Hello. I know I have not posted much, but I've been a member of g35driver for a while and sold my g35c several months ago. Now, I really miss the car so I want to get into it again... however I've decided to go with the true sports version so I'm going with a 350z instead of the luxo G35. Since I'm interested in turbocharging the car, I'm going to look for one that has the turbo already done.

That said, I've found a very nice one nearby that has an APS TT and built block. It was done by SGP of Houston and I'm asking if you guys have any experience or feedback about that shop.

I'd like to know what I'm dealing with before I buy.

The car has the following:

ENGINE:
APS Twin Turbo Kit, SGP 8.5:1 Pistons, Pauter Rods, Heavy Duty Retaining Springs, Metal Gasket, ARP Main and Head Studs, SGP Full Fuel Return System, RC Engineering 650 cc Injectors, Koyo Radiator, APS Cat-back Exhaust.

MANAGEMENT:
HKS V-PRO and APEXI Boost Controller.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION:
RPS Max Street Clutch, JWT Lightweight Flywheel, Tein CS System, Front and Rear Toe/Camber Kits, Volk LE37 with BFG g-Force

The car is an '04 Track Model with factory NAV and cloth interior and has 29k miles. The build and turbo were done at 10k miles and the car appears to be in excellent shape.

The owner is asking $25k.

Does this seem like a good deal (i.e. fair price)? Also, what is the best way to have this car checked out? How is SGP's reputation? Should I have them check out the car or should I have someone else do this?

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Nothing against you OP but I have a feeling this thread is going to go to $h!t....

 

thats a cheap price

 

sounds like a very nice build and price - I hope you are prepared both with knowledge and financial backing should something go wrong down the road.. turbo'd z's can be expensive to upkeep.

pride gets in the way.. I would have another mech that is skilled in that area check it out

 

Thanks. Yes, I know about upkeep... I had a single turbo IS300 with similar upgrades that was a nightmare... but it was mostly the tuning since it had a stand alone Haltech (not an easy computer to tune).

Do you have any feedback about SGP? Do you know any competent mechanics in the Houston area?

 

Search button is your friend but I will get you started
https://my350z.com/forum/forced-indu...gp-racing.html

https://my350z.com/forum/forced-indu...xperience.html

 

Nothing easier to tune than the Haltech, bro.

With that FCON, you're going to have to find a pro dealer, and I've heard some less than favorable stories about SGP's installation and tuning ability with the FCON. Good luck.

 

Get a very thorough inspection, leakdown and compression tests, call the shop and drive the car at every speed, especially (and hear me when I say this) low speeds!

 

Search SGP and you'll read some mixed reviews.

 

I wouldn't let my Z go for less than 32k, but I know definatively my car is awesome . My car isn't for sale, but that should give you an idea about pricing. I think 25k is a little low, personally.

 

25K would cover just the mods install and tune alone... the car itelf 15-18K depending on shape..

 

25k is pretty low/great deal if the car is running perfectly fine. Like others have stated, I personally wouldn't let my car go for under 40k. But I too would take it to a different shop and have them do a complete check on it to make sure everything is working properly. Good luck with the buy if it happens

 

Most of the time when people sell their built cars they get pennies on the dollar for it. With the way the economy is going finding a cheap well built car isn't impossible. But I would research about built boosted Z and have it check out by a knowledgeable expert from top to bottom.

 

Price seems low if everything is at it seems.

 

The price does seem low. Does the seller need cash quickly? The mod list sold as a part out would be appx $10K+ minimum IMO and then the car as a sell or trade if the owner has the stock parts to put back on. If I was trying to sell my car with all the mods intact I would absolutely recommend that any serious buyer feel free to call my tuner and discuss the history of my car. However, if you are willing to spend $32-35K for a car with all these mods already installed, you could buy this one and save the extra money in case something blows up.

 

Price is not that low as I have seen at least four others selling between $26k to $30k with similar mods. The sellers is the second owner and he has had it for 17k miles but he's not the original owner who did all the mods... so he's not really losing that much money and there is no pride from his side that would compel him to sell it at a higher price.

He did invite me to contact Mark at SGP but I don't have a number for him. I filled out the online form yesterday but got no response... I'm assuming he's at the SEMA show in Vegas so I'll be patient till he responds unless someone has a cell phone for him?

Again on the price... I bought my IS300 brand new and spent at least $30k on mods (2jz-gte swap, 6-spd swap, Haltek E6-k, Racelogic traction, single turbo, methenol, etc etc etc)

Guess what I sold it for with 24k miles on the odometer??? $32k! And I did not need the cash and I had it on the market for five months starting at $40k asking price which I thought was a steal.

I'm not at all worried about the price being too low... I just want to make sure the car is in good shape.

Does anyone know of a good shop in Houston where I can have it completely checked out?

 

listen up since you don't know anything about 350z's... a Z/G with a Turbo Kit, Built Motor and F-Con for 25k is a fcking steal... you are paying even more than half that for all that stuff added to the car..

i tried to sell mine for 28k but no one wanted it.. i guess you guys wouldn't know a good deal if it hit you in the face

 

Get it checked out. If the leakdown test and everything else looks good, then its a hell of a buy.

 

I agree with Doug. The cost of the car is less than I was quoted by reputable shops to do a similar build. If I was buying this car, I would have to take it to another reputable shop to get checked out. Since the price is so low, I would put about $7000 to the side just in case you need another built short block and the labor to put it in. The biggest thing I believe you have to worry about. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

You think this car is a steal at $25k yet you tried to sell yours at $28k and no one wanted it! Doesn't seem like much of a steal.

The fact is that when it comes to highly modded cars (except for Supras and Porsches), there is a large gap between ask and bid.... Those who spent countless hours at the tuner's shop and all the time and effort with the job are not willing to let their cars go but the reality is (and especially in this market) that you will not recover half or even a quarter of what you spend on mods. I know because I witnessed it first hand... that's why I'm looking for one that's already done so that I can benefit from someone else's time and money.

The big question is WHAT SHOP IN HOUSTON should I take it to? I looked it up and it seems that several threads here actually recommend SGP but I think I should take it to someone else. Any suggestions?