Buying an older car (1988) and wondering about parts

[GReddyV1]

Been looking at a 1988 Nissan Bluebird 2L as my second car once I get my year of NCB and I’m curious about replacement parts?

e.g. I have been looking at replacement springs on multiple car part sites and they all list H&R lowering/sport springs.

Should I bother purchasing the car if I can only replace it with aftermarket stuff or should I try to just get the parts refurbished?

[Xcore]

Owners clubs

[sparks_190e]

I still find most bits are stocked for my 1990 Mercedes at the dealer, cheaper than most other places.

[sparkythecat]

My mate had one about 25 years ago. I seem to remember it being a bit of a thirsty beast.

[Ian Geary]

I was given a Bluebird zx turbo in about 2002. The clutch died and I had neither the cash or the tools (then) to replace it, so ended up being collected by a scrapman

Still annoys me to this day that I didn't try harder to keep it alive.

[LandRoverManiac]

Depends - I would have a look around at some of the places that specialise in Jap parts. You'd mainly be looking at consumables which are easy enough to source (oil, filters, bushes) although if a specific part went ping (suspension being your example) you might have to hunt around. I use Import Car Parts for parts for the Subaru - admittedly not an 'Old' one (2005) but they also stock items for Japanese stuff back to the 70s.

Ebay is quite good for finding odds and ends if you're running an older vehicle - much easier to find European bits than Japanese items but it's still a possible route. It also helps to have some basic spanner skills (again - easier on a older vehicle).

I ran a forty year old Land Rover on an barebones budget until a few years ago - sourcing aftermarket parts, pattern bits and sometimes fishing around on Ebay got me by quite happily. Age of the vehicle doesn't really come into it.