Healme

Hey everyone,

Lurked on here for a while, and finally decided to ask some questions after not being able to find some specific answers. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

So here's the story:

I have a buddy with a 2003 350Z Touring, 166000kms on the body. I helped him put his second motor back in the car the other week and started it up to find codes out the ***, misfires, blue smoke, vdc slip lights, dying after revs, and a wicked knock. He's had this car for almost 10 years and has driven it hard and is frustrsted with it not running and has offered to sell it to me cheap.

He has another motor with ~50000km to swap in (no history on it, has been sitting in his garage for a year or 2) It has been driven hard. It needs a thorough interior clean 3/5 condition, new front bumper, new windshield, body/paint is in 3/5 condition and a few other various issues (its been sitting for 2 years).There is an Injen exhaust and intake on it, lowering springs, no stereo and some gaudy 20" Giovanni rims I dont really like.

I can help him swap the new motor in and IF it runs, drive away with the car for ~1500 to 2000CAD.

I'm not asking if I should buy it, thats ultimately my decision and not for anyone else to make, my question is at face value, is it a decent deal for a summer project or would you hold out for something else?

Cheers!

James

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

The "new" engine you speak of has lots of miles and wear on it. Why spend all that effort in putting in in the Z if you know it needs a rebuild? That deal makes little sense unless the VQ is rebuilt FIRST. Of course, if it runs well, he may not want to sell the entire car at that bargain price...

Healme

Thanks for the reply!

I should clarify. The engine with 50*** KM on it was taken out of another car a few years ago and never touched and AFAIK it is in good running condition. That would be the motor we would be putting in, and it should run great...

As for the deal, I've known the guy for 15 years, business partner etc... he's done with the car, his woman wants it gone and the price was for me only.

My intentions for the car aren't for it to be a DD (3 kids, wife), I'm just looking for something to get my hands dirty with and bomb around in every once in a while.

I know its hard to say one way or the other without seeing or putting hands on the car, but IF the "new" motor runs well, is it a good price, even with all the other stuff mentioned that needs to be eventually fixed up?

Any insight is appreciated!

CK_32

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like an abused 350... With a junk yard mystery motor, no offense but a "swag ***" sounding friend who has bad taste and probably bad mods...


First thing. Never focus on the upgrades. Unless the basic vehicle inspection is done and the car looks GOOD.. From the sounds your relying on his "upgrades" as part of the price cause the car sounds shot and spotty...


Id say $1,500 to $2k is fair for friends... But expect a full project car and lots of wrench time. I wouldn't jump into this unless you have at least a few thou to blow, a second car to daily and no expectation to drive it regularly for at least a year...


That's my $0.02... Hope it helps some.




You can see my project car, but I knew what I was getting into and have 2 other cars to drive.

iideadeyeii

iTrader: (6)

2000cad is $1600 usd. If you get it running with the new engine than it's one hell of a deal.

Freise

Sounds like the potential to be a headache, but if you are getting a running Z for 1500CAD then sounds worth it as a side project. I would think you could recoup your loss if you ended up having to part it out at that price.

dboyzalter

iTrader: (3)

**** for $1600 you cant go wrong even if you part the whole thing out. Its a bonus if it runs and drives but if not it will be a cool project at a good price and it wasnt even totaled.

Healme

I have 2 other vehicles and should have some funds to put into it over the summer regardless.


You have all been a huge help with the initial engine swap (I've been lurking.) If the new motor ends up working and I end up buying it, I'll be sure to let you know. Love the Z. As teens I had an 05 Mustang Gt and he had the Z and always loved how snappy it was. Im gonna do my best to get it running and then go from there.

Thanks for the advice!