i'm wanting to buy my first z-car and was wondering what i should look for and what i should be aware of.

thank you

phil

Which model Z car do you like. If you want a classic Zed you can't go past the 240Z. It started the ball rolling and many would say still the best. It's power to weight ratio is superior to all the other models, but maybe you have the budget to support a Twin Turbo 90 model 300ZX. Luxury comfort performance and looks. In Australia you will pay a minimum of $20,000 for a Twin Turbo 300ZX, where the same money would buy you a mint 240Z. Problems well typically rust haunts the early Zeds. In the hatch area, chasis rails, front fenders, bottom of doors etc. Not sure of inherant problems on the 300ZX's you'll have to ask some of the other guys. Happy Hunting...............

What you get depends on why you want the car.... If you want a flashy car that is fun to drive , without giving up comfort or luxury. Get a newer zcar. at least a 280 or newer.. If you want a car that challenges you to drive up to it's capabilities get a 240. It is much less comfortable. It has a much harsher ride, etc. But it can be a ball to drive. I have had both, and liked them both, but the 240 is much more of a race car, than any of the newer models in stock trim. They added a lot of weight to make the newr zcars omfortable.

I won't go into my usual rant, I'm sure you thought of all the issues surrounding auto restoration...

Just don't go cheap, thinking that all will turn out well - it won't.

Make sure that you buy the best example you can possibly find, even if you have to stretch a bit for one that someone has already done the bulk of the restification on.

You will be miles/dollars ahead in the long run; driving your Z while everyone else has theirs on jack-stands.

The highway to Z-dom is paved with basket-cases masquerading as $500.00 Z-cars.

Unless you just love removing rust, and spending a few hundred hours under you car eating feric oxide. Buy a cay that has the least amount of rust possible... I removed most of the rust from mine.... I can hardly describe how much fun it was. I learned a lot. But I really do not want to do this again,, it would have been much cheaper, (man hours count) to just buy a better car.. Look in Vegas or Arizona.... Take a trailer on vacation and bring back a zcar to remember the trip.

thanks for the help guys. i'm really looking for a 240,260, 280 model z. my daily driver (240sx) is comfortable enough for me.

thank you

phil:bunny:

If you can't get a decent 240 get a 260 coupe they are quiter a bit nicer in the ride due to the increased weight and cheaper to buy.

And slower

Good point SMG1404 sorry I forgot.......

Good point SMG1404 sorry I forgot.......

Newguy wants a decent 1st gen, he may have to settle for whatever he can find short of a 2+2.

They're like real estate; they don't make them anymore.

the best advise I can give is find the cleanest rust free car you can find. From there what do you like and how much cash do you want to spend? I personally prefer the 240 I have a '73 and I like this year and the older cars the most, however the 280s up untill the chage is body style. I do not favor the 2+2 unless I was going to race at Boniville salt flats or something oike that. I personally am not into electronics and enjoy the simpleness of the 240 . The carbs are the round top S Us and with a '79zx ignition the engine runs great and the car is a joy to drive. My truck and camery sit as I drive the Z any time I get a chance, and most always take the long way home. Getting back , Rust in the biggest concern look closely under the battery box area and along the bottom of the fenders and along the body at the bottom of the door . Look all over the painted surface and look for blisters coming from under the paint , that is rust and it is comming from behind the sheet metal, be aware!! the value of the cars depends greatly on where you live. There are still a lot of clenan 240s but you have to find them. Look in Cal. Az Navada and coloradio.