Hey guys, I'm hopefully gonna be a Z owner along with you guys in the near future. I currently have a few questions regarding this particular Z. Its a 2003 with 98xxx miles. The guy is asking for 7000 even. I'm not sure whether its a base model, I dont think so because it has a traction control button and steering wheel controls which leads me to believe its a enthusiast trim? Anyway, down to business.


Question #1) the car has an odd sound while it running that doesnt occur in any other Zs that Ive driven. (and Ive driven plenty.) He said it's something about a hydraulic lifter adjustment, I don't know what that is as I'm not mechanically inclined :P


heres the sound I'm referring to ^^



Heres a pic of what he said the repairs were that have to be made to fix it, he said he was quoted 600, is this accurate? ^^

a few pics of the car below





Question # 2) based off the information I've told you guys, is this a good buy? Is the noise something I should be worried about? For the record, there is no CEL but I'm **** about my cars as many of you must understand.

I hope to be a proud member of the 350z community in a short time! have a good one guys!

 

i would turn and walk from that z........

 

any reason why?

 

the sound of the motor when it starts......should not sound like that.

 

nope. have him do a full tune up, and if it is still making that noise then bounce. that ticking could b the start of very costly repairs... that is the first pronouce evidence of motor neglect.

 

that noise is not normal .......

 

My 08 HR with 58k miles on it has been garaged and regular oil changes, tracked twice and NEVER drifted. I'm running into "maintenance" issues such as brakes, bushings, replacing aftermarket parts that may be starting to go and silly tire leak issues.

I may be unlucky but if I am having these unforeseen issues imagine what you will have on top of what I have mentioned!!!!

Beat feet. You can find better for not much more.

 

Run, don't walk, away from it. It sounds like a sewing machine. Something has to be wrong. Mine has 225,000 miles on it and sounds brand new compared to that... Your instinct is telling you what to do. Good thing you had some comparisons.

 

a tune up will do nothing for that noise, something internally is jacked

 

Could be an exhaust leak up front, but if not that, there is something wrong internally. Either way, I'd just bail on that one.

 

to me it sounded more like a tapping than a puttering......

 

Maybe, but I've heard a very similar sound from a cracked header/exhaust manifold. Just a guess, without hearing it in-person.

 

true,

 

I hate when guys say "oh, that noise? it's just [insert excuse]"

If it's just the above excuse, then fkn fix it before listing/selling. Sounds shady.

 

I drove the car and it drove like any other Z. No transmission/clutch problems, I showed the vid to my mechanic and he said it was something about lack of oil pressure? Thoughts? Is this car even worth negotiating?

 

seems like you are persistent about buying it... go ahead and then you will post up later... engine locked up on me, what now

 

Some people just need to be hit over the head to get a point. OP just doesn't get it, no matter what you tell him.

 

I understand being anxious to get the car, I know I was, but it took me 3 months of looking around before I got one. patience pays off in the long run, you get what you pay for, just remember that

 

no
no
no
no
no
no
no

 

alright guys, I've made my decision lol, you guys know much more about Zs then me no discussion, I'm not usually this stubborn haha but I'm sure you guys understand the anxiety of looking for a car day and night, checking craigslist and autotrader for like 2 months. I'm gonna let this one go due to the overwhelming majority of negative comments. Thanks for knocking some sense into me :P I'm gonna keep looking.