Oppo, is this idea too crazy to work?

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
04/22/2014 at 11:36 • Filed to: None

As some of you know, I sold my Baja Bug on Saturday and I'm already looking for another car to take it's place.

I was browsing Craigslist last night in some southern cities and I ran across !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in Charleston, SC. From the description and pictures, this is my dream/ideal Z. I want the 280 because bigger engine and this one is converted to carbs instead of fuel injection, which is another thing on my list of wants for a Z.

I'll be going to Charleston on May 25th for vacation with my family and, this is a long shot, but if possible I'd love to buy it there and drive it back to STL. I've emailed the seller already requesting more information and pictures of the car and I'm waiting for a response.

I'm thinking that if the rest of the pictures he sends me check out and I'm still interested, I could put a deposit on the car ($500 or $1,000) and have him hold onto it for me? When I get down there in May, I'll obviously check it out in person and then buy it on the spot if the car is what I want. Is this idea too insane to work?

I need your input, Oppo!

DISCUSSION (30)

cazzyodo > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 11:38

Kinja'd!!!

^read into that as you wish

Big Bubba Ray > cazzyodo
04/22/2014 at 11:41

So go for it? haha

mpa-burner2 > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 11:45

I'd say it's a long shot that he'd accept the deposit and hold the car for a month - and you have no guarantee he won't sell it out from under you if someone shows up with the right amount before you get down there.

Big Bubba Ray > mpa-burner2
04/22/2014 at 11:49

Ya I've definitely been thinking about that. I wouldn't be surprised if it was sold already even though it was just posted four days ago. If he held onto it, I'd gladly pay him full price for it. I know most people would low ball him or even try to get $100 off the asking price but I'd shell it all out for that car in a heartbeat.

cazzyodo > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 11:50

It's gorgeous. I recently got to drive a 280Z (but not this beautiful) and I loved it. Obviously find out more but if you move on it be aware of my envy.

mpa-burner2 > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 11:53

It's definitely a great looking car. Hope it all works out for ya!

Big Bubba Ray > cazzyodo
04/22/2014 at 11:54

Haha I'd be one lucky son of a bitch if this worked out.

Hopefully the owner will send me some more pictures and info soon (if it hasn't been sold already) and I can find out everything about before seeing it.

CalzoneGolem > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 11:54

The guy not responding is a sign of it being sold already.

Big Bubba Ray > CalzoneGolem
04/22/2014 at 11:55

Its possible, but I emailed him last night around midnight, central time, so I'm hopeful that he's just taking his time to get back to me.

CalzoneGolem > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 11:58

Fair enough. Not everyone has a smartphone and 24/7 to email.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 12:03

No. And by no I mean yes. Looks fantastic.

Hopefully no other Opponaut swoops in and steals her from you!

Big Bubba Ray > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 12:05

Haha it's definitely a long shot, but I'm going to do everything I can!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 12:08

Sounds like he's got other stuff going on, so he might be game for a deposit and near-guaranteed sale in a month with no other effort on his part.

Maybe find a local shop to do a pre-purchase inspection for you in the meantime?

Big Bubba Ray > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/22/2014 at 12:12

Ya I'm hoping that if I offer a deposit of $1,000 or so and to pay full price upon purchase (which I'd gladly do for a car like that) he might hold on to it for me in the mean time. Assuming it hasn't been sold already haha

And I've already started looking into shops to get it looked at. I'm wondering if there are any Charleston Opponauts who could recommend a good shop for a car like this. Even if I can't get it checked out before I go down there, I'll be around for a week which gives me more than enough time to bring it somewhere myself and have it looked over.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 12:19

Best of luck!

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 13:00

Nice price. But it ASAP.

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/22/2014 at 13:01

Gonna see what I can do! Hopefully the guy will accept a deposit and hold onto it, assuming it hasn't been sold yet haha

cazzyodo > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 13:06

It's a sweet find...I imagine he is aware it's a hot commodity (nostalgia bomb) as well so there should be some action. Good luck!

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 13:08

Best of luck

Brian Silvestro > Big Bubba Ray
04/25/2014 at 19:19

Kinja'd!!!

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Big Bubba Ray
04/25/2014 at 19:24

It blows my mind how much cheaper a 280z is to a comparable 240/60. What a steal, dude. Looks great.

Big Bubba Ray > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
04/25/2014 at 19:26

Ya it really is unbelievable. I honestly prefer the 280 so that's a plus haha

Slave2anMG > Big Bubba Ray
04/25/2014 at 19:30

I'm gonna be Debbie Downer. That car's not 'restored'...it's heavily modified. What's with the carb? The '76 was fuel injected. Bumpers? If I were you I'd be looking REALLY hard at the rockers and wheelwells for rust...

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Big Bubba Ray
04/25/2014 at 19:36

Kickass :) good luck man. I'm sort of hoping this doesn't happen with the £1400 XJS V12 that's for sale in London. If it does. I might find myself much poorer quite soon.

Big Bubba Ray > Slave2anMG
04/25/2014 at 19:40

Don't worry your not a downer! I posted it to get feedback so I expect good and bad haha

I assume he converted it from FI to a carb. I've been looking around a Datsuns a lot and it seems like a popular thing to do for some reason.

I personally like the look of no numbers. When (if) I pick up a 280, the bumper removal will the be the first thing I do to it.

I also asked for a bunch of pictures of typical rust spots that develop on Z's so hopefully he will document it all so I can see if it's as rust free as he says.

Your boy, BJR > Big Bubba Ray
04/25/2014 at 19:42

Get the UD yet?

Slave2anMG > Big Bubba Ray
04/25/2014 at 19:48

I had a '77...there's a couple of seams in the rockers under the doors...mine first showed rust there and it spread forward...hope it works out for you. I'd love to have another one.

Big Bubba Ray > Slave2anMG
04/25/2014 at 19:55

I'll definitely try to get info about the seams. Thanks!

Anything else in particular I should look out for?

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Big Bubba Ray
05/09/2014 at 16:31

HEY! UPDATE! What's happened?

Big Bubba Ray > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
05/09/2014 at 17:57

I think it's a no go as of now which is a huge bummer. Thought I struck gold. The car is still posted on CL but the owner will not respond to any emails. He responded to my first when I asked if the car was still available but hasn't since then.

I'm holding out a tiny bit of hope cause I'll be in Charleston at the end of this month. If by some miracle it's still available and he answers emails, it will be mine!