how to tell if it was beaten on???
Luck of the draw, but as long as its maintained it will still be pretty good. I would rather buy a maintained yet drivin hard car than one that hasn't been maintained a babied while driven.
Pick a straw outa the hat pretty much. I looked at alot of Z's when I was lookin for mine, and I concluded with a 2003 Daytona Blue for 14,900 with 59k miles. Runs great, no issues. CD player didn't work when I got it, but I just replaced it with one with Ipod sync anyways.
No matter what used car you choose to get, your running a risk. Just take it for a spin! See how it responds, and look for small things.
No matter what used car you choose to get, your running a risk. Just take it for a spin! See how it responds, and look for small things.
MY CHECKLIST FOR BUYING USED:
I take a jack and my cordless impact with me. I always carfax the VIN as well.
1. Jack up the car at each corner and check every wheel, tire and brakes. check wheel well spray lining and see if any cracks, signals of accident damage.
2. under the hood i look for heads of screws that have been replaced - as in a alternator or starter has been removed before, you can tell that the heads of the screws are not new anymore - signal of replacement.
3. run the crap out of the AC - while parked and while im doing everything else.
4. 03 Z - check for tire feathering.
5. under the car i look for leaks, follow any fluids back up and see where they are coming from.
6. Check radiator fluid and overflow bucket. smell it.
7. Check steering rack for boot damage etc.
8. Look at front bumper at very bottom and look for damage, follow that area back and see if there are any damage marks in frame, oil pan, etc where the previous owner hit anything on the road.
9. check all electrical components. window motors - up down, wipers front and rear, radio - put my ear to every speaker and check for any blown speakers - touring model, check the sub behind drivers side.
10. Open and close all compartments, check for any broken pieces.
11. take it for a long drive, neighborhoods as well as highway, keep ac going full blast, check and keep an eye on water temps, oil pressures, etc.
Drive the car, fast, slow, hard, etc...check for clutch slippage in higher gears and smell for bad clutch. - i know the smell, some dont.
after the drive, re-check under the hood and decide from there..
-j
I take a jack and my cordless impact with me. I always carfax the VIN as well.
1. Jack up the car at each corner and check every wheel, tire and brakes. check wheel well spray lining and see if any cracks, signals of accident damage.
2. under the hood i look for heads of screws that have been replaced - as in a alternator or starter has been removed before, you can tell that the heads of the screws are not new anymore - signal of replacement.
3. run the crap out of the AC - while parked and while im doing everything else.
4. 03 Z - check for tire feathering.
5. under the car i look for leaks, follow any fluids back up and see where they are coming from.
6. Check radiator fluid and overflow bucket. smell it.
7. Check steering rack for boot damage etc.
8. Look at front bumper at very bottom and look for damage, follow that area back and see if there are any damage marks in frame, oil pan, etc where the previous owner hit anything on the road.
9. check all electrical components. window motors - up down, wipers front and rear, radio - put my ear to every speaker and check for any blown speakers - touring model, check the sub behind drivers side.
10. Open and close all compartments, check for any broken pieces.
11. take it for a long drive, neighborhoods as well as highway, keep ac going full blast, check and keep an eye on water temps, oil pressures, etc.
Drive the car, fast, slow, hard, etc...check for clutch slippage in higher gears and smell for bad clutch. - i know the smell, some dont.
after the drive, re-check under the hood and decide from there..
-j
Banned
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by SlowZster
well, it's not like these cars are expensive to fix, just find one you like for the right price, and buy it! Things that break are just reasons to upgrade. If the motor blows, hello built block 
wheels curbed, hello Volk's (or other brand), clutch goes, hello upgraded clutch. You get the point. I guess it depends on your budget though.
wheels curbed, hello Volk's (or other brand), clutch goes, hello upgraded clutch. You get the point. I guess it depends on your budget though.
