Buying from New Jersey. Should I be worried about flood?
 

Hi there,
I have been here for some time doing a lot of search and it looks like I finally found the Z I was waiting for.
2011, White, Sports Package with only 11k Miles on it.
Price is totally fine, too, as the dealer has been trying to sell it for 6 weeks and just lowered it $2.5k
I am ready to pull the trigger on it but I have been told that I should I look at Zs with a flood title. Carfax is clean, I checked on New Jersey's website and the Vin # is not listed there.
Should I take it to a Nissan dealer / Carmax and have them confirm that the car has not been flooded before I pull the trigger?
What else should I look for a part the steering lock issue?

Thank you all ;)

Look under the spare for rust or any little corners but car dealers have no heart so I would have someone you pay that has no skin in the deal check it out. My son recently bought a brand new charger and after driving it for two month tried to trade it in for a camaro( I know hes an idiot). The chevy dealer said they wouldn't take the car because it was smashed front and back with all airbag going off on a test drive. When the lawyers got involved they took the car back but car dealers are the bottom of the barrel in my opinion and deserve no trust!

Carmax is worthless. One of the "carmax" , in the NE was busted for supplying false documents to the dealers. I bought a Suburban with a clean Carmax report, only to find over spray, etc. Minor finder bender, but the report was not accurate . Mr. Willis about the rust is probably the best info. It is sad that the car sales industry, in our nation, is so untrustworthy. I hate it for you, but you are already worried, so beware. Ask about Nissan's Certified Warranty. When we bought our 370 used, the warranty came with it no cost, like seven years from the original date of purchase.
Excuse me ... CarFax!!!

First sign is the seat bolts. They have a paint dot on each one. If anyone of them is broken, RUN!

I agree. Consumer scam. They only know about what is Reported to them, by participating shops. There is also a VIN check online that you can get for like $6 which is also worthless.
As far as the vehicle being in the flood, I'm gonna say your nose is your best point of reference. Tough to get that wet dog smell out of your interior.
I'm guessing that unless the car was submerged for a long period of time, you wouldn't have any other issues, but I'm far from being an expert on these matters.

Just find another car. This is going to bother you forever. Our home & cars were flooded in Hurricane Ike.

Thanks for the precious advice guys.
Will check the seat bolts and also the under the spare for any sign that might indicate that the car has been flooded.
It's a huge BMW dealer so I don't think they'd take such a risk but like you guys said, it's a dealer and you never know with them.

Thanks again.

I will also try to have a Nissan Dealer look at it / check warranty info before doing any purchase."

Thanks guys

I hope you get a winner.

have you looked at the car itself? smell fishy inside? :ugh: or lots of air freshener use? :ugh2: mightve beeen flooded if that's the case.

not sure if you're a smoker or not, but i HATE the stench it leaves behind. i'd verify that.
back in the pre-90's airlines smelled like shittt. smoke + coffee smell = :barf:

Thanks ;)

I haven't seen the car yet as it's 4 hours away but I plan on inspecting it and having a Nissan dealer inspect it before I pull the trigger.

Got the finances done and I am about to leave a refundable deposit so they hold the car until Sat or Sunday. (Will make sure it's, 100% refundable). All I need to do is sign the paperwork now.

Thanks again

sounds good, GL with your car hunting. :tup:

Thank you!
Will keep you guys posted ;)

Where in jersey is it? I can check it its its close to me and weather permits if u want?

Thanks for the offer!
I PMed you ;)

I'm from J'oisey meself ... a few miles from the GW Bridge.
Flood damage is easy to spot ... just need to take it to a good speed shop/Dealer and put it up on the lift ...
Tell them to look for water damage ...
Also find out where the car was when Sandy hit...Central NJ was hit the hardest.
Don't fret yourself either ... this is the winter and Z sale prices are more negotiable.
Remember that dealers don't pay much for trade-ins or auctions.
Don't be fooled by the apparent price reduction...they need to make the monthly bottom line irregardless.
Hope this helps ...
'Z's are specialty cars ... you have the advantage.
Bob