New Z32 Owner Looking For Advice/Perspective

[GTRMark]

First, what a great forum! Great knowledge that you guys possess.

So here's the story...

A woman I work with was the original owner of a 1990 Z32 2+2 NA. About 8-9 years ago she parked the car in her driveway and just stopped driving it. (She said it was too hard for her to get in and out of the car.) At a Christmas party last month I asked her about the car and she said she just wanted it out of her driveway. I paid her $500, and it was mine! Car has 68,800 miles.

I towed it home, put in a new battery, and it started right up. I put in fresh gas with Sea Foam additive, took it to Jiffy Lube for an oil change. Jiffy lube also sold me on some other "top end" service. (Sorry, can't remember what it was.)

In the 250 miles that I've driven it, the car seems to run extremely well. No leaks, no mechanical issues that I can identify. I like the car so much that I decided to work on the cosmetics, and took it to a reputable body shop for a paint job, which will be finished sometime this week. (Not looking for a show car, but it's not a cheap paint job either.)

My questions...

1) Have I made any mistakes thus far in terms of getting this car back on the road?
2) Are there other things that I need to do to ensure the long-term integrity of the car, particularly as she begins to be driven regularly again.
3) Anyone know of a good Z32 mechanic in Utah? (The engine bays of my previous "Z" cars, two '72 240Zs, and one '74 260Z, were not as intimidating as what's under the hood of the Z32

I'm not looking to do a lot of "go fast" mods. I just want it to be a solid, well-maintained daily driver.

In advance, thanks for your recommendations and advice. All the best...Mark

[DCaff300ZX]

Welcome, Mark!
Wow, you seem to have found the Dream setup there, I mean $500 for a running decent Z32 with 68K miles is...well, dreamy!
I think that due to circumstances you've done fine although hopefully you handle oil changes and such in the future yourself, or ante up a bunch for a Nissan dealer. You didn't mention AT or MT trans...if AT you'll NOT want to have a power flush of the trans under ANY circumstances and only fluid change and inspections.
I'll assume that given the years siting and PO history that 120K service hasn't been done recently enough, you'll want to pony up for that ASAP at a dealer or better yet, a reputable Z guy. Any further work should come to light at this point (injectors/connectors/hoses) and you can also look at a cone air filter and maybe a few other small things.
There's a few guys here from Utah that hopefully can point you to a Z guy, Good Luck with your Z!

[NolimitZ32]

I foresee a ridiculous aount of issues in your future, I am willing to help you out though, I'll give you 1k for the car and you can wash your hands of all your future problems. . . . I am only kidding of course. Sounds like you got an AMAZING deal, I am very jealous, it also sounds like you are doing things right, depending on your funds I would say the first major expenditure especially on a car that sat that long should always be the timing belt kit, after that a coolant flush, oil flush, Trans and diff flush, fuel system flush, brake and clutch flush basically the refreshment of all fluids after that depending on the condition I would say it wouldn't hurt to throw new brake pads and maybe even rotors on there. From there you are looking for dry rot specifically on fuel and vacuum lines. Hope this helps a bit. WELCOME to the community you lucky SOB!

[Ace2cool]

I'd also look at seals. They can break down in as little as 9 months sitting, much less 6 years! But +1 on the timing belt kit, as those belts don't hold up well to age. And no one knows if it got done at 60k either. That think snaps on the highway and buh-bye valves and pistons.

But just know that we are all extremely jealous. Very much so.

[DCaff300ZX]

I'd also look at seals. They can break down in as little as 9 months sitting, much less 6 years!
But just know that we are all extremely jealous. Very much so.

This if you have the funds available and she needs injectors and rear seal- bite the bullet and pay the Man to do it all and then be able to relax and use/enjoy the car without worry as you do your few mods mentioned.
Congrats and enjoy!

[GTRMark]

Guys, sincere thanks for the great advice!

Appears that the 120k service is the first priority. This could also reveal other needs that the car may have. For peace of mind, might as well get the timing belt taken care of at the same time.

I'll be around, maybe as my knowledge increases I'll even be able to help out a newby in the future.

Thanks again!

P.S. Car is a manual transmission. I'll post photos in the near future.

[DCaff300ZX]

Keep us posted!

[MotoCARR]

Wow $500! Pics or it didn't happen

[NissanZDreamer]

Great price! I payed $1000 for mine and it had a new exhaust and a new radio in it and it only has 133,000 miles!

[GTRMark]

Great price! I payed $1000 for mine and it had a new exhaust and a new radio in it and it only has 133,000 miles!

That's awesome! Nothing like finding a great deal! Congrats!