buying a 79 280zx

[zkrobs4]

i looked at it today, and all it needs is a tuneup and some paint. it wasnt even rusty!!! the guys only asking $250. so i have a few questions....is it turbo? i couldnt see onewat should i look out for when i test drive it?thanks alot....just trying to do some research

[AZ-ZBum]

turbos weren't available until 1981 in the 280ZX.

What to look for? Rust. It's killed far too many a Z car.

[Rex]

... What to look for? Rust. It's killed far too many a Z car.

Under the carpet, behind the seats and int he trunk around the spare, but don't limit your looking to just those locations.

[zkrobs4]

ok thx...the guy also has a white 280z...would that one be a better deal? they are the same price

[need2drift]

Man for $250 each I would buy both cars and sell the zx... 280z all the way!!!

[evildky]

depends on your longterm goals. the zx offers a stiffer chassis, available 4 wheels disks, power windows, locks, mirrirs, the turbo engine swaps in easily to either chassis, the zx came with a 5 speed and the 5 speed was a rare option for the late 280z, also factory air was kinda rare on the 280, the 280 is a bit lighter, really its a matter of which car you like better and RUST is number one! if it's not glass ro rubber look for rust!

[nsrZ32]

I say go for the 280Z over the 280ZX as I'm a big fan of the original s30 chassis (70-78). But like need to drift said, buy them both and make some money by selling one.

EDIT : Horrible early morning spelling fixed
Modified by nsrZ32 at 7:07 PM 12/19/2005

[HashiriyaS14]

Yeah, I'd buy both.

Honestly, I'd like to keep both too, but I'd never have the space/time.

I'd make a profit on the sale of both cars and then buy one that needs less restoration with the proceeds, like NSR's 280.

[jEzTeR]

Let us know how it all turns out!

[nsrZ32]

I'd make a profit on the sale of both cars and then buy one that needs less restoration with the proceeds, like NSR's 280.

haha thanks man

my 280 is undergoing a pretty hardcore restoration though. not that it really needed all that much, but my body man is a maniac and wants to make it beyond amazing. He's restoring the car without using a drop of bondo or fiberglass....all metal fabrication. I'm excited as it will be like a brand new fully optioned 280z off the showroom floor only better. Exterior should be jaw droppingly beautiful. lol only problem with that is now I'll have to give the same amount of overly anal attention to the engine bay and interior.

[zkrobs4]

i cant buy both, because my buddies buying the z. what kind of mods could i do for some cheap power?

[evildky]

find a turbo donor, it is the cheapest mod you can make and the most rewarding, you can find totaled out turbo donors for under $500 and they donate everything you need to get 220 whp and more with the addition of an intercooler, the header would run about $200 and the full header back exhaust costs about the same but they aren't gonna yield any noticable power gains, and if you get a turbo donor you can just add all the goodies to your engine and not even have to do the motor swap!