I just bought a 03 Z Touring with 9,200 miles on it. The owner never serviced the car except for oil changes every 3-4K, and when he had the front tires warrentied because of the feathering issue.

Car runs good but are there any fluids / parts that go bad based on time instead of miles ( car is over 5 years old ).

 

You should do oil every 3 months or 3k miles.. Coolant should be checked, maybe flushed/changed... Hell, while you're at it you could get a tranny flush and that should make you feel good about everything.. maybe even run a seafoam treatment through the gas and top end..

 

belts

 

coolant needs flush and change, that battery may be hurting, the shocks basically have 4 years of use on them some of your rubber may rot, things like the windshield washer hoses.... wheel bearings may be bad if the car sat on them without moving for a couple years. If the car runs, the gas hasn't turned yet, so that is good.

 

good call...

 

well the guy didn't just sit it for years on end. He drove it once or twice a month as he switched between all his toys ( he had quite a collection ).

It also never went in the rain or any other moist environment. I'm guessing the people who said shocks and belts assumed it was sitting outside getting all moist/rotted?

I guess doing a simple oil change and replacing the tranny fluid would suffice? It seems to run really good. Thanks for the input.

 

Change EVERY LIQUID and every filter...........examine all accessory drive belts CAREFULLY...........I would replace them.
Change battery.
Vacuum down AC and test compressor oil.

Things that sit degrade. It is almost 6 years old.

 

Whats "every liquid"? I know about the oil, tranny fluid, and coolent. Are there others?

How many different belts are there? What types of filters are there ( I know about the air filter and fuel filter ).

BTW, no one seems to be chiming in as to the fact the previous owner did drive it once or twice a month. Does that matter?

 

I think you got a good car. I have an '03 with 18K on it. It is driven a couple times a month since I also have a Mazda Miata. The car is garaged and kept in a dry environment so there is no rot anywhere on the car. I would just change the oil and filter and not worry about things. I'm sure everything will be ok. My battery is also original and I keep it on a Battery Tender so there are no issues with that. It seems like we have the real worry warts responding to this thread. Maybe they are jealous since you have a low mileage '03. Congrats and enjoy the ride.

Here is a pic of the Z and Miata.

Les

 

There are none. Or both time and miles are applicable.

Consider a car with zero miles that is 10 years old. You would change items like fluids and belts. Items such as springs and struts would be fine.