Is this 280ZX look good?

[phx280zx]

I'm looking for a 82 or 83 280ZX with t-tops and 5-speed. I came across this car for sale. It seems a little pricey. Any thoughts?

http://www.lakesidemotors.com/1142/1983-Datsun-280-ZX

http://www.lakesidemotors.com/1142/1983-Datsun-280-ZX

Thanks,

Mike

[Pilgrim]

The price is probably due to its being a "restoration" - a very elastic term that can include anything from new paint and seat covers to a true front-to-back resto.

IF it's had a complete restoration (body panels off, glass out repaint, all rust and body details corrected, impeccable drivetrain condition) then it would mean that someone spent a lot more than $15k to get it where it is. In that case (which is the best-case scenario) it would be a great value at $15K (or whatever you could talk them down to.

But why would a Z-car need a complete resto at 77K miles? and is that actual, original mileage? Those questions alone beg for more information.

The only thing to do is inspect it, contact the previous owner for full details, and have an independent shop evaluate it for you. I wouldn't spend the money otherwise.

[sblake01]

Pilgrim, are you bored? The question is two and a half months old and the poster hasn't been here since around the same time.......

[phx280zx]

Thanks for the comments. I may go there to check it out. They have one photo on the web site of the car totally stripped. It looks fantastic to me. Perhaps too good to be true.

[sblake01]

If it's still available nearly three months later, that would be an indication that the price is too high. Regardless of the work they've done, it's just a basic ZX, not a Anniversary edition, a ZXR etc. I've often seen ZX's equally as nice, at least in appearance, for well under $10K.

[FricFrac]

Not sure if you've noticed but 280ZX's aren't a hot ticket item. Granted intrest is starting to pick up on them but with the 240Z they never were in the spotlight. There are plenty of deals out there that go passed up for quite some time. When the market stinks its a great time to track down a good deal. I wouldn't necessarily blow this off as not being a good deal because it hasn't sold. It is, however, quite a bit of money IMHO. I found a nearly mint 280ZX for $2500 but it was one of those unseen gems. Point is there are plenty out there but there is a lot of sifting to do. The general rule with the 280ZX in my experience (and I'm sure there are plenty that don't follow the rule...) is that if the chasis is in excellent shape the drivetrain and the rest of the car follows. Finding one that isn't rotten is the challenge...

[phx280zx]

How about this one?

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1544692748.html

[Pilgrim]

The craigslist one is sold....

(I didn't notice how old the post was, but glad to see the OP back...)

The original one is probably overpriced or it wouldn't still be there. OTOH, the dealer's not going to wholesale it since it wouldn't bring squat on the wholesale market. I'll bet it belongs to one of the staff at that dealership.

The "restoration" part of the dealer listing is what makes it interesting, as a real resto would cost more than they're asking. But WHY it needed a resto is the real question. That car begs for a Carfax search.