What should I pay for a 280i.........?

[MadDad]

As a youngster one of my dream cars was the 420SEAC, older but not much more cash rich I still hanker after a wedge.....

I was idly clicking around the Autotrader and I came across a couple of 280's for around the 2k mark, both looked reasonable condition for their age, both professed to having FSH, both seemed to have immaculate interiors etc and I am VERY tempted to go and have a look - question is, should a decent 280 wedge be this cheap? and if I get off my backside and look at one of these what are the weak points and 'things to look for'?

I am currently knocking around in a FIAT Barchetta, not quite a TVR but a very usable fun car, I think it would be difficult to put my car and a wedge shoulder to shoulder but would the 280 be as 'useable'?

[combine]

Yes , first wedge I ever drove , fantastic experience , get a soft top , plenty of bargins out there at this time , check the steel chassis is not rotten .

[James MK]

Yes indeed, some 280s are incredibly cheap to get hold of but due to their generally low value a lot of them don't get the £££ spent on them that bigger wedges (or more sought after models in general) get. And more than a few have been stripped for racing or for spares. I could write a long list of what to look for, but it would be a long list! Really, have a long close look at anything that looks like a good buy and weigh up the cost of all those seemingly minor parts you need. After driving a few you might want to save a bit more and buy a V8.

I'm not sure I'd use mine every day, but then I don't have the inclination or the technical skills a lot of owners have to maintain the car myself. Good luck and be brave!

[combine]

280i's are much more fuel efficient , less torque , so much more usable , they are great to drive , a hard top with small seats in the back and tailgate has got to be the most usable of all the wedges .

[Comadis]

2500,-pound and you should get a good example with an unwelded, totally rust-free chassis, a tidy interior, technically without any faults with a body that may show a bit his age.