280ZX (S130) Forums Dedicated to 79-83 ZCars

had a 81 once..

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Old 06-16-2006, 01:22 PM
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had a 81 once..

had a 81.. back when i was young. im mid 30's now, and wanting one as a around town beater to keep miles off my new car. I'm looking at one advertised locally currently, an 83 280zx. I like the metal vent pillars I had on my 81, but the 83 is alright too. I replaced tons of parts under the hood, and did some stereo work too. This site looks cool so catch up on things these days. The Z was in my top 3 all time fav cars, out of about 25 so far. I hope i get another one sometime to relive the fun. I used to work at Far Performance in Mt View Ca when i was young also. They specialized in Zs in their early days. Glad to be here.

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Old 06-16-2006, 01:26 PM
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What I did for stereo was put 6x9's behind the seat in place of the small 4" or 5". I cut the holes a little bigger. I attached 1/2" thick MDF plates on that spot. That was a more proper speaker mount and helped vibrations. I also added 4" upgraded speakers in the stock dash location, which was a pretty big job also. It definetely wasn't one of the best cars I've had to build a stereo in, but its small size made power very efficient.
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Old 06-16-2006, 01:47 PM
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Hey! Well welcome to ZDriver. We can always use more Z fanatics!
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Old 06-16-2006, 02:39 PM
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just got a response on the ad I inquired about. He is sending some pics tonight. I know how hard it is to find a clean interior, and i dont want a car thats trashed inside. The exterior isnt quite as important, as i want to park this car anywhere and not worry about it.

Its an 83 280zx with 135,000 miles, for $1500. 5 speed, T-tops, tune up, smogged, registered, exhaust, K&N, no leaks.

It sounds too cheap to me, here in California. I feel there must be a reason for its price. As there are other Z's with similar miles for $3000 to $5000.

This is the only pic I have so far, so I can't tell anything.

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Old 06-16-2006, 02:45 PM
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It's not so much that the price he is asking is "too cheap"... Actually it's a very realistic price given the market for these cars. A little shopping around will almost always lead you to a good price on a nice 280ZX. Those people asking 3-5K for their cars are either in possession of some mighty pristine examples or... They are clueless as to the true market value of their cars... or... they just love the car too much to ask a reasonable price for it in the secret hopes that no one will buy an over-priced car.

Rod.
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Old 06-16-2006, 02:48 PM
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I dont care if anyone steals sales from under me.

So here is an example of a $4500 280zx:

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/170468832.html

and a $5500 280zx

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/170428786.html
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Old 06-16-2006, 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by plac
I dont care if anyone steals sales from under me.

So here is an example of a $4500 280zx:

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/170468832.html

and a $5500 280zx

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/170428786.html
First one is a turbo... that up's the price some...

Second one just has low miles & is clean... nothing super special. And the 2+2 is hurtin the value, not helping.
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Old 06-16-2006, 03:07 PM
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i agree. I never liked the 2+2 at all. And I could go turbo, but dont really care either way. My 2006 GTI is already a turbo anyway.

My website:

http://www.bellbottomblasters.com/index2.html
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Old 06-16-2006, 03:15 PM
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ive got an 81 for sale, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissa...50993800QQrdZ1
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Old 06-16-2006, 04:46 PM
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I bought my 83' 280ZX Turbo for $1500 with not even 90k miles. The body on it has relatively little rust, and the interior is decent. It just needs new paint, some elbow grease, and some TLC.
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Old 06-16-2006, 04:54 PM
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I just got more details on it:

" That is what i used this car, as a daily dependable driver. The interior is all present, there are only a few tiny cracks in the dash, but there is a dash cover that i use in the summer time. This car needs no mechanical work right now, I just registered the car, changed the oil, and washed it within this past week, so it is ready to go anywhere. I have looked up and down on this car, and I have only found one spot of rust that is only surface rust and can easily be repaired. It is on the roof in a section in front of the t-tops. I could find not even a spot of even surface rust on the floors when i gave the car a quick look over. The tires have pleanty of tread left, and they are on the stock wheels. I will get back to you with pictures, but you will not be dissapointed. As i said, the only frowned upon thing about this car is the drivers door which has been completely repaired, but needs paint. If you use the car as i have been, for a daily driver, then it's perfect!"

" I would also like to add that the t-tops do not leak. I have not seen another car this old with t-tops that seals up this tight. "

Last edited by plac; 06-16-2006 at 04:59 PM.
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Old 06-16-2006, 05:04 PM
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Obviously this man has not seen many old cars then.
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Old 06-16-2006, 05:05 PM
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What, you mean lots of old cars have good T top seals?
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Old 06-16-2006, 07:01 PM
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I've owned 10 280zx's so far... and never paid more than $500 for any one of them. Unless they have 3K miles... or is a 10th Aniversary... there's no real reason to pay more than $2K. If they are asking more than that, the seller is exactly what Rod said:

Originally Posted by RodMoyes
they just love the car too much to ask a reasonable price for it in the secret hopes that no one will buy an over-priced car.
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Old 06-16-2006, 09:02 PM
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Pics coming in 5 mins.. I'll prob go look at it tomorrow. Its the cleanest I've seen in a while.
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Old 06-16-2006, 09:07 PM
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Worth $1400-$1500???















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Old 06-16-2006, 09:08 PM
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Old 06-16-2006, 09:14 PM
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looks good, other then paint it looks good to go.
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Old 06-16-2006, 09:21 PM
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good buy if i might say so myself, looks pretty clean to me, id buy it, these cars are so cheap to fix (in stock form), and easy to work on, so even if theres a prob, it wont be that bad
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Old 06-16-2006, 09:55 PM
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ya im setting up an early morning viewing tomrorow. like before 9am.

the door paint does suck, but i think it would be silly to pay a body shop to try and match it on a car like that without giving it a whole paint job. And the whole reason im getting it is for a car to not worry about scratching around town. So I def wouldnt paint it. Maybe its less likely to get broken into with crappy paint. My last 81 280zx got its stereo stolen twice. But thats when i was growing up in a bad neighborhood.
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Old 06-16-2006, 10:39 PM
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I dont like the ricey muffler. I'll want to get that changed asap. I would prefer a new OEM muffler, but i bet thats expensive.
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Old 06-16-2006, 11:44 PM
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I've got a modded '82 280ZX 5spd, NA that I'll be selling soon, and I'm also located in the Bay Area. PM me if you might be interested.
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Old 06-16-2006, 11:50 PM
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I like stock at my age. I'll be bringing this car above back as stock as i can get. I been modding my cars for 18 years. Now I just appreciate a good original car.
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Old 06-17-2006, 01:07 AM
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I'd try to get him down to $1200 if possible. Pretty clean inside, though, but it's really all about the up-keep that's been done and things like suspension, etc..

I actually like 2+2's, if they have the right body kit. I've seen some REALLY good looking ones, but they always have the molding underneath done right. ZXMAN.COM is a good example of a 2+2 or two done right.

I hope you get what your looking for. Seems your on the right track, though...

Carl
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Old 06-17-2006, 02:50 AM
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Oh Wow, that is my Z's twin! It is the same color interior, and body as mine was stock. Way cool man, but yeah see if you can talk him down a little bit. But if it runs as good, or better than it looks. You are in business bro', I would say full speed ahead! Now it motivates me more to get going on my bodywork, paint, and cosmetic on the outside. If you get that Z I will be envious. Also what year is it? Mine is an '82 which most people on here know. Anyway good luck to you tomorrow, and keep us updated.
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