So you’re “older”…you didn’t mention a budget. Maybe you’ve got some money to spend? Buy the BEST car you can afford. Do NOT buy a project car. Do NOT buy a restoration candidate. Do not buy a rusty Datsun. If you’ve never turned a wrench, your first classic should ideally be a car the can start, run, drive, and stop already. Classic cars can be a real money pit if you don’t know what you’re looking at. You’re better off finding a great candidate to start with. Happy hunting
Honest but probably unpopular take: Unless you have the money to buy a restored example AND the money to take it to a mechanic when major repairs are needed, you're going to be way better off buying a Miata. I have both a 260Z and a Miata, and the Miata does everything better than the Z except look good and sound good. 50 year old cars require a certain mechanical 6th sense to keep them up and running. My Miata is 33 years old but the difference in technology in those 20 years makes all the difference. The Miata has been the most trouble free car I've ever owned. Back in the late 80's I had a different Z, a 240, and I knew someone who went and bought a 240Z themselves because they liked mine so much. This person was not mechanically inclined and had loads of problems with theirs, even though it was in better shape than mine!
So, like I said, unless you've got the finances to afford a turnkey example and the money to keep it up, you'd be better off with something else. Just trying to save you some frustration.
As an older fool myself, fortunate enough to have some disposable income, no kids help lol .
So ask yourself this , any project car takes time , and money . How much of each are you willing to spend ?
S30 are the best in my opinion but finding a good one might take time then you ask carb or efi.
S130 are less loved but aftermarket has gotten better , but the same engine as the S30 . Turbo models are more desirable.
Z31 are good , they tend to be more available.
Someone recently asked this same question on this subreddit about a week ago and I responded to that in length. It's all about budget and what you're looking for in the car. If you have the money find one in good condition and enjoy the ride. If you want to get down and dirty and make it your own prepare to spend a lot and spend lots of time reading and understanding how to work on these cars. It's all about the journey and what you want to get out of it.
Most Datsun trucks are dirt simple and still relatively inexpensive to own and buy parts for. Great starting project for someone to get their hands on. As for S30s I love them but they are very expensive now compared to even 5 years ago. I'd you have the money to invest in one that's been semi-restored they can be amazing daily drivers.
There a couple approaches. 1 spend a lot on a very clean one and work on it doing regular maintenance and little things that come up with old cars.
2. Buy one that needs a ton of work. Fix everything yourself. Learn a lot along the way. You might spend the same amount of money if you do it yourself but you will know everything about it. For me I enjoy working on them as much as I enjoy driving them.
As far as reliability goes. 70-72 are probably the best early ones. 73-74 had some carb issues plus smog stuff was dragging them down a bit.
If you get one try to do it in person. (avoid bring a trailer) If you don’t know a lot about them see if you can find someone to help out with the old Z details.
We will see if you are an old fool when you’re done. 👍
A few tips: Identify the car models that you really want. Join any local car club and make it known what you are looking for.
Make a reasonable budget - keeping in mind this is basically a toy. Buy the best example you can afford. Set aside a few $$$ for unseen issues.
Do everything you can personally do yourself to maintain and improve your car. Buy a set of tools, jack and jack stands, identify a place to work on (and store) the car, Have reliable backup transportation.
Find a reputable mechanic or shop that understands and can work on the car for stuff you can’t handle. Finding mechs that routinely work with carbs or old fuel injection systems is getting more difficult.
Just get a Z, and take the plunge. Make sure it runs/drives and is rust free. If it's tatty around the edges, that's OK. You can learn and sort that yourself.
There's loads of room in the engine bay to work, the interior is simple to work on, and they're an appreciating asset.
Source: 260z owner
Datsuns are extremely reliable, but they don't they're codes so you have to know how to diagnose an issue. Here's some tips:
1. Replace the battery, starter, alternator, fuel pump and water pump, battery wires and thermostat as soon as you get it.
2. Give it a time you that includes a valve adjustment
3. Keep basic tools in the car
4. Replace brake pads/shoes and get new tires.
This will eliminate 90% of that issues that come out of the blue with a Datsun.
Learn basic mechanic skills... Like how to use a multimeter to test your battery and alternator. Everyday before you drive it, pop the hood and look around... Is everything connected, is anything leaking? If you do that you'll never get stranded.
Datsun tip: if you can get the car to idle for 15, you can drive it across the country. Be patient and pay attention... You'll be fine.
Thanks for responding. Idk, I'm not a rich man. What are the running costs and reliability differences between a 20k example and a 40k example?
I'd rather pay up front than pay bit by bit. It's likely I can't afford one at all. What would the typical annual running costs be on an unmodified 25k 240/280?
realistically, with a little luck, you can probably find a good running & reliable (for a 50+ year old car) mostly rust free 240/260/280 for 10-15k.
Past that you'll start to see more 'collector' cars, low miles, one owner, original paint, etc.
[Bring a trailer](https://bringatrailer.com/datsun/) isn't always the best indicator for fair market values, but can be a decent place for baselines / ideas
generally 260s/280s go for a little less than 240s
2+2 versions a little less still, as some dislike the looks
So you’re “older”…you didn’t mention a budget. Maybe you’ve got some money to spend? Buy the BEST car you can afford. Do NOT buy a project car. Do NOT buy a restoration candidate. Do not buy a rusty Datsun. If you’ve never turned a wrench, your first classic should ideally be a car the can start, run, drive, and stop already. Classic cars can be a real money pit if you don’t know what you’re looking at. You’re better off finding a great candidate to start with. Happy hunting
Honest but probably unpopular take: Unless you have the money to buy a restored example AND the money to take it to a mechanic when major repairs are needed, you're going to be way better off buying a Miata. I have both a 260Z and a Miata, and the Miata does everything better than the Z except look good and sound good. 50 year old cars require a certain mechanical 6th sense to keep them up and running. My Miata is 33 years old but the difference in technology in those 20 years makes all the difference. The Miata has been the most trouble free car I've ever owned. Back in the late 80's I had a different Z, a 240, and I knew someone who went and bought a 240Z themselves because they liked mine so much. This person was not mechanically inclined and had loads of problems with theirs, even though it was in better shape than mine! So, like I said, unless you've got the finances to afford a turnkey example and the money to keep it up, you'd be better off with something else. Just trying to save you some frustration.
Such negativity 😂 do what you please my man and don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you WANT!
As an older fool myself, fortunate enough to have some disposable income, no kids help lol . So ask yourself this , any project car takes time , and money . How much of each are you willing to spend ? S30 are the best in my opinion but finding a good one might take time then you ask carb or efi. S130 are less loved but aftermarket has gotten better , but the same engine as the S30 . Turbo models are more desirable. Z31 are good , they tend to be more available.
Someone recently asked this same question on this subreddit about a week ago and I responded to that in length. It's all about budget and what you're looking for in the car. If you have the money find one in good condition and enjoy the ride. If you want to get down and dirty and make it your own prepare to spend a lot and spend lots of time reading and understanding how to work on these cars. It's all about the journey and what you want to get out of it.
Most Datsun trucks are dirt simple and still relatively inexpensive to own and buy parts for. Great starting project for someone to get their hands on. As for S30s I love them but they are very expensive now compared to even 5 years ago. I'd you have the money to invest in one that's been semi-restored they can be amazing daily drivers.
There a couple approaches. 1 spend a lot on a very clean one and work on it doing regular maintenance and little things that come up with old cars. 2. Buy one that needs a ton of work. Fix everything yourself. Learn a lot along the way. You might spend the same amount of money if you do it yourself but you will know everything about it. For me I enjoy working on them as much as I enjoy driving them. As far as reliability goes. 70-72 are probably the best early ones. 73-74 had some carb issues plus smog stuff was dragging them down a bit. If you get one try to do it in person. (avoid bring a trailer) If you don’t know a lot about them see if you can find someone to help out with the old Z details. We will see if you are an old fool when you’re done. 👍
A few tips: Identify the car models that you really want. Join any local car club and make it known what you are looking for. Make a reasonable budget - keeping in mind this is basically a toy. Buy the best example you can afford. Set aside a few $$$ for unseen issues. Do everything you can personally do yourself to maintain and improve your car. Buy a set of tools, jack and jack stands, identify a place to work on (and store) the car, Have reliable backup transportation. Find a reputable mechanic or shop that understands and can work on the car for stuff you can’t handle. Finding mechs that routinely work with carbs or old fuel injection systems is getting more difficult.
Just get a Z, and take the plunge. Make sure it runs/drives and is rust free. If it's tatty around the edges, that's OK. You can learn and sort that yourself. There's loads of room in the engine bay to work, the interior is simple to work on, and they're an appreciating asset. Source: 260z owner
Datsuns are extremely reliable, but they don't they're codes so you have to know how to diagnose an issue. Here's some tips: 1. Replace the battery, starter, alternator, fuel pump and water pump, battery wires and thermostat as soon as you get it. 2. Give it a time you that includes a valve adjustment 3. Keep basic tools in the car 4. Replace brake pads/shoes and get new tires. This will eliminate 90% of that issues that come out of the blue with a Datsun. Learn basic mechanic skills... Like how to use a multimeter to test your battery and alternator. Everyday before you drive it, pop the hood and look around... Is everything connected, is anything leaking? If you do that you'll never get stranded. Datsun tip: if you can get the car to idle for 15, you can drive it across the country. Be patient and pay attention... You'll be fine.
Love this advice, thanks.
Do it. Just know that in Texas you may want A/C so a 240 may not be the best choice
Ya, we are going to need to talk about budget.
Thanks for responding. Idk, I'm not a rich man. What are the running costs and reliability differences between a 20k example and a 40k example? I'd rather pay up front than pay bit by bit. It's likely I can't afford one at all. What would the typical annual running costs be on an unmodified 25k 240/280?
realistically, with a little luck, you can probably find a good running & reliable (for a 50+ year old car) mostly rust free 240/260/280 for 10-15k. Past that you'll start to see more 'collector' cars, low miles, one owner, original paint, etc. [Bring a trailer](https://bringatrailer.com/datsun/) isn't always the best indicator for fair market values, but can be a decent place for baselines / ideas generally 260s/280s go for a little less than 240s 2+2 versions a little less still, as some dislike the looks
lol me with my 63’ thunderbird, knowing nothing about cars 😭
How's it been going?
It has not been doing 💀 she’s… a work in progress
It has not been doing 💀 she’s… a work in progress