Would you buy a 370Z with a replaced engine?
 

Hey guys,
I'm hoping to be a proud owner of a 370Z sometime soon. I've been looking around at various used ones and nothing's quite worked out yet, but I've come across an interesting candidate and would like your opinion. It's a 2009 370Z with 25000 miles, BUT the engine was replaced by Nissan at 18000 miles. What do you guys think of this? Should I just ignore it or pursue it... The owner claims he was able to convince Nissan to change the engine because the "crank and speed sensor" went bad and he wasn't sure what other damage could have been done to the car....Does this sound reassuring to you guys? He seems like an honest enough guy and even if the story is legit, the fact that many parts were disconnected/removed, the engine unmounted, then everything being replaced/reinstalled has me feeling a little uneasy, I've had some bad experiences with dealer mechanics and know that quite a few of them could care less about doing the job carefully or even fully correctly... On the other hand, he has driven the car for the last 7000 miles since the engine replacement and claims it runs perfectly (but of course, he wants to sell the car, haha), so maybe I'm overthinking it?

Anyway what do you think? Thanks!

if it is a local seller why not go check it out and test drive it, even a couple blocks might ease your heart a lil.

and my number 1 rule when it comes to buying a used car: dont buy it if you have the slightest doubt, move on and look for other potential sellers. Its not like you are desperate or anything.

Just do the research and make sure he has all paperwork and maybe talk to the dealer that did the work. Also see if the new engine recieved a new warrenty. Was the short block changed or the hole long block?

I don't think it's a big deal, but like spohn said, I'd want paperwork, warranty, and make sure nothing shows up on carfax so you can resell it later.

If I read your story right, he volunteered this information. He didn't have to tell you. So he must be pretty confident in it.

why not just look around more for one that didn't have its engine replaced?

if everything else about the car is perfect. than take it a step further
and check with the dealer and get all the paper work. most z owners keep
better records on their cars than the IRS. you said it was done at 18,000
so its under warranty. the drive train is 6 years or 60,000. but i don't know
if that starts over on yours at 18,000 or not.....good luck

Thanks for all the responses guys, I really appreciate it!

@Apoc370z: Unfortunately, he's a 2 hour drive away, so I'm in the process of deciding whether it's even worth checking out... There aren't any good ones available close to where I'm at, but you are right, I am not desperate and something else should eventually turn up.

@SPOHN He says he has all of the paperwork. Regarding what was changed, he just said they put in "an entire new full block"

@frost He said that the engine work apparently is visible on the carfax, which I haven't looked at yet. His listing made no mention of the new engine, he only mentioned it in response to my asking if the car had any warranty work done to it

@delusional I think you are right, I'm leaning towards continuining the search, the main thing about this one that is tempting me is that it has the options I want and I would potentially be able to negotiate a lower price due to the engine change...

I would continue on with your search. Even if everything checks out I think you'd still second guess yourself if you bought it.

/\ yup, I agree.

Hell No!

It's a tough call if there's a $10k price difference. Doesn't sound like it though so I probably wouldn't do it.

You could most likely get him to lower the price :tup:

Check the warranty paperwork. I would be interested in hearing how a crank went bad. If Nissan legitimately replaced the engine I would want to have it looked over just to make sure everything is in order.

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I agree with the above. Incorporate the risk into the price you are willing to pay.

But always remember:
The 370Z is pure sex! It is hot, loud, and rough!

I had the crank sensor replaced on my Mercedes ML 320 at 95,000 miles. The vehicle now has 153,000 miles on it and runs perfectly. I'm amazed Nissan replaced the engine for a faulty crank sensor. Dude must have screamed like a lost lamb until they gave in :icon17:

I would talk to the dealership who did the replacement, but honestly I would look for a different car.

Nissan replaced my short block for oil consumption at 2900. Now at 9,000 I still use some, but less oil. I'd buy my own car again, as is, but thats me.

If it bugs you do not do it.

This would show up in a carfax right? If its well documented, I'd say go for it if the price where you want it.

"@frost He said that the engine work apparently is visible on the carfax, which I haven't looked at yet. His listing made no mention of the new engine, he only mentioned it in response to my asking if the car had any warranty work done to it"

Yeah, that would have to be one big price reduction for me to be interested then.

Thanks for the responses guys, it's been very helpful, this online community is pretty legit, man, excited to hopefully be a part of it soon!

Most of you mentioned to keep on looking, while some mention to only go for it if the price is right....

As I said earlier, I'll continue my search...but just curious, how much of a price reduction would you guys think is reasonable to make this a "good deal"?

It's a 2009 touring (with white interior) + sport with 25.5K on the clock....it's all stock except for an aftermarket alarm installed (which I don't care for much) which he says costs 1400$...

From what I can tell on the For Sale section of the forum, a 2009 BASE + sport with similar miles can be had in the low 23's, and with the new year and the 12's rolling out, maybe lower....this guy is asking 26990 which I think is most definitely overblown (especially considering the engine replace) even taking into account that it has the touring pkg...

Basically...what price/discount would make you guys give it a "second thought"?

Thanks in advance!

IMHO, if the engine swap was done right and for legitimate reasons (defective engine parts), the effective value to me would go up, seeing as you're getting lower engine miles than the odometer reads. But I'd be super careful about researching the engine swap: get the paperwork from him for the warranty replacement, drop by the dealership and talk to the technician that did it about what the situation was, and go over the engine bay from above and underneath very carefully (with the plastic undertray removed) and double-check all of the hoses, electrical connections, etc.

The problem is, not already being super-familiar with the 370Z, you may not know what you're looking for. A test drive would tell you a lot too: that the engine's running smooth, the gauges all look reasonable, no CEL being thrown, no sounds of exhaust leaks or rattles from the engine bay area, etc.

But just the act of swapping in a new engine block, if done carefully and correctly, is really an upgrade. Brand new parts replacing used ones. The dealership dropped my engine out of the car to install my long-tube headers, and they put everything back correctly just fine. On the other hand, the particular dealership / mechanic I used is very reputable and capable (@ Baker Nissan here in Houston).