How much

[Beginner]

I am wanting to know how much a 280z is worth. This particular one is in a pasture, rear hatch is bent and maybe needs replacing (not sure about this), some work on the body where the hatch is bent, and some other minor skin work. However, other than this the body is really straight. The interior is trash. Has original wheels I think. I'm not sure what year it is but has the rectangluar looking vents on the hood. Hope someone can help me out. I would like to know where to start w/$$. I want to be fair about it but don't want to go to far on his side. Thanks TX

[kmack]

I assume the car does not run since you say it's in a pasture. Bad sign number one. A bent hatch is bad sign number two.

Biggest things to look for are rust, rust and more rust. Do a couple searches here and you'll find hundreds of thread describing what to look for and what to avoid.

A couple things mechanical-wise to think about. A good 280Z (good body and mechanically sound) usually runs for somewhere between $2500-4000 here in Texas. (Calm down guys, I said Good, not great)

If this car has been sitting, you can be gauranteed the fuel will be bad, possible rust in the gas tank, fuel lines will be bad, injector lines will be bad, water hoses will be bad, rubber brake lines will need to be replaced, injectors may be sticking or not working, or worst-case, the motor might be frozen.

The wiring may also have problems. Body work is expensive enough, but all the little items you'll need just to get the motor running and the car safe for the street can eat your budget up before you realize it.

I'm not trying to deter you away from this car in anyway. Just keep in mind, you are looking at a vehicle that may need almost a full restoration to be driven safely. That can get expensive.

I would dig into this vehicle more and find out all you can about what it might need, if the owner will allow it.

At this point, and based on your limit description of the vehicle, I wouldn't pay more than just a few hundred dollars for it.

[zhead240]

i've always been told buy the best u can afford.

[Fun_in_my_z]

Look at the car. If its not somthing you would need to use daily or anytime in the near future? If not then do you have the time, patience and know how to do it. Most likely you will have to do a full restoration to evan get it drivable.

If its somthing you can tackle then go for it. If not then their are other Zs around you just have to look in the right places.

It is possible to do. There is this saying-If man built it then man can rebuild it.

Ps. somthing else to check is the brakes. Now on this car i donno how long its been sitting but mines been sitting since 95 (before i got it) and has no brakes at all. Just somthing else for you to look into.

[texasz]

You signed your post as TX. I'm guessing that you may live in Texas. If you let us know where you are (and the car) you may get lucky enough to have someone take a look at it with you to help you determine what's good, bad, and ugly about this car you are interested in.