hey, im new here. i'm thinking of buying my first car soon, and right
around the corner from my place there's a used car dealership that
specialises in datsuns, mainly 1983 datsun 280zx. so i'm thinking about
getting one because they're fairly cheap and also in good condition. so
i'm wondering, would it be a good first car for a 16 year old? and also
how reliable are these cars,like do they break down alot? and what are
commen problems with them. also how good are they in the snow (i live
in canada)?


thanks dave

Hey Dave,

I own a beatiful all orig ( 60,000k,) 2+2 Australian model...and my dad also
had one when i was a kid too...and i can say that these cars are fantastic
to own...and very reliable too...but obviously that does depend on the life
it's had...

So a lot will depend on the mileage, and the service records ( definitely
better if it has service history )...that way you have at least some idea of
the way it's been treated over the years...

The main ( comon ) problem area with these cars is RUST...!..It's the number
one killer....so check it over carefully...places like the sill of the rear
hatch door, and around the base ( and top ) of the front windscreen, as
well as the more obvious areas like the dooors, front 1/4 panels etc..

Also, check out the interior, as they tended to get a bit brittle over time
if exposed to a lot of harsh sunlight....

I absolutely love my 280zx...and i use it as a daily driver too....never
lets me down....and i get to travel in individual, retro style

--


cheers,
Brian C


"dave349" <davester_349 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

ok thanks. worried about that rust is a poblem, especially if i might
have to drive it in the winter, if i foudn a car that has little rust,
and then got a rust proofing job done on it woudl that help? i heard
somewhere theres a saying that these cars were made from old beer cans
cause they rust so much lol
Hi-Soft wrote:

if it's been properly treated for rust it should be ok...just keep a close
eye on it...and if any appears again..get straigt onto it...though that
said...mine was rust proofed from new by the original owner back in
'83....and it's only now just got a few small spots showing. I got straigh
to them, with at least a rust prohibiter...and it's pretty much stopped it
going any further now.... That aside though...these cars are a great
cruiser...sift and cushy...and everything electric

--


cheers,
Brian C


"dave349" <davester_349 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

oh yeah, and if you want a look...here's a couple of pics of my Australian
280ZX 2+2 :

http://users.bigpond.net.au/mumbo-ju...0ZX_Sunset.jpg

http://users.bigpond.net.au/mumbo-ju.../280ZX_Ice.jpg

http://users.bigpond.net.au/mumbo-ju...Pics/int_1.jpg

http://users.bigpond.net.au/mumbo-ju...80ZX_Autum.jpg


cheers,
Brian C


"Hi-Soft" <bjcanham-nospam- (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

oh man that is a smooth looking car, very good condition, good work!
Hi-Soft wrote:

yeah thanks...it really is a gem...i was so luck to find it...you know up
until year 2000...the orig owner had only clocked up 16,000 kms..!!!!

I also just mounted a pioneer CD/MP3 player discretely in the
glovebove...opperates vie iR remote too....cooool.. at last high tech
sound...whils keeping the retro look of the orig player...

--


cheers,
Brian C


"dave349" <davester_349 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

16,000km?!? how could someone have a car like this and not drive it!

as for the radio, i will probably do something similar, cause i don't
have any tapes :P


Hi-Soft wrote:

cool, if you need any info when fitting your new audio system, let me
know...as i now have a good understanding of how to do it all...a little bit
of messing around too...but still worth it...

--


cheers,

Brian Canham
"dave349" <davester_349 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

ok thanks man

cheers

David

Hi-Soft wrote: