Hello! Im looking at buying a 1975 280z. I found one for sale for $4500. Its a 75 280z with a 4 speed manual. 76000 miles on original motor. I got to test drive the car today. All of the gears work well, it shifts really smoothly and drives really well. Headlights and side lights were just replaced, blinkers work just fine. Gauges are all there and work. A/c isnt working but thats normal.

Problems:
1. the driver seat is a little rough
2. theres no carpet
3. The car drives just fine up until about 3500 rpm and then struggles. Owner said he adjusted the timing and it helped a little but the problem is still there. I would like to know if this is potentially a big issue or just something like a fuel pump or timing issue. About how much ballpark would it cost to fix this issue?
4. There are two small patches of rust in both front wheel wells. The rust isnt visible unless you peak in behind the wheel. It has been treated with rust proofing spray as a temporary fix. There is no rust on anything structural or on the exterior of the body or on the floor of the car.

I would like to buy this car with the intent on fixing it up a bit and then selling it. Is 4500 a good price that would leave me room to fix the car and turn a profit? If i can fix the motor problem and do up the interior a bit whats a normal price for this car?

Thanks!

Welcome to NICO!
Often people advertise low original miles on cars where the odometer has rolled, maybe eve more than once, and the present owner might not know any better. Look at the wear items where you touch the car, the steering wheel, shift knob and pedal pads. at 76k original miles they should not show a lot of wear, if they are completely smooth then it's likely rolled the odometer at least once, not that the miles are a big deal just know that going in. So to answer:

1. upholstery kits are readily available, from a number of suppliers. Replacement foam is also available if you need it.
2. Plenty of aftermarket sources for carpet kits as well
3. This could be a number of things, generally rpm related issues are related to the afm and or the tps. Could also be a fuel pump getting weak or even the coil, cap or plug wires. It's likely not going to be a problem with the engine itself but could cost anywhere form nothing to several hundred dollars to fix, no way to know until you do real diagnostic's on the car.
4.Rust is like icebergs and cockroaches, what you can see is a fraction of what's really there. It's also a can of worms you might choose to leave unopened if it's minor enough.

$4500 for a decent driver quality car is cheap, but it's still a 280 and the best ones aren't worth a whole lot more, based on the questions you're asking there probably isn't a lot of room for profit. If you are a decent problem problem solver and get the running issue worked out, find a good used seat, and a cheap carpet kit you might make a few bucks, maybe.

evildky wrote:Welcome to NICO!
Often people advertise low original miles on cars where the odometer has rolled, maybe eve more than once, and the present owner might not know any better. Look at the wear items where you touch the car, the steering wheel, shift knob and pedal pads. at 76k original miles they should not show a lot of wear, if they are completely smooth then it's likely rolled the odometer at least once, not that the miles are a big deal just know that going in. So to answer:

1. upholstery kits are readily available, from a number of suppliers. Replacement foam is also available if you need it.
2. Plenty of aftermarket sources for carpet kits as well
3. This could be a number of things, generally rpm related issues are related to the afm and or the tps. Could also be a fuel pump getting weak or even the coil, cap or plug wires. It's likely not going to be a problem with the engine itself but could cost anywhere form nothing to several hundred dollars to fix, no way to know until you do real diagnostic's on the car.
4.Rust is like icebergs and cockroaches, what you can see is a fraction of what's really there. It's also a can of worms you might choose to leave unopened if it's minor enough.

$4500 for a decent driver quality car is cheap, but it's still a 280 and the best ones aren't worth a whole lot more, based on the questions you're asking there probably isn't a lot of room for profit. If you are a decent problem problem solver and get the running issue worked out, find a good used seat, and a cheap carpet kit you might make a few bucks, maybe.

Thanks for the reply! Ive been looking through other forums as well and have been given similar advice. Ill be letting this one pass