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Soon to be b210 4dr owner, what should I look out for?


Terminatez

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I'm going to go check out a Datsun b210 tomorrow morning and see if I want to buy it. It's going to be my first time buying an old car, actually my first time buying a car on my own... what should I look out for?

It's an original 1974 Datsun b-210 4 door manual with 105k miles and original paint. $3.5k

 

The owner said that the ignition switch is broken and he will replace it as soon as the new one arrives by mail. This means, when I go check the car out tomorrow I can't turn it on to test drive it. The reason I'm going tomorrow is because I'm going to be working throughout the week and have no time until next weekend. Are there any ways I can somehow hardwire the car to turn on for a test drive? Keep in mind I'm not exactly car savvy so if you can keep the instructions easy enough to follow that would be great.

 

Here's a gallery of all the picture of the car... let me know what you guys think.

http://imgur.com/a/5wNs0

 

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First, welcome to Ratsun Terninatez.

 

Now... that's a nice example of a B-210 . Looks complete under the hood, unmolested, and the body, what can be seen is good.

 

Cars break down into their physical appearance and how well they run. Usually one or the other .... you can over look the body if it runs good or you can over look how it runs if the body is good and solid. Both are unfinished. In some cases you have both a good runner and a solid body..... But, If the ignition isn't working and the car does not run or move under it's own power you are looking at a body only. If it is not in running condition, the brakes, steering, engine (cooling system, charging system, does it re-start?) transmission, clutch, suspension and handling cannot be inspected.

 

The owner can't expect you to pay almost 4K for a non running '74 B-210 and you shouldn't either.  Go back when it is running.

 

 

BTW.... the first 5 speeds available in the B-210 were on the very last few months of the '76 model year. This optional 5 speed had a unique shift pattern with Reverse above First with a dogleg shift up over and up into Second.  Unlike the shift pattern shown in this picture below. Later 210 did have this shift pattern 5 speed and it's (maybe) possible that a much later five speed has been swapped into this car BUT I wouldn't hold my breath. It may just be the shift knob was lost and another thrown on. Again, if the car was a runner you could drive it and find out.

IkmXEIC.jpg

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Please note this is not a stock Radio delete panel and it looks like it is missing the cig. lighter. The radio knob cover looks like it is sitting next to the shifter.

IkmXEIC.jpg

 

As far as hotwiring it....DMike is right it should run for that price, but the switch disconnects from the back by a plug, super easy to bypass. Usually only the part that turns on the starter is what actually dies too, so as long as the lights come on you may be able to short/start the starter.

 

There is a 4 door 1975 (A14 vs A13) in Sacto for 4k that runs/drives. Also the pics don't really show the whole car although I do see a dent on the passenger side door, realize the 1974 has alot of one year only stuff (engine, rearend, trim, etc...) and the 4 door is the rarest model. The doors are only interchangeable with other 4 doors.

 

Be aware there is very commonly a dent on the drivers side fender. The change tray is a rare option though.

 

Also DMike is right, I would be very surprised if it had a 5 speed, especially as that doesn't look like a Datsun knob either.

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Hi thanks for the replies. He's going to fix the ignition switch, the only thing is that he ordered it online and as of today it hasn't arrived in the mail for him to replace... he's also encouraging me to check the car out when he replaces it and that he'll hold onto it until I have time to check the car out. The only problem is as I've stated before, it's my first car... and I was planning on taking my dad with me but by next weekend he will be out of the country for months. Without him, I don't think I'll be able to tell what noises I should and should not be hearing from the transmission, gears, and engine. I'm a newb.

 

I didn't notice the dent on the passenger rear door, I thought they were part of a reflection. I'm going to text him about it and confirm. I will also ask about the transmission , although I don't think it's a 5 speed because he showed me a pic with a different knob on the stick before, I think he just changed it that's all.

 

http://i.imgur.com/QlrRhg3.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/s0IC1vl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KwdJ3Ro.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CMv37TL.jpg

 

The only reason I'm considering hot-wiring the car is to test drive it before he gets the ignition..with my dad... that way when my dad is gone and the ignition switch is installed I can just buy the car without my dad since we'll know whether its good or bad.

 

 

EDIT: Just confirmed that it is a 4 speed transmission, he just changed the knob on the stick :) But I also confirmed that there is indeed a dent on the right side of the vehicle. He said it was just the door. I think I can live with a dent door. :( My uncle owns an auto body collision bus., maybe he can fix it?

 

I'm now questioning the price of the car. In your opinions what would YOU pay for this car and what should I ask?

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Anyway to bypass the locking steering?

 

 

 

Hmm. Again, my first time buying an old car, or any car at all. I plan on using this car as my daily driver to work and school.

I'm skeptical at the price for it considering it's in a decent shape minus the dent. The ignition switch is a minor concern as he's going to replace it and little things like the stick knob, and the stereo don't bother me. The only thing at this current state is the working engine. Lets assume the engine works on this particular car , and the car drives like a 74 b210 should be driving in 2015... would you still say top 2k?

 

Thanks :)

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Turns out I'm going to wait until he changes the ignition. I'd rather keep everything in place and safe, thanks for the tips.

 

I've really grown a big interest for this car and I want to take it, I'm going to try and off him $2800 and see if he settles for it.

Soon I'll be family to ratsun and hope to contribute some more when I own this b210! :)

 

Edit: On a side note, what size rims would fit this vehicle? I've been lurking around the forums and people are saying to just measure the car... but isn't there any stock specification from Nissan what can go in? Any wheel recommendations or photos with b210s and nice wheels I can look at for inspiration? Thnx

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