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Aug. 6, 2011 5:29 p.m. BoostedBrandon Reader

Found a 280ZX locally here in front of someones house with $1000 on it. Haven't actually stopped to look at it, so I have no idea what it is as far as transmission, NA or not, but it's got rattle-can silver wheels, and some terrible rust repair attempts.

Judging by what little homework I have done, I'm going to say that its a series I, with four spoke wheels, and really tall rear roof, so I think it's a 2+2.

I'm shopping mostly for my BIL who just turned 16, and I want him to have a decently cool first car like I did, and I want to save him from the BEIGE!!!

All input is mucho appreciated!
Aug. 6, 2011 5:39 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

rust, rust, rust, rust, rust... the rust will have rust.

They are one of the few cars that can outrust an italian car.

The drivetrain is near bulletproof though
Aug. 6, 2011 5:43 p.m. mikeatrpi New Reader

I have an 82 280zx. These cars are mechanically pretty stout, especially the L28 engine. The big problem however is rust... floor boards, subframe rails in front where they meet the firewall and throughout the underside of the car, wheel arches, "doglegs" / rocker panels, lower fenders front and rear, etc etc.

Many folks will say the 280zx is the ugly stepchild of the Z lineage - they say its heavy, suspension is too soft, etc - compared to the earlier Z's. In actuality the car isn't much heavier than a 78 280Z and the suspension can be improved with poly bushings and a set of Tokico's.

It is a fun car to drive and to own. Its easy to work on and parts aren't too expensive. Good luck!
Aug. 6, 2011 5:44 p.m. Apexcarver SuperDork

Look under it, I'll bet the framerails are rusted into nonexistance!

(they were on the one I owned, which looked reasonably clean from above)
Aug. 6, 2011 6:09 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

My father had a relatively rust free 260z. Beautiful car.. until it drowned when the back bays came up to meet the ocean during one of our periodic spring and fall flood tides.

He then bought a 300zx (first gen) that was a rust bucket
Aug. 6, 2011 6:16 p.m. Streetwiseguy Dork

They are good suspension/brake donors for 510's. I'm keeping an eye peeled for one like that around here.
Aug. 7, 2011 12:58 a.m. integraguy SuperDork

Not a bad choice if it's for a kid and you want to avoid "beige", but not THE best choice, either. As a former owner of a 280Z, I agree with the rust comments. My 280 "appeared" relatively rust-free, but had the dreaded front subframe rail rot as well as the beginnings of wiring corrosion.

If you are looking at Zs or ZXs, try to avoid the 2+2 model. It's also identifiable by it's lack of little "cubbies" behind the seats. These are covered bins in front of the axle but behind the front seats, think of them as extra gloveboxes. The 2+2s are okay cars, it's just that they have 1 or 2 "special" parts that the regular Zs don't use. Plus, the longer doors are even more inconvienient to use.

If it were me, I'd be more inclined to go with a Datsun/Nissan pickup truck for a kid....unless it's a girl, obviously. The trucks are tough as nails, have a slightly more economical engine, and can be a bit more useful when it comes to hauling junk.
Aug. 7, 2011 3:31 p.m. BoostedBrandon Reader

Okay, update on the car.

Went and looked at it on my lunch break a minute ago. Front subframe has some surface rust, but feels pretty solid. I didn't actually crawl under the car, but aside from the quarters it looks halfway solid.

It is a 2+2, 5 speed NA car, odometer reads 206K miles. It started right up and didn't smoke, however with some throttle added the car showed a slight hesitation, but ran smooth at idle. Has a new battery and alternator, and the plug wires look new as well.

It seems like an okay buy, but for maybe $500, not $1000 like he's asking. The owner wasn't there, but his roommates were and they said he just wants to get rid of it. Hard to bargain without cash in hand though.

I think having a cool, unreliable car as your first is a right of passage, and this one might fit the bill, haha.
Aug. 7, 2011 10:20 p.m. AquaHusky Reader

BoostedBrandon wrote:

Found a 280ZX locally here in front of someones house with $1000 on it.

Did you at least take the $1000 that was left on it?
Aug. 7, 2011 11:59 p.m. rotard Reader

I bought one as my first college car, discovered that I really hated rust, and traded it towards a 1991 SHO within 6 months. It's essentially a Maxima coupe, right?
Aug. 8, 2011 2:30 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

much sexier than a Maxima.

I had my Father's 260z up to an indicated 140mph with no issues.. and the car was still accelerating.

That said, I hated the dashboards on both of his Z's.. the Digidash on the 300 even more so
Aug. 8, 2011 8:42 a.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

i had basically this exact same Z about ten years ago. The odo was stuck at 440k.

Bought for $300, sold six months later for $300.
Aug. 9, 2011 12:36 p.m. darkbuddha New Reader

Okay, I'm gonna piggyback on this thread for a minute, especially since it looks like the OP might be getting in deep on this thing soon...

We will possibly be given an original owner '79 280ZX 2+2 by my father-inlaw. It's always been garaged, but having spent its entire life in Miami, I will definitely keep any eye out for rust. My questions are a bit more about parts availability, aftermarket support, and GRM friendly upgrades, swaps, etc.

Anyone point us in the right direction?
Aug. 9, 2011 9:14 p.m. BoostedBrandon Reader

Well we drove it today, and it feels good for an 30 year old car with worn out suspension. The clutch feels okay, doesn't smoke, sounds okay, and has some good power for over 206k miles.

The car is a 1980 model, and the stuff that needs to work does, turn signals, power windows, clarion tape deck (!) just quit working last week he says. Personally, I think it might give 500 for it, but not 1000.

The kid loves it, thinks its much cooler than what his parents are looking for. Yup, I've trained him well.
Aug. 9, 2011 9:45 p.m. mikeatrpi New Reader

Turn signals? Possibly the flasher relay or the stalk itself. Clarion tape deck sounds aftermarket. Mine has a tape deck, but it doesn't say "Clarion"!

For parts - most of the common stuff can be ordered in a couple of days at AdvanceoZone.

You can get better parts or upgrades with mail order from Black Dragon (formerly Victoria British) http://www.blackdragonauto.com/ and MSA http://zcarparts.com/. Rock auto even has a lot of stuff.

Forums? zcar.com and hybridz.org. Also zdriver.com has a pretty active 280zx section.

Suspension? Poly bushings on the control arms, sway bar and end links - rubber on the t/c rods otherwise they have a tendency to crack. Tokico makes a kit with springs and struts that is pretty good. Upgrades? Turbo! Swaps? LS1!
Aug. 9, 2011 10:19 p.m. gamby SuperDork

I borrowed my uncle's '80 280ZX for a summer in 1993--he wasn't driving it at the time, so he let me use it. It had some decent rust issues developing even then.

Great car, though. 5-speed, reasonably quick, killer highway car.

I remember taking a college crush to Newport in it. Gorgeous blond in this great car.

I also remember going to pick up Smashing Pumpkins--Siamese Dream in that car the day it came out.

That, my friends, was a great summer.