Blown Head Gasket Purchase help please

[BrundyRay]

Hi I just joined the forum, I love Nissans with all my heart and I really want to get a 300zx. I’m on a very low budget for the most part, $3000. I was able to find an NA 300zx 2+2 for $1000 but it has a blown head gasket. So I just want to know if I would be able to get her up and running again for the $2000 I have left over? Even if it would be on the cheaper side I would just need it as a daily and this would be a car I’d keep forever because I love the Z32 so much. I feel like I could talk down the price of the car a bit to save a bit there but I just need to know how much the head gasket fix would be, and if I could possibly do it myself if possible because I’d prefer to be hands on with this car from the beginning. Please

[amc49]

Depends on things like did owner drive car more with bad gasket. Head gasket issues can be easily fixable or big black holes that never run again. If the head or even block is cracked as well it gets much worse and driven with coolant mixing in the oil tears up the rest of engine quick. Most owners quickly junk the rest of the car left just to get the last 5 blocks home and refusing to walk a bit to save a thousand dollar bill, it's utterly stupid.

I personally never buy that type of fail as there are often so many unsaid things that affect car going back up quick and for the duration. Expect maximum lie as to what the owner says REALLY happened there. Price is already leaning that way.

[centralcoaster33]

It sounds like you need reliable transportation on the cheap, AKA "a Daily". I'm sorry to say that I don't think the Z is going to be that at all. Getting the blown gasket fixed might fall just inside your budget, but you'll have nothing left over for all the other stuff that's wrong with the car (yes, there is other stuff besides the head gasket that will need love ASAP). Plus you have reg, tax, insurance and maybe an inspection to pay for. You ever see BMW's parked in apartment complex's with bald tires and a headlight out or expired tags? They can't even afford to keep safe tread on the car and can barely keep it full of gas, let alone falling behind on payments or insurance coverage. Don't just have the car, be able to afford driving and enjoying the car.

Welcome to NICO!

Look around here a while and do some more research. I don't know you and your capabilities. The old Z's are sexy cars and I can fully understand wanting one. Some people can make things work where others can't. We often help with reviewing an ad for a car if you'd like. There's a lot of threads here. I did some search with key words like 300zx or Z32 together with reliable or maintenance and think you might want to also.

Some threads to see:
z32-project-car-help-with-purchase-t618776.html
post6728656.html?hilit=300zx%20reliable#p6728656
post6736926.html?hilit=300zx%20reliable#p6736926
post6741544.html?hilit=300zx%20reliable#p6741544
craigslist-find-of-the-week-t527194.html

I'm going to move this to general discussion since your not actually doing a repair but are speculating a purchase.

[evildky]

Buying a better car is almost always cheaper. These cars use lots of bespoke bits that are pricey and can be hard to locate. A well cared for car might cost a bit more on the front end but you'll spend more time driving and less time chasing fantom issues.

[DCaff300ZX]

The Z32 is NOT a good candidate for daily duty unless in tip-top shape, and definitely will sink you with a 3 grand budget. Find a cheap Honda or Toyota for the daily work and keep the Z32 for a project if you have that in your future potentially, but that's as good as it will get with a Z32 with a blown HG and surely more as mentioned.

[LIBRILZ]

If you are short on cash pass on the Z32 for now, trust me as you will come to hate the ownership experience if you are not ready to dump money into the car

they can be good daily drivers in N/A form, but by now they are quite old and need much TLC, and money..I don't recommend it for someone like you, hell I own one and am looking to get out of it..for now