Buying used, what to check/look for?

bigdog1250 · 01-13-2011, 04:20 PM

Hey Guys! I am excited to be in the position to finally buy another Z and be back in the club. Haven't had a Z since highschool when I bought my 350. Now having graduated college I am ready to get back into the cockpit.

I am pretty savy when it comes to inspecting things, but I was curious if there are any important/unique things to check for on the new Z. It is a 6spd, touring + sport 2009 with under 5k miles.

I appreciate any relevant tips.

Cheers

Mike

kenchan · 01-13-2011, 05:05 PM

check the paint from different angles in the sun and under lighting.

check for any other body work done... scratches around fender bolts, check door jams, etc. have them lift the car so you can check the undercarriage.

check to see if the car was ever modded... marks on bolts, nuts on suspension, intake, etc.

check oil level... might had oil burning issues.

if you're anal, bring a friend with you to measure the wheel base and compare left and right side from center of front wheel cap to rear wheel cap. this tells if it had suspension damage or frame damage.

etc. etc. etc.

Koji_Online · 01-13-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

check the paint from different angles in the sun and under lighting.

check for any other body work done... scratches around fender bolts, check door jams, etc. have them lift the car so you can check the undercarriage.

check to see if the car was ever modded... marks on bolts, nuts on suspension, intake, etc.

check oil level... might had oil burning issues.

if you're anal, bring a friend with you to measure the wheel base and compare left and right side from center of front wheel cap to rear wheel cap. this tells if it had suspension damage or frame damage.

etc. etc. etc.

I personally think checking the oil level & wheelbase is a good idea! Thanks, I will use this next time =P

bigdog1250 · 01-13-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

check the paint from different angles in the sun and under lighting.

check for any other body work done... scratches around fender bolts, check door jams, etc. have them lift the car so you can check the undercarriage.

check to see if the car was ever modded... marks on bolts, nuts on suspension, intake, etc.

check oil level... might had oil burning issues.

if you're anal, bring a friend with you to measure the wheel base and compare left and right side from center of front wheel cap to rear wheel cap. this tells if it had suspension damage or frame damage.

etc. etc. etc.

Thanks, those are great tips. Will definitely check the wheel base infront of the seller, I'm sure that could do some unintended good

bigdog1250 · 01-14-2011, 10:48 AM

^

m4a1mustang · 01-14-2011, 10:49 AM

Bring the car to a trusted mechanic for an inspection.

c41006 · 01-14-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Bring the car to a trusted mechanic for an inspection.

Probably the best thing you can do

m4a1mustang · 01-14-2011, 11:00 AM

Yeah, even if it costs you a few bucks it will be worth it.

GZ3 · 01-14-2011, 11:27 AM

kenchan · 01-14-2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GZ3

i hope this isn't your mechanic...

ClemsonWill · 01-14-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Bring the car to a trusted mechanic for an inspection.

great advise!

TypeOne · 01-14-2011, 02:16 PM

Things that I look for...

1. Previous wreck history or paint/body work. (rough edges around the inside of the door jams, different shades of paint, excess or not enough of "orange peel" in the paint, panel gaps, dents..ect. I've even brought a paint thickness meter to look at cars. Amazon.com: Automotive Paint Thickness Meter Gauge Gage for Body Shops and used Car Dealers: Automotive)

2. Mods past or present (missing bolts,broken clips or loose parts, ect)

3. Unusual mileage or wear... (low mileage car with worn or wrong replacement rear tires, excess driver seat wear, 2010 MY car but with 45k miles)

4. Documentation. (receipts for past work or service, warranty paper work or dealer ship invoices ect)

Ask questions... try to feel out the owner, ask why they are selling, ect ect.

Do your homework, find out if there is anything wrong with the previous year or model as far as recalls or TSBs.

I did my research on the 370Z about 6-8 months before I bought mine. I got a killer deal and a great car because of it.

zmyride · 01-14-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250

Hey Guys! I am excited to be in the position to finally buy another Z and be back in the club. Haven't had a Z since highschool when I bought my 350. Now having graduated college I am ready to get back into the cockpit.

I am pretty savy when it comes to inspecting things, but I was curious if there are any important/unique things to check for on the new Z. It is a 6spd, touring + sport 2009 with under 5k miles.

I appreciate any relevant tips.

Cheers

Mike

Asked the owner of the used Z to allow you to bring his car to the track and bring along your friend who drives a Civic.

If you can test drive and beat the Civic in one lap. Buy that Z immediately.
If you can't, find another Z.

EazyD · 01-15-2011, 12:41 PM

Check the vin number against what they are putting on the title or what they tell you in an email. (check on the actual car)

Check for curb rash under the sides of the car.

Check average MPH on the multi display, maybe you can see what kind of driver they are. Or the trusty radio preset trick

Footloose301 · 01-15-2011, 03:00 PM

One thing to keep in mind that many new 370Z owners bring to the forum is the "rough" shifting. This is normal of the late Z cars and nothing to be too concerned about. Also, the clutch makes a lot of noise. So, please don't pass up on a great deal due to some "noise issues" that come from factory like that.

01-13-2011, 04:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigdog1250 Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 846 Drives: 991.2 GT3 Rep Power: 18	Buying used, what to check/look for? Hey Guys! I am excited to be in the position to finally buy another Z and be back in the club. Haven't had a Z since highschool when I bought my 350. Now having graduated college I am ready to get back into the cockpit. I am pretty savy when it comes to inspecting things, but I was curious if there are any important/unique things to check for on the new Z. It is a 6spd, touring + sport 2009 with under 5k miles. I appreciate any relevant tips. Cheers Mike gvreeland likes this. __________________ 350z / 40th 370z / C6 Z06 / BMW M4 / V10 R8 / C7 Grand Spot / 997.1 GT3 / S2K / Camaro ZL1 / 718 GTS / 991.2 GT3

01-14-2011, 10:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
bigdog1250 Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 846 Drives: 991.2 GT3 Rep Power: 18	^ __________________ 350z / 40th 370z / C6 Z06 / BMW M4 / V10 R8 / C7 Grand Spot / 997.1 GT3 / S2K / Camaro ZL1 / 718 GTS / 991.2 GT3

01-14-2011, 10:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Bring the car to a trusted mechanic for an inspection. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

01-14-2011, 11:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Yeah, even if it costs you a few bucks it will be worth it. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

01-14-2011, 11:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
GZ3 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 3,296 Drives: Z Rep Power: 21	__________________ 09 GT-R 12' 370Z 7AT HANDED DOWN 12'+13' 5.0 SOLD Last edited by GZ3; 01-14-2011 at 11:30 AM.

01-13-2011, 05:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	check the paint from different angles in the sun and under lighting. check for any other body work done... scratches around fender bolts, check door jams, etc. have them lift the car so you can check the undercarriage. check to see if the car was ever modded... marks on bolts, nuts on suspension, intake, etc. check oil level... might had oil burning issues. if you're anal, bring a friend with you to measure the wheel base and compare left and right side from center of front wheel cap to rear wheel cap. this tells if it had suspension damage or frame damage. etc. etc. etc.

01-14-2011, 02:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1851	Things that I look for... 1. Previous wreck history or paint/body work. (rough edges around the inside of the door jams, different shades of paint, excess or not enough of "orange peel" in the paint, panel gaps, dents..ect. I've even brought a paint thickness meter to look at cars. Amazon.com: Automotive Paint Thickness Meter Gauge Gage for Body Shops and used Car Dealers: Automotive) 2. Mods past or present (missing bolts,broken clips or loose parts, ect) 3. Unusual mileage or wear... (low mileage car with worn or wrong replacement rear tires, excess driver seat wear, 2010 MY car but with 45k miles) 4. Documentation. (receipts for past work or service, warranty paper work or dealer ship invoices ect) Ask questions... try to feel out the owner, ask why they are selling, ect ect. Do your homework, find out if there is anything wrong with the previous year or model as far as recalls or TSBs. I did my research on the 370Z about 6-8 months before I bought mine. I got a killer deal and a great car because of it.

01-15-2011, 12:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
EazyD A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 1,211 Drives: 2010 6MT Sport pkg. Rep Power: 26	Check the vin number against what they are putting on the title or what they tell you in an email. (check on the actual car) Check for curb rash under the sides of the car. Check average MPH on the multi display, maybe you can see what kind of driver they are. Or the trusty radio preset trick __________________ Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

01-15-2011, 03:00 PM	#15 (permalink)
Footloose301 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 2,659 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 21	One thing to keep in mind that many new 370Z owners bring to the forum is the "rough" shifting. This is normal of the late Z cars and nothing to be too concerned about. Also, the clutch makes a lot of noise. So, please don't pass up on a great deal due to some "noise issues" that come from factory like that. __________________ 2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

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