Hello all from TN. just like the title says I'll be getting a pretty good deal on a 350z here in a couple days. After doing tons of reading and research I figured i'd join a forum for any specifics I will need help with in the near future.

So I was able to take photos of the z that I will be purchasing and decided I'll work on restoring it to factory before I do any mods. It will be a daily driver so reliability will be #1. I want a sub show car with daily reliability and 10-30 extra hp nothing stupid as I don't need it lol. I'm single now so ill be keeping this car as loong as possible, but when the whole family scene hits I will still refuse to let this car go if it treats me right... Now to the car

Its a second owner (me being the 3rd) silver 04 6spd base model with 103k mi (for some reason it does not have cruise controls on the steering wheel??) that is garage kept. From what I observed while viewing the car it is a solid 8.5/10. I don't know if the 90k recommended timing was done but I do know it does not have the classic "clutch tick" that many other 350's have (yet..). I took some photos of the flaws and will add them asap, but ill make a list of things i would like to fix, photos later. Here goes in no particular order.

1. hatch struts are shot.
2. driver door panel air vent is broken
3. multiple 4-8 dings and scratches on body(crack in driver side a-frame pillar molding?? will be in pics)
4. center console dash in less than new shape
5. curb rash on front right rim
6. two rear speakers missing.

Other than those items the car has been babied which is good for me. Additional info...I did a car fax report on the car and it said the car was reported stolen under the first owner in mid 2010 and then recovered... after that one incident the car fax is clean as a whistle. After thinking about it, the crack in the driver side a-frame pillar (at the 90 degree of the window glass) in addition to the missing speakers supports my thought process of the car actually getting stolen. Should I be worried about this?

Any links, tips, comments and suggestions are appreciated greatly. Thank you for reading and have a nice day! photos will come soon

pics of damage..

 

Hi there, first off congrats on the (soon to be) new Z! I can't offer too much insight as I got my Z not too long ago myself, but I do daily mine and so far it's been joyful rides. Do you mind telling us how good of a deal you are getting exactly? I'm asking because it doesn't seem like the car was "babied" at all, unless everything you listed above were done during the stolen process. If what you're paying for is only fair, I wouldn't want to rush into this one as it seems like there needs to be a lot of work done to it (update us with pictures! ). The rule of thumb for buying a used car is being patient and never settling for something less than a steal.

Also, the base model Z's as I remember do not have buttons on the steering wheel.

 

no timing belt in this car

 

yes I have been patient about this one.. the first 3 z's I've looked at were all 135k+ for the same price in worse to similar condition. I have been without 4wheels of my own for about a month now due to some other careless driver...currently I'm buying it for 7.6k and not a penny more. I do kind of agree with you that it wasn't completely babied but I was told the first owner was a older woman (which some perceive to be good). Whether or not all this small damage happened during it being stolen I have no clue. I have seen proof that it currently is well taken care of. Its only a weekend driver as of now.

I'm aware there is no timing belt, probably a timing chain.

I thought base models had at least the 3 controls on the r/h side of the steering wheel but no worries. I have lived most of my life without them, you can't miss what you never had.

the car at first glance looks great but I only took pics of the exterior flaws for me to research. I will need to remember my photo bucket info so i can get these pics up.

 

Interesting, I'm not sure what the average prices are for used 350z's in TN, but you really can't lose paying $7,600. Though, with this I would wait it out because there could be a lot better cars up for sale later on. When I was buying mine, there were several factors to consider: Year (mainly because of the DE/Rev up/HR engines), mileage, condition, and also seller. I bought my '03 even though I was very much decided on an '05 and newer because one, it was ~68,000km and two, the seller had a very good reputation with our local car forum. When you think about it, you can get the car checked by the best mechanic in town prior to purchasing, but they can only see so much. Often times there are underlying problems that arise later which cannot be detected, and so buying from a trusted source (i.e good reputation and/or has all maintenance records) is a plus. Not to mention this is a base model, and the Z is already very plain in terms of technology. Getting the base model is just not the best choice, especially considering different trims generally don't cost you any more or less.

Just my $0.02, we all want you to make an informed decision

 

Keep in mind the price for z will increase as spring and summer gets here.

 

In all seriousness run as far away as you possibly can. Don't waste your time and your hard earned money on anything lower than an 07 please I'm telling you this from experience. I have an 03 Touring 6 speed that I bought in mint condition with 48k on it three years ago. It didn't have any dings, missing speakers, shot hatch struts, and all the issues you have right off the bat. Granted I had a 120 mile a day work commute but that was 80 percent highway. It has now 120k miles. I have spent minimum 4k dollars in repairs and I haven't touched fixing my exterior (which is just like you described on the one you want to buy including the bad hatch struts) and replacing my transmission for the cd009 because every gear grinds now. The transmission alone could be the biggest reason to run.

Both my door window motors have gone, my entire clutch assembly had to get replaced, my clutch peddle squeaks, my drive axle on the left clicks, tranny grinds, pivot ***** in the control arms in the front, head lights are sunbaked, and I haven't even got into the exterior. I'm just saying your choice but if it were me and I could do it all over again no way I would get into one EVER endless it was a 07 and up. Oh and the horrible rattling all day every day.

Everything that has gone wrong on my car can and will go wrong on yours. Just from your description of it, it sounds like its not in very good condition to begin with. These issues have all been well documented on this site so do your research and make an educated decision. There is a well of knowledge here and I wish I would have before diving into a pre-07. Everything is superior on it down to the headlights. It is worth the extra money will spend the difference in price of 04 vs and 07 in repairs anyways.

Oh and it doesn't have cruise control because that was an option. Only the touring and maybe one other model came with cruise so likely you have a base or "enthusiast" I believe they were called.

 

Were you the second owner? And when you bought it, were there maintenance records at all? I've done extensive research on all of the different years of the 350z's before I bought mine and I haven't seen anyone have this much trouble with their Z. My guess is that the initial owner didn't care for the vehicle too much (which would explain the exterior damages you were talking about as well), or you need to get yourself an owner's manual, ASAP.

 

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.

 

Best of luck, sir

 

thank you! even though I don't believe I'll be needing it. My college motto was knowledge and preparation overcome superstition and luck. I found that quote to be quite true in life so I'm preparing as much as possible.

 

I would hold out for something in a little better shape. I LOVE my car. Love it. And from time to time when the unknown stuff happens I think: "fk it, she's for sale".

Base models have no cruise. They also have an open differential which is lame. Even more lame than the VLSD.

Transmissions are NOT bulletproof, especially 03-05s. I have an 08 and had my trans, clutch/flywheel replaced for 3rd/6th grind with only 23,000 miles on it. Granted it was warranty work on Nissan's dime, but you won't be that lucky.

I don't know your personal situation, but if it's at all possible, widen your search area. Travelling out of state may save you money in the long run.

good luck and hopefully you get to post a REAL "New Owner" post soon.

 

well damn. I guess I'll do some more searching...

 

After doing more searching I am now heavily discouraged. I'm not finding many options in my favor with all the features I want (an enthusiast package) and in my price range. So I'm going to have to suck it up a bit and pick something because I can't role back the clock. 1 full month is a long time to not have a car of your own when you have gotten used to independence. As I have read many z owners who take care of their cars know what you have and try to make the price reflect it when it comes time to sale despite any online appraisal sites and depreciation. I read somewhere on this site that the 350z is a niche car which is 100% appropriate.

 

Welcome to the forum and congrats on considering a z.
I can't view the pics of the one you describe but it doesn't sound good but then again for the price you're paying, you can't expect much better.
I have seen a couple '03-'04 models in my area with 130-145,000 miles that are in near mint condition selling for the same price, I would take a well taken care of z with higher miles, these cars are very reliable when taken care of and will go to 200-300,000 miles easily.
I bought mine in May of '04 and have had zero problems with it ever since and it is now sitting at 122,xxx miles, I commute 50 miles a day to/from work Mon-Fri and it is absolutely fine.

 

It sucks when you are searching for a car, but you don't have the luxury to be patient.

I search for about 6 months until I found mine. I stay away from on title damage/theft.

Based on the photos, I would stay away from the car based on the body alone.If someone was that careless with the body, how well did they follow required maintenance? I would say it's safe to assume the car did not receive timely oil changes or any other basic maintenance.

Best of luck with your search.

 

Shadow,
Look down here in the Atlanta market. Yesterday on ONE site there were 28 350s for sale. Gl

 

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....

 

Here you go, 6 here for under 10K and under 100K-
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...ear=1981&Log=0

 

First of all, I applaud you for wanting to be a Z owner. I think they're great and I absolutely love my '04 Enthusiast. My nephew found mine for me last May and checked it all out. It was a one owner with only 24K miles on it. I probably over paid but who cares . . . I wanted it and I bought it.

From time to time I check out what's available out there and I'm here to tell you that you can find something that fits your needs and your budget, just take the time to look. The previous post gave you four examples. Good luck in your search and enjoy your new ride when you get it.