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Thread: Should I buy a 280ZX?

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    Default Should I buy a 280ZX?

    I have the opportunity to buy a 280Z (pretty sure it's a ZX) for really cheap. It runs, but needs a new floor welded in and seat brackets... It is currently driveable so I could drive it to my garage with the floor in the condition it is in now... I'd be getting it for learning to drift and to be a DD for when the STi is being worked on ...

    Input?

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    Simply Confused Keebs ð¿ð's Avatar
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    You don't really see too many 280's sliding around, all these kids go with 240's lol I guess because s13's are a dime a dozen

    Current Toy: A few classics, maybe a few imports too. Whatever

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    Quote Originally Posted by keebler
    You don't really see too many 280's sliding around, all these kids go with 240's lol I guess because s13's are a dime a dozen
    Yah, i had thought about doing the 240 for drifting but everyone and their mom has one. I'm getting a REALLY good deal on this so lets just say I'm getting it for nearly free. Would it be worth putting a little bit of money into for drifting? And I do stress a LITTLE bit of money... Will probly buy an E36 or something down the line if I want to get more serious into drifting...

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    Simply Confused Keebs ð¿ð's Avatar
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    I'm not sure about the 280's, don't really know about the suspension set up and power band. i would check up on www.3zc.com or www.nicoclub.com and see if you can find anything about how well those cars drift and what mods you need to help them do so.

    Current Toy: A few classics, maybe a few imports too. Whatever

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flip
    I have the opportunity to buy a 280Z (pretty sure it's a ZX) for really cheap. It runs, but needs a new floor welded in and seat brackets... It is currently driveable so I could drive it to my garage with the floor in the condition it is in now... I'd be getting it for learning to drift and to be a DD for when the STi is being worked on ...

    Input?
    SHIT YEAH!

    that is all....

    Ja na, Datsun Lover Desu

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    Delightfully Creepy Ran's Avatar
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    I got a 1975 280Z with an RB and I can't really say it's a car I would want to use as a first time drifter. The weight distribution is about 80/20. A lot of that is probably the RB but even without it, there's literally nothing in the back except for the fuel tank. The horrendous weight split makes it really tail happy. Even with a 225/55/15 tires, I have still have trouble keeping traction even in a straight line. Still, if that's the route you want to take, then best of luck. E.Radatz Motorsports is in Woodstock and they specialize in old-school Z's. Give them a call for more specific info.


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    The Philanthropist Dirty Octopus™'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ran Kizama
    I got a 1975 280Z with an RB and I can't really say it's a car I would want to use as a first time drifter. The weight distribution is about 80/20. A lot of that is probably the RB but even without it, there's literally nothing in the back except for the fuel tank. The horrendous weight split makes it really tail happy. Even with a 225/55/15 tires, I have still have trouble keeping traction even in a straight line. Still, if that's the route you want to take, then best of luck. E.Radatz Motorsports is in Woodstock and they specialize in old-school Z's. Give them a call for more specific info.
    id just use it as a pimp ass DD

    Ja na, DD Datsun Desu

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ran Kizama
    I got a 1975 280Z with an RB and I can't really say it's a car I would want to use as a first time drifter. The weight distribution is about 80/20. A lot of that is probably the RB but even without it, there's literally nothing in the back except for the fuel tank. The horrendous weight split makes it really tail happy. Even with a 225/55/15 tires, I have still have trouble keeping traction even in a straight line. Still, if that's the route you want to take, then best of luck. E.Radatz Motorsports is in Woodstock and they specialize in old-school Z's. Give them a call for more specific info.

    Sweet, thanks for the advice. I probly wouldn't keep the car for too extremely long. Just something to start off with. Fix it up and maybe make a little money off of it and go to something like a 300zx... not really sure...

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    Delightfully Creepy Ran's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Flip
    Sweet, thanks for the advice. I probly wouldn't keep the car for too extremely long. Just something to start off with. Fix it up and maybe make a little money off of it and go to something like a 300zx... not really sure...
    If you're looking for a drift car, I'd avoid the 300ZX altogether. The early Z31 is pretty much a heavier 280ZX (Almost 700 pounds more) while the later Z32 is more designed for road racing. Even if you get a sweet@ss 300ZX TT, the HICAS system that Nissan puts on the Z32 makes it hard as hell to drift. An N/A Z32 wouldn't even be worth your time since it doesn't have the power to push it's massive weight. Not to mention that with drifting, you'll be spending a lot of time under the hood. 300ZX's are notorious for having to get their engine pulled to do just about anything. However, if you're getting out of drifting and looking more towards a track whore or cruiser, the Z32 could be a fun project.

    Some good reading info on the 1st Gen. Z car.
    http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z...Z/default.aspx

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ran Kizama
    If you're looking for a drift car, I'd avoid the 300ZX altogether. The early Z31 is pretty much a heavier 280ZX (Almost 700 pounds more) while the later Z32 is more designed for road racing. Even if you get a sweet@ss 300ZX TT, the HICAS system that Nissan puts on the Z32 makes it hard as hell to drift. An N/A Z32 wouldn't even be worth your time since it doesn't have the power to push it's massive weight. Not to mention that with drifting, you'll be spending a lot of time under the hood. 300ZX's are notorious for having to get their engine pulled to do just about anything. However, if you're getting out of drifting and looking more towards a track whore or cruiser, the Z32 could be a fun project.

    Some good reading info on the 1st Gen. Z car.
    http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z...Z/default.aspx

    Good to know... Got any other ideas for drift cars down the road? I know everyone and thier mom has 240's and i was thinkin about gettin one since i could pick one up so cheep but i'd rather not be like everyone else and have some thing more origional... Right now i think i'll play with the 280 since it's nearly free but down the road i wouldn't mind spendin 1-3k on somethin decent to drift...

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    The One and Only Nemesis's Avatar
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    My Z31 was fun to drift... and was fairly easy to learn with.

    Id look for a Shiro Special edition if I was you though

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flip
    Good to know... Got any other ideas for drift cars down the road? I know everyone and thier mom has 240's and i was thinkin about gettin one since i could pick one up so cheep but i'd rather not be like everyone else and have some thing more origional... Right now i think i'll play with the 280 since it's nearly free but down the road i wouldn't mind spendin 1-3k on somethin decent to drift...
    there is a reason everyone is getting them

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    no, u need money for colorado

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    Quote Originally Posted by Nemesis Digital
    My Z31 was fun to drift... and was fairly easy to learn with.

    Id look for a Shiro Special edition if I was you though
    SS's are mad hard to find i was getting either an SS or AE 50th edition 1984 Z31 turbo b4 i got the starion. As far as handling and weight distribution... starion, hands down... well its hard enough finding one for sale though, but I do have a friend selling one, locally... Asking 3k, rebuilt engine, manual,. 1987 good paint, etc


    but yeah... if u want to be different get a cressida heh...its a heavy beast but drop in a 1J or boost the 7M ... it'd be pimp... hrm what else?

    Another VG30E car that alot of people dont know about (since its pretty hard to find) is the Infinity M30 coupe.... alot like a 240 in shape:



    drop in the turbo setup from a ET motor and its a cheap drift project....

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    Z31 is a great fairLADY, with some suspension work and proper tires you should be OK!
    Try removing some weight too.

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    Quote Originally Posted by RaИdomGuy
    SS's are mad hard to find i was getting either an SS or AE 50th edition 1984 Z31 turbo b4 i got the starion. As far as handling and weight distribution... starion, hands down... well its hard enough finding one for sale though, but I do have a friend selling one, locally... Asking 3k, rebuilt engine, manual,. 1987 good paint, etc


    but yeah... if u want to be different get a cressida heh...its a heavy beast but drop in a 1J or boost the 7M ... it'd be pimp... hrm what else?

    Another VG30E car that alot of people dont know about (since its pretty hard to find) is the Infinity M30 coupe.... alot like a 240 in shape:



    drop in the turbo setup from a ET motor and its a cheap drift project....
    just drift a starion I'm dicking around with figureing out what it takes to break my rear loose. its fun.

    Mine really dosn't leave the garage. People across the street think it is a tool bench.

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    Get it!

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    Senior Member BlkCD5's Avatar
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    Originally posted by RaИdomGuy
    but yeah... if u want to be different get a cressida heh...its a heavy beast but drop in a 1J or boost the 7M ... it'd be pimp... hrm what else?
    Holy shit, rep for you. Actually there is a vid of a guy drifting his cressida. It was my first car i ever drifted.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg4XAnxSHHI

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flip
    I have the opportunity to buy a 280Z (pretty sure it's a ZX) for really cheap. It runs, but needs a new floor welded in and seat brackets... It is currently driveable so I could drive it to my garage with the floor in the condition it is in now... I'd be getting it for learning to drift and to be a DD for when the STi is being worked on ...

    Input?
    Think of it this way...when you decide to sell it you have a sure fire buyer right here (me)!!!

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    man if you dont get the 280...since you said its real cheap, let me get it.


    so did u end up getting it? i wanna see pics

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    (OO=[][]=OO) Dominic49's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Flip
    Good to know... Got any other ideas for drift cars down the road? I know everyone and thier mom has 240's and i was thinkin about gettin one since i could pick one up so cheep but i'd rather not be like everyone else and have some thing more origional... Right now i think i'll play with the 280 since it's nearly free but down the road i wouldn't mind spendin 1-3k on somethin decent to drift...

    i need to let you drive my e30.... that will make you want one :-D

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    Quote Originally Posted by NSCredondo
    Think of it this way...when you decide to sell it you have a sure fire buyer right here (me)!!!
    I did end up gettin the 280!

    I'm kinda lookin into sellin it since I kinda want a 91ish 240... Got fun plans for it .

    I've looked around and found other similar ones selling for around 1500...

    It runs great, has a good bit of rust, and i believe it only has 140k ish miles!!! Still interested?

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    I may be interested in the z....

    1970 Datsun 240z w/ l28et swap - Current project
    2001 Honda s2000 - SOLD!
    1999 SC'd Chevy Silverado - Stolen
    1991 JDM RX-7 R1 - SOLD

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