Newbie in Seattle - no roadster yet (soon!)

[jfunkdelicious]

Greetings!

Yep, it's true... I'm a newbie in Seattle with no roadster yet. I've been in love with the 1600 / 2000s ever since I was waiting tables at "The Keg" restaurant in Kirkland, WA (LONG time ago). A gentleman that I worked with had a '67 that he fully restored not to mention souped it up so he could autocross it. He gave me a ride and I think I still have that same smile on my face to this day. Since then I've always wanted one and now that there's actually sunshine here in the Seattle area (Summers are great here!) I thought it was about time I break down and get one.

So I've stumbled across this Datsun community (311s.org) and I can't tell you how much I'm impressed with this crew of people in this Datsun community. I've been reading posts after posts gathering way more information than I ever thought. In fact, it's because of all of you that I've swayed myself away from a couple potential roadster headaches.

I'm currently shopping for Roadsters right now and looking forward to joining the crew here at 311.org as well as hopefully meeting a few of you folks not to mention seeing your rides.

Thanks now and in advance for all the valuable info I've learned here - your guys are great! I'll keep you folks posted on how my shopping goes - hopefully I'll find that gem sooner than later.

Cheers,

Jesse

[ppeters914]

Hi Jesse and welcome to the Looney Bin. Don't know of any roadsters in the Puget Sound for sale right now (I'd avoid that '68 in Auburn), so you may need to stretch a bit farther.

If you want a roadster fix, there's "usually" (no promises) a number of non-NWDE (Northwest Datsun Enthusiats) roadsters that show up for the July and/or August monthly NWDE meeting in Bellevue. Time, place & map on website at http://www.nwde.org

[nking79]

There is a great writeup on this website about buying Datsun Roadsters and what to look for. I got into this by working with Datsuns that were not running - and since my initial purchase in 2004 I have not driven my car more than 4 feet. Find a car in good running order that you can drive home right away!

[S Allen]

Welcome to the fray. Unless you have a lot of time and a lot more money-spend the extra dollars on a turn key car that you can drive right away. These cars are not hard to work on but parts are not cheap. Buy one you can drive and then you can buy that project after you have driven your runner for awhile. Good luck on your hunt. Oh yeah, did we mention it is hard to stop at just one?

Steve

[ppeters914]

Well, Nathan, I bought my '66 in 2004, too, and have driven it only 50 miles (maybe) before discovering the entire front brake system was toast in early 2006. Been on jackstands ever since waiting for job stability so there's room in the budget for roadster parts. That said, I think you're closer to being on the road than me.

Yes, Jesse, learn from us. Buy as much car and as little project as you can afford. I passed on a mostly complete '66 for $4000 and bought my '66 for $2500. I'm approaching $4000 and it still isn't drivable!

[jfunkdelicious]

Thanks for the warm welcome as well as the additional advice! I'll check out that buyers guide posting that was mentioned as well.

So I suppose I'll step my price range a little bit. I was targeting around 4K - 5K but maybe I can get a decent roadster for 6K or 7K. 7K would be my top budget... well, unless you folks know someone with an SR20DE(T) swapped in thats clean and complete that's for sale.

I did see this little beauty on craigslist (austin) -

http://austin.craigslist.org/car/367953078.html

I sent him an email asking if it was still forsale and he sent me the following email:

Yes - it is still for sale. I've owned the car about 14 years - I did very little driving. It has sat all that time in my garage as a project car. Paint quality is good - a few small dings and scratches. It has new Pirelli tires and custom wheels (I never got around to installing the wheels). There was some rust requiring me to replace a panel in the engine area. The windshield has some chips and needs to be replaced. The convertible top is missing - I have the frame for the top but two of the latches are missing. The front suspension may need work - I haven't done anything in that area. The steering gearbox leaks oil - needs new seals.

Sure does look pretty though. I think I'll keep looking.

Thanks again everyone!

Jesse

[Dave]

I've been in love with the 1600 / 2000s ever since I was waiting tables at "The Keg" restaurant in Kirkland, WA (LONG time ago).

Ha ha ha! I ate at that restaurant at least a dozen times. Small world it is.