Looking for a Z (Now found & Built!)

[Aaron MacQ]

Not a bad idea actually, but if they know where I'm coming from and having spent a few hundred quid getting to it they'll have me on the back foot the second I arrive.
I bought a Rav4 daily a few years back and met the seller at the East Midlands airport. The car was much as described except for a few minor dents and a bit of flakey paint on one corner. I tried to haggle another £100 off, (had agreed £4100 over the phone if as described) so thought he'd still be happy with a nice round number considering it was described as perfect, but he knew he had me over a barrel and wouldn't budge.

If asking a series of questions in advance, do you find sellers clued in enough to answer accurately, even if they feel they're being honest?
I guess asking for photos of key areas would help, but even then, smaller imperfections will never show on a phone camera etc....

I was still intrigued by that Mora Red 2.0 and what could be made of it, but just spoke with the seller who said he'd sold it, for more than he'd offered it to us for, over the phone to someone who'd seen it on this thread...lol. Where's my commission???

Anyway, the hunt continues, although think I'll stick to looking only at facelift 2.8/3.0 models as that's where we want to end up.

 

[mrscalex]

Not a bad idea actually, but if they know where I'm coming from and having spent a few hundred quid getting to it they'll have me on the back foot the second I arrive.
I bought a Rav4 daily a few years back and met the seller at the East Midlands airport. The car was much as described except for a few minor dents and a bit of flakey paint on one corner. I tried to haggle another £100 off, (had agreed £4100 over the phone if as described) so thought he'd still be happy with a nice round number considering it was described as perfect, but he knew he had me over a barrel and wouldn't budge.

If asking a series of questions in advance, do you find sellers clued in enough to answer accurately, even if they feel they're being honest?
I guess asking for photos of key areas would help, but even then, smaller imperfections will never show on a phone camera etc....

I was still intrigued by that Mora Red 2.0 and what could be made of it, but just spoke with the seller who said he'd sold it, for more than he'd offered it to us for, over the phone to someone who'd seen it on this thread...lol. Where's my commission???

I make sure I'm never over a barrel. I'm never desperate enough that I need to buy that car there and then. Z3 or my daily driver. I quite happily walk away how ever far I've come from. There's too many others out there to chase 1 in particular and I can always wait if there isn't.

Most Z3 sellers are not enthusiasts so you have to tease stuff out of them. But even if you don't get the answers to the questions you were expecting you usually learn something about the car and most importantly the seller. If I'm buying a car (or Scalextric which I collect/trade in) then the first 10 minutes at least is usually spent talking to the seller about them and not what they are selling. Apart from being polite you get to learn plenty about how you might be able to negotiate with them that way

Rule number 1 if you are on a Z3 forum and buying a car. Never share it with anyone. If you do and it's a good one expect someone to steal in!

 

[Nodzed]

I make sure I'm never over a barrel. I'm never desperate enough that I need to buy that car there and then. Z3 or my daily driver. I quite happily walk away how ever far I've come from. There's too many others out there to chase 1 in particular and I can always wait if there isn't.

Most Z3 sellers are not enthusiasts so you have to tease stuff out of them. But even if you don't get the answers to the questions you were expecting you usually learn something about the car and most importantly the seller. If I'm buying a car (or Scalextric which I collect/trade in) then the first 10 minutes at least is usually spent talking to the seller about them and not what they are selling. Apart from being polite you get to learn plenty about how you might be able to negotiate with them that way

Rule number 1 if you are on a Z3 forum and buying a car. Never share it with anyone. If you do and it's a good one expect someone to steal in!

No hot tips from you then

 

[Stevo7682]

@Aaron MacQ the great thing about this forum is that if you do find a zed and its miles away most of the time you will find that a member who is near the seller would be more than happy to go and give the initial once over for you before you commit to a journey to view it.

 

[mrscalex]

@Aaron MacQ the great thing about this forum is that if you do find a zed and its miles away most of the time you will find that a member who is near the seller would be more than happy to go and give the initial once over for you before you commit to a journey to view it.

I'm certainly happy to do that in the Swindon or Swansea areas.

 

[Nodzed]

I'm certainly happy to do that in the Swindon or Swansea areas.

Like wise in the Gloucestershire / South Wales area

 

[t-tony]

Or the Zed Shed (Midlands) area!

Tony.

 

[Aaron MacQ]

Rule number 1 if you are on a Z3 forum and buying a car. Never share it with anyone. If you do and it's a good one expect someone to steal in!

Indeed. I'm not disappointed about the Mora one anyway. It was a nice car, but it's wasn't in the condition we want, so would have ended up costing a fortune with paint, and whatever engine/diff enhancements we would have come up with, either engine transplant, or a B28/B30 crank install probably.

Will be much better off with something closer to requirements to begin with.

@Aaron MacQ the great thing about this forum is that if you do find a zed and its miles away most of the time you will find that a member who is near the seller would be more than happy to go and give the initial once over for you before you commit to a journey to view it.

Cheers, good to know. Does seem like a friendly forum. Been involved in a few others over the years and not all come across as helpful.
Likewise @mrscalex & @Nodzed
Cheers.
Oh, and @t-tony .... just in there before i hit send... Thanks.

 

[andyglym]

Likewise. Happy to take a look at any Zeds for you in the West Cumbria region. Not in the UK much but if you see something in my neck of the woods PM me and I'll take a look if I can.

 

[oldcarman]

I make sure I'm never over a barrel. I'm never desperate enough that I need to buy that car there and then. Z3 or my daily driver. I quite happily walk away how ever far I've come from. There's too many others out there to chase 1 in particular and I can always wait if there isn't.

Most Z3 sellers are not enthusiasts so you have to tease stuff out of them. But even if you don't get the answers to the questions you were expecting you usually learn something about the car and most importantly the seller. If I'm buying a car (or Scalextric which I collect/trade in) then the first 10 minutes at least is usually spent talking to the seller about them and not what they are selling. Apart from being polite you get to learn plenty about how you might be able to negotiate with them that way

Rule number 1 if you are on a Z3 forum and buying a car. Never share it with anyone. If you do and it's a good one expect someone to steal in!

I disagree about mentioning where you're going to look at a car! It would be a pretty poor member that would try to beat you to whatever you are looking at!! JMHO JIM

 

[oldcarman]

And I will check out any cars you might be interested in over in Canada , JIM lol

 

[Mint]

Hi @Aaron MacQ, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire.

 

[Aaron MacQ]

Well, thanks again for the warm welcome last week, but today I report good news.

We have found our project!

Today I viewed, drove and purchased a lovely early 2.8 with under 60,000 miles and in a relatively rare colour combo inside and out.

By the looks of it, it's had an easy life, and glad to say we've saved it from potential breaking, but assuming all goes well with the completion of the sale, it's about to get quite a mid-life pampering.
To what extent, I don't know yet. As I said before, it's a car for my dad to enjoy, but we want to enhance where possible as we tidy up any areas needing attention, so watch this space for updates over the next few weeks as we get to know it.

And here she is....

Colour & Reg removed as my dad hasn't actually seen it yet and might be reading.... Let's hope he likes....

Feel free to guess the colour, tho will repost in full colour next week once he's seen it.

 

[DavidM]

I hope your Dad enjoys the car and good luck with the restoration work! Colour - pale green?

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Well, thanks again for the warm welcome last week, but today I report good news.

We have found our project!

Today I viewed, drove and purchased a lovely early 2.8 with under 60,000 miles and in a relatively rare colour combo inside and out.

By the looks of it, it's had an easy life, and glad to say we've saved it from potential breaking, but assuming all goes well with the completion of the sale, it's about to get quite a mid-life pampering.
To what extent, I don't know yet. As I said before, it's a car for my dad to enjoy, but we want to enhance where possible as we tidy up any areas needing attention, so watch this space for updates over the next few weeks as we get to know it.

And here she is....

View attachment 48037

Colour & Reg removed as my dad hasn't actually seen it yet and might be reading.... Let's hope he likes....

Feel free to guess the colour, tho will repost in full colour next week once he's seen it.

Looks like grey to me

Enjoy

 

[Antm72]

If its Rare may be palametto/Fuji Green

 

[Parmst]

It's a nice car and colour

 

[Aaron MacQ]

Did you buy the 2.8 in Armagh?

Flip, you lot are on the ball. Yup, it's the car in Armagh and I see the colours been leaked already. Palamento 2, with a matching extended leather interior. Enjoyed the test drive with the roof down in the snow too.... Lol

 

[Parmst]

I changed my post when i read that you dad didn't know yet. But too late you already saw it.
It's a nice car and I think it will polish up well. If I hadn't just got mine you would have had a race to Armagh!

 

[Aaron MacQ]

I changed my post when i read that you dad didn't know yet. But too late you already saw it.
It's a nice car and I think it will polish up well. If I hadn't just got mine you would have had a race to Armagh!

No problem. I have described the colour to him over the phone, but he hasn't seen it and pics don't really do it justice. It's also filthy, but a very sound car underneath.

I had planned to travel across the water this weekend, but then all this talk of bad weather had me thinking I'd get stranded if the ferry was off or something. Had 3 lined up to view, including an M and had agreed a potential price on one if as described, but this came up for sale whilst I was still looking about and thought it was worth checking out before travelling...