skong

Hi, I am going to get a Z eventually, either this week, or within the month. Would you guys mind give me some suggestions of what I should check when buying the car? So, I can bring the checklist over while I'm at the dealership, to inspect the car before I take it off the lot. Thanks a lot!!

DiRN

First new car?

skong

Hi DiRN, no, not my first car. The fact is, when one wants something really, really bad, one tends to overlook the obvious. Especially with the Z, I might get too excited that I couldn't even think straight. Thanks for all the help.

DiRN

Just checking, I wasn't sure if you meant Z specific things or general new car things. As for the Z, I think most problems people have had didn't show up when driving off the lot, so as long as you go through the usual checks, everything should be fine.

skong

DiRN, definitely Z related. So, what would be the usual thing to check while I am at the dealership? I thing I can think of is the body paint...anyone, anyone?!!

DiRN

Check for a severe pull to the right. That seemed to be a problem for a lot of people. If you can catch it at the time of delivery, the dealer can't chalk it up to normal wear and tear and make you pay for it.

pimp1911

Before you leave the lot in your new Z . Demand a alignment check to see if your car is in spec. The dealer will try to brush you off but it will cut down on future headaches.

sayaltitude

Bring a good, bright flashlight and thoroughly inspect the paint, especially the front and rear bumpers. I bought my Z in February and just recently noticed there are pock mars from someone else's license plate screws indented in my rear bumper. I'm 100% certain this happened at the dealership before I took delivery, since I have never left the car in any place this could have happened (it's not my daily driver).

If you can discover this type of damage before you sign the papers, you can get a "we owe you" statement in writing and have it fixed at the dealership's expense.

I would also suggest looking around all the jack points and carefully inspecting the inside and outside of each rim for scratches or damage, since I understand that some dealerships are inspecting alignment before putting new Zs on the lot for sale.

Good luck -- you'll love the Z.

sayaltitude

One more thing...a lot of dealerships love to give you a free tank of gas when you buy a car. Tell them you don't want any gas from them!

Nissan specifies only premium unleaded, not the regular unleaded the dealership probably has in their pump on the lot. Don't trust your new car's first full tank of gas to the ***** who prep your car. They don't know you! Fill it up yourself with the right kind of fuel.

mofoz

iTrader: (1)

chekc all rims for damage. This could be a huge deal after you drive off the lot.

skong

Thanks a lot guys, the advices given are invalueable. Please keep them coming.

robcassell

what is a Z?

XtaZee

iTrader: (1)

Check the paint on the top edge of the hood and the bottom part ot the windshield wipers. When I took delivery, I noticed the bottom of the wiper arms had been scraped as well as the clearcoat on the edge of the hood below the wipers. Apparently, some dufus raised the hood while the wipers were on. I had them replace the wiper arms and touch up the hood edge before I left.

triso07

Make sure you know the options of the Z model you want. Dealers i have been to try and fancy talk you about this and that option, but if you know what they are, they really can' t try to use this against you. Study the nissanusa.com website, and how much extra certain options cost. Also be aggressive, try to get a good price from another dealership, then use it against the current dealer as leverage. Good luck.

mickey

iTrader: (1)

Hello, I just picked up my Z last Thursday, and like you said, don't get excited and overlook things that requires inspecting.

The link below are some basice general suggestions, I'm sure our forum member will input additional suggestions.
A few reminder when taking deliver of your 350Z
Congratulation to you in advance.

Mickey

skong

Thanks Mickey!