Things to avoid when purchasing?

6thgear · 11-20-2012, 09:12 PM

Hey all,

New to the forum. Pardon my n00b question, but I am considering purchasing a 2009 Nismo 370z with about 48K miles from a private seller (unless a newer one pops up)

Is there anything I should be weary of? IIRC, back when the 370's came out, I thought they had some problems. I am aware of the oil cooler, but I won't be taking it to the track often.

I know I should take it to a trusted mechanic and/or Nissan dealership, but are there any tell-tale signs that I'm buying a car thats going to cost me money in maintenance (not mods)?

gomer_110 · 11-20-2012, 09:20 PM

Just a couple things I can think of. If you can find out if the steering lock has already been replaced. If it hasn't be prepared to address that problem. Also what condition are the tires in? A "good" set of tires for the Nismo is not a cheap undertaking.

6thgear · 11-20-2012, 09:32 PM

I just did a quick search and it looks like there are a lot of solutions for the steering lock problem. Is the whole problem that it locks on its own without your messing with it?

I have no idea to be honest about the tires, I'll have to check them out. I know 19's are one of the more expensive tires to buy cause they're not in demand (unless you get one with a slightly higher sidewall)

Chuck33079 · 11-20-2012, 09:43 PM

Talk to Blackstone labs. For $25 or so, they'll send you a kit to take a small oil sample. You can get a good idea of what kind of shape the engine is in that way.

6thgear · 11-20-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Talk to Blackstone labs. For $25 or so, they'll send you a kit to take a small oil sample. You can get a good idea of what kind of shape the engine is in that way.

Thanks, just ordered a sample kit

Also, if I get a Z, it will be my DD. I drive maybe 10,000 miles per year. Will maintenance be an issue? I'm coming from a Honda so you might understand why I am asking this

Chuck33079 · 11-20-2012, 10:07 PM

Not that I've experienced. I'm only at 10k miles. Other members with higher mileage Zs might want to chime in here.

Japanjay · 11-20-2012, 11:59 PM

Take some advice from me. Take it to a nissan dealership and have them pull maintence records on file and ALL WARRANTY WORK CLAIMS. Tell them to make sure they click both "x's" on the screen. I learned the hard way and found out later that the "factory" motor was no longer in there I had a replacement.

2011 Nismo#91 · 11-21-2012, 02:07 PM

Paint condition and ecu wine are the only things that come to mind. An oil test will give you a lot of info and its worth it.

11-20-2012, 09:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
6thgear Base Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: TX Posts: 4 Drives: TBD Rep Power: 13	Things to avoid when purchasing? Hey all, New to the forum. Pardon my n00b question, but I am considering purchasing a 2009 Nismo 370z with about 48K miles from a private seller (unless a newer one pops up) Is there anything I should be weary of? IIRC, back when the 370's came out, I thought they had some problems. I am aware of the oil cooler, but I won't be taking it to the track often. I know I should take it to a trusted mechanic and/or Nissan dealership, but are there any tell-tale signs that I'm buying a car thats going to cost me money in maintenance (not mods)?

11-20-2012, 09:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36941	Just a couple things I can think of. If you can find out if the steering lock has already been replaced. If it hasn't be prepared to address that problem. Also what condition are the tires in? A "good" set of tires for the Nismo is not a cheap undertaking. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

11-20-2012, 09:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	Talk to Blackstone labs. For $25 or so, they'll send you a kit to take a small oil sample. You can get a good idea of what kind of shape the engine is in that way. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

11-20-2012, 10:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	Not that I've experienced. I'm only at 10k miles. Other members with higher mileage Zs might want to chime in here. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

11-20-2012, 11:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Japanjay Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Puyallup Posts: 856 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z MB M6 Rep Power: 14	Take some advice from me. Take it to a nissan dealership and have them pull maintence records on file and ALL WARRANTY WORK CLAIMS. Tell them to make sure they click both "x's" on the screen. I learned the hard way and found out later that the "factory" motor was no longer in there I had a replacement. DEpointfive0 likes this.

11-20-2012, 09:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
6thgear Base Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: TX Posts: 4 Drives: TBD Rep Power: 13	I just did a quick search and it looks like there are a lot of solutions for the steering lock problem. Is the whole problem that it locks on its own without your messing with it? I have no idea to be honest about the tires, I'll have to check them out. I know 19's are one of the more expensive tires to buy cause they're not in demand (unless you get one with a slightly higher sidewall)

11-21-2012, 02:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,402 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 40569	Paint condition and ecu wine are the only things that come to mind. An oil test will give you a lot of info and its worth it.

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