Question on USA cars

[IbanezDan51]

I went to see this car yesterday as it’s very local to me. The purpose was to advice the owners after their father passed away. They know very little about the cars so I spent some time assisting them so they didn’t get ripped off.

The car is IMO a good car to buy. I don’t consider it has any hidden horrors although it’s often hard to tell 100%. Looks generally solid with the usual dogleg starting to bubble through. Hatch slam panel is good but has had a repair to the LHS which was not done that well. Drivers rear arch has been replace and may need further attention. Doors have some rust at the bottoms and some bubbles but way better condition than most. Bonnet look solis with just a dent in the front that’s not major. Tailgate lower lip is good with minor surface rust. Engine bay rails in great condition and no signs of accident damage. Floor has the usual dented area’s but looks very solid suspension all rust free so this car has lived in very dry conditions for its life. Interior is all good and has the common dash cover fitted which was fitted well. Paint is poor and the car is covered in blisters so you won’t get away without a bare metal paint.

They have had an offer of £10k and are looking for offered above this. I still find it very hard to believe that a 280z in need of a full strip and rebuild is worth this but they do seam to be so I think this is very realistically priced. If we forget about the price and just look at whether this is a good base to start your project from then it certainly is. If I was looking at buying another project then I would buy this car. If you are considering it then get in quick as good cars don’t hang around for long.

Good write up John and good to see you helping out the community. I did speak with her and told her I would let Herc34es know about the car.

If they want 15k and you were considering the blue one at 15k then this seems a very fair price.

 

[IbanezDan51]

Someone might pay it but £15k for a 280z with those issues - paint, some rust etc - blimey. Sounds like that blue one (which looked to have better paint!). Johnny, do you agree with their valuation - did you give them that valuation maybe?!

Both cars need paint, the blue one may not be blistered but is hiding some nasty things under its paintwork...And it seems to be getting plenty of interest still at 15k so perhaps this one isnt a bad deal priced at that...

 

[IbanezDan51]

I contacted them today, they say there is a large demand and they want 15K so they are willing to take their time.

IMO this is probably the cheapest way currently into a a useable S30 assuming is starts and drives....and that its registered easily...

 

[jonbills]

Red ones are always worth more.

 

[uk66fastback]

But for just 10k more you could have johnny's white one! I know, budgets and all that ...

 

[Herc34es]

If they want 15k and you were considering the blue one at 15k then this seems a very fair price.

Thanks to be honest the Blue one i wasn't considering it anymore

For some staff to be fixed for this red one any recommended people to fix?

Red ones are always worth more.

To be honest, i do not like red at all...i cyan blue is my fav.

 

[Herc34es]

But for just 10k more you could have johnny's white one! I know, budgets and all that ...

I definitely would, if it was 18K, I would go today. That's the max of my budget sadly. (and if it wasn't RHD :/ I really want to drive in the EU/Greece, not sure how I will deal with RHD, i could adjust )

 

[johnymd]

IMO it’s not worth £15k I told the that it’s what I consider a good car and they would probably get £10k for it. They said someone local had already offered £10k and I advised them to take it. I think they will struggle to get to £15k but who knows. This is certainly a much better buy than the blue car but we all know there’s a good chance additional rust will be found dying the build. I think when their dad bought it he had intended to just flip it and make some money. At £10k he would not be making enough to be worth the effort of importing the car so they may also be considering this. If the prices continue to rise then we could all be looking back and saying just how cheap a £15k project 280z is.

 

[Herc34es]

IMO it’s not worth £15k I told the that it’s what I consider a good car and they would probably get £10k for it. They said someone local had already offered £10k and I advised them to take it. I think they will struggle to get to £15k but who knows. This is certainly a much better buy than the blue car but we all know there’s a good chance additional rust will be found dying the build. I think when their dad bought it he had intended to just flip it and make some money. At £10k he would not be making enough to be worth the effort of importing the car so they may also be considering this. If the prices continue to rise then we could all be looking back and saying just how cheap a £15k project 280z is.

was the car running?

 

[jonbills]

Has that red car got some protector strip or something on the trailing edge of the door @johnymd ?

 

[Mark N]

If the prices continue to rise then we could all be looking back and saying just how cheap a £15k project 280z is.

I think the media coverage from magazine articles, TV and Youtube coverage that S30s have been receiving over the past couple of years have created a lot of interest in them, resulting in the prices we are now seeing compared with a couple of years ago.
The likes of Wheeler Dealers and celebrities like Sung Kang and Chris Forsberg showcasing builds on TV and Youtube will, no doubt, have introduced the S30 to a younger audience.
That coupled with the parts availability and huge aftermarket make them a very attractive restoration prospect.
There can't be many contemporary cars from that period with the parts and aftermarket base in that price range.

 

[johnymd]

I didn’t hear the engine running and the car wasn’t drivable on the road so assume everything will need doing as it’s a project car. Nearly all of the 24 Zed’s I’ve had in the last 4 years have been non runners and none of the drivetrain interests me due to how cheap these things can be sorted in comparison to rust repairs. The only thing I’m interested in is the condition of the shell. Everything else can easily be addressed. The shell is everything.

 

[johnymd]

Yes Jon. They just pull off. I think they were out on for shipping transport.

 

[vipergts]

I think I need to revalue my car for insurance if that’s what a shed oils worth.
Think I’m behind the times

 

[SacCyclone]

This is exactly why I jumped on the orange 75 280Z that i am trying to finish up, the shell and body are absolutely gorgeous compared to most of the other cars in this price point. The fact that it runs and drives and the mechanicals have had a go just makes it that much better.
Interesting read for sure.
Mike

 

[peter_s]

Same here. I couldn't care less if I bought a 240, 260 or a 280, the shell was more important. I'm really happy with the condition of mine

 

[Rob Gaskin]

£40k 280Z

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car...6ICJyb2JlcnQuZ2Fza2luQGJ0aW50ZXJuZXQuY29tIn0=

 

[Robbie J]

Same here. I couldn't care less if I bought a 240, 260 or a 280, the shell was more important. I'm really happy with the condition of mine

It started off that the 240Z was the one to have over time people realize it's the S30 that has the shape we like....

I brought a "cheap" Subaru Impreza once that was a UK spec grey import from Germany, all the dealers were up in arms that grey imports were inferior at the time. When I sold it nobody cared 3 years later as the car was the same and people had got over where the car was purchased from.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

It started off that the 240Z was the one to have over time people realize it's the S30 that has the shape we like....

I brought a "cheap" Subaru Impreza once that was a UK spec grey import from Germany, all the dealers were up in arms that grey imports were inferior at the time. When I sold it nobody cared 3 years later as the car was the same and people had got over where the car was purchased from.

The 240z still is ‘the one to have’.

doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the others though

 

[Rob Gaskin]

S30 ownership has so many options and ways to fulfil the mind. We shouldn't worry about which is 'the one' because they are all different.