I'm in uncharted waters

[Plumcrazy]

Greetings Z folks,

I'm new to the forum and new to the Z worldl. I am in the market for a project car and have been looking at a 1975 280Z. All my past restorations have been either American muscle, or British. I have no idea about the value of the 280Z. The 1975 has been parked and covered for many years. Engine is not running. Rust is mainly surface panels (I live in Georgia and salt on the roads is not an issue with rust on the frame) and the interior is well worn. It appears that all the parts are present. The owner wants $1200. My initial thinking was $600. As I said, I am new to the Z car world and have no idea what the true value would be in this condition. My other cars are insured through one of those classic car companies, thus I was trying to get an idea on their price guide. However, they only go down to category 4 which in their opinion is a daily driver with faded paint, "slight" dings or dents and worn interior. In this condition they said the car is worth about $3000. I don't wish to offend the seller with a ridiculously low ball offer, nor do I wish to offend myself by over paying. You folks are the experts on these cars, so any help would be greatly appreciated

Plum

[Zed Head]

Post up the ad, maybe someone here will think it's worth $1200. We can start a bidding battle. If that thought makes you nervous, then it's worth $1200.

[SteveJ]

Offer what you feel like paying. If he's offended, it's his problem. It's not like he HAS to take your offer. Frankly, I think this ad would be a better starting point: 1973 Datsun 240Z

Avoid the blue on blue 71. It looks like a turd and is being sold by a flipper.

[SteveJ]

Here's another (1974 Datsun 260Z), though $2500 for "ran when parked" is pretty steep to me. I paid $2500 for the car in my avatar in 2008.

[Darrel]

ball is in your court. Make your offer, he will either accept, decline or give you another number.

[ktm]

What is your end goal? A car you would like to enjoy resale be damned, a car you would like to enjoy for a while and then sell, or a car you are looking at building just to sell (I know that many projects are that way - they owner just likes the build process)?

If it's either of the last two, I would not look at 280z's as they do not have the same resale value as a 240z regardless what a 280z owner may think. The classic car market is not logical that way. I will add this caveat though: if you extensively modify it, all bets are off. In that case I would start with whatever vehicle offers the best value and has the best body.

[FastWoman]

Well, you could always take the time-honored approach of asking, "What's the least you would take for this car?" Or, "How firm are you on that price? It seems a bit high for a car that's not running."

Oh, and... errhem!... about the 280 not being as valuable as a 240 thing... OK, it's true. But it's not dramatically true. A 280 can be valuable too. However, unless you're a flipper or a collector, that doesn't really matter. If you're buying the car to enjoy, buy the car you like.

I suppose if you're buying a $1000 240 vs. a $1000 280, you might get more for your restoration dollar when you sell the 240, assuming it's kept 100% stock, is a low number, has matching S/N engine, etc. However, if you start with a running car that's in halfway decent shape (which I would recommend), you will get into the 280 for less money and get out of it with less money. And you will have cheaper fun with less at risk -- and quite likely a car that's nicer to drive, depending on what you want from the car. All I'm saying is that there's no "wrong" choice, despite what some 240 owners might think.

Edited April 9, 2014 by FastWoman

[bartsscooterservice]

Offer what you feel like paying. If he's offended, it's his problem. It's not like he HAS to take your offer. Frankly, I think this ad would be a better starting point: 1973 Datsun 240Z

Avoid the blue on blue 71. It looks like a turd and is being sold by a flipper.

That 73 looks pretty solid

[mjr45]

The 73 would be my first choice, if its all original with no mods. I paid $2500 for my 75 3 years ago and it was running and not in a truly bad state of repair. Off er what you think its worth and the worse that can happen is he says no. Some pics would help.

[Plumcrazy]

A big thanks to all for the advice. My goal is restore and drive the car. I usually don't sell what I restore until another kid needs to go to college. Some of the cars you all posted here are one's I have not seen before. I guess I forgot to add the reason for the angst in the 75 Z is that I work with the person. Always hesitant to mix buying cars with co-workers (or family). Anyway, from what I gather from the responses, is that a solid running car with average body and interior should be in the $2500 - $3500 range. Non running and rough is pretty much what the seller thinks its worth and what the buyer is willing to pay. In other words, common sense. Any other ideas or cars you know of, feel free to kick it in my direction.

Plum

[siteunseen]

Have you tried this Craigslist search engine, SearchTempest Online Classifieds Search - All the Classifieds. One Search..

[Plumcrazy]

Never tried that site, but I am impressed with it now! Thanks for the info. Ill search a bit on that.