NeoTokyo wrote:AZHitman thank you for the detailed response, it was very helpful.
DCaff so appearances make this Z a piece of junk?
It runs great and drives, it does not have mechanical problems, the turbo's boost perfectly and it is an AWESOME steal for $500 dollars for a starting point of a track car.
I bought it for AutoX and some trips to Thunder Hill, not because I wanted a perfect example of a factory Z.
I will fix the body kit the best I can, I have no high hopes of a show car, what I do have high hopes for is Fun.
No, read AZHitman's assessment which is also my assessment- FAR too much trouble for a cost-effective fix, and SOOOO many further problem awaiting you.
My advice is based on my own past experiences, and what would be the best route.
BTW, I'm 52 now and have had SO many cars in my time it's scary. They've run the gamut from nice to not-so nice, and I've probably faced nearly every issue known to pre-90's vehicles.
I've learned a lot and now adhere completely to what I know, and try to share that knowledge.
You say it runs and drives great, but you've also filled the tech section with problems and we have advised you on those...and be ready for lots more troubles along the lines of your current ones. Someone obviously dumped their parts supply on this doomed beast and got a few bucks out of it to some unsuspecting kid (you), and here you are.
How do I know?
Been there, done that many years ago with a '80's 280ZX custom-bodied missile, almost exactly like the one you have. Looked a million bucks but like yours, was cracked and faded badly but ran decently if needing "a tuneup" as the salesman said and sounded awesome with the custom exhaust (which fell off a week later!).
So, I had the same bodywork and issues, same "works great" sales pitch followed by every old, cobbled system failing within a month and at most, a year. The body was helpless, as to beat past all of the cracking and further rust issues underneath would have been VERY difficult and expensive, costing FAR more than I paid for the car and that AZHitman alludes to. Next, the engine was a mess of old parts from other cars, poorly/quickly/incompetently (no gaskets or sealing at times!) installed, LOTS of old cracking vacuum hoses and wiring, plus the engine had a ton of miles on it...swap time. The car leaked water horribly (sold/bought in the summer!) which of course was the body issue, and more.
Basket case! Sold as parts and re-learned a valuable lesson on other peoples' projects.
My first "lesson" ?
My very first car, a '67 big block Mustang Fastback I HAD to have and spent every penny I had on, that went much the same route- a drag missile built poorly and incompetently, LOTS of bondo to crack later, and tons of "old car" issues needing attention that mostly it never got. I was focused on how it ran, and not the "other" stuff...finances available and lack of experience with what to do and how were my excuse until it went away in parts. Sound familiar?
I know this story like I know how to breathe.
So, I stand by my assessment and you have backed it up with all of your current problems, plus the ones you haven't even dreamed of yet but which are the Z32's specialty!
Have fun, and Good Luck!
