Thinking of buying back my 77 280Z

[280Dan]

Hey everyone, so here’s the scoop. I sold my 1977 280, that I was modifying and using as a daily driver, back in 2015. I embarrassingly enough don’t remember exactly how much I sold it for but current owner said $3700, I though it was around about that or $4k. I had sold it because the frame rails, lower rad support and common areas like the rear rockers and lower rear of the quarters were starting to rust through and I was getting married.

I had a very big attachment to the vehicle as my late grandmother had helped me purchase the vehicle at the time but I don’t want to make a bad decision solely on sentimental value. I am now in a position where I can buy it back from him.

 

Info on the car:

1977 280Z

Has about 50,000 miles on rebuilt engine

Megan Racing coilovers with camber plates

Techno Toy Tuning front and rear adjustable control arms

Arizona Z Car steering knuckles

MSA headers and custom exhaust

Champion radiator

JDM fender mirrors

body work to remove rear bumper and smooth out rear end and delete antenna

wheels and tires

And then a bunch of routine upkeep items like alternator, clutch kit, slave cylinder, SS brake lines

*all work and mods done by me prior to selling vehicle with the exception of some fuel lines and hoses and pump he replaced

 

He is offering it to me for $4600 and everyone that doesn't know anything about Z cars thinks I shouldn’t be paying more than I sold it to him for if he didn’t do anything to increase the value. In fact the body and rust is in worse condition than when I sold it to him. The rust on the rockers and rear quarters have grown to allow a few fingers through now and the nose of the hood is rusting now too. He says he was planning on just patching the rust in the wheel wells and repairing the frame rails and he’d be able to get $6-7k for it. I went and drove it on Monday and from what I can see it will need a lot of body and frame rust repair. It’s the first and only Z I have ever owned so I don’t know whether I should offer less or if the $4600 is reasonable. Photos are of the vehicle before I sold it and video is from this past Monday. I regrettably didn’t take detailed photos of the current rust situation but you can see some of where it started in the last two photos and some from the video.

 

 

 

 

[280Dan]

I apologize if this seems like a no brained answer for some but I honestly am not good when I comes to value of selling or buying used items period so any input would be greatly appreciated as I would like to be fair to both myself and the current owner. 

[bunkhouse]

IMO, buy it back. ASAP. Are you going to feel more regret if you buy it or if you don't. If you don't buy it you'll forever wonder what if. 

[Neverdone]

Buy that before he realizes that someone who doesn't know about the rusty areas will easily buy that for 7k.

 

Then fix the rusty areas. It's just metal. They have more.

 

Also he stored it for you for 4 years...that's worth something.

Edited September 5, 2019 by Neverdone

[rturbo 930]

The price doesn't seem too outrageous to me. Even if it's a little high (I have no idea if it is or isn't these days), I personally would just take the hit to have my car back. 

[280Dan]

Thanks guys, the consensus from the Z community so far is to pay what he's asking or at least close to it. I may offer a bit less and see what he says...can't hurt to ask right

[Neverdone]

Or just pay what he's asking for.

 

You sold it to him for 3700 5 years ago, he wants 4600.

 

That's actually 900 dollars difference, for him storing it for 5 years.

 

If you know of a place that'll store a car for 180 bucks a year, let me know.

 

[280Dan]

27 minutes ago, Neverdone said:

Or just pay what he's asking for.

 

You sold it to him for 3700 5 years ago, he wants 4600.

 

That's actually 900 dollars difference, for him storing it for 5 years.

 

If you know of a place that'll store a car for 180 bucks a year, let me know.

 

 

Good point

[grannyknot]

Buy it, I think that's a great deal.

[Ben280]

Jump on it, say thanks and don't look back! A quick craigslist search on the left coast shows precious little for under $5000, and nothing with even a third the parts you have in that car. 

 

Grab it, fix the rust and enjoy having your car back, it's a feeling I know numerous members of the car community wish they could have. 

[280Dan]

Soo I bought it back. Here’s some pics of the current body rust situation. I’ll try to get some of the underside when I get it on a lift at work

[rturbo 930]

Did he drive it in the winter too and keep it outside? Goddamn that's a lot of rust. 

[280Dan]

No, but I drove it as a daily for 4 years prior to selling it and it did stay outside I had an apartment with no garage. 

Edited September 16, 2019 by 280Dan

[grannyknot]

20 hours ago, rturbo 930 said:

Goddamn that's a lot of rust.

Goddamn that is a lot of rust, perhaps check your area for a chemical dipper shop, some serious work there.

[280Dan]

You guys are starting to make me nervous. I knew going in I’d be in for a long haul

[seattlejester]

Hood, hatch, fenders, are not a big deal overall. The rear skirt you can find a patch panel. The rear quarters and dog legs can be a tricky repair. You have a solid 2-3k in parts alone. Unless you can find a shell in better condition for less than 2k I think you are in a good spot. Just find a good metal guy.

 

With that said, that really is quite a bit of rust. Going to be pricey unless you can do it yourself or with friends.

[280Dan]

26 minutes ago, seattlejester said:

Hood, hatch, fenders, are not a big deal overall. The rear skirt you can find a patch panel. The rear quarters and dog legs can be a tricky repair. You have a solid 2-3k in parts alone. Unless you can find a shell in better condition for less than 2k I think you are in a good spot. Just find a good metal guy.

 

With that said, that really is quite a bit of rust. Going to be pricey unless you can do it yourself or with friends.

 

Thanks for the insight. I plan on a complete tear down and thorough inspection with the next year or so and take it from there

[Junkman]

I know a guy in TN that will fix it.  Mine goes in when it gets cold.  Mine sat for 10 years and the heater core is one of the items that needs changing.