Considering trading my '15 base model auto for a heavily modified '09 sport trim manu
 

Instagram user @forkickx is selling his 370z. I asked on Reddit (/r/370z) what they thought about the trade, and everyone said don't do it. I'm very biased, so that's why I'm asking here and on Reddit for your opinions.

Here's the original text I posted on Reddit:

I asked for a full parts list and this is what he sent me:

What do you think? Should I be talked out of this deal? These are all modifications I was planning on getting anyway, give or take a few. I don't think I want to dump another $30k into my car, so this seemed like a perfect solution.

Sounds like a steal to me. The question to ask, though, is why does he want to part with it?

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That's exactly what I think. On Reddit, literally everyone was saying don't do it because of the bad stock oil cooler and stuff like that. But the thing is, he swapped that out a while ago. I drive on average 7500 miles per year, and his car has about 8000 miles per year. It's not like I drive it all the time and I have other cars in case I need something else, you know? Man, I'm really considering it haha. Besides one of my best friends and my girl friend, you're the first person that's actually agreed with me on this one haha.

Here are some pics of his car:

https://i.imgur.com/dCYjF8ul.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/J48NpUal.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dwhwYznl.jpg

This was also a concern of mine. I think he's just outgrown it. I followed him back in 2016 when he was doing all this stuff to his car, finished it shortly after and hasn't done anything else to it.

The only reason I say no is the 50,000 mile difference. But it is intriguing...

Yeah, I agree. It'll be a weird adjustment at first I'm sure. But for a 2009, that's only 8000 miles a year versus my 7500 miles a year, so the wear and tear will likely be similar to as if I were driving my car for a few more years since it's not turbo'd or anything like that.

Do what makes you happy, only answer.
IMO, 50k Miles is too much of a difference, plus the year difference.
In terms of resell value, you’d be getting shafted.

But do what gives you the most smiles per mile.

Its a 2009 with 80,000 miles and hes asking $30 or $25K for it. That's not a good deal. Car's KBB is about $10k. Aftermarket parts don't add real value to the car, it's still a 10 year old average mileage sport model.

Also, it will always be "his" build and never feel like it was yours unless you do something drastic to change it up, which would defeat your reasons for liking it as it stands. Plus that orange interior is gross lol

Except you know how you drove/maintained yours...

<< Plus that orange interior is gross lol >>

Good point! :eek:

:iagree:

Sounds like you might already have your mind made up. Just think though, would you be mad/irritated if he turned around and sold it for more than the 09 is worth? I'm guessing that's why he wants the trade if he's outgrown the car. Have you seen it in person? How was the maintenance for his 8k miles a year? 50k miles is alot. Also a stock z sells a bit quicker than a modified one. Reaches more money also being auto, less miles, and 7 years newer. I wouldn't be able to because I'd feel he "got me". Personally, I'd sell yours for 17-18 and offer him 14k. If he didn't take it buy a z you wanted (6mt) I hope that makes sense, at the end of the day it's your call so do what you thinks best for you.

The consensus is it's a BAD deal when and IF you decide to sell it after a few years.

The mods are going to put a lot of people off unless your patient for that 1 sucker buyer and so you'll end up with a car worth 10K or less and you'll HAVE to part it out to recoup some money left on the table.

If thats not a problem and you don't mind buying a potential issue car? Knock yourself out.

Hey guys, thanks for the responses.

Just for the record, no, I wouldn't offer him $20k for it. I was thinking $15k or so, max. I know mine would sell for about $18k in my area, so the rest of that could go into fixing up whatever needs fixing or whatever.

Also, I'm not in love with absolutely everything on that car. I'd probably swap his setup and tune for something, part with the wheels and change some stuff up. I think I mainly want it for the money I'd save working on my car. $25k-$30k on top of my own vehicle, or about $5k-$10k for modifying his?

Maybe I'm being too naive though haha :)

I would straight-out ask him why he wants to get rid of it. If you like the answer, and dont plan on selling the car anytime soon, I'd say go for it - but that's coming from someone that put 261,000 miles on his 350Z over a decade and similarly intends to drive his 370z into the grave.

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I did ask that. He said he's saving up for a new house. I know he's got a kid and all that adult stuff, so I think it makes sense. I assumed it was because it's a car he's finished building a couple of years ago and just got tired of it haha

First, before making an offer I would ask him why he's selling. After that get your mechanic to do a thorough inspection of everything he can. THEN make an offer based on the condition of the car. If everything's still in great condition and you can work out a fair price, I'd probably do it.

All in all, you're going to be super excited to be switching to a manual with lots of mods vs. your base model... just don't let that blind you into a bad deal.

Mods aren't worth anything and nothing on that car is special. You're considering trading a still basically new car for a heavily used and modified decade old car.

"Saving up for a house" is not really an answer to why he's selling that Z. I'd ask him again. And like CMadison said, dont let the mods blind you.

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Just say "NO". 2009 370z's had oil burning issues. It probably also needs galley gaskets, etc. You will be in for a motor refresh soon. Keep yours and play it safe.

Consider this, if the car gets totalled in a wreck, you will not get $20-25k for it from the insurance company.

Ian B

Unless you're smart and get a rider policy that insures aftermarket parts.

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Aftermarket replacements are usually worth less than factory parts. If there were additions such as forced induction or something, sure.

You are going the wrong way in many ways, as mentioned above by many forum members. Keep thinking about it until the mind clears up, which may take a long time.

Looks like forum member Wiggins' old car. He put a lot of work into that car and did it right.

But in it's current state, I haven't heard one good reason why you should buy it...

I thought Wiggins' Z had overfenders?

I'm pretty sure you're right but I know he did a major part out before selling it. So that might have been one thing to go. The fact that the engine bay is custom painted is what I thought gave it away. Don't know of anyone else that did a custom purple paint job like that and pulled the engine to paint the engine bay.

Personally I hate that stance crap because it ruins the performance and handling and wears out other components that you'll be paying for in the future. Also, your buying someone else's vision of what they wanted their car to look like, not yours. Also, it's not really a good idea to buy someone else's modified car because you don't know if things were done right or a chimp with a screwdriver installed everything. A lightly modified car I would maybe say yes, this is a hard pass in my opinion, especially if he wants over 20k for it. Keep your stock auto and look out for a stock stick that isn't modified.

i wouldn't even consider it, but that's just me.

Yeah, thanks for the help everyone. After all your help and consideration, I think it's too impractical to sell my car for his. I know it'd save me a lot of headaches with my build because of what's already done, but the fact that my car is only 4 years old and has 30k miles should be reason enough to hang onto it.

With that, though, I'll also be keeping my auto... Unfortunately :ugh2: haha

Good idea. You appreciate something more after you've bled and sweated all over it during an install.

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Yeah for sure. For the record, I did plan on doing all that stuff to my car after graduation. :) I figured this would be the quick and easy way of doing it, considering (after re-budgeting with new quotes and making a new parts list all day), I'm looking at around $30k in mods. This'll take a few years, but in the end, yeah, it'll be worth it :)

You made the right choice, you wouldn’t appreciate the destination as much if you didn’t go on the journey.

Lol destination implies there's an end in sight #ModTilIDie

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There is an end. Your death lol

You're telling me that heaven doesn't have a fully-stocked garage and suppliers with no wait times? #ModdingInTheAfterlife

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