Value of 1976 280z

[M.Hirata]

Hello, I am new to this forum, and am looking into buying a 1976 280z, I am hoping that I could get some educated opinions on how much this car is worth. I had a shop look at it today and there were no major problems. They ran a compression test and the numbers were a bit low but it is because he has turbo pistons, but no turbo. The motor was rebuilt 3k ago along with the transmission. Below there is a link for the ad on craigslist. Thank you very much for your time.

1976 Nissan 280Z (http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/3721947417.html)

[OrangeVirus1]

how low is that "too low" ?

also that thing is damn clean, I'd say around 6k+ for one that clean.

he has it priced right imo.

[M.Hirata]

The guys at the shop were saying its supposed to be around 150-170 for each cylinder. Some ran 145 so thats ok but i think cylinder 4 and 6 ran 125

[OrangeVirus1]

The guys at the shop were saying its supposed to be around 150-170 for each cylinder. Some ran 145 so thats ok but i think cylinder 4 and 6 ran 125

hmm it could be the pistons rings haven't set, if it was really rebuilt. but 3k miles should be more than enough.

either that or after the rebuild it was driven incorrectly and the piston rings are already wasted..

Remember that Cylinder compression can be lower depending on your elevation. My RB20 ran 130's straight across, but it's because I live at 7,000FT ASL, so at sea level it'd be like 150.

but since the numbers aren't near eachother.. it could have problems. 20psi difference is alot.

[M.Hirata]

yea the guys at the shop asked if he had the valves adjusted 500 miles after the rebuild and he seemed not to remember. I live in San Diego so im at sea level. Do you happen to know how much it would cost to get the valves adjusted?

[OrangeVirus1]

yea the guys at the shop asked if he had the valves adjusted 500 miles after the rebuild and he seemed not to remember. I live in San Diego so im at sea level. Do you happen to know how much it would cost to get the valves adjusted?

probably 200-300$.. I doubt it's the valves though. Did he rebuilt the Head too?

[M.Hirata]

yea he had the head resurfaced. not sure if this image will appear or not but its the invoice of the motor rebuild and all that they did.

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=cf9923821f&view=att&th=13df60c4c6f8169f&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=11831d5d0b7161b2_0.1&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P-b1WQi9j5Kmjxx9lgAuDs7&sadet=1365632696820&sads=Se5qWLus3UqvxkT4q_B-xgq5OHs

[OrangeVirus1]

can't see it. Well i'd offer him 6k flat since the compression is shady on it.

could be a valve issue, could be not-properly seated rings,

[M.Hirata]

Thank you very much for you help.

[240jake]

i say go for a 240z, smaller, lighter, sexier!

[gearhead55]

the 240z isn't smaller... they just used different metals in the body panels. The body is exactly the same except for the bumpers.

[Jesus_lopez405]

Yea 20psi is a big difference. Take it to another shop and have them leak down test/ compression test it.

[M.Hirata]

whats a leak down test?

[240boi115]

the 240z isn't smaller... they just used different metals in the body panels. The body is exactly the same except for the bumpers.

depends on the year here...but are you sure? ive seen some 280z's that look waay longer than a 240z... unless they have the 2+2 options like the z32s..

[M.Hirata]

2+2's are a little longer and wider so that might be it

[240boi115]

if you do get one or have one look at what rocky auto does to their Z cars....follow that as a guide and youre set for an epic clean build! hahaha

[racepar1]

whats a leak down test?

Pressurized air is injected into a cylinder when it's at TDC and all the valves are closed. Judging by where, and how much, you can hear the air leaking you can tell where the issue is.

Honestly man, 6K for a 280z is a LOT. For that kind of money you could get yourself a 240z and not have to worry about smog. I wouldn't pay that much. The basic chasis are the same between the 240, 260, and 280z's but they're not all equal IMO. The 240 is MUCH more "classic", a bit lighter, and old enough that smog isn't an issue.

[M.Hirata]

oh gotcha thanks for the info. Yea smog was one of my concerns but the guy had the exhaust and engine done, the car passed smog two weeks ago. Tags are good till April 2014. 6k is a little more than i would like to spend, im thinking 4.5 or 5. in your opinion would that be a fair price?

[gearhead55]

depends on the year here...but are you sure? ive seen some 280z's that look waay longer than a 240z... unless they have the 2+2 options like the z32s..

90.7 inch wheelbase duuude. the 2+2 is a little longer but the one in the ad here is not a 2+2. The bumpers on the 280z are a little bulkier, but the body is the same.

280zx (S130) is completely different.

I would value this one at around 5k, the interior is in good shape and the body is clean.

[M.Hirata]

What do you think would be a good starting offer? would offering him 4.5k be insulting since he is asking for 7k? or is this just a case where he thinks his car is worth more than it really is

[OrangeVirus1]

What do you think would be a good starting offer? would offering him 4.5k be insulting since he is asking for 7k? or is this just a case where he thinks his car is worth more than it really is

tell him you'll give him 4500 because the engine might need another rebuild.

[M.Hirata]

Thank you very much, the paint was done not too long ago but it was done by Macco, i noticed on the rear passenger quarter panel it looked like they didnt prep the car properly and there were "cracks" underneath the paint. (not sure if that makes any sense). The suspension and brakes are also original. With all of that in mind would you still say 4.5 is a fair price?

[racepar1]

Thank you very much, the paint was done not too long ago but it was done by Macco, i noticed on the rear passenger quarter panel it looked like they didnt prep the car properly and there were "cracks" underneath the paint. (not sure if that makes any sense). The suspension and brakes are also original. With all of that in mind would you still say 4.5 is a fair price?

Check the car thoroughly for rust and accident damage. Cracked paint is usually an indication of bondo. $4.5k is a good starting point, especially with the super ugly bumpers and wheels...

[Rich260z]

Not anywhere close to that price. It's a a 280z, not a 240z. Since you are in Cali, there are many more options. Also check out hybridz.org, zcar.com, or classiczcars.com.

[M.Hirata]

Just had the car looked at by a shop and while it was up on the lift i took a good look at it. they said it was rust free except for a spot on the fire wall where some brake fluid leaked onto but it was nothing major. said i could just clean it up and spray some truck bed liner on it for a quick fix. sounds like 4.5k is gnna be the starting point. now would you guys consider 4.5k a good buy for me or just like average like thats what the car is worth.

[M.Hirata]

Not anywhere close to that price. It's a a 280z, not a 240z. Since you are in Cali, there are many more options. Also check out hybridz.org, zcar.com, or classiczcars.com.


anywhere near which price? are you referring to his asking price of 7k?

[Rich260z]

NO I mean your counter offer of 4.5k. I'd try to get it for 4k or less but at that point your are almost spitting in the guys face. There is a fine line between bargaining and insulting.

It has a hideous body kit on it, you can't have "turbo flat top pistons" its one of the other, and he doens't know if he had the valves adjusted.

Rust free is decent, but really what are the plans with this car?

As for the car itself, the 280z were pigs comepared to the 240z and the first batch of 260z. Plus you are in cali and have to deal with smog. I made sure to look for a Z pre 75 so I could avoid that.

[M.Hirata]

anything below 4.5 would probably be taken as an insult haha agree with you there. The guy owns alot of cars but has shops do all the work. his plans for the car were to restore it to show quality. my plans are somewhat similar. it would be my weekend car and small project car kind of deal. when i have money to spend on parts or what not i would do so, but i would take my time with it. kind of something to keep me busy. im just looking for a nice classic car with a small price tag that is in good condition.

[Jesus_lopez405]

NO I mean your counter offer of 4.5k. I'd try to get it for 4k or less but at that point your are almost spitting in the guys face. There is a fine line between bargaining and insulting.

It has a hideous body kit on it, you can't have "turbo flat top pistons" its one of the other, and he doens't know if he had the valves adjusted.

Rust free is decent, but really what are the plans with this car?

As for the car itself, the 280z were pigs comepared to the 240z and the first batch of 260z. Plus you are in cali and have to deal with smog. I made sure to look for a Z pre 75 so I could avoid that.

^^+1

Take some time, don't jump to the first one you see(idk how many you've seen)

[M.Hirata]

I havent seen to many to be honest, or well atleast looked into too many. Most i see around here for a sale are rusted out, dont run, just shells, or have close to 200k miles on them. that goes for 240's 260's and 280's. this is the first one that ive really looked into purchasing because the engine and tranny are rebuilt and the body seems to be free of rust.

[Jsal32]

Here you go:

CLEAN CLASSIC 240Z 1973 (http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3664557802.html)

Get rid of the ugly ass wing, rear bumper and wheels. You could probably get it for $3k.

-----------

72 240z for sale (http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3683472776.html)

Looks really solid and a good starting point and get it for low to mid $2k.

If you're willing to travel a bit and expand your search, lets say 100-200 miles from where you are AND are patient, you can definitely find a deal.

Like others have mentioned try and stick to PRE-'75 Z's.

Good luck!

-Jose

[M.Hirata]

Thanks for the reply. That was a good find. How hard is it to find those interior parts to finish that car off? My friend has a 67 Datsun and interior parts like that are either hard to find or incredibly expensive.

[Rich260z]

This is worth the money if you want to shell out more than 5k. You could easily talk him down based off some of the dings
First Gen 71 240Z Arizona car Rust Free.$6000 - Cars for Sale - HybridZ (http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/112246-first-gen-71-240z-arizona-car-rust-free6000/)

[M.Hirata]

thanks for the replies guys checked out the links and contacted the owners. I talked to the guy selling the 280, the car i was initially looking at, and told him 4.5k, he seemed to take offense to that haha so needless to say i will not be purchasing that vehicle.

[chiboy002]

no offense Mr. Hirata, but it seems as though you aren't very mechanically inclined. With a purchase like this, I would recommend you start out with a simpler, more learning-friendly car and hold off on buying the Datsun.

You'll be paying a lot of shop fees if you run into issues with these cars, which is inevitable given their age.

[M.Hirata]

I'm no master mechanic thats fersure. I've worked on my fair share of cars though and am currently working on 67 Datsun 1600.

[Jsal32]

Z parts are much easier to find if u don't mind aftermarket/reproduction.

1970-1983 Datsun Z and ZX Car Parts > Black Dragon Automotive > Car Parts (http://www.blackdragonauto.com/features/z/ZYearsCovered.htm)

Or

Z Car Parts.com -- Motorsport Auto -- Home (http://www.zcarparts.com/)

To name a few. MSA is also having their annual Z show at the end of this month. Since ur in SoCal I would definitely recommend going. It's somewhere in Orange County.

-Jose

[M.Hirata]

awesome thanks for the links! im sure they will come in handy

[cjack300zx]

Thanks for the reply. That was a good find. How hard is it to find those interior parts to finish that car off? My friend has a 67 Datsun and interior parts like that are either hard to find or incredibly expensive.

Interior parts are not to hard to find because a lot of people are giving up on their projects and parting them out. EBay, Craigslist, Hybridz and Zcar are all good places to look. Keep in mind the 240Z interior plastic panels will not fit with a 280Z for the plastic is thinner on the 240Z.