Hi! Im new to the forum and I didnt see any posts like this so heres my question.
Theres a guy selling a 2003 Z w/66k miles
http://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/cto/1653666568.html
I test drove it already and couldnt find anything wrong with the car.
The bad I saw:
-Low oil (He said he hasnt looked at the oil in 5 months because its a weekend car) okay? or bad?
-AC didnt blow as cold as I expected
-Steering wheel needs alignment
I havent driven a Z before so I dont know what to look for when driving or in the engine bay... Any suggestions?

 

Welcome. Oil is a deal breaker. Either the Z is leaking or burning oil, or the owner is not caring properly for the car. Both are unacceptable.

 

How low was the oil? Make sure you check it after the car has set idle for 10 or 15 minutes. If the wheel was "misaligned" it may have been in an accident. Do not buy until you sort that part out. A/C likely needs a recharge, it should be cold. Was it a base, enthusiast, touring, performance, or track model?

 

The oil was a hairline below the L indicator on the stick and he pushed it in all the way. I measured it after a 10 minute test drive
I'm not to sure if it was a base or not Im new to the whole 350z community so I dont know anything about these types of cars. It does have aluminum peddles if that helps. For sure it was a base or enthusiast model though. It was in a front end wreck so Im thinking maybe the AC compressor was damaged which is why its not blowing super cold AC. It is completly restored though but if I am to get a steering alignment, would it fix the problem or just hide more problems with the suspension?

 

Looking at the pictures, it's an enthusiast (You can tell by the cruise control on the steering wheel, bases don't include that.) To be honest, I don't think the car is worth $9,700 because it's a salvage title, and it doesn't seem like the owner took care of the car (Looking at the engine bay). Also with the problems you had with a measly test drive, you don't know what major problems you can run in to if you actually purchase the car.

 

He said he has had the car for 2 years and never had a problem. He didnt tell me when the AC gave out on him but you say it was a measly test drive... should I have driven it longer? Do the 350z have a bad history of burning or leaking the oil? Cuz if not then this guy does not know how to take care of his car...

 

not looking too good under the bonnet o yea and after seeing "salvage title" in his description i wouldn't buy it for half that price

 

hmm so do you think I should pass on it? and hope a better one for somewhere in the 8k comes along?

 

I'd say keep saving for a much better car. Like in the 13k range.

 

find a different one

 

Well I just think you should find one that has a clean title and not a salvage one. Also to make sure that the owner took very good care of the car, because that one does not look like it was taken care of.

 

I would not touch it with that salvaged title.

 

NOO

 

Try 50% of book for a salvage car, which means $10k is WAY too much. I doubt there is a "steering wheel" issue. They probably fixed the cosmetic damage and went cheap on fixing the suspension, or didn't touch it at all. What happens when you're driving it and you let go of the wheel?

 

i say offer 6k if you really want it

 

Step back my friend, that engine bay looks horrible, You can do way better with a little patience.

 

I see things missing


But really I wouldn't. PASS There are way too many 350's floating around that have sat in garages their WHOLE life in the 10-15,000 range to even look at this one again

 

second that.

 

Make sure you also check out the classifieds on the this forum also guys are always selling their Z's on here for a good deal

https://my350z.com/forum/cars-for-sale-81/