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Working on buying a second Z. Test drive Woes

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Old 04-22-2012, 09:12 AM
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MI 35th
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Default Working on buying a second Z. Test drive Woes

Its been a hectic week but the big decision I made was buying another Z.

Currently about to pick up my 35th Anniv Boosted Coupe from Dynosty and it really got me thinking about a good car to drive back and forth to my office.

I have been looking at Z roadsters 07 - 08 HR cars. The used cars around here are in terrible shape. The last one I drove the top wouldn't even go down. The E-brake was so bad the light was stuck on and the car smelled like burning brake the entire time.

So I have been forced to open up my search for better Zs. I just can't believe how poorly so many of these cars have been cared for. It is just sad. I can tell some of them are kid driven, shitty subwoofer wiring just laying them, more and more issues.

Anyway, are there any other issues buying a roadster I should be looking at other than the standard Z issues.
Old 04-22-2012, 09:31 AM
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mr. sparco
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It's amazing how poorly some people treat their own property.
Old 04-22-2012, 09:58 AM
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SirSpeedyZ
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I've seen threads about the tops tearing/wearing through
Old 04-22-2012, 10:04 AM
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R350Zz33
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Plz don't blame crappy wiring on kids people of all ages gettho rig things I'm a kid (20) and I use 0 gauge
Old 04-22-2012, 10:12 AM
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MI 35th
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I guess I could care a less about whether or not the correct gauge, Shotty work is shotty work.
Old 04-22-2012, 05:40 PM
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realist alive
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i looked at 7 cars before i found one decent enough to put an offer on. some had been wrecked, one with a rebuilt title, and many that had been obviously ragged and treated worse than a dumpster. patience young padawan patience
Old 04-22-2012, 05:51 PM
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MI 35th
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Originally Posted by realist alive
i looked at 7 cars before i found one decent enough to put an offer on. some had been wrecked, one with a rebuilt title, and many that had been obviously ragged and treated worse than a dumpster. patience young padawan patience
I am not new to these cars by any means. The long roads ahead my have me going toward a 370 over a used HR Roadster. I have only 34,000 miles on my 05 350Z and it has seen some tough days but it is immaculate compared to what I have since found for sale on the used market.

I got into an argument with a dealer today, that His 07 was in fact an 06. I just walked away pissed at his ignorance. Charging 22K for a 06 with 60K on it.
Old 04-22-2012, 06:09 PM
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realist alive
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when i bought my 03 performance the dealer had it as an enthusiast. there will be a uninformed nincompoop that will jump on that "deal". i know a girl that had a 2yr old Ford Focus with window motor problems, took it to the dealer left with a 1yr old Toyota corolla and an extra 5K on her loan
Old 05-13-2012, 03:48 PM
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wwilde001
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Take your time and do a nationwide search if you are serious about it. I found my 05 last spring in Miami. It had 9K miles and got it for $17K. I flew down and picked it up from the private seller. Had to a few tears in the top, and it had a few dings, but was well worth the search and the flight to pick it up. Put the first 1000 miles on it on the trip home with a big smile on my face! Good luck.
Old 05-13-2012, 04:23 PM
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zland
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In the long run, better to buy a clean, low miles Z IMO.
Old 05-13-2012, 06:07 PM
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dvsone
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I actually landed my Z Roadster on Ebay and it came to me with new paint and in excellent condition minus the top which I quickly replaced for about $400 and 8 hours of work. One thing that sucked was shipping being around $800. GL Finding an HR convertible!
Old 05-31-2012, 09:51 AM
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juanl1999
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Originally Posted by MI 35th
Its been a hectic week but the big decision I made was buying another Z.

Currently about to pick up my 35th Anniv Boosted Coupe from Dynosty and it really got me thinking about a good car to drive back and forth to my office.

I have been looking at Z roadsters 07 - 08 HR cars. The used cars around here are in terrible shape. The last one I drove the top wouldn't even go down. The E-brake was so bad the light was stuck on and the car smelled like burning brake the entire time.

So I have been forced to open up my search for better Zs. I just can't believe how poorly so many of these cars have been cared for. It is just sad. I can tell some of them are kid driven, shitty subwoofer wiring just laying them, more and more issues.

Anyway, are there any other issues buying a roadster I should be looking at other than the standard Z issues.
Not sure if you bought your 2nd roadster yet but by the sounds of it you keep your very well maintained. Issues with the roadsters that I have seen with mine and friends, top will rip at the sides of the window. Look at the top carefully. It it the original top or replaced. Be weary of original tops because it will rip within a year if not maintained by the other person. Also if the top was replaced does in open close ok. Does it making clicking sound trying to close it. If it does the motor is bad and you need to replace or fix.

Bose stereo, subwoofer cuts in and out. Also the left channel will go out when playing CD's.

Fuel gauge shows empty when it still has 1/4 of a tank. Very annoying.

I can't remember what year model burns oil for some reason. I think its 2006.

Hope this helps. Other than that just minor problems that may or may not occur to your car. But the ones I've listed I've seen on multiple cars.
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