Thinking about buying a Z - Need some help

Matty_

So I have been thinking of buying a Z for a long time. We have been a Nissan family for years (mostly Maxima's), but I have wanted a Z for quite a while. The Z would not be a daily driver as its not super practical for us. It will be more of a weekend/date night car.

If I purchase a Z with around 75k miles, how concerned should I be if it still has the original clutch? And are all the CSC's going to fail? Are mods worth extra?

I plan to have a PPI done at my local dealership with any car I find that I like.

Any other things I need to consider/be aware of as I start my search?

Thanks,
Matt

axmea?

It is a cool car to drive around. Unique exterior styling and looks great. Not fast by today's standards but drives handles nicely. It is meant to perform. You will be happy with how it drives, steers, and handles overall. It is not a euro sport so do not expect refinement. NVH is high. If you are buying from a dealer you will not know if the CSC and the MC was replaced. You can most likely get that info of you are buying from an owner. If you cannot tell, that would be the first thing I would change. Do not go back to OEM parts - lots of information here on what upgrades. Depending on model year, you will need to check for steering lock issues ('09 - '11). Do a visual on the rear differential bushing. Tell tale sign is a trace leak on the exhaust. Good luck on your search.

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Matty_

Thanks for the reply, that's the kind of info I'm looking for. I've also been considering a 996 Carrera and one of the reasons is because of the refinements, not to mention the enjoyment driving them brings. Just not sure I want to pay to play that game right now. I feel much more comfortable with the Z financially.

What mileage should I expect out of a stock clutch? And are mods worth much on top of the NADA/KBB value?

Thanks,
Matt

axmea?

Can't speak to cost of driving a 996. A stock clutch will last long on a Z. It's the CSC that goes out. Mine went just before 12k and went through 2 OEMs (under warranty) before switching over to an aftermarket solution. So I am on my third. Some had gone out sooner.

When dealers or jobbers buy a used car, they don't put any value on mods installed by the seller and they are usually sol BUT they turn around and use the exact same mod to "up" the value on the car they are selling it. If you know about the MOD and understand the value of what the previous owner put in the car then it is on you to figure if that is a worthwhile addition to the cost. For example, if I see a big brake kit on a base Z or a Fast Intentions exhaust or a Stillen intake then I'd call that a good upgrade. If you see a wrap or a tint or even some type of aftermarket wheels I would barter with the dealer. Good luck.

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barncobob

traded my 06 P C4 on a 16Z,, Ps are nice but at 36K miles it was needing some $ maintenance, clutch, brakes, AOS,etc.. the P maintenance $ are killer high..
new Z 3 year warranty Im liking it....

Matty_

I drove an 08 P c4 cab for a while and loved it, actually really like having that back seat too. But the super expensive P car maintenance is why I started looking at the Z more seriously.

The lack of space is something I don't like about the Z. And I'm hoping the interior build quality of the Z is pretty good. I think I am going to test drive one this evening, so I will probably have a bunch of my questions answered after that.

lj909

Where you at my friend?

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2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

Lemkey99

[QUOTE=Matty_;3563384]So I have been thinking of buying a Z for a long time. We have been a Nissan family for years (mostly Maxima's), but I have wanted a Z for quite a while. The Z would not be a daily driver as its not super practical for us. It will be more of a weekend/date night car.

If I purchase a Z with around 75k miles, how concerned should I be if it still has the original clutch? And are all the CSC's going to fail? Are mods worth extra?

I plan to have a PPI done at my local dealership with any car I find that I like.

Any other things I need to consider/be aware of as I start my search?

Thanks,
Matt[/QUOTE

What is your budget for what you want to spend on the purchase price of the car itself? Reason I ask is you mentioned looking at one with 75k miles on it. I'd be weary of buying one with that many miles unless you know for a fact the car was meticulously cared for and maintained. Remember that this is a sports car and a lot of owners dribe these things hard. 75k miles for a sports car is a lot, especially one which is 5 or so years old.

Matty_

Im in the South East.

My budget is around $15k-$18k and I'm looking at the 09-10 models to stay in that price range. And yeah, thinking about it that way makes me want one with less miles. I would be willing to pay more for one that was a low mileage, single owner car for sure. And having service records would be a preference too.

barncobob

how did U go from an 08 P C4, guessing worth $50K+ to a 09 Z, doesn't make sense..

Matty_

Hahaha, it wasn't mine. Didn't mean for that to sound like I owned one. A friend let me drive his for a little while. In my budget, I've been looking at 996's and 370z's. But after reading about the 996's for a bit, the high maintenance costs have me leaning much more toward the 370z.

Z74Z09

For $18K I think you can find a Z with much lower mileage!

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2010 ZCON and 2012 ZCON
*Best in Class/Best in Show*

NRGz

I got my Z for 16.5 from 18.
Seller was from another country and somehow mixed up the trip and odo meter. (Actual 48k after i have asked him over the phone and in person) kept saying 84k until we signed the title . Trip was 8400.5 or in that range.

So for 16.5, i got a chicane yellow 09 touring. 48k miles.

Exterior: 7/10 horrible plastidip job on the spoiler, mirrors and the front bumper area (the middle) and horrible plastidip on the CURB RASHED oem rims. Bit of paint here and there due to prev. Owner living in small college town. Alot of those paint problems seemed to be cause by other cars (like a truck tire hitting it). No biggie. I just touched it up.

Interior: 10/10 everything is and was oem and everything is still there.

What I needed after purchasing was an oil change.. brakes was going to go for maybe another 8k miles and tires for another 3k (from dealers inspection during oil change). I went ahead and purchased new pads and tires after I got home.

So. 15-18 can get you something pretty decent. It really depends if the seller is desperate and location makes a difference too!

Ex. Here in Cali when I was searching, no one had any used Z on CL in the northern region of CA. Only dealers (new n used). When I did find a private seller it was nearing 19-22k$ for a good condition w/ 50-70k miles..
Dealers asked around 25k for the same, used.

If i went down south to SF or even LA area, some would touch about 18k for a good condition to almost immaculate condition.



Hope I didnt take it too off topic.


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jchammond

Stock;around 275rwhp
Bolt on's;add up to 75 (-nitrous)
Supercharged induction;add 200+
Twin Turbo;add 300+
Gotta Be Committed when Modding a ~Z~......not cheap$$$
Mine is a 7sp.A/T.....much quicker than the stick......

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