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United States market

Datsun 280ZX

1978–1983

Add to Garage
  • Lowest price

    US$5,000

    Since 2020

  • Median price

    US$32,000

    Since 2020 · n=16

  • Highest price

    US$231,000

    Since 2020

  • Sold cars

    16

    All time

  • Sell-through

    100%

    Of 16 lots

Datsun 280ZX

Based on 16 verified auction results

SELLDepreciatinghigh confidence

US$19,750

Market value · recent verified sales

-25.0%

12-month change

Wait or Sell

Prices declining. Sellers should consider acting; buyers should wait.

Median sold price down 25.0% over the last 12 months. Loss is likely to continue, especially for this segment.

MSRP

Collectibility

5/10

Collectible

3-Year Forecast

US$19,750

+0%

5-Year Forecast

US$19,750

+0%

Market scores

36

Desirability

Thin

30

Liquidity

Poor

10

Resale Outlook

Option premiums

What every option is worth.

  • Manual gearbox

    +US$59,929+187%

    12 with · 3 without · low confidence

  • Built ≤ 1980

    +US$50,643+158%

    10 with · 7 without · med confidence

Premiums compare the median price of sales with each option against comparable sales without it, mined from verified auction listings. Sales are pooled across markets on a relative-price basis, so exchange rates and market levels can't skew the split. Options interact in ways a one-at-a-time split can’t capture — treat each premium as directional rather than gospel.

Marque analyst note

The Datsun 280ZX is trading at a median of $19,750 in the US market, down sharply 25 percent year-over-year, with a high-confidence sell signal based on recent weakness. This decline reflects sustained downward momentum in a model that has struggled to hold value over the past twelve months.

Trading activity remains sparse, with only four sales recorded over the last year against a total tracked inventory of sixteen cars. This thin liquidity presents a structural challenge for both buyers and sellers, as the small sample size amplifies volatility and limits exit opportunities for holders.

The 280ZX occupies the stable modern classic category with a collectibility score of 5, a modest rating that reflects its mixed appeal among enthusiasts. Low current desirability and the absence of active listings suggest limited near-term buyer interest, despite the model's historical significance as a successor to the iconic Z-car lineage.

Vehicles transacting in this market carry an average mileage of approximately 50,075 miles, indicating well-preserved examples that have seen moderate use. This mileage profile is consistent with careful ownership, though condition variation likely plays an outsized role in pricing given the tight buyer pool.

Over both the three-year and five-year outlook, the base case assumes price stabilization at current levels, with zero percent expected appreciation. The projection reflects the absence of strong collector momentum or supply constraints that might drive recovery, coupled with ongoing competition from other Japanese sports cars of the same era.

Depreciation Benchmark

  • Current avg valueUS$19,750
  • Annual appr. rate-25.0%/yr

Vehicle History Signals

  • Auction lots tracked18
  • Damage or salvage declared0 (0.0%)
  • No damage declared18 (100.0%)
No damage or salvage declarations found in the titles and descriptions of the auction lots we track for this model. That's a good sign, not a guarantee — always commission a professional inspection and history check before buying.

Est. Annual Ownership Costs

  • Insurance (agreed value)US$600
  • MaintenanceUS$1,210
  • StorageUS$3,220
  • DepreciationUS$1,210
  • Total annual costUS$6,240

Market Liquidity

  • Active Listings0
  • Sales Last 12 Months9
  • Sell-Through56%

Market Snapshot

  • Active Listings0
  • Avg Sale PriceUS$68,606
  • Avg Mileage at Sale50,075 mi
  • Recent Price RangeUS$5,000 – US$231,000
  • Total Sales Tracked16

Recent sales

Showing latest 16
  • US$25,500

    Bring a Trailer · 31 Jul 2026

  • US$5,000

    Bring a Trailer · 28 Jul 2026

  • US$8,250

    mecum · 25 Jul 2026

  • US$38,500

    mecum · 25 Jul 2026

  • US$24,000

    Bring a Trailer · 14 Jul 2026

  • US$19,250

    Bring a Trailer · 19 May 2026

  • US$20,250

    cars-and-bids · 18 May 2026

  • US$22,400

    Bring a Trailer · 9 May 2026

  • US$13,850

    Bring a Trailer · 27 Apr 2026

  • US$121,000

    mecum · 14 Jan 2024

Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.