How much is too much?

[Timtation]

Hey, I know this is probably not a easy question to answer. But I was just wondering what the approx. street value of the Various Datsun Z cars were. I've been pricing a couple ranging from $6000-$8000. I'm looking for a 100% rust free car. the mechanical and electrical issues dont really bother me alot, perferably nothing major, but I can deal with that more so then rust. Also I guess i should add that I'm looking for a car to use as a daily driver, I would prefer 240/260, but have not ruled out the 280z yet since i dont know enough about it. thanks for any help.

[beandip]

This a difficult question to answer, because the value differs greatly depending on where you live. 6 to 8K here on the Left coast will buy a vary nice 240Z . What is clean nice Z to one person is not a good buy to another. 100% rust free car will bring a premium price. Again I have looked at ''rust free'' Zs and found plenty of rust. A Z that has just been painted is a red flag , because so much can be hidden that will show up soon. Gary

[bigoak]

Below is a start. Nada priced as if in NYC. These are the quantitative #'s. Special interest vehicles will be priced higher (low vin 1970's, Zzzzap 280Z's, cars with racing history).

Other than that, a car is worth whatever someone is willing to pay...

[Timtation]

...When i say i want a rust free car i mean the only rust i want to see is on the exhaust. thanks again guys!

One thing about rust, it ain't what you see that gets you in trouble...it's what you don't see.

I went to pick up a rust free 280ZX a couple of years ago on ebay. The car looked really good until I sat in the drivers seat and checked out the rear view mirror. In it I could see the colorful side of a box of of Captian Crunch Serial the owner had used to apply filler to when he cut out the rust in the back. When I asked him about it, he asked me to find any rust on the car-there wasn't any! There were a great number of gaps bridged by cardboard and bog. Be careful what you wish for you just might find it.

Will

[rdefabri]

Take all of this with a grain of salt - understand it's to give an idea, but doesn't mean in practicality it's truth.

Case in point - I'd put my car in the "average" space. Minimal rust, runs ok, no real issues, needs an overhaul but it goes. I have a 1972 240Z.

I put it on eBay not long ago and it barely cracked $3,900. I had it posted here for $5K obo, no inquiries. I live on the East Coast.

As beandip noted, geographic location is a factor. A good car in California is more common than in NJ, so it would stand to reason that in NJ that car would command a premium over what it would in California.

Big Oak's comment is spot on - it's only worth what someone will pay.

[janaka]

I bought my Z just under a year ago and spent $8k USD on it. '76 280Z.

Fully restored, undr carriage spotless, battery tray entact, new interior (dash cap due to crack though). rebuilt motor, upgraded rear end and 5spd. wheels, etc etc. fully done car. daily driver quality if I wasn't in sales and driving 30,000miles a year (or if i wasn't in canada..)

I think I got a helluva deal on it, had it appraised locally at $15,000cdn.

It all depends how much you want done and what you are willing to do yourself. I personally can't do body work or paint so I paid a premium for a car I knew I wouldn't have to do that right off the bat, I can deal with interior/stereo/motor if I want to and thats what I'm happy with.

to each their own.

I am happy as a pig in $^!# with this car and so is my wife. It makes me happy to see it in my garage and even happier when I am out driving. That, to me is quality of life and that is priceless in my eyes.

Buy it to enjoy it, not to hate it for what its not. I refuse to start something on this car that will frustrate me and take away the pleasure of the car itself.

Happy Z'ing

[d240zx2]

Dad-gum good sentiment, janaka!

[mgeschke]

I've got a 280ZX 2x2 1979 that I concider to be in decent shape with only 151,000 miles on it. The first owner was my Mom...who was afraid to drive it and it spent much of it's early years being driven on Sundays and special occasions...and waxed a lot! I've had it for the past 10 years and drive it daily. It's my baby, but she shows some age spots (sun "wear" interior plastics and vinyl) and really needs to be put back into show condition. I keep her insured as a classic car for $9,200. But I'm unsure of the street value.

[Force Fed]

This is a $300 dollar car

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28716

[sblake01]

Or even the $275 car (ten years ago)

http://public.fotki.com/BlakeneyS/1978_datsun_280z/

[AggieZ]

Timtation,

For this test, you should ask the owner if it is ok.

Take a screwdriver and magnet with you. Look under, over, around and inside the car. Remove the carpet. Look for bubbles or fadeds spot in the paint. If the paint is bubbled, push on it with the rounded end of the screw driver enough to flake the paint of the bubble... if the steel gives way as well... you know that spot is rusted through. Where there are faded spots, run the magnet over it.. if the magnet stops gripping.. then you know there is bondo (body filler) there and that spot is no good. Body panels from the winshield forward are cheap and easy to replace in the USA, but I dont know about overseas. As for the shell, check the floorboards first. Expect to find bad rust there. Most 240's will have rusted through there. You can expect to have to replace the floorboards, but it is a good indication of the rust in the rest of the body. Pull the spare tire out and look there.. as well as under the battery. If there is major rust there, you should definetly have major concerns.

That being said, check the condition of the underbody and front end for major structural damage... or maybe I should have made that the first thing I said.

As for getting a 260Z or 280Z, I can only give my opinion. Nothing else rides, sounds, smells, or feels like a 240Z.