soon to be new 04 350 owner
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Fort Walton Beach, Florida
my work commute is similar to yours bith8791 about 47 miles to and from with 99% being highway miles. 6 months is not an option for me but thanks to all for the good wishes. I will scour the GA sites for a 350 but until then this z or another I was just looking at are my best options at my price range. The car I am inquiring about now is in over all good condition for the price my biggest 'knock' on it now is that it doesn't have cruise control, but once again I can't miss what I never had.
It seems its really hard to find a 350 that hasn't been damaged....
It seems its really hard to find a 350 that hasn't been damaged....
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Tennessee
Here you go, 6 here for under 10K and under 100K-
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...ear=1981&Log=0
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...ear=1981&Log=0
the more i think about the cruise thing the less i care. plus i have read that many ppl have been able to add the option later with a little bit of work.
Last edited by shadowoffair; Mar 19, 2015 at 09:36 AM.
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MY350Z.COM
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From: ZdayZ
I just ran a car fax on the one vehicle out of these 6 that fit pretty much everything on my want list...it sucks. structural damage was reported and there was at one point a mileage report that is inconsistent with the history. If this one is that bad then the rest are going to follow suit.
the more i think about the cruise thing the less i care. plus i have read that many ppl have been able to add the option later with a little bit of work.
the more i think about the cruise thing the less i care. plus i have read that many ppl have been able to add the option later with a little bit of work.
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Tennessee
Well when you put it like that i did fall in love with the car because I'm a a ***** i like many types but the z series has always had me as well as the brz even more then all others. only until after he started pointing out the flaws did i begin to worry.
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From: Tennessee
So! I did buy a different 350. Its still an 04 with 97k on it. Body looks much better then the previous pictures but it needs work as expected. Once I get it to as close of factory condition ill post pictures thanks guys
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From: ohio
damn that sucks and it's disheartening to read that. I know some cars are lemons from the getgo and others are gems. I am also a mechanic so fixing things is not a big deal. Its required time to do so. I honestly do wish I could wait longer for a better deal and I also wish I could find an 07+ but I don't have that much time.
I have completely ruled out financing a 350. That is not an option. This next car will be paid for in full. I'm hope and believe that since it is past the 100k mark any real issues have been dealt with/worked out and I get the easy job of simple maintenance and enjoying it. One of the reasons I decided on this car is that almost unanimously across all forums this engine and tranny has been ruled almost bullet proof...just noisy and I can live with that.
I have read the tails that many of the 03-04 models have had issues that were eventually solved. Then I read again that some of the HE motors have been lemons with the oil consumption issues too. I would absolutely love the HE motor (and i like the stock rims way better) but my budget will not allow that at my current area market prices. I know KBB values an excellent 03-05 350 around 6.5ish tops. but everyone everywhere wants more. I am certainly praying that this car won't sh*t out on me. Its luck of the draw and basic maintenance (most of the time).
I will consider every comment so thank you very much. Since I don't specifically know to much about this very car I apparently still have a lot to think about.
Edit: I actually decided against any models with leather interior because it gets hot and cold in TN and in the long run leather is less forgiving than cloth.
I have completely ruled out financing a 350. That is not an option. This next car will be paid for in full. I'm hope and believe that since it is past the 100k mark any real issues have been dealt with/worked out and I get the easy job of simple maintenance and enjoying it. One of the reasons I decided on this car is that almost unanimously across all forums this engine and tranny has been ruled almost bullet proof...just noisy and I can live with that.
I have read the tails that many of the 03-04 models have had issues that were eventually solved. Then I read again that some of the HE motors have been lemons with the oil consumption issues too. I would absolutely love the HE motor (and i like the stock rims way better) but my budget will not allow that at my current area market prices. I know KBB values an excellent 03-05 350 around 6.5ish tops. but everyone everywhere wants more. I am certainly praying that this car won't sh*t out on me. Its luck of the draw and basic maintenance (most of the time).
I will consider every comment so thank you very much. Since I don't specifically know to much about this very car I apparently still have a lot to think about.
Edit: I actually decided against any models with leather interior because it gets hot and cold in TN and in the long run leather is less forgiving than cloth.
Last edited by Rembrandt; Mar 19, 2015 at 05:51 PM.
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From: Tennessee
To keep from making a new thread here we go
My new baby
and a pic of me and a buddies G35 right after a good wash.
The details its an 04 enthusiast 6spd w/97k that i found picked up for 7.4k (yea not a bad deal)
It came with test pipes (with stock muffler), k&n filter housing, and a stage 3 clutch (not daily driver friendly but it works indeed!)
what was bad...
had an exhaust leak at the woven metal in the Y-pipe.
driver window needed to be reset
driver chair used to not recline (electric seats)
driver inside door handle broken
driver air vent flaps broken
front wheel liners/splash guards were missing
moisture in the driver side headlight
small paint fade spots near same light
hatch struts shot
left rear light strip is slightly pushed in
On top of all of that shortly after i bought it the thing it started throwing a message for p0301 (#1 cyclinder misfire) and I could feel it. so yes I was pissed to say the least. but thanks to some convincing and help of the g35 owner above and some of my $$$ most of everything is fixed now. The engine purrs like a kitten, looks great and exhaust sounds great too. everything that is not fixed yet has parts in the mail so the hard part is waiting for them to arrive.
Too all the new owners: Even though I am mechanically inclined like many owners I still had only owned this car for less that and a week and I fixed everything myself. So don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! With the help of this site and an extra set of hands for time saving you can fix it and and of accomplishment is worth every second and dime spent.
something to add and look out for. My p0301 message was apparently caused by the oil. Apparently the last a-hole who had it didn't pay attention to his oil. When it came time to change it (which I noticed when I first viewed the car and didn't think much of (lesson learned..)) I pulled the oil plug there was only 2 quarts of oil in it! Not to mention all but one of my spark plugs were thumb tight-hand tight loose and positively needed to be changed. Luckily I had only put maybe 10 miles on it since I bought it.
So this is the beginning of my story. I'll probably have the clutch changed to make it more friendly down the road, and change the test pipes to high flow cats; but Its mine and I'm keeping her till the frame gives out. cheers all
In an attempt to return this thing to as factory new condition as possible If anyone can link me to the entire half of the plastic battery cover with the weather stripping on it. thanks
My new baby
and a pic of me and a buddies G35 right after a good wash.
The details its an 04 enthusiast 6spd w/97k that i found picked up for 7.4k (yea not a bad deal)
It came with test pipes (with stock muffler), k&n filter housing, and a stage 3 clutch (not daily driver friendly but it works indeed!)
what was bad...
had an exhaust leak at the woven metal in the Y-pipe.
driver window needed to be reset
driver chair used to not recline (electric seats)
driver inside door handle broken
driver air vent flaps broken
front wheel liners/splash guards were missing
moisture in the driver side headlight
small paint fade spots near same light
hatch struts shot
left rear light strip is slightly pushed in
On top of all of that shortly after i bought it the thing it started throwing a message for p0301 (#1 cyclinder misfire) and I could feel it. so yes I was pissed to say the least. but thanks to some convincing and help of the g35 owner above and some of my $$$ most of everything is fixed now. The engine purrs like a kitten, looks great and exhaust sounds great too. everything that is not fixed yet has parts in the mail so the hard part is waiting for them to arrive.
Too all the new owners: Even though I am mechanically inclined like many owners I still had only owned this car for less that and a week and I fixed everything myself. So don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! With the help of this site and an extra set of hands for time saving you can fix it and and of accomplishment is worth every second and dime spent.
something to add and look out for. My p0301 message was apparently caused by the oil. Apparently the last a-hole who had it didn't pay attention to his oil. When it came time to change it (which I noticed when I first viewed the car and didn't think much of (lesson learned..)) I pulled the oil plug there was only 2 quarts of oil in it! Not to mention all but one of my spark plugs were thumb tight-hand tight loose and positively needed to be changed. Luckily I had only put maybe 10 miles on it since I bought it.
So this is the beginning of my story. I'll probably have the clutch changed to make it more friendly down the road, and change the test pipes to high flow cats; but Its mine and I'm keeping her till the frame gives out. cheers all
In an attempt to return this thing to as factory new condition as possible If anyone can link me to the entire half of the plastic battery cover with the weather stripping on it. thanks
Last edited by shadowoffair; Mar 26, 2015 at 07:45 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 47
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From: Tennessee
Thank you! I appreciate that really. This was my first solo car buy so the heat was on to not buy a complete piece of junk. Although I'm having small issues with the car I do love it and hope I'm able to work out all of its wrinkles.
I had forgotten about this thread. Hopefully I remember to check it out when I can see the pix (not at work)
I was losing motivation for you as I read, but I'm glad you sorted most of everything out. I think I'm getting axel click on my right rear and I'm not as patient as you. I immediately want to throw a match in the gas tank!
BUuuuuuuuuuuutttt I'll probably end up troubleshooting it and fixing it. Just got to find time to have someone listen for the noise outside the car. I Hope it's the axel since I've already greased the driver's side
I was losing motivation for you as I read, but I'm glad you sorted most of everything out. I think I'm getting axel click on my right rear and I'm not as patient as you. I immediately want to throw a match in the gas tank!
BUuuuuuuuuuuutttt I'll probably end up troubleshooting it and fixing it. Just got to find time to have someone listen for the noise outside the car. I Hope it's the axel since I've already greased the driver's side
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 47
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
Yea im impatient too but the paycheck only shows up once every 2 weeks so that makes me patient. Iv got some new wrinkles to iron out on it. Details in the maintenance repair section. But i love her and she's mine. When she is in showroom condition ill only have me to blame.
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