Datsun 280ZX
1978–1983
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

Based on 16 verified auction results
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%)
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 16US$25,500
Bring a Trailer · 31 Jul 2026
Racing Green · manual
US$5,000
Bring a Trailer · 28 Jul 2026
US$8,250
mecum · 25 Jul 2026
Light Brown · Automatic
US$38,500
mecum · 25 Jul 2026
Thunder Black · Manual
US$24,000
Bring a Trailer · 14 Jul 2026
67,000 mi
Golden Mist Metallic / Thunder Black Metallic · 5-speed manual
US$19,250
Bring a Trailer · 19 May 2026
41,000 mi
French Beige · 5-speed manual
US$20,250
cars-and-bids · 18 May 2026
69,300 mi
manual
US$22,400
Bring a Trailer · 9 May 2026
23,000 mi
Thunder Black Metallic · 3-speed automatic
US$13,850
Bring a Trailer · 27 Apr 2026
red · 5-speed manual
US$121,000
mecum · 14 Jan 2024
Black Pearl · Manual
Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.