Hi, everyone. I just sold my '96 Trans Am a couple of weeks ago and I pretty much have my heart set on a 350z. I've been in love with these cars since they came out.

I've been searching on ebay, craigslist, and autotrader; but people are wanting way over book value for these cars. I found one car that I thought was a good deal, but turned out it wasn't so good.

Anyways, I've found another z, it's a 2003 touring with 20,000 miles on it they are asking $15,000 (book is around 11k in perfect condition, I'm thinking about offering them what book value is). I need to know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I haven't contacted the seller yet because I would like to get a list of questions together before I give them a call. I've done a good deal of reading on common questions and problems of the z. I know of the tire feathering problem, are there any other prominent problems with this car?

Also the car is about 5 hours from where I live so I need to be sure I'm going to buy it before I drive out there.

 

I also suggest that you drive up there at least once to take a good look at it before you decide upon getting it. It would be a very good idea to give it a good inspection yourself and to check if everything is up to your standards of what you'd like. The more you check it out the better...

 

+1

Go see it with the intention of NOT buying that day. If you spend 5 hours driving to see car hoping to buy it, you will most likely buy it, even if you shouldn't.

Been there, done that.

 

Thanks for the input. I know how the whole going with the intention of buying then it not being as good as the seller said it was. This past weekend I looked at an 04 z and it had been painted all over and the clutch didn't seem like it was working right. It was hard to turn it down, but the more I talked to the guy the worse I felt about buying the car.

Here is the car:http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

I wish I knew some people in the atl area that could go look at it for me...oh well.

 

Many 350Z sellers ask ridiculous prices. When the car does not sell for several months, the price gets more reasonable. You are on target with making an offer.

Money talks. Bull poop walks.

 

In my top 5 of favorite wordZ.

 

OK, so after finding that one car I decided to search in that area and I found 3 other possible good deals. What are some good questions to ask the sellers before I drive out there? I already have a small list put together asking about window motors, paint condition, cruise control, leaks, oil consumption, and problems with 3rd and 5th gear. Is there anything I'm leaving out?

 

whats your budget? when i was shopping i found that for a bit more money, you get A LOT more car

 

Well it is supposed to be $10,000. I'm looking at $15000 because like you said for a little more money you get a lot more car. I wish I had a job right now, if I did I could afford an HR car. Here's the scoop, I know I will probably get flamed for this but oh well, my mom made a deal with me that if I sell my car she will match what I sell it for (since it had broken down on me and stuff kept breaking). I sold my car a couple of weeks ago for $5000, so she is supplying the other $5000. I am in school right now and I have student loans available but I really don't want to get myself into more debt than I am already in when I graduate.

 

 

Ok guys, I found another car, it is a 2003 silver enthusiast, in the atlanta area and talked to the guy today. He sounded like he was really meticulous about his car, he's had the driver's side motor replaced, and the transmission replaced because of the 3rd and 5th gear problem. He said everything else was good on the car, never been wrecked and he has had it since 12,000 miles. It currently has 52,000 miles.

I also talked to another guy that has a 2004 touring PPW with 60,000 miles. The main problem with this one is the bumper has been replaced. He said it was just the bumper though, and has a carfax report stating that is was just a $500 fix. Both windows work fine and the trans shifts fine he says.

Both cars are completely stock and need new tires. They are both around the same price range, the guy with the 04 said he was negotiable on the price, I didn't really discuss the price with the other guy on the phone.

I really wish I could get in touch with the other sellers in Atlanta so I could go look at this guys car. I would really like to have leather but it isn't a necessity.

 

I think your list is complete. Every transmission is unique. If you drive two 350Zs, for example, you may prefer one transmission over the other. Front tire feathering is a big deal for some members. A seller will easily hide feathering with new tires.

 

Thanks, the only reason I didn't list the tire feathering issue is because it can be fixed easily. Or am I wrong on that one?

 

If it was easy I doubt this thread would be 200 pages: https://my350z.com/forum/maintenance...g-fyi-201.html

 

Ah hah. Thanks for that. I thought I read somewhere that someone got it fixed just by taking it to an alignment shop. Glad to know that isn't the case though.