DeTomaso Mailing List: February 1997, Message #1
     



From: Mike Shannon <svector@nwinfo.net>

Subject: Re: Welcome DeTomaso Enthusist!

Date: Fri, 31 Jan 1997 23:43:07 -0800



>Anyway, if anybody has a rustfree, reliable, clean driver

>for sale or good advice for a Pantera shopper please don't

>hesitate to send me mail. I hope to be in one by spring.



Before buying, ask the owner if the ZF has ever been serviced, and by who.

Almost all the ZF transaxles eventually lose their 2nd-gear synchros with

even casual driving.  Also, if the car has been sitting for a long while,

chances are good that some of the shaft bearings have rusted due to

condensation inside the housing.  If your ZF does need service, you're

looking at probably $1000 minimum to cover the basics like safety wiring,

bearings and synchros...substantially more if it has really been neglected.

And you should NOT attempt to have some local shop do it.  There are some

very unique and special tools for working on these transaxles that your

average Main Street Garage does not have.  Unless you live in Denver or

Paramount California, you'll need to crate the thing up and ship it off to

have it serviced, so if the owner has kept records, be sure to check what

he's done to the gearbox first.



If you do find a clean car at a reasonable price, do it!  Buying my Pantera

was THE best car buying decision I ever made, and it has become a true

source of joy in my life.  No Pantera purchase is without its frustrations,

but the fun times far outweigh the not-so-fun.  ;^)



Good luck!



Mike