Hello I am obviously new to the forum and I am currently drive a 1.0 RS Tc and am upgrading and have decided on the 350z. I have ben reading the posts in this forums for a few weeks now and I just have a few questions.

I am looking to spend as little as i can with out buying a lemon to save for mods. Should i still stay away from an 03 if they are over 50k miles because of all the new model hickups?

What should i look out for when testing the Z's besides the normal grinding or odd sounds of the tranny?

I am located in Virginia and found this one in NY and plan on getting a SMS 3rd party inspection before i drive up to see it.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/1447270592.html

I do not want to give up the red color but realize the redlines are alot more. This does seem a little to good. but do you guys have any suggestions or input on the car? (i will lose the rims immediatly) and if there is anyone in the area who is knowledage about enough to help me out i will greatly compensate you for "inspecting" the car for me.

all help is appreciated thankyou in advance!

 

You'll get all kinds of opinions regarding model year. I think it comes down to mileage, the lower the better. I'd be worried about a car that was in an accident where the airbags deployed. I'd also wonder when he swapped the wheels, was it after an accident damaged his stock wheels? If so, I'd be really cautious.

 

Don't get that car, it's been in an accident. You never know how serious it was, the owner will always say it was minor but you never know how it could effect the car, and leave you stuck with its problems. I'd rather get a higher mileage 03 than lower mileage salvage or crashed one ANYDAY. All matters how the car's been taken care of.

 

Try to save your cash and shop around for an '07 Base if you have plans of modding the car.

The HR engine is far superior! I have seen used one's in the teens.

I would avoid a salvaged car.

 

Stay away from salvage title,i bpught an 98 ss that had it,although it passed inspection i could feel it was salvaged after a while.

 

Its not officialy titled as salvage but that does frighten me but the red is amazing. and for the 07 its a little out of my price range i am looking to stay under 12k so it will all be paid for with the sale of my tc. the newest i could find was an 05 bone stock

i do need cruise control. the only ones without this is the base models right?

 

Welcome. At least the owner is straightup about damage. Door damage is more significant than fender damage:

Look at door hinges. Inspect door alignment.
Look under car for frame repairs in the fender-door area. Fresh black paint is a key that repair welds have been painted over.

 

def 07-08

 

The first thing I would ask is how he went about repairing the damage. Were the fender and door skin or maybe whole door replaced with new OEM parts or were the just filled with bondo. Look for sand scratches in the quarter panel because it would suck to go to roll your quarter only to see cracks in bondo.

 

Hello everybody..
Thanks for the post..

 

I would avoid modded cars and go for a near stock look. I would also consider finding a 04.5 model or up (they seem to have less problems). The 03's and early 04's have some problems such as tire feathering, trans problems, and a few other minor issues. I bought a 04.5 White Z with only 46,000 miles on it for $12,750, the owner wanted $14,500 but was in a bind. Good luck finding a Z just take your time, but IMO i wouldn't spend under $12,000 for Z. Kinda that you get what you pay for thing. If it seems cheap it prob has something wrong with it.

 

Zs under $12k will likely be ragged out or high mileage. High-mileage is ok. Beggers can't be choosers. Look at all years, but don't be afraid of 03/04s.

 

make sure no accidents make sure everythiing striaght and you wanna check the miles cause according to this forums our or should i say some of ous experience oil counsumptions.. of the vq. but thats not for every one . thats just one main thing to be aware of . also how you guys post ur own pictures of ya car for tha avatar. i got my album but i cant seem to figure it out.. lol

 

Moved...

 

I'm curious why after doing all the work he did he didn't go ahead and replace the airbag. I would also double check how expensive it is to replace the airbag. $200 sounds too cheap.

 

Owners priority is 20 inch ghetto wheels not air bag.

 

Did you spend as little as i can with out buying a lemon to save for mods.
?