zbane

Good for you! I hope it was well bought car, though for 600, it would be hard to go wrong. Since you are already missing part of your rear brakes, perhaps you might consider upgrading the rear drums to the ZX rear discs. If you can, get the car up on a lift and start taking pictures of those rails and floorboards. Take out the battery, and shoot some pics of the tray/firewall area, as this is prone to rust. Also, pull up the carpets to check for rust there as well. And that's just for startersLOL Anyway, congratulations are in order, and welcome to fray.

Jason, IMO, if you have to choose between finishing the Z for @$2000, or buying an unknown car for $X plus unknown $ for repairs, you might as well stay with what you know and have already. Why make your life for difficult? Though if it looks like you simply must get out of the Z, then by all means look into a 124.

Well, that just sucks. Since you brought up only Fiat, Alfa, and Mazda, I'll give you my opinion on the two that I know. I've had a Fiat (124 spyder) and it was a blast to drive. The heat didn't work. ever. Of course, being in San Diego, the heat issue probably won't matter. The simple 4 cylinder engine is easy to work on, and quite robust. My '75 put out 99 bhp (IIRC)-not a fast car; but rather a quick car, and could turn on a dime (and pick it up). I would race 5liter mustangs (I was 17) and beat them off the line (nice clutch, great torque), though not much further (until the corners). Fiats rust in many of the same places as Zs, and have electrical problems like MGs. Fiats will also provide ample legroom for someone who is 6'4" (something that the Miata won't do), and have "reasonable" cargo carrying abilities due to the rear seat area (the trunk is minimal, and holds the battery) Miatas have a huge following, and as such have a multitude of aftermarket parts available. In addition, they are fairly simple to work on, though the engine bay is tighter than I care for. My sister has had hers for 15 years-at this point the only original parts consist of the seats, dash, tranny, trunk lid, and chassis. Of the two, I would choose the Fiat. If you can, drive one of each, then decide. this one is a 1976 on ebay now. The door handle changed in 1977 to a finger pull design (like on the miata), but this design has better ergonomics. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fiat-Spider-124_W0QQitemZ330110527114QQihZ014QQcategoryZ6218QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and the other four from a few posts earlier, only resized and sharpened.

Here are some other shots from the listing for reference.

I used a small amount to patch a pinhole puncture in the fuel tank of a Buick I used to own. First I plugged the hole with soap, then patched it. That patch held for 3 years, then slowly started to leak. A quick clean and reapplication kept it sealed until the car was sold several years later. The stuff is great!

Carl, Thanks for the clarification! I'd go back and change the heading, but I don't think that is possible. I just saw the colors, I did notice the difference in design, I just didn't even think about it...Something new every day, no? Anyway, there are lot's o goodies at the photobucket site, much more than just these two shots.

I did a search over at photobucket.com of the word "datsun" and came across these photos. I thought they would be appreciated here, of all places. from: flavioman's gallery from: trejo_rogelio's gallery http://photobucket.com/images/datsun/

Stephen, I am quite taken with your 810, I think it's a lovely car (of course your Z is as well). There is no doubt that the current wave of econoboxes lack something (individual personality, perhaps), but as fuel prices here in the US continue to rise (to world norms), the demand for cheap, small transport will rise. Would I want to drive one of these cross country? Probably not, but for around town, or longer distance day trips, sure.

Oh, it's just a little prick... Please don't punish me, I just love double-entendres.

When you say that the gas smell is very noticable when standing near the car, where do you mean? Are we talking engine bay area or exhaust? How are your plugs? Fouled? Reason I ask is this-Recently I had an issue where there was a definate smell of gas eminating from the engine bay. I had replaced all the vacuum lines, cleaned connections, checked for various leaks, etc. What my problem turned out to be was a faulty fuel pressure regulator. The FPR was leaking gasoline directly into the engine manifold (kind of like having the cold start valve on full time), so the car seemed to run well, but with poor gas mileage. Raw gas was dousing the PCV valve, and was leaking out through it, hence the smell, and the wet valve was the final clue to the mystery. After the car has been running for a bit, pull off the vacuum line that connects to your pressure regulator (on the fuel rail somewhere), and see if there is any gas in there. Be prepared for this by A-turning off the engine, and B-have a clean, dry rag in hand when you disconnect the line. I would check this out before fiddling with the airflow meter. FWIW

The thought of having a Tata dealership in town gives the phrase "let's go look at some tatas" a whole new meaning! Seriously, though- If any of those cars would meet the US standards for emissions and safety, I think some of them would sell very well. I wouldn't mind having the Chevrolet Aveo/Kalos, the Geely Merrie Star (looks prime for rally driving), or the Hyundai Getz ("It Getz me where I need to go!" would have to be the tagline). photos-1.Tata 2. Chevy Aveo 3. Geely, 4. Hyundai

Normally I try to not pick on the cars presented in these ebay ads, but this one needs to have some flaws/issues pointed out.

Looks pretty nice, but what got me was the $500 price drop in just a few days. Perhaps the seller is desprate?

So I guess you'd have to be really thorny to go at that bush?

Mohamed, have you got any photos of the M that you could post?

Mohamed, I have no doubt that the damage can be fixed, and I am thankful it isn't worse. Perhaps I am slowly ridding the car of the ghost of bad luck!

That was just too cool! Looks like a wonderful time-the scenery, the track, the variety of beautiful Datsun/Nissan models! Video production was great as well-though I am curious about the soundtrack. What song was this set to?

Thanks all! Will, I'll keep that in mind, though this might just be the reason to get "that" ZX from Brevard. I have found that some "smudges" on the windshield (presumably sap from a limb) is actually a collection of scratches & sap. Unless they can be buffed out, a new windshield (original, please-no tint) will be needed. Still storage for a complete spare car is a potential problem. Matt, I thought of your experience right after I saw the car at night-I can now say that I fully understand and appreciate how you must have felt that day! Jason, I've got full comp+collision on the car-no problem there; no rental insurance for the house. As to keeping a cool head, I've offered to help chop the tree apart (it blocks my driveway:mad: ), and the landlord will be paying me for the work through lowered rent, and that's ok since I'll need to shell out for the deductable. I have no idea, Fabian. However, this could have happened to anyone, I'm just glad it didn't do worse...though if it had just hit my Mitsu instead, I would have been so happy... However, I think it is so funny that the antenna wasn't even bothered by the ordeal!

So it was an incredably windy night last night, with gusts up to 65mph, sustaining winds around 40, and it was snowing. The power was knocked out for about four hours, and I could feel my little trailer like house moving in the wind. With no heat, with no light. With every gust of wind, I hear (and feel) the thud and rattle of branches and limbs falling on the roof, only to slide or be blown off. I am just thankful that I rent, and I will not be paying for a new roof anytime soon. And then I hear a long "Ca-rasssh" and I think "lucky me, that didn't land on the house (I have large trees all around the house)." I ponder the size and location of the tree that just fell and shook the house. The wind continues, I shine a flashlight outside to see the snow blowing around. A little bit later, I take my little dog outside for a walk. He's a Chihuahua, and he so truly hates the cold. I am rather apprehensive myself about walking outside in the midst of the storm, but the little guy has to go, so outside we trek. Much to my amazement, here is what I see. After Julio (the pup) finishes his business, I go around the car, baffled at how close the tree came to crushing the tail end. I feel lucky, though I wish the tree had fallen on my SUV, cracked block and all. It's not until daylight that I see the extent of the damage, and how truly lucky I was. There is damage to the car, though. Creased panels :mad: , scratched paint, dimpled hatch deck, and scuffed-dented window chrome. :mad: and a broken passenger side mirror enclosure :mad: But at least the rear window didn't break Once I pay the deductable, the insurance will take over-we'll see how much the estimate is, and if I can get the landord's insurance to pay up. (doubtful) The creases may not look like much, the I wonder how hard they will be to remove, especially those along the rear hatch. I am unsure about the damage to the mirror-the whole unit is now movable, so I know the damage is more than just that little (unrepairable) crack. Still, it could have been much worse. I will keep all appraised about the appraisal, and the epic battle this may become.

Don't know if it's a good deal or not, but I do like the Z32 line. My advisor here at university has a '96, and loves it. Maintenence is high, and should only be done by a Z expert, but if everything has been done correctly in the past by the PO, then you should be in good shape. Here's a forum that focuses mainly on the Z32: http://www.twinturbo.net/ Perhaps you could stalk the site and find some good info.

For the spare tire issue, I heartily recommend this stuff! It's available at any bigbox store, automotive based or not, and is a great backup to carry at all times. As was mentioned in passing before, a list of contact numbers would be ideal-if you were to post your basic itinerary/route then those of us in the neighborhood could pm you our contact info, just in case.

If the car is safe to drive, why not drive it? You're not going to enter the car show, after all, and who knows-perhaps you will meet someone there who can provide tips on repairs, maybe even offer to help out.

I'll second that. Tha anti-fog interior stuff is horrible. It is sold in a smaller all black bottle. Avoid the stuff. The RainX for exteriors is a different matter.

Mohamed, my friend- My wife has a 1998 BMW MRoadster (S52), and it is a blast to drive, handles well, and is comfortable for long drives. It is also impossible for me to work on. Even though it has a straight six, and the basic mechanicals are the same as our beloved L28, the thought of taking parts of it off scare the daylights out of me. Parts are horribly expensive as well. A new rear bumper just cost $400. The last oil change was around $100. Why so expensive? Two reasons. 1. It's an "M" model, and everything for the M is higher in price. Period. 2. It's a BMW. If you get the M, you will find that parts are harder to come by, and cost nearly twice what the lesser siblings require. That said, they are fine vehicles to drive. If I were in your shoes, I would go for a loan. Keep the Z, you've put so much into that car. If need be, you can sell later on, just don't go and sell because you think you must. Of course if you do sell, you'll just have to come over here to shop for a replacement! Good luck with your decision, and even if you do sell the s30, I think you'd still be welcome here.