this link is huge, sorry:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

I've been looking into buying a car since December and I decided on a 350Z. I want to buy used to save myself money and the depreciation hit. This car is listed at $16k, but I talked to the guy for a while (its a small used car lot place) and I am pretty sure I can get it for about 15k. I have not brought it to a mechanic yet, but I didn't want to do that until I was pretty sure I would buy it if it checked out OK.

Its a 2004 Touring with 29k miles. Its an automatic, and I was originally looking for a manual, but honestly I've never owned a manual and most of my drive is back and forth to work in traffic so I think maybe an AT would be better for me anyways. Plus my wife has never learned to drive MT.

I looked it over/test drove it and I noticed some wear and tear, but nothing I would think of as "major". There were some minor scratches around the base of the bumper, mainly the back right and mid-front. Looked like they were from stuff being kicked up from the road or something.. they weren't deep and might clean up ok.

Inside there were some scratches on the plastic surfaces, but not a whole lot... mostly some of the buttons to open the compartments looked scratched/worn. Also, on the leather on the steering wheel where was a pretty big mark on the bottom left, like it had been imprinted hard with something or maybe even cut.. circular shape, about the size of the head of a pen or pencil. I really don't know what that was, hard to explain. I didn't notice it until about halfway through the test drive, but once I saw it it was easily noticeable. You might even be able to see it in the pictures if you look close.

So... thoughts on whether this is a good deal? Thoughts about the wear/tear? Is stuff like some scratched up interior plastic / exterior bumper scratches to be expected on a car thats an '04, or is this probably more than normal? I know its hard to say without pictures, any thoughts are appreciated.

Edit: also, I know one of the major issues with this year model is "tire feathering". I looked at the tires while at the dealer, but nothing jumped out at me about them. I understand that this was fixed with some 04 models but not with others... is there any way to tell whether this particular car was one of the ones fixed? perhaps with the VIN? I searched for this but wasn't able to find it.

Thanks.

 

You can tell if a car has been taken care of or trashed. I would rather have a 2004 with 29,000 miles than a 2005 with 58,000 miles. Happy shopping.

 

Im also looking for an 03/04 as a summer car. Im avoiding the 05/06's due to the oil issues. 07+ are too pricey.

 

that is a good deal i got my 04 for 15k out-the-door and it is the same as this but stonesilver with 21k miles

 

Just buy mine, 2004.5 Siverstone 25k in excellent condition, has some light mods: 3.5 FD and DC headers. Asking 13500 obo.

 

Id buy it if you didnt live on the opposite coast.. how much to ship?

 

Will included in the price if you pick it up in Pennsylvania

 

Got a pic and info thread on it?

 

I will try to get some pics today and post it on the marketplace.

 

I bought it. The original car I posted, not the one from CAV. It's sweet.

 

Welcome and congratulations!