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Extreme front collision - Buy or not?

Old May 3, 2015 | 06:40 AM
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Default Extreme front collision - Buy or not?

Came across this 2008 350z. I haven't seen it in person yet, but I'm probably going there soon.

The engine is supposed to run fine, and the suspension for both wheels should be ok. Obviously all airbags are popped, and it needs a lot of work.. but can it be worth it?

I'd like to put time in this project myself, but most internal parts would have to be checked and fixed by someone else.. as I don't have all the experience. But I'd like to learn.

Please if you know a lot about this car, check and see whats missing. Could someone list parts with prices? This would help me out a lot. I might be able to get some used parts, or aftermarket ones for some. But you don't see this car driving around here in Holland too often.

A model like this in good shape should cost a little under 20,000 euros around here. I'm asking you, what would u pay for this one shown below? Will it be worth fixing, if yes.. for what price would u buy it?

Extreme front collision - Buy or not?-sa2nhvl.jpg

Extreme front collision - Buy or not?-lt6qa7w.jpg

Extreme front collision - Buy or not?-l7x0ibp.jpg

Extreme front collision - Buy or not?-9fpbuli.jpg

Extreme front collision - Buy or not?-ffmlwrm.jpg

Extreme front collision - Buy or not?-sh143aj.jpg

Extreme front collision - Buy or not?-uwolipa.jpg
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Old May 3, 2015 | 07:34 AM
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I would not pay more than $3500 for that car assuming the frame was straight. There are too many 350Z's selling for 10-12000 euro in Germany to want to buy and repair that.
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Old May 3, 2015 | 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by armt350z
I would not pay more than $3500 for that car assuming the frame was straight. There are too many 350Z's selling for 10-12000 euro in Germany to want to buy and repair that.
Thanks for the reply.

So you're saying it's not worth more than about 3000 euros. I think I must agree. Although I'm pretty sure I'd have to pay more to get this one.

In The Netherlands - where I am - Germany is known for cheaper used cars, but import costs are very high. (registering it with a Dutch plate) Which usually makes it not even worth importing for middle-class cars.

At the moment, getting a good 2008 350z in The Netherlands wont happen under 17,000 euros.

Besides this one, I've also been looking at older models with a moderate to low milage. That will still set me back at least 9000 euros.
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Old May 3, 2015 | 08:02 AM
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Automatic transmission. Would not buy....
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Old May 3, 2015 | 09:02 AM
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Not worth it in my opinion
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Old May 3, 2015 | 06:57 PM
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No, it's not worth it at all, if I were you I would look at those older models with low miles.
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Old May 3, 2015 | 07:13 PM
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The Z33 is not the car to learn how to do auto repair on. As others have said, it'll be expemsive and complex to repair for the damage pictured. Pass.
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Old May 3, 2015 | 08:06 PM
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You know, at first I was thinking you guys are crazy, buy this car for 4kish, spend at most 5k to repair, make 8k profit when selling... But then I thought about it.. when you go to sell its gonna have a rebuilt title probably wont get 10k for it... And if you do manage to spend 3k to fix it you MIGHT make 1-2k off it. If you were to buy it it would have to be a track toy, and its auto so track toy isn't likely.
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Old May 4, 2015 | 06:25 AM
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If you have no experience and are looking to learn, do not start with that car.
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Old May 4, 2015 | 12:36 PM
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Car needs a alignment that's for sure LMAO! Yeah no go on that car! Pick a diff project and let someone else be the sucker to dump nothing but time and $$$ into it.
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Old May 5, 2015 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by drvqz33
Not worth it in my opinion
Originally Posted by bith8791
No, it's not worth it at all, if I were you I would look at those older models with low miles.
Originally Posted by dkmura
The Z33 is not the car to learn how to do auto repair on. As others have said, it'll be expemsive and complex to repair for the damage pictured. Pass.
Originally Posted by FOOKhonda
You know, at first I was thinking you guys are crazy, buy this car for 4kish, spend at most 5k to repair, make 8k profit when selling... But then I thought about it.. when you go to sell its gonna have a rebuilt title probably wont get 10k for it... And if you do manage to spend 3k to fix it you MIGHT make 1-2k off it. If you were to buy it it would have to be a track toy, and its auto so track toy isn't likely.
Originally Posted by Syner
If you have no experience and are looking to learn, do not start with that car.
Originally Posted by Highway Riding
Car needs a alignment that's for sure LMAO! Yeah no go on that car! Pick a diff project and let someone else be the sucker to dump nothing but time and $$$ into it.

Dang, thanks for your replies everyone. That seems like a no go.

My question is: If I could get this thing for a steal, and I'd go for it, do most of the work myself.. What parts are missing?

Obviously I can see the outside, but what is missing under the hood.. I'm talking like radiator and air filters.. could someone with more experience on the 350z list this? =) pretty please

I do know some car basics and have worked in a garage before. But I do not know the 350z at all, apart from how amazing it drives xD

If not this one, I'll be looking for another 350z. Great community, thanks so far!
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Old May 5, 2015 | 05:17 PM
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Definitely need new intakes, pulley belt, the actual bumper and the bumper cover headlights possibly New struts and springs, tires obviously, radiatior, cooling plate (the part that sits on top of the radiator) that's about it from what i can tell on my phone, picture quality is terrible for me lol, hope that helps you start a list, but obviously you'll need almost every panel on the car new passenger dash and steering wheel, if you could get it for 2-3k it'd be a fun project to keep, you'll have trouble selling it though. Plus there's always the possibility of a lot of "dont knows" from and investment standpoint its a terrible thing to get into.
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Old May 6, 2015 | 07:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Ramonn
Dang, thanks for your replies everyone. That seems like a no go.

My question is: If I could get this thing for a steal, and I'd go for it, do most of the work myself.. What parts are missing?

Obviously I can see the outside, but what is missing under the hood.. I'm talking like radiator and air filters.. could someone with more experience on the 350z list this? =) pretty please

I do know some car basics and have worked in a garage before. But I do not know the 350z at all, apart from how amazing it drives xD

If not this one, I'll be looking for another 350z. Great community, thanks so far!
You need more than the basics for that car.

Even if you do it all yourself, you'll be looking at more money in parts than buying another car that's in better shape.
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Old May 6, 2015 | 07:46 AM
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As others have said, not worth it.

The cost of getting that car to the condition of a clean 350Z will be much higher than just purchasing a clean one.
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Old May 6, 2015 | 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by FOOKhonda
Definitely need new intakes, pulley belt, the actual bumper and the bumper cover headlights possibly New struts and springs, tires obviously, radiatior, cooling plate (the part that sits on top of the radiator) that's about it from what i can tell on my phone, picture quality is terrible for me lol, hope that helps you start a list, but obviously you'll need almost every panel on the car new passenger dash and steering wheel, if you could get it for 2-3k it'd be a fun project to keep, you'll have trouble selling it though. Plus there's always the possibility of a lot of "dont knows" from and investment standpoint its a terrible thing to get into.
Body lines don't match up. There is likely frame damage.

If the motor was pushed hard enough to cause frame damage, I'd guess the entire driveline will have issues.
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Old May 6, 2015 | 08:14 AM
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I would pay tow truck driver $100 to make it go away forever.
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Old May 7, 2015 | 11:39 AM
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If that door is closed all the way and not just sitting slightly ajar, then walk away.

This kind of risk is best left to people who are experienced and have the resources (mainly, connections) to get this stuff repaired correctly, for a good price to resell. Off the street even the same body shop will try and bend you over vs. dealing with someone they know. You need industry connections and an expert eye to accurately assess damage to make this kind of thing worthwhile. Without seeing this in person it would be difficult to really understand what is going on.

Even if you are successful and best case end up with a great driving Z on the low, Im sure there will be titling issues upon resale that would prevent you from extracting the maximum value from the car. In the end, you would end up with a car that is worth exactly what you put in it, if not less.

You say 9k euro for a higher mileage, clean title car...I say go for that. If I am wrong on this and am underestimating your abilities, then by all means make the car of your dreams happen.

The entrepreneurial thing to do would be to get the price to a point where you could part it out and make some money. They likely won't go that low if they are representing a repairable car.
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Old May 11, 2015 | 10:23 AM
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Hopefully you haven't already purchased this car but from someone who has done this before DO NOT BUY THAT CAR!!

The tiny brackets and bits and pieces you are missing will be a budget killer. The below took about $3K to accomplish.
















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Old May 11, 2015 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by DmanG281
Hopefully you haven't already purchased this car but from someone who has done this before DO NOT BUY THAT CAR!!

The tiny brackets and bits and pieces you are missing will be a budget killer. The below took about $3K to accomplish.
Nice project. I went there to see the car, but it was even worse than the pics could tell. By the looks of it someone had already started fixing it. Plus it was still an american car.. yes, in Holland. A LOT of taxes come with getting a Dutch plate on a not European car.

I wasn't so much concerned about most of the parts, because a scrapyard close to me had 3 not running 350z's rotting away.

I'm looking for a road car that might need some work like u showed me. It didn't look all too pretty, but not too bad. Will be looking around for something like that ^^ Not because I can't afford a neat one, but I'd like working on something like that. And if I could drive it a year or two without any loss, that would make it even better

So this thread is pretty much done. Again, thanks everyone. If you come across this piece, pass. Such a shame.. Track toy? maybe, but I'd be looking at older cars than this.
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Old May 11, 2015 | 11:23 AM
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Good call, OP.
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