Datsun 280ZX
1978–1983
Lowest price
US$5,000
Since 2020
Median price
US$29,500
Since 2020 · n=17
Highest price
US$231,000
Since 2020
Sold cars
17
All time
Sell-through
100%
Of 17 lots

Based on 17 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$43,653+148%12 with · 4 without · low confidence
Built ≤ 1980
+US$9,350+32%11 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 has retreated to a median of $19,750 in the US market, marking a sharp 25 percent decline over the past twelve months. With only four sales tracked in that period against a broader sample of seventeen transactions, the recent downward move reflects a broader loss of momentum rather than isolated weakness.
The 280ZX occupies the stable modern classic tier, a classification that typically commands steady collector interest, yet desirability for this model remains low. This gap between classification and actual demand suggests the market has cooled on these cars without clear support emerging at current price levels.
Typical transacted examples carry around 45,460 miles, indicating buyers are generally acquiring well-preserved or mid-mileage examples rather than higher-use cars. This mileage profile aligns with what one would expect from occasional-use collectibles, though it hasn't translated into sustained bidding.
Liquidity is thin, with zero active listings at present and only sparse sales activity tracked over the past year. This scarcity of transactions makes price discovery difficult and creates real friction for both buyers seeking specific examples and sellers looking to exit positions.
The forward outlook is essentially flat, with the base case projecting no appreciation over either three or five years. The combination of low desirability, thin liquidity, and recent depreciation leaves little near-term catalyst for recovery, suggesting interested parties might benefit from patience rather than urgency.
Depreciation Benchmark
- Current avg valueUS$19,750
- Annual appr. rate-25.0%/yr
Vehicle History Signals
- Auction lots tracked20
- Damage or salvage declared0 (0.0%)
- No damage declared20 (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 Months10
- Sell-Through59%
Market Snapshot
- Active Listings0
- Avg Sale PriceUS$66,306
- Avg Mileage at Sale45,460 mi
- Recent Price RangeUS$5,000 – US$231,000
- Total Sales Tracked17
Recent sales
Showing latest 17US$29,500
Bring a Trailer · 12 Aug 2026
27,000 mi
Golden Mist Metallic and Thunder Black Metallic · automatic
US$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
Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.