Beauty (and worth) is in the eye of the beholder

[yor5150]

I found a 260Z for $3250. It has less than 80k original miles on it. The guy says he bought it from the original owner who was female. (I only say that because they tend not to be as hard on cars). I looked it over and it looks like a stock 30 year old Z that was reasonably taken care of. It has the original flat top carbs, all smog equipment and working AC. In fact the only non original items I could find were the wheels and the stereo. What little rust there was appeared to be surface rust. I'll post a couple of pics from the advertisement when I get home from work. The tach is intermittent and the clock doesn't work (no surprise there).

I wanted to get some feedback on other members opinions as to the cars worth. I'm having a hard time getting the guy to budge from the asking price of $3,250. He says thats what he paid for it a year ago. On the one hand this is a great shell to start with but on the other hand since it's original and unmolested I thought about flipping it on eBay.

Comments are welcome. Thanks.

[Arne]

You may not like my thoughts, but here they are.

1.) If it is truly non-rusty, I can't see any reason why a straight and mostly unmolested Z of any year isn't worth at least $3250. Price out having rust repair done - I have recently and it's not pretty.

2.) Your interest is to flip it? That intent - by definition - means you think it has more value than the price you can buy it for.

So if the guy won't budge, there you go. Maybe it's not the car for someone who's just trying to make a few bucks. But it sounds like it might be a great car for someone who wants a Z to drive.

[Nota280]

I do not see why $3,250 would not be a fair price for it if it is as you describe.

Arne also makes good points.

[gogriz91]

If you can get it for $3250, do you think it will bring more on EBay if you're trying to get the original owner to come off of his price?

[yor5150]

Thanks for the comments. I believe the car to be worth the asking price.

I should have clarified that right now is not a good time to take on another Z for me for several reasons. I'd pay a price with the girlfriend since we need new carpeting and furniture AND I already have the '73 240Z that is taking a lot of time, money and garage space.

What I've been keeping an eye out for is a good rolling chassis as I have the L24 engine, 5 speed tranny and an R180 diff from my '73. I had planned on spending no more than a grand for the shell. This will be my step-son's first car. It will be a while before he gets his license so we have time to work on it as time and money permit.

If I had the money and the space for the 260 I'd buy and keep it. Since I don't have either I thought it might be an opportunity to make a few bucks to put back into my '73.

[yor5150]

If you can get it for $3250, do you think it will bring more on EBay if you're trying to get the original owner to come off of his price?

If it was a 240 in the same condition than I would be pretty confident that it would bring more than $3,250 on eBay but I don't know if 260's are as sought after. I'm not really trying to get the second owner to come down from his 3250 . The ad did say OBO but he wasn't ready to go with the OBO yet. He wants to use the money have an old Chevy he recently picked up painted.

[yor5150]

You may not like my thoughts, but here they are.

1.) If it is truly non-rusty, I can't see any reason why a straight and mostly unmolested Z of any year isn't worth at least $3250. Price out having rust repair done - I have recently and it's not pretty.

2.) Your interest is to flip it? That intent - by definition - means you think it has more value than the price you can buy it for.

So if the guy won't budge, there you go. Maybe it's not the car for someone who's just trying to make a few bucks. But it sounds like it might be a great car for someone who wants a Z to drive.

I couldn't agree more with it being a great car for someone who wants a Z to drive. It doesn't have a lot of get up and go but could probably be a daily driver as is. If I were to keep it I'd replace the flat tops with dome tops and the 4 speed with a 5 speed since I already have them laying around. The paint is fair and there are a couple of small dings on the passenger door.

[gogriz91]

If it was a 240 in the same condition than I would be pretty confident that it would bring more than $3,250 on eBay but I don't know if 260's are as sought after. I'm not really trying to get the second owner to come down from his 3250 . The ad did say OBO but he wasn't ready to go with the OBO yet. He wants to use the money have an old Chevy he recently picked up painted.

I get the impression a 260 is less sought after unless it is in immaculate condition with different carbs, kinda like what went to the UK for a couple of years.

[yor5150]

I get the impression a 260 is less sought after unless it is in immaculate condition with different carbs, kinda like what went to the UK for a couple of years.

I know I wouldn't drive it for long "as is" before installing carbs from a 72 or earlier with the intention of finding an L28 to go into it as soon as I could scrounge one.

[yor5150]

These are from the ad. I didn't take any of the usual rust areas but I didn't see any major rust.

[Exdamyankee]

That's a nice early 260. I wouldn't feel bad at all about paying $3250 for it. I'd re-carb it, refresh the paint, do new wheels & tires and drive the heck out of that car.

[bigoak]

Agreed. That looks pretty clean. Check doglegs, battery tray and frame rails closely. But if there solid, a very good find.