Hello I'm new to this forum, honestly because I just recently acquired a Datsun Nissan 300ZX Turbo. My father recently passed away and left me this car. It's in near mint condition. I've always wanted it, and now that it's summer time I finally have a chance to take full ownership. There's a problem, I know nothing about cars except how to change a tire, and jump a car.
My father had not driven it in years, I think it's been over 6 years. The battery is not in the car, and it's covered inside a garage. I do not know where the battery is. The car is in Chicago, about 45 miles from my home.

I'd greatly appreciate if this community could help guide, offer advice on what important/necessary things I need to do to get the car back on the road. Is there any information I failed to provide to get started? Please help. Thank you.

 

Best bet would be to flat bed it to a reputable mechanic and get all the fluids changed maybe just checked, but if it was me, I would change all of them. Probably needs new tires, battery, ect.

I would not recommend just starting, get it checked out first!

 

Holy crap....how many miles? Pics please. Sorry to hear about your fathers passing.

Definitely change every type of fluid in the vehicle...and I second the notion of getting it checked out by a reliable mechanic. Your father left you an amazing vehicle...

 

change all fluids, new battery, might want to check wiring for rodents

 

Some people are lucky. The following are a few "no-brainer" tips:

Contact Nissan dealership or Auto Parts Store to obtain the battery size and get a service manual for the year of this 300ZXtt or see if a service manual is available from the twinturbo.net or 300zxclub.com web sites. The year of the car should be found on the drivers door or drivers side door sill.

Perform the following BASIC checks of all fluids: oil, water, power steering,transmission fluid, brake fluid,etc. prior to starting the car.
Since it is more than 6 years since the car has been driven and has sat in the garage; most of these fluids should be replaced since they attract water.

Check air in tires/cracks in sidewall of tires and check the wiperblades. You may lilkely have to replace the wiperblades and maybe tires since they have sat for so long.
Do you know whether this Z was correctly serviced for long term storage or not?

Remove any gas form the gas tank. Do not fill with new gas yet.

Connect the new battery however; prior to starting the engine; turn the key to the acc position to see all electrical systems are functioning correctly, but, do not start the car (turn the engine over) yet. Turn on the radio to see if power is being sent to the radio. In the acc position, turn on the header to the hot position without the ac turned on. If the header fan and radio operates, then your in luck (power is being sent to these systems).

Check the engine intake/air filter/throttle bodies for oil residue/water,rust and service/replace as needed. I would suggest not turning over the engine just yet.

Next check the service manual the year of this car for any the section covering vehicle long term storage (if this section exists).

Also, search the web for Twinturbo.net and/or 300ZXclub.com which may help in specific items to check for a 300ZXtt.

These are a few of the BASIC items to check prior to starting the car.

Good Luck!

 

Thank you all for the suggestions! I will definitely perform the basics 35Z, I think I can manage that. As far as finding a reputable mechanic, my father took the car to the same guy every time. I only know of him, never met him. He's also located in Chicago, which is about an hour away. Would you recommend going to him, going to a delearship, or some place closer? I was thinking of taking it to my dad's mechanic for the initial time, and then looking for a new place around my area going forward. Problem would be finding a rep local mechanic. How did you all find your mechanics?

I will find out the exact miles and take pics as soon as I can.

 

Subscribed for pics/further details.

 

The above members have hit the nail on the head. Basic enemies of a stored car are moisture (humidity) and critters. You will have to thoroughly check damage by both, especially to any and all rubber-based materials (tires, wiring, hoses etc.) and to some extent, metal as well.

I would take it to the mechanic your dad used to frequent. If he trusted him, I don't see the need to find someone new. I would suggest calling and explaining the situation to him. He might have a towing rig himself or might know a good local towing company that could bring the car to him at a reasonable rate.

 

Just a note, it appears to be a Z31, not a Z32. T vs TT, single TB, etc.

OP: A good site for info on the Z31: http://z31.com/forum/ , as well as http://88hybrid.com/forum/

Merlyn here at Altered has a nice one:

They're fun little cars, that's for sure.

 

Sorry about your Dad, Congrats on the Car! Pics when you can!