Buying a 240/260Z

SeanDezart

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Kenneth Bon said:
Thanks. The gold one you linked to, is that a late '74 with the blinks above the bumpers?

Did the 260Z come with a 5 speed gearbox outside the US at all? Wikipedia isn't much help at this point.

If you have any good websites explaining the different model years and US/EU/World differencies, I'll also appreciate this :)

The 74.5 model were in Denmark (for some reason I don't know) fined with additional 50% in registration fee upon the normal registration fee in Denmark (which is around 100%.....), so that model would be very expensive for me to register in Denmark.

From 1975 the 50% 'fine' were removed again.
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No, it is a USA model which never had 'above-bumper' indicators but the underneath ones at each corner AND repeaters on the rear wings.

'Nearly' all Zs outside of the USA came with 5 speed boxes (JDM S30S excepted I believe but there are others more gifted than I who can confirm that).

Do the same registration fines still apply today for classic cars ?

There are sites already - you need to do some winter homework but here is a good place to stay informed with a wealth of knowledge and experience in world Z tech specs.
 
K

Kenneth Bon

Well-Known Forum User
SeanDezart said:
No, it is a USA model which never had 'above-bumper' indicators but the underneath ones at each corner AND repeaters on the rear wings.

'Nearly' all Zs outside of the USA came with 5 speed boxes (JDM S30S excepted I believe but there are others more gifted than I who can confirm that).

Do the same registration fines still apply today for classic cars ?
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So this particular car is a 1974 (and not 1974.5) US model? Guess I would have to look for a later model (US cars were only the 1974 year as I can read).

The sites already there, do any of you have some links to where I can learn the different model differences?

There are sites already - you need to do some winter homework but here is a good place to stay informed with a wealth of knowledge and experience in world Z tech specs.
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Do you mean zclub.net or should there have been a link to a site? :)

Reg. registration fee, the rules are somewhat tricky. On cars older than 35 years, you pay a registration fee based on 40% of the new price in Denmark at the time it was sold.

From those 40% you'll then calculated 105% of the price as registration fee.

So if the car cost 100.000 DKK in 1974, you'll have to pay a registration fee of (1,05*40.000) = 42.000 DKK to have the car on plates (besides what you already paid for the car). Worlds most expensive car country, that's us.....
 
SeanDezart

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
USA :

260Z = 1974 only (some were imported in late '73, some must have been registered in early '75...probably)
280Z = 1975-78

Europe :

260Z = 1974-1978

Yes, I meant here - any other sites that you'll find in English will be 99% USA directed and +/- ignorant of what happend in Europe and certaily other LHD countries.

The biggest and most informative Euro site is ours in France.

So what was the price of a 260Z 2+2 in Denmark back in, say, 1975 ?

And how does that registration-fee rule apply to cars never officially imported eg a 280Z 2+2 ?
 
K

Kenneth Bon

Well-Known Forum User
Yes, I meant here - any other sites that you'll find in English will be 99% USA directed and +/- ignorant of what happend in Europe and certaily other LHD countries.
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Thanks again. I've browsed the web and as you say - almost all pages only talk of the US market.

Do you know if this book also covers the non-US models:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Datsun-240Z...F8&qid=1440678082&sr=8-2&keywords=datsun+260z

The biggest and most informative Euro site is ours in France.
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Unfortunately I don't read French :(

I've browsed many sites, and it seems the 260 and especially 260 2+2 is somewhat less attractive to own and keep than the 240 when it comes to terms of not losing too much money in the owner period/reselling, is that correct?

So what was the price of a 260Z 2+2 in Denmark back in, say, 1975 ?

And how does that registration-fee rule apply to cars never officially imported eg a 280Z 2+2 ?
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I should correct myself in regards to the Danish model: The registration fee you'll have to pay is calculated from the price of the car in Denmark sold from new BEFORE registration tax. But from may 74 - december 74 this special reg. fee was added and that somehow makes it difficult to calculate sales prices ex registration fee.

A 1975 260Z 2+2 cost around 105.000 DKK including registration fee. This gives a price before registration fee of approx. 44.100 DKK. 40% of this is 17.640 DKK. 105% of 17.640 is 18.522 DKK, which is the amount you would have to pay in registration fee for this particular car.

That equals around 2.500 euros. In addition, a 'fuel fee' (because the car has a 'bad' fuel consumption) of around 540 euros would also be added to the registration fee.

So 3.000 euros before you can drive e.g. a 260Z 2+2 1975 UK imported car in Denmark.

Compared to a price of maybe 18.000 euros for the car itself, that's quite a lot to add - and the amount only increases on newer models, as the sales price from new rose every year.

If a car was never officially imported, it's a black-box what the TAX dept. will decide. Often cases are being dragged in court and battled out for years to reach a fair price.
 
SeanDezart

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Kenneth Bon said:
I've browsed many sites, and it seems the 260 and especially 260 2+2 is somewhat less attractive to own and keep than the 240 when it comes to terms of not losing too much money in the owner period/reselling, is that correct?

So 3.000 euros before you can drive e.g. a 260Z 2+2 1975 UK imported car in Denmark.

If a car was never officially imported, it's a black-box what the TAX dept. will decide. Often cases are being dragged in court and battled out for years to reach a fair price.
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So the 280Z is probably not a good idea and you have to add +/-€3k to any purchase and transport price AND import duties if you import from outside of the EEC....getting expensive !

For the 2 seaters, it's not a case of losing less but of a higher resale value in time but those cars will cost you more in the first place.....and anyway, I thought you specifically wanted a 2+2 ?

If you're gonna move the goal-posts, the subject and values is wide open and too vague to tie down properly here - you'll need to go away and think through and determine exactly what you want.
 
K

Kenneth Bon

Well-Known Forum User
SeanDezart said:
For the 2 seaters, it's not a case of losing less but of a higher resale value in time but those cars will cost you more in the first place.....and anyway, I thought you specifically wanted a 2+2 ?

If you're gonna move the goal-posts, the subject and values is wide open and too vague to tie down properly here - you'll need to go away and think through and determine exactly what you want.
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So in your eyes, the 2+2 will never be a very attractive buy?
I do want a 2+2, but if the right car comes as a 2-seater, I'll also accept that. The gold one doesn't have mounting points for 3-point-seat belts which mean my son wouldn't be able to drive with us anyway - and then I could as well get a 240/260 2-seater.

So it is all a matter of finding the car in the right condition.
 
K

Kenneth Bon

Well-Known Forum User
SeanDezart said:
I never said that !:) One buys what ones wants/needs, budget allows and enjoys !

So start scouring the internet ads - homework !;)
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Yes - but planning on buying that book first to gain som real knowledge. Did the same before I bought my Porsche back then.

But how expensive it is doesn't matter as long as it matches the condition of the car, and I would prefer something that was also a better investment than my current Mini (which shouldn't be too hard to find :rofl::rofl:)
 
SeanDezart

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Kenneth Bon said:
Yes - but planning on buying that book first to gain som real knowledge. Did the same before I bought my Porsche back then.

But how expensive it is doesn't matter as long as it matches the condition of the car, and I would prefer something that was also a better investment than my current Mini (which shouldn't be too hard to find :rofl::rofl:)
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I have all the books (in English and French) but most are road tests or recent 'copies' of - you have to select the info and discard a lot of dross and buying a 1970 and '71 and '73 USA Z is all different and the euro version yet again - one can't simply say '240Z' !

Minis sell well - depends upon the age (condition accepted as being very good).

Ultimately, if you want a 'reasonable' investment, buy a 2 seater and the only way to be really 'safe' is to buy a 240Z.

I do feel that some down-value their cars today - the further the car moves away from a classic look, the less likely it is to hold it's value but that's just IMHO.
 
K

Kenneth Bon

Well-Known Forum User
SeanDezart said:
I have all the books (in English and French) but most are road tests or recent 'copies' of - you have to select the info and discard a lot of dross and buying a 1970 and '71 and '73 USA Z is all different and the euro version yet again - one can't simply say '240Z' !

Minis sell well - depends upon the age (condition accepted as being very good).

Ultimately, if you want a 'reasonable' investment, buy a 2 seater and the only way to be really 'safe' is to buy a 240Z.

I do feel that some down-value their cars today - the further the car moves away from a classic look, the less likely it is to hold it's value but that's just IMHO.
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I know. It's a jungle - also because it's hard to acquire all the information and differences between the models. I would prefer EU models. US and all the pollution adjustments simply don't do any good to any sports car.

Minis doesn't go up in value (but they require A LOT of maintenance :). Mine isn't original. For those money an original Cooper S cost, I could get a 240Z in stead.

Some experts in Denmark claim the 260Z would also rise in value (but from 280 it's over), just as they claim the Porsche 944 would take a pop although it's far from the iconic 911-design.

And I totally agree with you. I need the original setup - nothing tuned, styled etc.
 
A

andrew muir

Club Member
I think you have moved away from your original goal!
You mentioned your son would travel in rear.
I was in your exact situation 6 years ago. I have never regretted my descision to go with a 2+2 as I needed it for my family.
I have recently come back from a european trip which would not have been possible in a 2 seater for obvious reasons.

Yes the 2 seater will gain in value better and is prettier but the 2+2 is more practical, more comfortable, and handles really well.
It depends on what you want the car for, is it enjoy with your family or an investment vehicle.:rofl:
I don't think any of the cars if in good condidtion will lose money?
The 240z is held as the holy grail, but it has a weaker chassis and its interior is not as nice.
The 260z has an unjustly bad reputation due to the shitty American examples which were down on power due to emissions, ugly large bumpers etc. A well sorted european spec 260z in my opinion is the best practicle everyday car, and a 2+2 if you need to take the family.

I will now retreat back to my mancave!:D
 
SeanDezart

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Kenneth Bon said:
I would prefer EU models. US and all the pollution adjustments simply don't do any good to any sports car.

Some experts in Denmark claim the 260Z would also rise in value (but from 280 it's over), just as they claim the Porsche 944 would take a pop although it's far from the iconic 911-design.

And I totally agree with you. I need the original setup - nothing tuned, styled etc.
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Pollution equip etc can be removed and if you want a Porsche who'll go up (can only go up now) it's a 924S but I digress and agree with Andrew below except that the 'weaker chassis' won't disrupt any enjoyment and any interior can be improved upon.


andrew muir said:
I think you have moved away from your original goal!
You mentioned your son would travel in rear.

Yes the 2 seater will gain in value better and is prettier but the 2+2 is more practical, more comfortable, and handles really well.

The 240z is held as the holy grail, but it has a weaker chassis and its interior is not as nice.
The 260z has an unjustly bad reputation due to the shitty American examples which were down on power due to emissions, ugly large bumpers etc. A well sorted european spec 260z in my opinion is the best practicle everyday car, and a 2+2 if you need to take the family.
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A nice 260Z (from a known member of our club) :

http://www.anibis.ch/fr/automobiles-voitures de tourisme--x/x--10156894.aspx
 
S

status

Well-Known Forum User
Hold out for wot you want,that Dutch site has some some reasonable looking Zeds for sale,just up the road from you also,
 
SeanDezart

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
This maybe gives you an idea of approx budget :


Andreas Carlsson
22 août, 15:13
(VENDU)Datsun 240z -72
17 000 € — Sweden
Euro spec car.
130000 km.
Number matching.
Good condition.

Seen on FB.
 
grolls

grolls

Well-Known Forum User
Mine will be up for sale shortly once I have the new windscreen replaced. Just awaiting the new seal to arrive from MJP. Sdaly its not a 75 its a 78.
 
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