Hello,

Yesterday, I went out and purchased my new project. Ive met with several locals now and each of them say this site is the best to get help, parts, etc. Well I have personally always loved watching build threads evolve as they go, so I figured someone would want to see what I love doing most. Mostly, I am doing this for myself to see when the car is completely done.

As some of you may have picked up, I do this on the side to make money. Im 21 and in college. I have owned very many cars before which I have fixed and sold. My last car was a 2006 evo. I absolutely love the evo's and will own another one soon, but Im very excited about getting into the 350z as my daily driver. On to the car...

2003 350z, 47k miles, red, 6spd.
I bought the car from a local owner off craigslist (who is also a member here, some might recognize the car) and want to rebuild it and keep it for myself to enjoy.

The car was involved in an accident. Someone had hit the left front corner of the Z which spun the car around and damaged the left rear quarter a bit. At the tow yard, the previous owner had a little trouble with people taking what they wanted off the car. Doors, passenger fender, passenger head light, misc interior parts were stolen at the yard and never recovered.

So this is the beginning of the re-build. I will post pics and update as much as I can.

I NEED PARTS!!!! If you have something you see damaged or gone in my pictures I probably need it! HIT ME UP!

Parts already purchased
-both fenders
-both doors
-radiator
-front bumper

Parts I need
-set of hid head lights
-left tail light
-core support
-ac condenser
-hood (local please)
-AIRBAGS
-both seat belts
-blah
-blah
-blah


First day working on the thing. Taking it all apart, seeing whats damaged.
(pics arent very good quality from my phone but in the future ill take good ones)

Structural damage only on left side.
















After the front has been taken apart - radiator trashed, ac condenser trashed, radiator cooling fan trashed, core support is gone too.

 

suscribed

 

Welcome. Lots of work ahead for you. Best wishes.

 

Hmm..the amount of money that your probably going to spend fixing this Z would probably be better used just to buy a used one.

less....you can find everything at the yard. I personally have a co that i deal with out here in NJ, that has aftermarket body parts. They are called KSI. I believe they have an online page, but i never checked. Try them and see.

Good luck!

 

Before I purchased the car, I did an in dept analysis of parts/prices.The car is definitely not going to be a steal, but it will be less than an average 350z. Im shooting for under 7k completely done... There are always those super good deals somewhere...

As soon as the body parts are in, its going on a frame jig.

 

so there is frame damage?

 

Great project car. Even has Tein coilovers. BTW we have most of those parts in stock.

 

that's a big undertaking for a used car. hopefully you get what you want in the
long run. seems pointless to take it back to "stock" on some level given the
circumstances. not a bad time to look at all of your bushings (control arms)/
bearings/endlinks/etc...

 

Did you make sure the Engine was running, or at the least tried to start and run it before taking things apart?

 

Clean title or totaled/salvaged? That will significantly reduce the future value of the car and make it hard to impossible for you to get back out what you put into it.

 

it is going to a rebuilt/salvage title.

the motor started right up when i put a good battery to it. obviously didn't let it run long enough for it to heat up.

yes, has tein flex coilovers. that was a big plus for me when purchasing the car since i had planned on buying them anyway.

for those that want to tell me im going to loose money or say that the car will not be worth it, please spare yourself the effort. I did all my research prior to purchasing the car including how much parts, work, paint and extra details will cost me. I bought the car at a very very low initial price. I dont think you can buy a 350z with the miles for under 7k even with a salvage title.

thanks for all the interest!

 

Best of luck.

 

Good luck with the rebuild. I would look into aftermarket parts unless your just going for a stock look

 

thanks guys.

the only thing i might do is get a new wheel setup. something to give it a very aggressive look. Other than that everything else will be stock. just want a clean look...

remember, i am looking for parts!

 

Subscribed. Hope the ball gets rolling soon.

 

You've already bought the car regardless of it being a good idea or not so I say good luck to you and I hope it works out. I love Craigslist for finding deals. Right now there is at least one fender (I think in Bellevue) for an 06. I think it will fit but you'll have to confirm. Ad says it has a small dent but for 50 bucks who cares.

 

i actually bought that one. it was black, small damage in tacoma.

great deal for an oem piece.

and your right, regardless, its sitting in my garage and im stoked to get it going!

 

DUDe i LOVE your RIMS! llol

 

wow $7k? that includes what you paid for that car?

 

Yes, give or take a couple hundred bucks. That is car, parts, body work, paint, all necessary details (alignment, airbag reset,etc).

There are always little things that pop up that initially you don't count in.


Not sure if your being sarcastic, but thank you. The previous owner sold his volks and bought these to sell the car with.