[pitr]

A friend has offered me a pretty bad off, but running 82 280zx non turbo if I can get it off his driveway by thanksgiving. Problem is I live in detroit he is in rochester and he is pretty sure the lugs are ovaled enough that it will not make the trip. Question is: is it worth the effort to get the car for $1? I have plenty of time to restore it, but dont really know how i can get it back to detroit. Any idea where I can get a flatbed trailer or how much it would cost? This sounds like a really fun project car, I just cant seem to figure out if it is worth the trouble to get it back home.

pitr

 

[ratedZ]

You could rent a trailer from UHAUL for a few bucks and pull it home. Sounds like a fun project. If you have the time to fix it up why not bring it back to life and give it a second chance. I would. Look into the trailer...they are cheap to rent. Good luck.

ratedZ

 

[JetBlack82]

You need to be slapped. Of coarse it is, you obviously havn't owned a Z before. Flat beeds usually run around 50 to 150 dollars depending if you go with a uhal or cheaper company. Ensure if you plan to restore it hasn't been recked and you have as much of the original parts as possible.. If not, restore it for a daily driver would be a great idea also.

My Z was wrecked on both sides(front fenders). rust on the chasy, purple windows (tint), chiped and oxidized paint. left door was caved in. two original wheels, two wheels different sizes with olnly 4 lugs instead of 5 and junk all over the inside(car parts etc...)

I saved this Z from the wrecker, and it's now my daily driver. Spent only 400 dollars so far (picknpull yards etc...) the bent body and fenders was an easy fix, I rigged a tree log in between my door jam and another stable tree, got a heavy duty crank and pulled out the caved in fenders. You'd never guess it was about to be smashed at the wrecker two months ago.....


I am saving up for another 82/83 and plan to restore it 100% that will be my summer/weekend driver.

I am confident you'll love your Z whether its running shi##y or not.
Z ya

 

[pitr]

Only thing that scares me is he thinks the tranny is going. I have lots of free time, but I suspect that might be a bit much for me. any idea on replacement/rebuild costs on such a thing. Is is way to much for someone with limited car but extensive bike work experience?

This is bad, you guys are temping me more and more to just shut up and go get the car.....

pitr

 

[JetBlack82]

Go get the [email protected]#$ing car! Trust me, I never new how to change the oil a few months ago. This weekend I'm replacing the gasket on the exhaust manifold, and replacing my clutch.

Tranny going could just be something a clutch job can fix. 130.00 dollars is about the price. I have an 82 also 2+2, tan interior, vynal or leather/suede seats... which one do you have?

 

[patriotintexas]

I bought my first Z a few months back. Went to the local u-hall and rent a local car dolly - $48 and hauled the car 600 miles. I had pretty much made the deal over the phone and when I got there the car just spit and sputtered. Found out the daughters boyfriend thought he'd pretty up the engine by spraying it with WD40. I pulled the coil wire and it dripped WD. Gave him the sorry dude...you told me it was running and talked him down $300.

I drove home with a grin from ear to ear....no rust on this beast at all. I ended up putting in a replacement auto tranny and the replacement didn't work. Ended up taking the extra $300 and bought another Z for a manual swap....yet another tow that was well worth it as now I've all the parts I need. One other note on the tranny changeout.....these little hotrods are easy to work on. After I got the tranny in my timing chain jumped and so I ended up replacing the gears, et all......I haven't touched a wrench in many years and these things just come apart by themselves. Just grab a Haynes and follow most stuff step by step.

Everything else can get answered here or in the archieves....these guys are great!!!

 

[BigE]

DUDE! Get the car! ****, if you end up not wanting it, you sell it to someone else and pay off the trailer and a little besides. Especially since you have the time. GO GET IT!



Good luck man

E

 

[New2Zs]

I just got my first Z and its a '83 zx with tan interior, suede seats and 148K miles and loving it everytime I'm behind the wheel! This is my first, but not my last thats for sure.