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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

^^+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.