Notices
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

What do you look at before driving the car off the lot?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-22-2005, 04:43 AM
  #1  
JThrilla
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
JThrilla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Indy
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default What do you look at before driving the car off the lot?

Obviously the paint job, but are there some little things to take a look at before driving her home?
Old 03-22-2005, 05:21 AM
  #2  
Zivman
Registered User
iTrader: (19)
 
Zivman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: MPLS/ST.Paul MN
Posts: 7,179
Received 27 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by JThrilla
Obviously the paint job, but are there some little things to take a look at before driving her home?

EVERYTHING. paint, wheels, open and close all doors, hatch, hood, fuel door and all interior cubby doors. Make sure they didn't drill your front bumper for the liscense plate. wriggle around in the seats to make sure they don't have any movement. Take it for a test drive before you sign all the papers; make sure it doesn't pull, have any raddles, that the engine sounds good, clutch feels good. If there is anything that is not right, either leave the car with them until it's to your satisfaction, or at the very least get it in writing that there is an issue with "X" and the dealer will fix it to your satisfaction.
Old 03-22-2005, 06:07 AM
  #3  
Z-Z
Registered User
 
Z-Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: washington
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

The interior plastic trim on the 350Z scratches VERY easily. After two years (and I've really tried to baby my car), there are lots of little marks. But if you're paying for a new car, it should be scratch-free. At least you'll get to be the one to put all the scratches there.
Old 03-22-2005, 06:25 AM
  #4  
boldenmd
Registered User
 
boldenmd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

What everyone else said, plus this, although it will drive the salesman crazy, but who cares? Just spend several minutes staring at each side of the car. Just let your eyes play over the surface. Look at the paint, gaps, etc., to see if there's anything that seems off. I've changed my mind about cars because the panel fit was off. Nissan, however, is generally good about getting it right.
Old 03-22-2005, 06:33 AM
  #5  
SOCAL350
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
SOCAL350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Santa Clarita - Lake Forest
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Between the time I signed the paperwork and the car delivery my dealership had screwed the Licence plate frame into the front bumper and F'd it up. I did not even realize it because it was not there during the test drive. I ended up having to bondo the holes up.........dont let them do it to you.
Old 03-22-2005, 06:56 AM
  #6  
zand02max
350Z-holic
iTrader: (22)
 
zand02max's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,983
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 7 things you should do before you leave with your Z

http://www.courtesyparts.com/350z/7things.html

1) Tow Hook: The 350Z has a new removable tow hook. It's stored in the trunk adjacent to the jack tools. The hook screws into the front bumper, behind the license plate, which first must be removed. Use this tow hook for vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle). Please refer to your 350Z's Owner's Manual for complete towing instructions.

2) Automatic Transmission Service: You will find that you cannot loosen the transmission fluid level dipstick or locate the dipstick handle (there isn't one). That's because the new dipstick is bolted in place and should be serviced only at the dealership. Attempting to change or service the fluid on your own could potentially damage the transmission.
3) Automatic Transmission Fluid: Another reason to have your transmission serviced at the dealership is the special automatic transmission fluid that is required (Nissan Matic-J A/T fluid). Using other Nissan or commercially available fluids may cause damage to the transmission that will not be covered by the limited warranty.
4) Inside Door Reflector: The inside door panel of the 350Z features a red oval-shaped plastic lens reflector instead of a light. Unknowing 350Z owners may assume that the lens reflector is covering a light, and wonder why the light bulb isn't working.
5) Passenger Seat Belt Clips: When the passenger seat is unoccupied, you may hear a seat belt rattle. Use the seat belt clip located near the B-pillar to keep the seat belt in place, thus eliminating the noise.
6) Low Ground Clearance: First-time sport car owners may not be aware the sports cars have low ground clearance. Therefore, special care should be taken when driving over speed bumps, dips in the road, or driveways.
7) Fuel Requirement: Premium unleaded fuel is required for optimum power performance.
For more information on all these features, see the 350Z Owner's Manual.
Old 03-22-2005, 07:01 AM
  #7  
sentry65
the burninator
iTrader: (11)
 
sentry65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: phoenix, AZ
Posts: 9,722
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

make sure the dealer freakin puts premium fuel in your car - the local ones around me DON'T! They put in good old 87 octane in all their cars. That's all you need - some detonation on your way home.

My mom puts 87 in her murano, but she doesn't drive hard at all

Last edited by sentry65; 03-22-2005 at 07:04 AM.
Old 03-22-2005, 10:39 PM
  #8  
Armitage
350Z-holic
iTrader: (15)
 
Armitage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 5,163
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

For those of you saying don't let them drill the holes for the license plate, how do you mount it?
Old 03-23-2005, 02:46 AM
  #9  
Cantos
Registered User
 
Cantos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

If you have to have a license plate up front you can use something like this Zee-Bracket. It does not require you to drill any holes in your front bumper, but it must still be removed to install the tow hook.
Old 03-23-2005, 04:10 PM
  #10  
Armitage
350Z-holic
iTrader: (15)
 
Armitage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 5,163
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Cantos
If you have to have a license plate up front you can use something like this Zee-Bracket. It does not require you to drill any holes in your front bumper, but it must still be removed to install the tow hook.
But if you use that, then you can't install a front grill, correct?
Old 03-23-2005, 04:14 PM
  #11  
TJMAudio
Registered User
 
TJMAudio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by zand02max
2) Automatic Transmission Service: You will find that you cannot loosen the transmission fluid level dipstick or locate the dipstick handle (there isn't one). That's because the new dipstick is bolted in place and should be serviced only at the dealership. Attempting to change or service the fluid on your own could potentially damage the transmission.
3) Automatic Transmission Fluid: Another reason to have your transmission serviced at the dealership is the special automatic transmission fluid that is required (Nissan Matic-J A/T fluid). Using other Nissan or commercially available fluids may cause damage to the transmission that will not be covered by the limited warranty.
So let me guess, they charge an arm and a leg for an easy job? Or are Nissan mechanics not crooks? Changing transmission fluid + filter is as easy as changing your oil, in my opinion. Why do they have to make even that complicated?
Old 03-23-2005, 05:33 PM
  #12  
Cantos
Registered User
 
Cantos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Armitage
But if you use that, then you can't install a front grill, correct?
I believe you still can, however you will have to alter the grill to make room for the license bracket. You could probably do it so that it will look good with the bracket in place, but may not look right if the bracket is removed. I don't know this for sure, so don't hold me to it.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
etkms
Engine & Drivetrain
29
06-19-2022 06:30 PM
SonnyWu
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z
52
11-24-2015 08:19 PM
NissanZcrazy
Forced Induction
6
11-02-2015 06:03 PM
SanmarinoZ
Brakes & Suspension
4
10-21-2015 10:04 AM



Quick Reply: What do you look at before driving the car off the lot?



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:26 AM.