Just bought a 40th, with a catch

WELL ZED · 06-15-2016, 10:59 AM

Hey all,

So I just bought this 40th, so excited to be a Z owner, let alone a rare Z. After purchasing the car, I did some thorough cleaning and realized that the front bumper is a different color than the original. It almost looks purplish and I cant believe I didnt notice this when I was checking out the car. The carfax came back clean, no salvage or accident issue. Super well maintained in the interior and under the hood based on the service records provided to me and stated on the carfax. I asked the owner about this and he denies having changing the bumper or the color. I realized shortly after that there is even a bulge in the bumper that is very hard to see but I tried to get a good angle ( under the 2nd rivet). Even one of rivets looks shifted.

Pictures available here: Imgur: 40th Z

Meulen · 06-15-2016, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WELL ZED

Hey all,

So I just bought this 40th, so excited to be a Z owner, let alone a rare Z. After purchasing the car, I did some thorough cleaning and realized that the front bumper is a different color than the original. It almost looks purplish and I cant believe I didnt notice this when I was checking out the car. The carfax came back clean, no salvage or accident issue. Super well maintained in the interior and under the hood based on the service records provided to me and stated on the carfax. I asked the owner about this and he denies having changing the bumper or the color. I realized shortly after that there is even a bulge in the bumper that is very hard to see but I tried to get a good angle ( under the 2nd rivet). Even one of rivets looks shifted. Could this have been hit? Did the owner cheat me on this?

Pictures available here: Imgur: 40th Z

Not everything makes it on to the Carfax, so it could have been hit. Or, it just could have been painted and matched poorly. These cars are famous for rock chips. My 40th had lots when I bought it and I had the bumper re-painted.

mults · 06-15-2016, 12:10 PM

The 40th Graphite does show a purple hue depending on the light and is supposed to be a little difficult to match 100%.

The original owner may have damaged it and replaced or painted on his own, so it would not have shown up on Carfax...

WELL ZED · 06-15-2016, 12:17 PM

I had no idea. Is it worth repainting or should I just keep it as is? Im kinda bummed out that it doesnt match 100%. I know the car was taken care of otherwise because I took it to Nissan the day I purchased it and they gave me the green light.

Meulen · 06-15-2016, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WELL ZED

I had no idea. Is it worth repainting or should I just keep it as is? Im kinda bummed out that it doesnt match 100%. I know the car was taken care of otherwise because I took it to Nissan the day I purchased it and they gave me the green light.

up to you. keep in mind it's super hard to match! Get a REALLY good painter. I think most good painters would rather fade this color in because it's so hard to match, but it's too late for that for you

madeinjapan · 06-15-2016, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meulen

Not everything makes it on to the Carfax, so it could have been hit. Or, it just could have been painted and matched poorly. These cars are famous for rock chips. My 40th had lots when I bought it and I had the bumper re-painted.

its weird that people dont realize this

previous owner either went to a mom and pop paint shop to save moneys or diy at home

madeinjapan · 06-15-2016, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WELL ZED

I had no idea. Is it worth repainting or should I just keep it as is? Im kinda bummed out that it doesnt match 100%. I know the car was taken care of otherwise because I took it to Nissan the day I purchased it and they gave me the green light.

this means what ???

WELL ZED · 06-15-2016, 01:13 PM

They said that the car has no issues and was serviced at that location many times so I should have nothing to worry about in terms of future repairs aside from normal maintenance.

~37oZ~ · 07-06-2016, 02:53 PM

I had a similar thing happen to me, it was the rear bumper cover and the car report showed no accidents. Turns out the rear bumper had been damaged on the dealer lot (customer backed into it causing the rear cover to be scuffed and required a repaint) so it never made it to the report because it was not an insurance claim. The body shop did a terrible job....they missed the purple hue altogether lol. They did it again and it's still not perfect, close but still off.

1991Z32 · 07-23-2016, 12:09 PM

I have this exact same problem from a 40th I bought at a dealer. Car was very low miles, under Nissan warranty and I never picked up on it until a couple days later when I saw it in a different light. Apparently the dealer had some local lot monkeys paint it and they did not match it very closely or do a very good job. Going to have to repaint the whole nose eventually.

Billibob22 · 08-16-2016, 10:36 PM

Why is that paint so hard to match?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

madeinjapan · 08-17-2016, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billibob22

Why is that paint so hard to match?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

its a hard color for mom and pop body shops same with the pearl

/Angelo350Z/ · 08-17-2016, 07:34 AM

That paint job isn't too bad, but that would drive me nuts. Just take it to a reputable paint shop and get it over with. After the paint cures, just clay then wax the entire car.

DBloc · 08-15-2017, 03:00 AM

Could you buy the paint from the dealer to have an exact color match?

babyzilla · 08-15-2017, 10:18 AM

Hey OP,

Sorry to hear about this..it would annoy the crap out of me too.

Just some advice to others who are reading (other members have touched based on this as well):
If one has the money, a lot of mishaps can be fixed w/o it ever showing up on record. There are plenty of repair shops and individuals who are willing to do the job, good or bad, for a fair price. Honestly, you can never tell these days. Carfax certainly helps, but it's definitely not a sole source. I know of a guy who works out of his van...I know...but he does a flawless job. He charges min $300 for paint correction depending on the size.

06-15-2016, 10:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
WELL ZED Base Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 83 Drives: #822 40th Rep Power: 8	Just bought a 40th, with a catch Hey all, So I just bought this 40th, so excited to be a Z owner, let alone a rare Z. After purchasing the car, I did some thorough cleaning and realized that the front bumper is a different color than the original. It almost looks purplish and I cant believe I didnt notice this when I was checking out the car. The carfax came back clean, no salvage or accident issue. Super well maintained in the interior and under the hood based on the service records provided to me and stated on the carfax. I asked the owner about this and he denies having changing the bumper or the color. I realized shortly after that there is even a bulge in the bumper that is very hard to see but I tried to get a good angle ( under the 2nd rivet). Even one of rivets looks shifted. Pictures available here: Imgur: 40th Z Last edited by WELL ZED; 07-29-2016 at 11:06 AM.

06-15-2016, 12:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
mults A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH Age: 69 Posts: 1,830 Drives: 2010 (40th) #706 Rep Power: 16885	The 40th Graphite does show a purple hue depending on the light and is supposed to be a little difficult to match 100%. The original owner may have damaged it and replaced or painted on his own, so it would not have shown up on Carfax... __________________ mults 40th Anniversary 'Z', 312.06HP/260.58TQ (Dynosty EcuTek Tune) Build Date/Number: 1/27/2010 #706 Berk HFC + CBE, R2C CAI, Clear Bra, Cleveland Z Club

07-23-2016, 12:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
1991Z32 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 81 Drives: 2010 40th 6MT S/T Rep Power: 1105	I have this exact same problem from a 40th I bought at a dealer. Car was very low miles, under Nissan warranty and I never picked up on it until a couple days later when I saw it in a different light. Apparently the dealer had some local lot monkeys paint it and they did not match it very closely or do a very good job. Going to have to repaint the whole nose eventually. __________________ 2010 40th Anniversary #564 \|\| NISMO CBE \|\| Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2s \|\| RJM Clutch Pedal Assembly

08-16-2016, 10:36 PM	#11 (permalink)
Billibob22 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: California Posts: 103 Drives: 40th Anniversary#365 Rep Power: 9	Why is that paint so hard to match? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________

08-17-2016, 07:34 AM	#13 (permalink)
/Angelo350Z/ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Germany Posts: 2,230 Drives: Z34 \| MK7 \| F82 Rep Power: 3660	That paint job isn't too bad, but that would drive me nuts. Just take it to a reputable paint shop and get it over with. After the paint cures, just clay then wax the entire car. __________________ 2013 MB NISSAN 370Z SPORT

06-15-2016, 12:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
WELL ZED Base Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 83 Drives: #822 40th Rep Power: 8	I had no idea. Is it worth repainting or should I just keep it as is? Im kinda bummed out that it doesnt match 100%. I know the car was taken care of otherwise because I took it to Nissan the day I purchased it and they gave me the green light.

06-15-2016, 01:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
WELL ZED Base Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 83 Drives: #822 40th Rep Power: 8	They said that the car has no issues and was serviced at that location many times so I should have nothing to worry about in terms of future repairs aside from normal maintenance.

07-06-2016, 02:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
~37oZ~ Base Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Edmonton Posts: 133 Drives: 2010 40th 370Z M6 Rep Power: 23	I had a similar thing happen to me, it was the rear bumper cover and the car report showed no accidents. Turns out the rear bumper had been damaged on the dealer lot (customer backed into it causing the rear cover to be scuffed and required a repaint) so it never made it to the report because it was not an insurance claim. The body shop did a terrible job....they missed the purple hue altogether lol. They did it again and it's still not perfect, close but still off.

08-15-2017, 03:00 AM	#14 (permalink)
DBloc Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: CT Posts: 12 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 14	Could you buy the paint from the dealer to have an exact color match?

08-15-2017, 10:18 AM	#15 (permalink)
babyzilla Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Maryland Posts: 487 Drives: 15 Nismo Tech 6MT Rep Power: 23630	Hey OP, Sorry to hear about this..it would annoy the crap out of me too. Just some advice to others who are reading (other members have touched based on this as well): If one has the money, a lot of mishaps can be fixed w/o it ever showing up on record. There are plenty of repair shops and individuals who are willing to do the job, good or bad, for a fair price. Honestly, you can never tell these days. Carfax certainly helps, but it's definitely not a sole source. I know of a guy who works out of his van...I know...but he does a flawless job. He charges min $300 for paint correction depending on the size. Last edited by babyzilla; 08-15-2017 at 10:24 AM.

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