Things you wish you noticed before driving it off the lot

USAFstevo · 06-02-2010, 12:13 AM

I will be picking up my new white Z base+sport in about 12 hrs, im looking for some suggestions on what to make shure I inspect specifically before I drive it away. I know one big thing for the PW's is to make sure the bumpers paint matches the rest of the car, but is there anything else I should be sure to check before driving it off the lot? Thanks for the help everyone!

shadoquad · 06-02-2010, 12:26 AM

I've been pretty damn impressed with my Z ever since driving it off the lot.

Although, funny story, the first night I went to take delivery, I noticed a piece missing from the grill... The car hadn't been PDI'ed. I had to wait another day or so.

The salesman was so embarassed, but I didn't worry at all.

Dpeters · 06-02-2010, 12:26 AM

Check to ensure the locking lugs are on if you paid for them.
Check to make sure your wife/girlfriend isn't looking when you attract the ladies attention.
Check to make sure you're ego is in check when you turn off the traction control.

KillerBee370 · 06-02-2010, 12:29 AM

Your bumper paint will not match the rest of the car because the bumper is plastic and the rest of the car is metal. It just doesn't work that way. Get used to it... especially under florescent lights at nighttime.

KillerBee370 · 06-02-2010, 12:30 AM

Check to make sure you didn't get duped into signing any extended warranty

USAFstevo · 06-02-2010, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerBee370

Your bumper paint will not match the rest of the car because the bumper is plastic and the rest of the car is metal. It just doesn't work that way. Get used to it... especially under florescent lights at nighttime.

I could have sworn that ive read about people bringing it to the dealers attention and they fixed it?

KillerBee370 · 06-02-2010, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAFstevo

I could have sworn that ive read about people bringing it to the dealers attention and they fixed it?

I've read about one person that complained long and hard enough to get his dealership to "fix" the problem but chances are once it's under those florescent lights at night...

FuszNissan · 06-02-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerBee370

I've read about one person that complained long and hard enough to get his dealership to "fix" the problem but chances are once it's under those florescent lights at night...

Maybe if you did a 10 layer paint job. But yes the plastic bumpers will not match the rest of the car.

AK370Z · 06-02-2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

Welcome to the club:
Both Fobs
Fob Code
Owner's manual with DVD
Look for signs of leaks
Look for any defects to paint
Front plate installed (if you need it)
Tire pressure is ok (often too full in new vehicles)
Mats (if you paid for em)
Check the function of everything you can, lights, blinkers, radio, seats, mirrors, (everything else power)
Verify VIN on car matches paperwork

EDIT:
Check out this website, pretty lengthy checklist:
http://www.e46fanatics.com/faq/checklist.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

Good list. Also make sure:

* They put the RIGHT wheel locks on the rims. They will most likely put on 350Z rim locks which are wrong part (though they have received a TSB from Nissan long time ago

)

* Try to install the front license plate yourself. Dealers will drill a hole through your front bumper.

good luck

Good posts from an old thread. Congrats.

Soon · 06-02-2010, 01:57 AM

if you pick it up at night request it be driven to a well lit area to inspect paint

im telling u had a nightmare with mine because i didnt go over the paint with a fine tooth comb

XwChriswX · 06-02-2010, 02:33 AM

I'm only saying this because it happened to me lol

Check for a Spare Tire!

You will never think to look for it until you need it, and like when I needed it, It won't be there lol.

Modshack · 06-02-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuszNissan

Maybe if you did a 10 layer paint job. But yes the plastic bumpers will not match the rest of the car.

Primarily because they are painted separately from the Car shell. Plastic parts are often (usually) outsourced and painted off site.. with a different batch of paint obviously.

kenchan · 06-02-2010, 11:49 AM

i would check that the dealer installed the mudflaps correctly (especially the rear ones!

)

also check for dings, any scrape marks under the front bumper/rear bumper. check to make sure the porter didn't forget to put your valve caps back on.

make sure you dont forget your gf at the dealer when you drive off.

puckshaw · 06-02-2010, 11:54 AM

They forgot to charge the A/C on mine. I took it for granted that the A/C would blow cold air in a brand new car.

Basically, treat it like buying a used car and flip every switch and turn every knob to make sure things work as they should.

MareImbrm · 06-02-2010, 12:00 PM

Make sure you get low and check the front end air dam. On a previous test drive someone must have parked on a curb and scratched it up and pulled off a corner. They replaced it for me while I did the papers. Also make sure the locking wheel nut key and owners manual are in the car or your hand. Congrats!!

06-02-2010, 12:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
USAFstevo Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: moody afb//Marietta, GA Posts: 75 Drives: e46 M3///2009 370z Rep Power: 15	Things you wish you noticed before driving it off the lot I will be picking up my new white Z base+sport in about 12 hrs, im looking for some suggestions on what to make shure I inspect specifically before I drive it away. I know one big thing for the PW's is to make sure the bumpers paint matches the rest of the car, but is there anything else I should be sure to check before driving it off the lot? Thanks for the help everyone!

06-02-2010, 01:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
Soon Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Rockland NY Posts: 240 Drives: 2008 Cherokee SRT8 Rep Power: 15	if you pick it up at night request it be driven to a well lit area to inspect paint im telling u had a nightmare with mine because i didnt go over the paint with a fine tooth comb __________________ 2009 blk 370z=SOLD Now drives... SRT!!

06-02-2010, 02:33 AM	#11 (permalink)
XwChriswX WFLYIDNNE Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: In The Fastlane Posts: 50,648 Drives: 02 GDB WRX Rep Power: 452	I'm only saying this because it happened to me lol Check for a Spare Tire! You will never think to look for it until you need it, and like when I needed it, It won't be there lol. __________________ Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall! R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

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06-02-2010, 12:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3886	I've been pretty damn impressed with my Z ever since driving it off the lot. Although, funny story, the first night I went to take delivery, I noticed a piece missing from the grill... The car hadn't been PDI'ed. I had to wait another day or so. The salesman was so embarassed, but I didn't worry at all.

06-02-2010, 12:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dpeters Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 88 Drives: 2009 Nismo PG 370Z Rep Power: 16	Check to ensure the locking lugs are on if you paid for them. Check to make sure your wife/girlfriend isn't looking when you attract the ladies attention. Check to make sure you're ego is in check when you turn off the traction control.

06-02-2010, 12:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
KillerBee370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal baby! Age: 51 Posts: 5,964 Drives: with passion Rep Power: 321	Your bumper paint will not match the rest of the car because the bumper is plastic and the rest of the car is metal. It just doesn't work that way. Get used to it... especially under florescent lights at nighttime.

06-02-2010, 12:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
KillerBee370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal baby! Age: 51 Posts: 5,964 Drives: with passion Rep Power: 321	Check to make sure you didn't get duped into signing any extended warranty

06-02-2010, 11:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	i would check that the dealer installed the mudflaps correctly (especially the rear ones! ) also check for dings, any scrape marks under the front bumper/rear bumper. check to make sure the porter didn't forget to put your valve caps back on. make sure you dont forget your gf at the dealer when you drive off.

06-02-2010, 11:54 AM	#14 (permalink)
puckshaw Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 620 Drives: 09 PW 370Z Touring Rep Power: 17	They forgot to charge the A/C on mine. I took it for granted that the A/C would blow cold air in a brand new car. Basically, treat it like buying a used car and flip every switch and turn every knob to make sure things work as they should.

06-02-2010, 12:00 PM	#15 (permalink)
MareImbrm Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 12 Drives: 09 370z Silver m/t Rep Power: 15	Make sure you get low and check the front end air dam. On a previous test drive someone must have parked on a curb and scratched it up and pulled off a corner. They replaced it for me while I did the papers. Also make sure the locking wheel nut key and owners manual are in the car or your hand. Congrats!!