Buying my first 350z desperately need insight!
07-30-2015, 07:07 PM
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Buying my first 350z desperately need insight!
Hey everyone! I'm looking into purchasing either a 2003 350z touring or a 2008 350z enthusiast and wanted to know if anyone could give me some insight into these two cars. I currently drive a 2005 Honda accord and decided that it was finally time to upgrade to something a little bit sportier. I have test driven the car a 350z and plan on trying both of them before I buy them. I found both of these cars on craigslist and just wanted to ask around before I commit to buying them. Below you can find the link to both of the cars.
2003 asking:$14500, mileage:19500 http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/5076136909.html
If someone could give me some insight about what the mods do that would be great.
2008 asking:$12000, mileage: 30000 http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/5126639216.html
I am personally leaning towards the 2003 model. My concern with it, is that this car will become my daily commute car, so I plan on putting 13k-14k a year on it. Will putting this much mileage so suddenly on a 12 year old car cause major problems? The car does have 19,500 miles on it, so it has seen some action. And what should I expect to pay as far as repairs for parts that may go?
Thanks for any advice that you guys can offer!
2003 asking:$14500, mileage:19500 http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/5076136909.html
If someone could give me some insight about what the mods do that would be great.
2008 asking:$12000, mileage: 30000 http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/5126639216.html
I am personally leaning towards the 2003 model. My concern with it, is that this car will become my daily commute car, so I plan on putting 13k-14k a year on it. Will putting this much mileage so suddenly on a 12 year old car cause major problems? The car does have 19,500 miles on it, so it has seen some action. And what should I expect to pay as far as repairs for parts that may go?
Thanks for any advice that you guys can offer!
07-30-2015, 07:18 PM
#2
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MY350Z.COM
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Welcome- do you realize both these Zs have automatic trannys? That's the first insight. The six-speed manual is much preferred by enthusiast drivers, but you may not be able to use a clutch. Second, the mods on the '03 Z, particularly the awful 20" wheels, will not help the performance of that car and will probably be the first thing to get damaged. The '08 Z seems a better choice for a DD as it seems unmolested and has the mid-model upgrades (do a search) that'll make it more comfortable and reliable.
07-30-2015, 07:53 PM
#3
If both cars were brand-new, the '08 is a far better car in virtually every aspect. That, and the poor mods on the '03, make this an easy choice, and the mileage between the two is basically equivalent.
Only thing about the '08 is that the grille looks a bit odd, but hard to tell from the small pic. Maybe the bumper was repainted? Ask about that and look for overspray, missing fasteners, etc. Pay for a pre-purchase inspection, and if it passes, the '08 is a great buy at that price.
Only thing about the '08 is that the grille looks a bit odd, but hard to tell from the small pic. Maybe the bumper was repainted? Ask about that and look for overspray, missing fasteners, etc. Pay for a pre-purchase inspection, and if it passes, the '08 is a great buy at that price.
07-31-2015, 04:35 AM
#5
07-31-2015, 05:13 AM
#6
That is a good deal on and 2008, good enough where i'm sure there is something massively wrong. and I wouldnt pay 14k for an 03. cheap *** heavy 20" rims, missing the battery cover, After market front bumper, I wouldn't be surprised if it was in an accident.
The 2008 is an amazing deal. Take it to a mechanic to have it inspected if you are looking at it. Most things that are too good to be true ... Are.
The 2008 is an amazing deal. Take it to a mechanic to have it inspected if you are looking at it. Most things that are too good to be true ... Are.
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07-31-2015, 06:49 AM
#11
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
Weighing in to support the consensus here.
'08 - barring any physical and title inspection anomalies - definitely.
While I don't want to speak ill of my baby, my '03; my '08 - with the better engine, transmission, and overall evolved-everything is a much better choice. There IS truth to what people here say, "Look for an '07-08 HR car." Seems you've found it..
The "mods" (stickers and boat anchor wheels, if one can call those true "mods") on the '03 ARE all reversible but when you come down to price and overall longevity, the PPW '08. Yes
'08 - barring any physical and title inspection anomalies - definitely.
While I don't want to speak ill of my baby, my '03; my '08 - with the better engine, transmission, and overall evolved-everything is a much better choice. There IS truth to what people here say, "Look for an '07-08 HR car." Seems you've found it..
The "mods" (stickers and boat anchor wheels, if one can call those true "mods") on the '03 ARE all reversible but when you come down to price and overall longevity, the PPW '08. Yes
Last edited by MicVelo; 07-31-2015 at 08:10 AM.
07-31-2015, 04:44 PM
#17
I'd be INCREDIBLY dubious about that '08 having only 30k actual miles.
If you don't already know this, anyone can deceive a buyer into thinking the car being sold is low mileage by simply buying a low mileage gauge cluster from another car and installing it into the high mileage car...take about thirty minutes to do the install.
You need to have the 08 fully researched to whatever extent you can, and have a mechanic check it out, as that price and that mileage is too good to be true.
The 03 is ridiculously overpriced. The engine is good for 200k, clutch for about 100k on a six speed, not sure about an auto tranny, but low mileage isn't really a big deal on 350z...they're very very reliable cars.
Common sense dictates that an 08 will be the much nicer car than an 03 as any car company improves their car product each year, learning from previous mistakes and adding value by improving horsepower, suspension, interior quality, cosmetics, etc...whatever they need to do to keep their product selling.
Ideally I wish mine were an '08, but there's so many deals on Z's everywhere that if you're patient and smart you'll find the right car. If the 08 checks out as legitimate, honest, and reliable on every level, then that's a great deal....but too great really...anyone that has the internet can Google what an 08 350z is worth and see that they're worth more than 12k...so why are they only asking 12k when they can get much more? Very suspicious obviously, but stranger things have happened as well...just proceed very very cautiously and get it looked at by a shop or dealership that is trustworthy AND knows the 350z platform and what to look for.
It is interesting to me that the seller says "no mechanical issues"...which doesn't mean there aren't electrical issues, or leaks, or something else wrong that is not necessarily mechanical.
Keep us posted...curious how this ends.
The 08's are the way to go though, or '07.
Hope this helps, and obviously, do not go alone to buy a "too good to be true" deal...
Saved
If you don't already know this, anyone can deceive a buyer into thinking the car being sold is low mileage by simply buying a low mileage gauge cluster from another car and installing it into the high mileage car...take about thirty minutes to do the install.
You need to have the 08 fully researched to whatever extent you can, and have a mechanic check it out, as that price and that mileage is too good to be true.
The 03 is ridiculously overpriced. The engine is good for 200k, clutch for about 100k on a six speed, not sure about an auto tranny, but low mileage isn't really a big deal on 350z...they're very very reliable cars.
Common sense dictates that an 08 will be the much nicer car than an 03 as any car company improves their car product each year, learning from previous mistakes and adding value by improving horsepower, suspension, interior quality, cosmetics, etc...whatever they need to do to keep their product selling.
Ideally I wish mine were an '08, but there's so many deals on Z's everywhere that if you're patient and smart you'll find the right car. If the 08 checks out as legitimate, honest, and reliable on every level, then that's a great deal....but too great really...anyone that has the internet can Google what an 08 350z is worth and see that they're worth more than 12k...so why are they only asking 12k when they can get much more? Very suspicious obviously, but stranger things have happened as well...just proceed very very cautiously and get it looked at by a shop or dealership that is trustworthy AND knows the 350z platform and what to look for.
It is interesting to me that the seller says "no mechanical issues"...which doesn't mean there aren't electrical issues, or leaks, or something else wrong that is not necessarily mechanical.
Keep us posted...curious how this ends.
The 08's are the way to go though, or '07.
Hope this helps, and obviously, do not go alone to buy a "too good to be true" deal...
Saved
Last edited by savedbygrace; 07-31-2015 at 04:46 PM.
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