What's a Nice Price Here?

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
07/06/2015 at 20:12 • Filed to: None

Okay, so my neighbor who I’ve never actually spoken to despite living 50 feet apart for 24 years (he’s the neighbor behind me) stopped by to point out that a maple tree in my back yard is pushing up on the fence between our houses. Before we even made it out behind the house to take a look, we started talking cars because he was admiring my Jag.

So he mentioned he had a classic car of his own, and I immediately knew the one because I’ve been looking for a chance to stop and see this car for probably 14 years now: a mid-late 80s 300ZX that’s been in his garage for as long as I can remember. He was surprised I knew about the car, but that’s been how I’ve identified his house for years, as the house with the 300ZX in the garage.

Turns out the car is an ‘86 non-turbo 300, black on black cloth, t-tops, with 69k miles. He’s the original owner, bought it after he sold a 240z in ‘86. The car is stupid clean, it’s like a time capsule, so I apologize for the pictures...car was in a garage so I just snapped a few quick ones.

As near as I can tell, the car only needs two things: paint and a cruise control switch. The car is totally rust free, the interior looks like the pictures from the 1986 Nissan 300ZX brochure:

I think it says a lot about my history as a child of the 80s that I think that silver radio and information center is my favorite thing ever. It reminds me of my Technics turntable. Oh, and for maximum 80sness, it has a digital dash as well.

So Oppo, with my crap pictures and description, what do you reckon it's worth?

DISCUSSION (15)

jkm7680 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
07/06/2015 at 20:14

Probably worth $7.5 or so. Looks super fcking clean though, I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for 80’s sports cars.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
07/06/2015 at 20:24

I wouldn’t call it a classic, bt it is a nice car.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
07/06/2015 at 20:30

You could get AV plates for it so in the eyes of the government it is. Also give it another 10 years and the 80s sports cars will be considered classics. Everything from these nissan to fox bodies and grand nationals

Monkey B > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
07/06/2015 at 20:33

why does it need paint? Looks ok from the photo.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Monkey B
07/06/2015 at 20:39

It’s actually not awful, the hood is the only problem area...he said it was repainted when it was new (dealer thought the paint might have been damaged in shipping) and not the same standard as the rest. There's crackling and crows feet elsewhere on the car, but I like that stuff, looks appropriate on a car that age.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
07/06/2015 at 20:40

I'd call it a classic, at least by age. Antique might be the better word.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
07/06/2015 at 20:44

Car clubs be like: NO IT HAS TO BE PRE 1973 AND COMPLETELY ORIGINAL
and then you have the CCCA which is LIKE NO IT’S 1925-1948 AND ON OUR SPECIFIC LIST NO MODEL A’S

meanwhile everyone else is like: “Cool classic car man”

zipfuel > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
07/06/2015 at 20:45

When did it last move under its own power?

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > zipfuel
07/06/2015 at 21:03

Yesterday, haha. It’s still driven regularly. The tires are even really good.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > jkm7680
07/06/2015 at 21:08

I'm big on the 80s, that's what I grew up with, so I tend to overvalue 80s cars. Cars styled with a ruler and protractor is what I like, haha.

signintoburnerlol > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
07/06/2015 at 21:20

Oh wow, I own almost same car, same interior colors as well. Mines an 87, sat for 6 years and has seen one hell of a life.

The biggest issue with these cars is rust, the chassis rusts quite bad and gets to the point where a repair requires a major restoration, hence why these cars are destined for the junk yard. Before you buy it, id take it to a good shop and get a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI), make sure they take note of any rust. Since parts are semi-rare on this car, it can be a costly car to own even though it’s a Nissan. The electronics tend to go crazy since it was pretty complex for its time, a cheap stereo upgrade does the car wonders. The NA motors will last past 300k miles, where a turbo can top at 150k due to heat stress from having no intercooler.

For example, my car is 100k miles, quite rusty, in need of a paint job and is almost mechanically perfect, that’s a $1500 car on a good day. I see someone quoted $7.5k, that’s a good price for a good condition turbo, but a show room fresh NA model non 2+2 might go for that price. Since your car is an 86, it’s least desirable than a 87-89. These cars are cheap for a reason, they’re not sport cars, their grand tours that have aged. Sure, a good set of poly bushings, strut/springs or coilovers will really wake it up, but it’s that damn chassis and suspension set up that really puts a strain on the car. To really get a feel how much these cars are worth, take a look at sold eBay listings, sometimes the pricing is crazy. You can see clean turbo models go for as low as $4k on some weeks, while a clean NA will go for $6k, the pricing has never made much sense to me personally.

Google the vin to see what model you car is, but from what i can see, it looks like a 2+2 and not a coupe, it’s hard to tell from the pictures. Parts are rare, you’ll have to go to a junk yard if you need anything small and inconspicuous.

I love my car, but a lot of it has to do with its dirt cheap price, it’s not an expensive car, but I treat it as good as the RS7 that’s parked next to it. I’ll be getting rid of it next month, I’ll do a write up on it soon.

zipfuel > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
07/06/2015 at 21:21

Useful information, my friend bought an ‘89 (first of the next gen) 300zx but it had sat for ages and was kind of hard to enjoy with the flat-spotted tires going “wapawapawapawapa” everywhere

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > signintoburnerlol
07/06/2015 at 21:24

See, this is why I come to Oppo, haha. I believe it’s a coupe, I didn’t see a back seat in there, looks pretty open. The closest one I found on eBay is an ‘86 2+2, white with red leather, about the same miles, same shape. Sold for $5600.

signintoburnerlol > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
07/06/2015 at 21:29

I’d offer $4k if you really like the car and mostly because you mentioned it needed paint. I’d definetly do a PPI first though, these cars can be trouble.

Steve in Manhattan > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
07/06/2015 at 21:41

Take it to your mechanic and put it up in the air to see where the rot is ... you might be looking at thousands to make it safe.