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United States market

Datsun 280ZX

1978–1983

Add to Garage
  • 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

Datsun 280ZX

Based on 17 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$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%)
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 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 17
  • US$29,500

    Bring a Trailer · 12 Aug 2026

  • 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

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