Looking to Purchase this 240sx but unsure, Help please!

[Chikane]

I was just looking through Craigslist and this is my first car purchase that's not from a dealer. So I came across this ad

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/2964039662.html

I inquired and I got a reply from the owner

"The car is still for sale. It can still make short trips. The timing is out and it probably needs some other little things done. I will provide the VIN when I get off work. I am only the second owner."

I need to be able to drive this car back to DC, so I'm unsure what timing is out means, and I was hoping maybe I can get some help from Nico to ask the right questions to this owner about this car. I have also been reading what to look for in the s13 of these years but I haven't seen the car in person yet. In the future what should I be looking to have done to this car for it to be a sufficient everyday driver? etc.

Please help, Thank You and I hope I'm putting this in the right place, I remember nissangirl said if I was wondering about a specific sale ad just come here and ask.

Thanks again

Chikane.

[mechanicalmoron]

Might be a good deal...... If driving it isn't necessary right away. And if you can get him to come down quite a bit.

Ask if you can try timing it before you buy it, at no risk, on the basis that it must run a good distance for you to be able to buy it.

I assume timing off is his excuse for breaking something or not finishing fixing it, he could have put a chain on wrong or something and just be trying to get you to buy it. Or it could have other problems he's trying to pass off as timing.

He seems to know something about cars, and he's the second owner, I wouldn't buy too much of the "might need other things", he probably knows what all's wrong.