1979 Datsun 280ZX 5-speed with 29k miles, priced under recent sales

Why we picked it

This is a first-year 280ZX two-seat coupe with the 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected six and a 5-speed manual, in brown over tan with factory air conditioning. The seller, Gateway Classic Cars of Houston, shows 29,391 miles on the odometer and has dropped the price from $14,500 to $13,000.

Recent sales of original manual coupes with similarly low miles have run from about $15,000 to $23,000, so the asking price leaves real room. The listing says almost nothing about condition, rust or service history, and the low mileage is the seller's figure, not a documented one. Ask for the 200-plus photos and the video on the dealer's site, plus any records, before you travel.

The value check

The seller is asking $12,000. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $14,850–$23,000, so the middle of the market is about $18,925. That put this car 37% under.

Original two-seat manual 280ZX coupes with documented low miles sold for $14,850 to $23,000 over the past year (Mecum, Bring a Trailer, Barrett-Jackson, GAA). The $13,000 ask is about 31% under the $18,925 midpoint; classic.com's 280ZX benchmark is about $17,900.

Where the numbers come from:

• 1979 280ZX, 26k mi, manual, sold $19,800 (Barrett-Jackson, Jan 2026)
• 1979 280ZX, 20k mi, manual, sold $23,000 (GAA, Feb 2026)
• 1980 280ZX, 53k mi, manual, sold $14,850 (Mecum, Mar 2026)
• 1982 280ZX GL, 41k mi, manual, sold $19,250 (BaT, May 2026)
• classic.com 280ZX market

What to check

• Rust in the rear wheel arches, rocker panels, floor pans, battery tray area and around the rear hatch
• Brittle fuel-injection wiring and connectors under the hood, plus tired air flow meter and cold-start valve
• Cracked dash pad and faded interior plastics are common on sun-exposed cars
• Confirm the mileage with service records, inspection stickers or title history; 29k is a seller claim
• Original A/C uses R-12 and usually needs a conversion before it blows cold
• Check T-handle and hatch seals and the condition of the original rubber suspension bushings

Making it drive like new

Keep the L28E and 5-speed but freshen the fuel-injection harness and sensors, add coilovers or quality shocks with polyurethane bushings, and bolt on a four-piston front brake kit like the Wilwood kit sold for the 280ZX. A modern R134a A/C conversion and three-point belts that retract properly make it a comfortable daily-use grand tourer.