Hey guys, im looking to purchase my first 350Z. I've been looking at a few and im not looking to spend more then 14k. My two options right now are:

a private seller, 04 base model with 53k miles on it for 14k. I know this one has been wrecked, but was not salvaged was all repaired and looks and drives fine. My worries with this are it being a private seller i don't really know what kind of shape the car is truly in, and knowing it has been wrecked i worry about long term damage.

My other current option is also 14k its a 2005 base model, white, with 90k miles, it seems to have been very well taken care of. This one is being sold by a small dealer that specializes primarily in used BMWs, Mercedes, Jaguars, Porsche's, Infiniti's, Land Rovers, etc. That said i feel like this dealer is pretty upscale and straight forward and would not sell a piece of junk; they also offer a variety of different warranties on all their vehicles. Being new to Nissan I'm really not sure what to look for at 90k miles, I am originally a honda head and with a honda 90k miles would not worry me at all.
One of the main benefits of the 05 are having the HID's and LED tails...

Please give me your wisdom and opinions. I'm not asking you to tell me which car i need to buy, i know that is my decision, but please just some insight.. Thanks in Advance!

 

Setting a budget is smart. Keep in mind that a car listed at $14,000 may sell for $13,000. You don't know until you make the seller an offer.

Of the Zs that you mentioned the one with the least miles of course.

 

I'd go for the one not damaged but, in either case, have a mechanic inspect it before buying.

 

ok, lets add another to the list.. this one i just found, its an 05 35th anniversary addition... its black with nismo front bumper, exhaust and some 20 inch offset wheels. it looks clean! its got 64k miles on it, leather seats, brembo brakes, the whole kit and shaboodle (sp?)
anyways, he bought it at an auction wrecked and did all the repairs himself, its a rebuilt title and is asking 16k for it, price is negotiable...
what do you guys know about rebuilt titles? is this just a disaster waiting to happen if i purchase this car? or is it a great deal waiting for me!

 

No, no no.

 

so... is that no to all three vehicles? can you please provide support for that?

 

I would never buy a wrecked veichle, but that is just me.

Also, I would be worried about buying a Z with 90k miles, I would wait to find something better; buying a car is always a pretty big step so take your time.

 

rebuilt titles make a car worth about half as much man.. youll be stuck with the car and even if it is absolutely ok - its not going to have half of its value.

I don't like the idea of the first one either, you don't want a wrecked Z. the 2nd one has very high mileage, if you want to go for that one, I would talk the price down pretty far and have it inspected by a mechanic that knows his ****.

if you pony'ed up a couple/few more grand you could get yourself a nice Z without compromise..

 

The first option, due to the fact that the other two have racked up a lotta miles. But,
ultimately, it's your call. Good luck.

 

Unless the Z sold by the dealer, then taken in on trade, there is no reason to think that they know anything about the car themselves. They most likely took it in on trade or bought it at auction. In either case, they don't know anything about the car and simply sent it out to be detailed, and if your lucky, had someone change the oil. You normally stand a better chance of getting a hx on a car when you buy it from a private seller.

For a rebuilt title, first figure out what the car would be worth with a clean title. Then deduct 1/3 to 1/2 of the value because of the rebuilt title.

 

Op, my "no" was only to the wrecked one.

Between the other two, i gave my 2C higher in the thread.

 

I say "no" to all of them. Keep looking.

 

an 03 enthusiast with fairly low miles 45-50k has a book value of 15500 or so...considering this market subtract 10% of that to actually SELL a car which means you should be able to find 03 enthusiasts or so (the base is just too stripped and you can afford and enthusiast) for around 14k. I was considering buying an 03 enthusiast with decent rims and only 45k miles 2 months ago. The asking price was 14,900.

There ARE deals out there and you can get a nice Z not molested and doesn't have over 60 on the clock even for around 14k....take your time this is a big purchase. I'm trying too i nkow its hard

 

You make a compelling aguemnt...

OP, I'd stay away from the salvaged title one. Who knows the extent of the damage if another insurance company totalled it? Mayeb there's frame damage... maybe not... Do you want to take a chance on a car that may never drive right?

Also, some insurance companies will not offer full coverage on a salvaged title car. They may offer liability only. So if it gets wrecked, they may not pay for repairs.

I'm with black06z - keep looking. The 270z will be out soon and the z33 prices will drop even more.

 

Dude look at mine! The link is right in my sig! Clean title. Lots of new parts! fairly low miles generaly speaking for a 03'. And i got like 2 mods lol. im asking for 14k but id take best offer.

 

I have a 04 w/under 36K i will sell you, and texas isnt that far away. it's tastefully modded and i still have all oem parts, and warranty to 75k miles. Oh and it is in near showroom condition

 

You have a link?

 

Ok guys, let me add this in, i called the dealership back that has the 05 with 90k miles on it and they offer a 4 year unlimited mile warranty, so i asked "say i buy the car, and in 2 years it has 180k miles on it and 2nd gear in the transmission goes out, its covered?" and the answer was yes, so should this give me some more comfort of buying a high mileage Z?
At any rate im going out right now to look at it, drive it, and look at a carfax report of it.

 

I wonder how much that warranty is going to cost man.. usually out of warranty vehicles are expensive to get a warranty for, especially for one at 90k miles.. and what parts of the car are covered in that warranty?

oh well, at least you know most of his driving was highway right? lol.

in all honesty it sounds like you could do better from a private seller, even some on these forums. get a Z with less miles.

 

I.M.O dont ever get a rebuild/salvaged title. Its just buying a gazillion problems waiting to happen, most likely all at once. Make sure you exhaust your options before buying anything, theres alot of used Z's around that millage and price range. Dont forget its a buyers market out there.... GL