aaronis31337

Guys,

See my post on the forums below... here is my story..

I just bought a 1978 280z. It's totally pristine with 1 owner, rare black pearl paint and racing package (racing mirrors, etc.)

I paid 7500$. It runs really well. I bought this not as a toy or a daily driver, but rather as an investment with the belief that in 10 years these will be even more rare -- especially in stock form. I was hoping to at least double by money. This was pure speculation of course.

So, I found that the DMZ (dicks) charge sales tax even between two non-businesses transactions. So that's 670$ gone.

Future registration will be $$, then insurance for only like $250/yr if I don't really drive it.

This takes a lot out of the investment of the car. Did I make a mistake here? Should I try to sell it as soon as I can to get my money back? Should I just start driving it?

I value your opinion. Tell me what you think.

Steve260Z74

Unless it's documented low miles, IMHO, it wasn't worth it as a monetary investment. Z cars tend to be more for loving and driving.

NismoPick

Don't ask a question that you won't like the answer.

A 240Z is much more valuable than a 280Z, and can be found selling for $1k-$5k fairly often. In 10 years, depending on a whole lot of things, your 280Z might be worth $10k, it might be worth $5k, or if we run out of oil, it won't be worth anything. Remember, a car is only "worth" what someone will pay for it.

Ever seen the History Channel's "Fast N Loud" ? If you want to invest your money in the automotive industry, fix-and-flip cars (CARS THAT WILL MAKE YOU MONEY). I spend 2-3hrs every day on my local classifieds looking for smokin deals, then jump on them. A few months ago I bought a 1994 BMW 318i for $1000. Drove it for a week and sold it for $1500. Also swapped wheels and sold it's 18" wheels for $200 more.

As Steve said, Z's aren't much of an investment car...

aaronis31337

Fair enough. Can you explain the HUGE variance in the price of these cars? I've seen rusted crappy ones for $2500, and some pristine ones for up to 19k or more.

I like the idea of just driving it though

NismoPick

This is the main reason...

The asking price doesn't mean anything. People tend to think what they own (whether it's a Z car, Porsche, Kia, or their morning crap from the toilet) is worth a lot, because it's "special" to them. And when someone who has done their research comes along and offers a realistic price, they get offended.

This guy ( Datsun 260Z Alpha 1 GTO ) has been trying to sell his 260Z kit car for about 3 years now for $39k. He reposts this add EVERY week. Maybe one day he'll find a sucker.

Just do your research before buying a car.

Steve260Z74

There are more conversations on Z car value at Classic Zcar Club - The Front Page. I picked up my first Z for $1800 and added its stablemate fifteen years later for $2500. Both needed some servicing to make them reliable. Neither are show winners...well, the 73 did get a 3rd place trophy at a show with 4 S30s. You should have seen the rustbucket that came in 4th.
As I said before, typically Z cars aren't investment cars.

aaronis31337

So did I pay way too much? The local Z car club pres priced it at $9k -- but that might be BS. Who knows?

NismoPick

You paid way too much for a 280Z... but there's no fine line on how much the Black Pearl is worth (maybe search for other people who have bought a Black Pearl?). It's not special, other than low production #'s (apparently no one knows the official #?):

280Z Black Pearl Edition

Also, the only way it would be worth more as a Black Pearl than any other 280Z is if you have all the orig paperwork to prove it, and the car has never been touched. Is that your case?

aaronis31337

g-d dammit! OHHHH.. I HATE buyers remorse.
Oh well, just so I don't tell the wife.

So, what is the cost of a pristine California car 280z?

NismoPick

So did you or did you not get any Black Pearl paperwork with it?

Dude... we just went over that....

There is NO absolute dollar value... it depends on the year, features, mileage, REAL condition, etc. And how much you are willing to pay, and how much the seller is willing to take.

Was this BP 280Z the first car you've ever bought???

aaronis31337

This was the first used car I've ever bought.

Looking at ebay, I think it's pretty much on the mark for other cars that have sold around the 7-8K mark.

You're right though, what people want and what it's worth are two very different things. For instance, there are several "buy it now" postings for 15K. I think I'm just going to enjoy driving it.

On that note, can someone give me the part number of the heater vacuum hose that runs from the left-hand side of the engine to the assembly on the right-hand side? Mine is all corroded and I understand this is a common problem. The heater won't work without it.

Steve260Z74

Go to CarPartsManual.com - Online Parts Catalogs for Classic Cars. You can find the part number there. After that, you could go to Nissan Parts, NISMO and Nissan Accessories - Courtesyparts.com or NissanParts.cc - Your #1 Source for OEM Parts and Accessories to order.

afbrian13

Having owned my 280 for 9 years and been around them my whole life-just drive it! So maybe you paid a little high, but it sounds like a REALLY nice car. Mine is a rolling project. Yours is a complete, done, classic sports car. Unless it has super low miles or something you want to drive the car. Nothing hurts mechanical things like sitting around. Believe it or not, if you parked it for 10 years you'd have to replace tons of parts to go drive it.
Everybody always hypes the 240's, but even though a 280 is a bit heavier, I like it better. They are more comfortable, the weight is in safety and chassis strength, and their fuel injected. Carbs are a PITA! My 76 starts 30deg or 105 every time. The carbed bike is another story....

toss up some pics. the car will grow on you as you drive too.

congrats on a fun toy.

Lesnocker

I'll sell ya my wife's 88 corvette for 14000.00 it even has working a/c so that makes it super rare. Sorry man always talk to the experts before buying. I had a guy offer me 10k for it but I'm not a dick its only worth 4400 in pristine shape. Enjoy the car.

theatriks

Don't mean to pull up such an old thread but hagerty collector car insurance has a nice car valuation tool based on what they think cars are worth ..seeing how they insure a decent number of collector cars I would tend to trust them over anything ...go to the website they value cars in 4 different conditions ...and it will give you an idea if what your cars worth .....they go on to say that the early z cars are entry level collector cars hinting they will go up in value .