2 and a half years ago I bought a bone stock Super black Track 2003 350Z with 90,000 some miles for 6k. Currently has 120k miles.

A little over a year later, the transmission started grinding. Weak synchros. Now the clutch is going. The car doesn't "fly" anymore, it doesn't respond to my pedal smashing like it use too. Dealerships won't offer more than $1000 and people laugh at me pathetically in private deals when I tell them I want at least $2000. They say things like, "well it's an old car, 2003 and all, and has transmission issues... Some paint scratches... Best I can do is 5 bucks! (not literally)".

It's an almost bone stock 2003 350Z. It has white LED interior lighting (still own the halogens if they want it), a 12" sub (Infinity Basslink) Boss Audio w/ GPS, bluetooth streaming, and phone dialing, DVD player center unit, and Polk Audio speakers all around. The engine only has the 5/16" Plenum spacer and I buffed the manifold to look nice and shiny. The local mechanic shops want $4,000 or more to fix the transmission, clutch, and so on.

My 350Z is not my only car, and it is not my primary.
My primary car is actually a 2016 Mazda Miata MX-5.
I'm stuck between possibly salvaging the car/trading it in or coughing up the dough to repair it.

Kelly blue book values my car at $5K, I don't know why it's so hard to get at least $1k. Kind of disheartening and insulting.

 

KBB doesn't adjust for the $4k in needed repairs.

I've had a bad 3rd gear synchro for years and still drive my car.

Changing a clutch isn't that hard. Pick up $200 in tools, a $85 jack and $30 jack stands and do it yourself if you don't need to drive the car. Estimate roughly 12 hours of labor for someone who hasn't done one before.

I'd pay $2k all day long for that as long as the compression is fine(you say it lost power or is that because the clutch slips through gears)

 

What's it worth to you?


To me personally I would just repair it. But don't think about making your $$ back if that's a concern. I see too many people saying oh no point in putting money into a 350z or ____ because your just throwing your money away vs a new car.


Which isn't true. Any and every car you are throwing money away. Your investing in either happiness, style or what ever your car says to you. Personally Id rather blow away $15k into a Z that's worth maybe $5 when Im done with it in 5-10 years...


Than buy a new GTR, or C7 for 100k that will lose easily $50k if not more in 5-10 years.. Or a new jag or enter new expensive sports car here that people say "will lose less money". If anything buying new is losing more money that rebuilding a money pit has been sports car like our Z's. $20k can refurbish just about any basic sports car that's 5-10+ years old. And you cant account for maintenance either. Which a lot of people do, when all cars require it. I see your car as a maintenance because it sounds like you have been having fun and going hard with it.


I would fix it and keep it personally. But that's only due to my current financial situation and life focus. In another part of my life I'd probably sell. But you have to determine which way you blow your money into what kind/form of happiness.


So ask your self, is your car worth the $5k loss you'll probably take? Or is it better to just be done, hassle with buyers and lose $2-3k and be done.

 

I live in a city. I'm sure I can change a clutch - hell even an entire transmission - but I don't have anywhere to do it. I've been fined just for changing oil!
In all honesty, I don't know where the power loss is.
My transmission slips on 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
Shifting is hard. I think it's more than just a clutch.

 

I'd lean towards repairs too. Check your local scrapyard or online for the parts you need cheap. You can rent all the tools you need from a local auto store for next to nothing and do everything yourself over a weekend. Parts may run you 1-2k depending on what you get, labor would obviously be free. Then you could sell the car for 5k or what ever you could get for it or keep it and drive it for another 10+ years as a backup or fun little weekend car.

No one is going to buy a 2003 sports car that needs thousands in repairs. You'd be better off parting it out than trying to sell it or trade it in if thats the route you choose. Obviously the car isn't worth the 4k repair. Shop around for different quotes too if thats possible. If you can't do the repair yourself and can't find someone to do everything for less than 3k I'd just part it or sell it for the most you can and move on.

 

Tow it to a friends house for $100 and do it there? Parents? Relatives? If you're into the local car scene ask around and see if someone will let you use their driveway or garage for a weekend and pay them in beer or toss them a little cash.

 

I already have a new car, I guess I'm not really looking about getting my money back. I guess I'm mentally using that as a reason to keep it vs scrap it. Initially I was going to make my Mazda my spring/summer car and my Z my fall/winter car.

But reality hit. I have 2 "sports" cars and one is looking like a money pit and I'm getting cold feet. It'll be a decision I eventually make on my own one day, I guess I'm just searching for some advice and support.

 

I mean...the transmission is less work than changing the clutch

 

I'm not very knowledgeable about transmissions. This would be a huge learning experience for me personally. And a financial one. The reason the quotes are so high is because they want to buy a new transmission for $2000 and request an equal amount in labor and other parts. I don't know how reliable used parts can be, either.

 

I would be interested in the car for $1,000.00.

 

My old Jeep needed a trans. Bought one at the scrapyard for $200. Ordered another $100 in parts online and rebuilt it. Replaced the trans with the rebuilt one and then rebuilt the old one and sold that. Total cost me about 20 hours of labor and a net loss of $100. It was an automatic trans though. Sacrilege? Depending on how mechanically savvy you consider yourself you can more than likely figure everything out. It will just take time. If you don't want to mess with it then scrap it. If you want to learn, experience, save money, and possibly have a good time working with your hands then go for it!

 

Or just bite the bullet and pay someone to do it and spend a few thousand on a repair. Most places won't replace the parts with used ones, especially if they warranty their work. You might be able to find a mom and pop shop that will let you BYOP (Bring Your Own Part). Save you some $$$$.

 

If you're going to get rid of it and want to make the most $ then part it out. Having said that, hmu if you do. I call first dibs on parts!

 

dibs on calipers/rotors

 

It's always a sad sight when the buzzards begin to circle...

 

So just about every other day then? lol


Member 1: "Hey guys I got a flat"


Member 2: "PM SENT!"

 

I would repair it.

Drive it until one of the gears go... You can drive with grinding synchros and sometimes thats the only issues. For example if it happens on a downshift to 4th then don't downshift and go to N.

Those offers are an insult but I would not be so honest when selling. Take the plates off and sell as is. Sell it for $4k and the new owner can fix the issues.

People generally sell their car because:

1) They can no longer afford the car payment.
2) There is something wrong with it.

You bought the car for a low price with high miles tbh. Sounds like the previous owner might've had tranny issues before. Parts on the car alone are worth more than the offers especially if the engine is mint.

 

If I was you I would tow it to my house and leave $2000 richer... Honestly even if it had a blown engine and tranny and was missing the back bumper someone will still give you $2000.. $hit I was thinking of driving down to north Carolina to pick up a blown engine all dented up track model like a month ago.

 

Come on down.

 

If you seriously want a $1000 for the car, feel free to message me some info. I'm right in NJ.

Best of luck to how you decide!