Current Z32 Going Rate

[klstand]

Hey Forum,

I've been lurking on here for a while and doing a little searching and researching.
I'm looking to buy a 300zx this year and I have an 'ideal car' in mind.
I want to buy a 2+0 with roughly 160k or less, a decent interior and exterior, and I would like for the engine to be in running condition (long enough to buy a auction salvage TT for a swap).

After reading through some of the threads i saw that most people said they wouldn't pay more than 3k for an NA, 4k in good condition(So this is where i set my bar). However, these numbers don't seem to match the craigslist ads i've been looking at. Are these numbers still accurate?

Do I need to readjust my expectations?
How much would you guys pay for a NA in 2016?

[nelso419]

I just bought a very good condition completely stock 96 na with 76k miles on it from Florida. I paid 7500 for it and I'm very happy with the price. But I was willing to pay that much because the car was 100% stock. And I wanted it as a collector. I work for Hagerty Insurance's valuation team and these cars are moving into legitimate collectable territory. We're calling it generational shift. It'll take longer with these cars cause so many were made but you can see it happening with NSX's. I didn't answer your question but hope its something to think about.

[nissanfreak12]

All depends on location. You can find a clean NA in AZ for 3k, but New York it will be close to 6k(these are estimates, not exact). In CO, they are roughly 4-5k for NA's, the cleaner, the more expensive. But anyway you look at it you will need to do about 1-2k in maintenance, unless they have paperwork from a reputable shop. You just have to remember, these are 20-26 year old cars, so they will always have some kind of issue big or small.

[Zedx32]

it really depends on the area, i live in Annapolis MD so the DC metropolitan area. Around here nice z32's are few and far between, not to toot my own horn but i've yet to see in person a nicer z32 than my own. i have a 92 NA manual with 140 on the ticker and a rebuilt motor, i've been offered 8k for my car and i said no simply because its not for sale. i paid 4k for it and have probably put around 4k in it, suspension, paint, body, brakes, everything short of a tt motor. its hard to say what they're really worth but in my area a nice TT with under 100k will go for 12-15. I know a guy who works at the nissan dealership who had a beautiful slicktop that he sold for 10k. if i was looking to buy a another nice NA id be spending between 5-7 maybe 8k depending on what mods have been done. Just recently i texted a guy on CL who had a really nicely done up 2+2 Na, full stillen suspension, Work Kai wheels, all real stuff and his car sold for 8500.

[klstand]

Thanks guy
I live in NoVa so my market is simular to yours Zedx32.
I was anticipating 3k with 1k-2k in getting the maintenance up to date.
I really want a clean unmodded example of a z so I may up my budget to 4-6k.

I've been using Searchtempest to search all over the country. Im willing to travel to get that special z.
Anywhere else I can check or any other pricing suggestions?

[budget300zx]

heres a couple maybe within reasonable distance.

stock untouched looking m/t z $4500
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/5598682007.html

cheap needs some work a/t z $1800
http://tricities.craigslist.org/cto/5578483006.html

[Ikon_1911]

All depends on location. You can find a clean NA in AZ for 3k, but New York it will be close to 6k(these are estimates, not exact). In CO, they are roughly 4-5k for NA's, the cleaner, the more expensive. But anyway you look at it you will need to do about 1-2k in maintenance, unless they have paperwork from a reputable shop. You just have to remember, these are 20-26 year old cars, so they will always have some kind of issue big or small.

So I guess you guys are selling clean TTsfor $5k...

All do respect, but by enlarge there's not many "clean" 300zx out there for sale anywhere! Most are really average, including many here and other forums posing as clean cars. There's not many really "good" cars either left. Most have been bastardized and disfigured. If you can find a "truly clean na for $3k then you can find a really good car for $1700......

You can't find a really clean escort gt of cavalier Z24 for $2k.

Now if you are finding truly clean cars for $3k, I want in... Seriously I'll buy them and double my monies in the south and middle America!!!

[Ikon_1911]

I just bought a very good condition completely stock 96 na with 76k miles on it from Florida. I paid 7500 for it and I'm very happy with the price. But I was willing to pay that much because the car was 100% stock. And I wanted it as a collector. I work for Hagerty Insurance's valuation team and these cars are moving into legitimate collectable territory. We're calling it generational shift. It'll take longer with these cars cause so many were made but you can see it happening with NSX's. I didn't answer your question but hope its something to think about.

I agree with you 100% and you got a great deal! Look at the prices of the cars being sold on eBay, trader, gurus, etc. Clean unmolested , not bastardized, but a car that a retired 55 or 60 year old guy wants to GT for the weekend is a car they'll pay $10k for if its nice .
Oh Columbus Mississippi dealer sold a really clean NA 1993 300 ZX with 100,000 miles on it for $11k. The same dealer offered to buy my car for $6k because he says he has several buyers looking for Z32s but his issue is finding CLEAN cars and not as he put it "school boy hatchet jobs not fit to be seen in" he says that's all he sees and I agree...!
That's why if you have a nice z focus on keeping it nice and not dogging it and turning it into a POS. most Porsche owners respect their cars and would not devalue their cars as we do, especially the scarcity of the z32 on our roads. At least a few of you guys keep it going! Let the rest of us mod tastefully!

[KeedyT]

I'm hoping to watch values of these climb. I agree with the general consensus above, there are a LOT of cars in the $2-4k range (I keep a CL search ping) they are all in various degrees of used up/falling apart. I bought mine for $3k on impulse and stupidity and have proceeded to put half that much into it and expect I'll spend another $2k before I catch up. I'd love for the comment about the Mississippi dealer to be true and after I'm happy with it she's worth a bit more than I have invested, but I won't be incredibly shocked if I don't ever see daylight in this old girl again.

the 300ZX's seem to be in an odd niche shared with the likes of the 944, they are still available for cheap and have been for so long that many have fallen victim to people who couldn't afford to maintain them. But they aren't cheap to keep in top shape. They both appear to be coming up the other side of the curve though and actually nice, cared for examples will start appreciating I believe.

[rgregoryb]

We as owners need to quit giving away our good cars, they should be worth more. I have a 92 2+2, ultra red, charcoal leather that looks like it just came off the showroom. Wasn't like that when I got it, was in good shape but not great. I have replaced every broken piece of plastic and have kept it basically stock. I paid 4800 for it a year ago and have put at least that much back into it. I use only Nissan parts. It is the my garage where I have replaced a fuel injector and PTU.

These cars are fairly rare, how many do you see everyday? If I sold mine in the current market I lose my butt. It's a catch 22.

[nukengr]

Always check your neighbors that have the car sitting under a cover. I just grabbed one collecting dust in my in my mothers garage for the last 6 years. She threw a for sale sign on it during garage sales but never put out an ad in the paper. I finally had room for a project car and picked it up. 102k mile Base NA and she's had it since it had 4 miles on it.

[Rickjames8]

klstand - I'm also in NoVa. I tend to watch Craigslist just to see what's out there, and prices seem to vary widely. I bought my '90 NA with 146k for $2800, from the original owner. His detailed service records made me want to buy it. I guess I have about $800 in to it so far, but lots of hours. Lots. If I had to do it again, I might pick up one of these ~$1000 non-runner basket cases, and then just go through the whole thing soup to nuts, as it seems that's what I'll end up doing over the next few years anyway. The nice thing is, that with the information on these forums, you can figure out how to fix just about any system on the car. I'm in Sterling, so if you're nearby and end up getting one, reach me here and I'm happy to help with any repairs you might need to make.

[Sadistic636]

I just paid $1200 for a non runner na 5spd. Ill have about $500 in it to get it running and probably another $500-1000 to getting it looking decent doing it all myself. Not bad if youre willing to put in the time and effort

[nexus08]

I bought mine about 3 years ago, and have been watching craigslist prices ever since. It does seem like there has been a bit of an uptick in the asking prices in my area (Raleigh NC) in the last year or so. I'm not looking to make money off this car, but it would be nice to sell it for more than I paid in 5 to 10 years. Doubt I'll ever get my money back as far as what I've put into it so far (and will continue to put into it), but you never do with a "project car" unless you find a true classic and have a lot of skill yourself.

For me it is about enjoying a very unique car that I've always thought was an amazing looking car.

Regarding rarity, I've seen maybe 10 other 300zx's on the road over the three years I've had it.

[z.Leinbach]

i paid roughly 6800 for mine, (financed unforunately) but i can say i love the car, love to hate working on it, but its got 147880 on the ticker now, car has its good days and bad just like we go, but its a strong solid bit. and i got curious trade in value suuuucks cause its so old. but its definately the best car ive owned, and will own.