Hi guys,

i am going to check out a 2005 roadster in a little while. The car has around 13000 miles on it and is the touring model. The guy says he has all service records and that he has absolutely babied the car...

since this is going to be my first convertible, i wanted to know what things i need to check out....any help would be great!!!!!

 

You are going to buy in an hour and now you ask what you should look for?

Well, for starters, verify it has an engine.

Then make sure it doesn't have a CESD9L issue. That compartment engine system diagonstic (9 code) level. Its an issue where if you give it too much gas such as flooring it, the whole engine could potentially go KA-BOOM!.

After that inspect all the tires and make sure they are inflated to proper levels. Very standard thing to do with the roadster Z.

The one other thing I can think off the top of my head is to check under the hood for any nicks and scratches. sometimes vermin have a tendency to crawl under the Z and chew up the lines and try to escape from the hood because they can't figure their way back out from the same way they came. RIDICULOUS i tell you.

 

You should check for fail.

And also the most important thing, under NO circumstances should you accidentally the whole thing.

 

lol...im serious guys. I know im a little late with this post but i just found out about this really good deal a few hours ago. The guy is letting it go for 21k...is that a reasonable price? i was thinking thats a pretty decent price for an 05 with less than 13k miles....i know how to check out a car before buying...just wanted to know if theres anything specific to look for in an 05 roadster....thanks!

 

yep, the car is absolutely fail free and i dont plan on accindentally"ing" it....

 

If the top goes up and down you are good to go.

 

Seat bolster wear, esp. driver side. And of course, check the tire wear and tire pressures. They tell you a whole lot about the car. And finally, drive it or sit in the car with him if he won't let you drive it.

 

Turn signal fluid and the button to turn off the VLSD I read about in another thread.

 

To be serious...

Check oil
Check windows (Motors fail often on these)
Check tires (just as a precaution)
Check operation of soft-top a few times
Check to make sure car starts well
Check clutch (a must!)
Check transmission, make sure car shifts fine, etc. (another must!)

 

thanks for all the help....

 

thanks....what do you think would be a good price for hte car....according to the seller, it is in mint condition....

 

listen..if he babied the car..has the paperwork for it..and if the car comes lean through carfax...then go for it. The only other thing you could do is take it to an inspection shop to take a look privately before purchase if he is okay with that.

 

check under body for sure!! also check all the bolts on all body panels to make sure they are OEM with paint on them. Make sure all body lines are nice and straight with no huge gaps. All the lights work, radio, side mirrors. Oil should not be milky aka blown head gasket. Rear diff is not leaking and you can also check the clutch while standing still. Start to engage the clutch and feel where it starts to stutter. If its to far out most likely needs a new clutch. Have you ever drove a Z before?

 

i have never driven a 350z before...i have a z32 though..but its a totally different driving experience. I test drove the car today....the only thing i noticed is the clutch engages pretty far out...is it supposed to be that way? i dont know if it really matters right now since ive already put the deposit down on it....but if this is a cause of concern i might as well take the hit on the deposit rather than get stuck with a 21k piece of crap.....again...is 21k a good price?

 

21k is an excellent price for that car.

 

YES thats a good price. About the clutch on 350z's, IMO the clutch is very weird. Mine also comes out a lot but if its so far out where it could be almost all the way up, yes clutch will be going out soon on most circumstances.

 

What did you get?

 

Outstanding!

 

I love how 80% of the people that make these threads dont actually get the car

 

sorry, totally forgot about this thread.....I actually did end up getting it...for 20500. The car was absolutely spotless....everything checked out before i bought it.....

BUT, a friend offered me 21500 for the car a week later(he knew i got it for 20500)....i thought about it for a little while and ended up selling it to him....i realized im just not a fan of convertibles........plus it was the easiest $1000 i ever made

ill be back in the market for a coupe as soon as i sell my G....