Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hey all,

This Roadster turned up for sale near me and I just wanted to get your collective opinion on it's value. I haven't looked at it in person yet but the owner says that he had the carbs rebuilt and the car is now running after it had sat for many years. I haven't asked what condition the brakes are in yet. He says the floors are good and that the rust is minor but there are spots of it. Not sure what's going on with the paint on the drivers side.
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/ ... 07334.html

Thanks!

Reading between the lines, description sounds like the seller might think that there is something wrong with it beyond a “tuneup,” and wants to be able to sleep at night after he lets it go. Or...maybe the mechanical problems are just beyond his expertise? The fact that he was able to position it for sale by the road probably means the brakes aren’t locked up. That’s something. On the face of it, $4,500 seems VERY fair to me.

Looks like the seller knows what he is talking about, the second Roadster in the background attests to that. I would think that is a reasonable price if it runs and drives. Since it is a 2000, if the "engine work needed" is a timing chain set, then I think that is factored into the price and it is still a fair price. Rust would be the biggest concern for me since the Midwest is not a kind climate to Japanese tin.

If indeed rust is minimal, than it looks very well priced. Looks like all the chrome and trim pieces are there, even the dash looks crack free, although it may be a cap but doesn’t look so. Paying even several thousand dollars more for a complete running car can save you many thousands of dollars in the long run.

Can't tell without looking in person. They always look better in pictures.
That is not a factory color, but the inside of the door looks to have been painted, so I might have been a good repaint.
I would bet that's why the engine pictures does not show the fenders.

Looks to have been a pale yellow car.

Price looks to be very fair if the rust is not too bad.

Thanks for all the insights guys. I found out from the seller that it was out west before he bought it. So maybe the rust isn't too bad. He also says that the timing chain is good and that the engine pulls strong so he thinks that it is indeed a true 37k miles and not 137k. I'd like to buy it if it's as presented but I have to convince my wife first. She doesn't see the need for another roadster!

Update:

Was going to go look it over last Friday but the owner text me Thursday night telling me to not come because it started making a "clatter" and he was going to have his mechanic look at it.
The mechanic listened to it but it wasn't making the noise anymore so he couldn't troubleshoot it. He speculated that maybe the timing chain tensioner wasn't working when it was making the noise.
The owner just text me that he put 250 miles on it this weekend and it was fine, no clatter.
I'm starting to get a bit worried. Am I right? What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Rutty wrote: ↑Fri Jul 06, 2018 6:32 pm I have to convince my wife first. She doesn't see the need for another roadster!

They rarely do.

Well that info leads to the two following assumptions...
1. Timing chain and, most likely gears and other components, are worn out and need replacement. Looking at around $1,000 to $1,500 for parts and substantial labor.
2. The above, plus that would leave me inclined to believe that the mileage is closer to the 137,000 miles than the 37,000 miles.
3. The seller is getting parinoid and is hearing noises he never paid any attention to and all is fine. Just how lucky are you?

Still if the car is priced at $4,500 than you could do quite a bit of maintenance and still come out ahead!

If the seller thinks he may be in for a big repair bill he might be motivated to drop his price. Use it to your at Vantage!

Got a chance to look at it but the owner wasn't around so I couldn't drive it.
The paint looks rough but I couldn't find any evidence of Bondo and the body rust is minimal. The frame and suspension is quite rusty. Seems to be surface rust though. The numbers all match. It appears to still have the smog equipment. The interior condition is quite nice. I noticed a black plastic looking strip between the valve cover and head. I've never seen a U20 before and don't know what this is. It appeared to be peeling away at one spot and I could see what looked like some silicone sealant around it. Anyone know what this is? Another interesting thing was the hubcaps have a "Datsun" sticker right in the center. My '68 1600 doesn't have those.

Thanks,

That's the valve cover gasket and it needs replacing.

Makes sense that it's the valve cover gasket. Didn't realize it was that thick though!

It's not. It's a U shaped channel.
Keith

That makes more sense!

Thought I'd give an updated.
I ended up adding this roadster to my garage. The biggest difference I notice between the 1600 and this 2000 is obviously the power difference. The 1600 always felt under-powered to me but this 2000 feels just right. I've also realized just how many little pieces my '68 was missing or were modified. This car is more complete and unmolested than my '68.
It has developed a problem however. It started bucking the other day. I talked to the previous owner and he said that he had the same problem when the fuel filter was clogged. So I'm going to replace that tonight and see if it fixes it. Hopefully the fix is that easy!