I know somebody selling a 2004 base 350z for 5500. I really would love to get one cause its one of my fav cars of all time. but it has 125000 miles on it and I cant afford to be throwing thousands of dollars into it. what would I be looking for when I look at it. and if I do get it what should I look at for ad far as mt goes. I have not seen anyone on here with one with that many miles so that's why im wondering.

 

^^ The Base model is stripped, but that’s not necessarily bad. I think you get ABS, but that’ about all (no VDC/TCS).

The Base model is great for track and customizing because you are not throwing away anything. Compare this to the 2004 Touring model and you see the advantages… No need to gut the horrible Bose CES, less cost and weight, etc.

125k is low mileage on the very reliable and low-maintenance 350z. The 350z is a sport car with maintenance costing the same as an Altima.

Have your shop check the clutch and engine compression.

 

You need to get the car checked out at a professional mechanic. Not your "friend". It has to be thoroughly inspected by a professional so he/she can point out what's good and bad.

Check for basic stuff as well: last oil change, brake test, clutch test, etc. check the headlights make sure you don't have to replace them as soon as you get the car (chances are they might be HID headlights and those are not cheap, it's like throwing extra $200+ possible labor).

Just have a professional check it. Will run you around $100 but if that's worth for someone to tell you not to get the car because of what you said of potential $1000+ being thrown of maintenance. Please have it checked.

 

he said he just got the clutch and flywheel done. says it needs a window motor which after looking around on here I could do myself. and a gas tank float. says everything else is good. im going to look at it in a couple days. I mainly want to see how the body is. engines can be rebuilt bodys cant.

 

350z's are wonderful motors.
That said your friend may be a great friend and may not even be aware of potentional issues on the horizon.

Even if you don't want to knock him down on price it'd be good to know what your looking at in the next 12 months maintenance wise.

 

Check all suspension bushings. Mostly things like that. Rubber parts that deteriorate. If the engine was maintained it should last you another 125k. I've got an 05 with 221k on it and other than the suspension finally starting to wear and in a sense wear itself out I've had no troubles at all. If you've ever had a high mileage car you will know what I mean. One suspension part wears and you either cannot tell or cannot find it then it wears out another one.
Just be prepared if you start driving it that some bushings or arms may need to be replaced in the next year.
Just look for the infamous compression arm bushings cracking, the traverse front lower arm bushings shifting out of the arm, and the rear differential rear frame bushing cracked. They are hard to see. Find the threads on this site then take a very close look.
These are all normal things to wear on this car but don't let it stop you. Just be aware of the cost you will have when you get it home and use it to negotiate a better price.
Point those things out to your mechanic, have him do a compression check just in case it had been modded and put back to stock and go for it! It's a 200k mile sports car that loves to be driven every day.