Hey guys,
I'm looking to join the Z community after coming from an S2000. I've been talking to someone with a ST Z and am interested in buying it. That said, am I getting a good deal?

2004
69,000 miles
Clean title/Carfax
Turbonetics ST kit
Kinetix manifold
Mishimoto radiator w/ Turbo fans
440cc injectors
Tial 38mm Wastegate
Nismo low temp thermostat
Stage 3 clutch
New tranny mounts
B&M short shifter
OS Giken 1.5 LSD
Wilwood 355mm front BBK
Seibon CF hood and wing
HKS Carbon Ti exhaust
HP R5 20" wheels
Sparco seats with NRG harnesses
Sparco roll bar

Plus some other little stuff. It makes an acclaimed 450whp at 6psi on a "built" engine consisting of tighter seals (he says it is safe with this power). If I do buy it I will get it tuned right away and make sure I am running a safe setup.

I got him down to $14,500 pending an inspection. Is this a good deal?

 

ask to see receipts on this "built motor"

 

you mean 16 psi? Would the built block really help give 100+ whp?

 

I have a TN ST Z and I do love it. However, I make about 372 rwhp on about 8-9 PSI (I'm on crappy Cali gas) so I doubt your making that much on 6 PSI. The TN kit is just not that efficient.

Overall, it is a solid kit but it appears to missing either a piggy back or stand alone computer. Please advise if your forgot to put that in or if the car genuinely does not have one. If it doesn't and the car is only using a TS Reflash, I would consider those numbers highly suspect as the reflash was CRAP and I would detonate all over the place until I got my E-Manage Blue.

As another poster has stated, ask for receipts of this built motor and what this 'built motor' implies i.e. rods, pistons, valves, rings etc etc. Also ask him for pictures if possible.

What will your inspection entail?

 

Just FYI, I bought my TN kit for $3,400 back in 2005. I think TN has had the audacity to raise the prices on the kit as it got older and I don't know why as there are many superior kits out there. I also bought 440cc injectors for about $100 also back in 2005 so maybe that might help you to add on potential value to a stock car's Kelly Blue Book value to see whether or not you pare paying too much.

 

Will do. Although the owner before the current owner did all the FI work so he may not have them. His exact quote when I asked about the motor being built was this: "Yup. No super work on the engine it's safe. Just tighter seals".
Tighter seals wouldn't make all that much of a difference would they?
No, he said 450whp at 6 psi. This does seem a little excessive, so I'm willing to bet that it's not the right power number. That doesn't bother me much as I'd rather have a bit less power and not grenade the engine.

 

Thanks a lot. Like I said, the previous owner did all the FI work so he is not sure of everything on the car. I'm going to try to get in touch with the previous owner and talk it over with him. I could not give you a definite answer on the piggy back right now. Worse comes to worst I can always add an E-Manage if you would recommend one over another system.

I would have the current owner bring it to Horsepower Logic in West Palm Beach (I am in Chicago), and have them look everything over and make sure it is in good, safe working order. I was planning on flying down and driving it back but I would rather have it shipped and then tuned locally before driving long distances with it. Anything specific I should ask the shop to check for?

Stock value in excellent condition, without adding any options is around $13,500 according to KBB. I feel as if $14,500 plus around $500 for shipping is a good deal, but I just wanted to make sure. This is, of course, assuming that nothing is wrong.

 

If the motor is "safe" certainly the seller will give you a 12,000 mile/12 month money back guarantee.

 

It sounds like a good deal. I doubt it is making 450 though. Have you seen and driven the car? What does he mean by "tighter seals"?

 

If only!

Good/bad news though. I emailed a member of this forum who just sold his turbo Z and asked him a few questions. He said that he has seen this car at local meets. The current owner blew it up just a few days after he bought it, and is now trying to sell it. He told me to run away and that I can find a Z with a built motor for a similar price. Even if it is a bit more expensive, the peace of mind and reliability will be well worth it for me.

Thanks for all the help everyone, but I will be passing on this one.

 

if u buy this car you will kick yourself in the *** and have problems for many years to come..go for it, it will look cool sitting in the driveway...

do a little research on the turbonetics kits for one, 2 you dont even know what the motor consists of and im guessing its not built if its only making that power ...there would be receipts for sure, and 3 the kit wont make anywhere near that power on 6psi..its prolly a crappy kit running the crappy reflash and ready to grenade ...if he is telling u its 450whp on 6psi then just think of all the other things hes lying about...what a joke..kids kids kids i tell ya

 

good..do yourself a favor

 

Did you go with naturally aspirated or forced induction?

 

There's No such thing as a good deal on a turbonetics kit, even if its free! LOL

Do yourself a favor and buy a low mileage/clean car and build it/have a shop build it and do some twins. A great kit to look at would be the greddy twin; it spools quick enough for lower power ranges but can flow over 600whp if you have the supporting mods.

 

Wtf is tighter seals? I didnt even know the Z came with apex seals!

 

Lol @ turbonetics
Lol @ buying a used car with a turbo kit
Lol @ uber horsepowers
Lol @ tighter seals