Hello. I come before you today to ask a question or two. I have an oppurtuntiy to buy my first Z car. I have the option to buy two separate vehicles, both 1988 300ZX. One, i can purchase for $300(red). The exterior is scary, fenders, hood, quarterpanels all having damage. Interior isn't too bad. Engine has 111,000 miles, with a 5 speed.


And other (white) that does run and drives with a damaged headlight and hood. but the body otherwise is perfect. It's sadly an Automatic. It does however need a radiator and possibly other items. This car is available to me for $700.


I was thinking of buying both, and putting the 5speed in the white one and basically yanking the engine from the red one and using it as a spare.

Wow, sorry for the long post. But in a nutshell, is this a good buy? Is a Z31 worth the effort?

Included are some pics.

 

If you knew about z31s and knew what stuff costs, you wouldn't need to ask this question. If you knew about these cars and had the disposible funds, that seems like an okay deal. But since you don't, I'd recommend you find something else. Those two cars are now parts cars to be stripped and then disposed of. They aren't worth much at all to a novice.

But, if you were looking for a side project and have access to some of the parts cheap. Or you are willing to spend more than the car will eventually be worth, go for it.

Personally, I brought one back that was about to be parted out. But it's been a slow drawn out process. And I've lucked out with almost everything that I've gotten for the car. Would I do it again? Sure. I love the car and have had an absolute blast doing it. Plus, I've learned a lot more about these cars because of it. And I thought I knew a lot before. But it's only because it was a turbo and a 5 speed and a 50th AE that I even considered it. But I wouldn't touch those cars except to strip them and sell off their parts. And at those prices, they still aren't really worth it.

 

well i'm new to Z cars. i just purchased a 1988 z31(1988) for $300, for a project for me and son. I drove the car home and needs some exterior body work done, interior is in excellent condition. i guess if your in no hurray and have the knowledge and room to work on car the price is right for the 2 your are considering. can always part out the one to get the stuff your in need of for the finished Z..a pic of ours..if you do purchased could use the speaker covers for the rear speaker, see a part sold. lol.

Bill

 

This is also project for me and my father to work on. I think $1000 is a good deal for enough parts to make one work pefect, plus have a spare set of nearly everything. As far as speaker covers, i'm not positive if i have a spare. I will check monday when I buy them. Are you looking for anything else?


What i dont' have, The guy i'm getting the white one from has like 6-7 Z31's in a salvage yard. I'm gonna steal some sideskirts off a turbo he has there.. providing they'll fit.

- Ramen Sama

 

ramen,
i need to find a spare car for parts. the speaker covers are for the back over wheel wells, the only other thing is a drivers side mirror for now. you can see in pic left front damage to fender and the door. also missing 1 Z ( dont know what to call it) for center of the rim. these 3 things are about all i need for now. will be lookin at left front fender and drivers door later on. send me an email on these parts and see what we can work out.

Thanks Bill

 

I bought my 300 for $600 canadian, and all around its in not to bad of shape... I just had a cooling problem yesterday, and now its... not running as nicely as I would like.

 

Hmmmm, is the Z31 worth it?

Only if you like the car. They will never be worth what you put into them. But if you like the Z31 car, and enjoy working on them, then it may be worth it to you.

I've got an 86 300zx auto, nonturbo that I paid around $2000.00 last Nov, 2002. So far I've put in a motor, trans, alternator, rear axle, battery, stereo, and a slew and I mean a SLEW of other parts totalling almost if not more than $4,000.00 Some of this is just parts, some of this is farmed out for the bigger jobs that I dont feel confident to do.

I'll never get $6G for my car, so the only way it's worth it, is that I like my car.

Now Im gonna end up sticking in another $1200.00 in suspension work, then get a nice paint job again (paint on the car looks great in general nice and shiny, but there are some spots that the paint is just peeling off), that will probably run me another $1500 - $2500.00 for a nice paint job, then I'll end up spending another $1000.00 having the interior redone in leather. Then more money for anything else that breaks on this car.

It's pretty mechanically sound at this point, other than the suspension is very weak, and it needs a new fuel sending unit.

Still when Im done will it be worth it? Hmmm, all figured, I'll probably be into the car for around 8 to 9 grand, and if I went to sell it, I might be lucky enough to get around $3,000 if I find someone that appreciates a nicely rebuilt but not restored Z31.

But It's my car, and I drive it daily so its worth it to me.

 

Well I think the price is pretty good, and i know i'll get a working car out of the deal, so in about 20 minutes i'm gonna go attempt to buy it. I've been looking for a nice sporty 80's car. I just love flip up lights and all. ^_^ I figure I got the money, I'll just do it. Thanks for everyone who posted. I'll let you know how today goes. And i'll see what spare parts i can ****** while i'm there.


- Ramen Sama

 

Best of luck to you.