes me sad to see such a gorgeous lady sitting there wasting away, dying of cancer

 

personaly. for an n/a, like that, not worth the work your thinking of its nothing special at all. just save up buy a nice Z and then putt SOME money into it making it excellent if you ask me. or save even longer and buy a very nice Z. where r u from anywho, that these Z'a are going for so much?

 

I'm from toronto, Canada. It's really, REALLY hard to find something with no rust up here. The cheapest z32 that I've seen for sale was going for $7700 and that was with about 200 000 k - I think that works out to about 120 000 miles. Anything under 12 grand either has really high mileage or its auto; Which I don't want.

There's a 1990 TT going for 27 thousand and an '86 2+2 Z31 going for 17k.

Because of the rust issues we have up here (i.e. EVERYTHING rusts, I've seen 2 year old cars with rust starting to appear on the rockers) These cars are becoming VERY rare. The ones that show up are few and far between and ridiculouslly priced.

I know that to some people an NA z32 may not be anything special, but to me, it's the most amazing car. Call me stupid, but I think I'd rather have the NA over the TT. My cousin had one when I was a kid and I remember the first time he ever took me for a ride in it - ever since that day I fell in love with it.

 

can u buy from the states and register it fairly easily up there in canada? cuase if so just hop the border. but i have no clue how it works up there so thats why i ask.

 

You'd think a car that meets California emissions would be able to make it in Canada. It's not a grey market car or anything.

But as for your question: If you have the time and dont mind having a project car for as long as it takes you to restore the car, then $1000 is hard to beat. I mean it'll give you something to do. It doesn't sound like you're desperate for a daily driver. It just sounds like you want a Z and this one is cheap and within reach. It also seems like you know what you're getting yourself into. And if you do and again, you dont mind the time/work involved then I say go for it. I personally like project cars. Something to pass the time working on. I just dont like having my daily driver as a project car So if it's a project car then get it and have fun getting it back on the road.

But if you're looking for a driver so much to the point where you might end up trying to rush this one into completion then I would advice to pass and save a little more or find another one within your budget.