What is my car worth?

[SportBikeMike]

I'm thinking about selling my car....but I really don't have the slightest idea what its worth.

I'm selling mainly out of frustration. My turbo swap project has been going on for 14 months now.....and its still not fully completed. A small mechanics shop here in town had it for SIX AND ONE HALF MONTHS and didn't finish the job. They managed to get the old engine out and the new one in, but little else. I finally had the car towed home where it sat for a month. Then had a shipped up to a guy in Chicagoland who hooked up the wiring harness and installed an intercooler. But there are still electrical problems. For instance, the engine keeps running even after you pull the key out. Apparently there were some short cuts taken. A mechanic told me its need completedly rewired.

On the plus side, the car is beautiful. I had it professionally painted 905 red back in 2008 and it still looks great. The 280ZX turbo motor is installed and does run, plus it has a 5-speed transmission from a turbo 280ZX. Other new parts include a radiator, starter, alternator, Magnaflow muffler, plus the intercooler. The car has a Tokico suspension and Koenig Rewind wheels and Toyo tires with plenty of tread. The interior is just fair, and does have a few problems, such as the drivers door is difficult to open. The tachometer and gas gauge don't work.

A mechanic has been coming over and working on it, but I really don't see much progress. Meanwhile it just costs me more and more $$$. I really don't want to sell the car, but am tired of dealing with it and just want to cut my losses.

So if anyone could give me a starting point what its worth, that would be greatly appreciated.

Some pics:

[72 OJ]

Don't give up, but if the decision has been made here are my dos centavos....you are selling a semi moded 73 that needs mechanical/electrical work, interior work, a bumpers missing car that might appeal to some, in essence a project in final stages. The pictures show a nice red paint job and set of wheels, sell it as a winter project for around 5 to 6 G's or so.............

Edited December 27, 2012 by 72 OJ

[IdahoKidd]

5 or 6 g? It wouldn't sell for that here running. Couldn't sell mine for a grand. Almost no one wants someone elses project they couldn't finish. It looks like a nice unit. I'd sure give a second thought to getting it fixed. Sounds more like trouble shooting than anything. Run on could be as simple as no gismo (can't think of what it is called -one way switch....)in the wiring at the alternator . Other issues are likely trivial too. You'll hate yourself for ever if you get rid of it. Then again, maybe you've come to the point that it is time.......

[Carl Beck]

I'd say join HybridZ.org if you are not already a member there. First - see if someone there with experience is anywhere near you, or if they can recommend someone that knows what they are doing. Or see if you get some bids for the project from someone that is close to you. BTW - giving only the State that you are in as your "location" really doesn't provide any useful information to anyone that might be willing to help - as they have no idea were you actually are..

FWIW,

Carl B.

[mjr45]

My 2 cents; you won't out of it what you have in it, an unfinished modded car will not bring much cash even from Z car folks. Keep it, finish it up and enjoy it.

[SportBikeMike]

Thanks everyone for their input.

I've slept on it, and now it is more than likely I'll keep the car. I've just put too much into it. I learned the hard way a couple years ago, that you will not get much for an unfinished, modded car when I sold my 280Z.

I live in downstate Illinois (Springfield) which is part of the problem. Nobody works on old imports around here.....not Japanese ones anyway. There's actually a shop here in town that specializes in older imports.....but just German cars. They won't touch my Datsun or my Fiat.

[esmit208]

SPORTBM

I can't add much more than the others have. I would be most concerned that if you are able to get it to be a daily driver how reliable will it be? Or should I say "How problematic will it be?" You said you learned your lesson 2 tears ago but it seems the lesson wasn't thorough enough. Keep the bottom end, try to sell the top end for a carburetted engine and saty away from the forced induction mods. Those engines weren't really designed for forced induction technology of today. It is much more complicated than plug and play. I understand you want it the way that you want it but ask yourself "Is the hassle what I really wanted" My 2 cents

[madkaw]

Mike,

Wish I lived closer, I would be over to learn and help since forced induction is my next step. I am surprised you tackled such a big project knowing you would have to rely so heavily on outside services.

Hybridz is a wealth of info regarding this seemingly easy swap. Maybe it's time to hit the books instead of the wallet. If it's in and running then maybe some tough troubleshooting just needs to be done.

For me it's the learning experience that spurs me on - but knowing there will be set backs.

[Zed Head]

Run on could be as simple as no gismo (can't think of what it is called -one way switch....)in the wiring at the alternator .

Diode. But if they installed the late-model alternator in a 240Z without installing the diode, they may have also installed it without disconnecting the external regulator. Better check the whole charging system.

[SportBikeMike]

SPORTBM

I can't add much more than the others have. I would be most concerned that if you are able to get it to be a daily driver how reliable will it be? Or should I say "How problematic will it be?" You said you learned your lesson 2 tears ago but it seems the lesson wasn't thorough enough. Keep the bottom end, try to sell the top end for a carburetted engine and saty away from the forced induction mods. Those engines weren't really designed for forced induction technology of today. It is much more complicated than plug and play. I understand you want it the way that you want it but ask yourself "Is the hassle what I really wanted" My 2 cents

I wasn't really planning on any further performance mods at this time, aside from the intercooler. No bigger turbo or injectors, etc. (well for now anyway)

Mike,

Wish I lived closer, I would be over to learn and help since forced induction is my next step. I am surprised you tackled such a big project knowing you would have to rely so heavily on outside services.

Hybridz is a wealth of info regarding this seemingly easy swap. Maybe it's time to hit the books instead of the wallet. If it's in and running then maybe some tough troubleshooting just needs to be done.

For me it's the learning experience that spurs me on - but knowing there will be set backs.

Steve, that is exactly my thoughts. I have already hit the Haynes manuals and am trying to figure out this on my own (I think its the ignition switch). This mechanic, that I met just by chance, has been coming over and working on the car, but I'm been paying him the going rate for service.....and its adding up. He talks a good game, but not a whole lot seems to be getting done. Last night he worked for two hours, and I'm not sure exactly what was accomplished.....the car still won't stop running, and the fuel gauge still doesn't work.....yet more $$ out of my pocket. Thats why I was so discouraged and started this thread. Definitely going to try to finish on my own...even if it takes some cursing....

[madkaw]

These cars or projects take a huge investment in -time-more than anything. There is hardly a problem on these cars or other cars that haven't been experienced by someone else and is readily available via google.

Learning how to make it work will make you abtter troubleshooter later and save you big$$$$

I will get off my pulpit-

[IdahoKidd]

Diode.

Thanks Zed Head. Total brainfart and it lasted all dang day..........

I didn't know it needed/had one and it took days of research and frustration before I figured it out.

And for what it's worth Mike, don't ask questions at Hybrid Z, just read and read and read. They tend to get really nasty and condescending if you ask something that was archived 10 years ago. My experience was unfavorable. However, there was a lot of information, but be sure to double check it. Much of it was vague or just plain incorrect. Stay away from "I haven't done it yet but it goes like this......" posts. As far as the fuel gauge, it is likely one of two things. The sending unit is stuck in place, requiring you to pull it out of the tank and clean or replace it, or it isn't grounded well, which had been the case for me several times.

And curious, does it really have the world class 5 speed out of the turbo car? It is major pain to put in and a 5 speed from a non turbo car is a direct replacement.

Don't give up, just find the right people for advice. And I personally would almost NEVER give a walk up mechanic going rate unless I knew his background in a specialty field.