High Miles Z a bad idea?

ImportConvert · 01-23-2013, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

One thing I always tell people "never buy a used sports car. Whoever bought it in the first place, had need for speed." But that not always true. Sometimes people buy it just to look cool or don't ever track it or anything.

As for buying 70K sport car, you should def. check it out. See how it is and drive it. My Z just rolled over 66k and seriously, it drives like brand new. It had redline synthetic oil every 5500 miles (religiously changed despite the weather conditions outside), transmission, brake and differential fluids changed regularly, outside detailed and waxed with Adams polishes, inside is immaculate as I have every single detailing stuff you can think of etc. My Z as a used probably drives better than many 20-30K Z out there. So it's all in the "how it was taken care of" really.

I personally think nissan makes very reliable engines. My brother Infinity I35 (vq egnine) holding up very well even after 130K of abuse, my old 350Z vq held up very well. HOWEVER unfortunately, Nissan's biggest weakness is the transmission. We all know how many tranny we went though with our 350zs. Luckily, still no issue with my first gen SRM equipped transmission in my 370Z. but it's def. weakest point.

I worked for Ford for a year, and agree 100%. It's ownership/usage more than miles. Give me a 100K mile car that was driven by a guy like you vs. some highschool "pimp's" "Airforce One" with 20K miles on it, any day!

That said, my first sporty car was a 1995 Trans Am. I bought it with 14X,XXX miles on it, and kept it until 177K miles. It ran like a top. The only flaw it had was the heater core went out. When I bought it, the oil looked like pudding, it was terrible. Horrible maintenance. But you know what? That Trans Am was very fast for what it was, killing 350Z's and the like (for a 2.73 Auto LT1, not bad!). It was a great car, and literally the most problem-free that I have ever owned, other than my C6 Z06 that I sold at 4K miles, lol. Great car. Can't say enough good about it.

Then the 2001 WS.6 that I had, bought with 72K miles, former owner I called, he was older, lived in TX and drove 30mi to work each day, maintained it FLAWLESSLY (I had bought from a dealership and tracked him down, so no reason to lie to me). Was probably the worst car I ever owned. Horrible. Everything, EVERYTHING but the engine had issues to one degree or another.

Luck of the draw, some cars are ****, some aren't, and it could be as minor a difference as "this was car # 18 made today, and this was car #19". No way to know.

dawudih · 01-23-2013, 07:03 AM

I work off Lemmon at the ER across the street from the Audi dealership. Fancy area.
Check Trophy Nissan on 635; they'll beat that deal.
Nothing wrong with a high mileage car; when did 70K become high mileage anyway. My 4Runner has 185K with almost no issues.

bvl · 01-23-2013, 04:15 AM

Agree with AK: used is used. I would wager people with sports cars tend to baby them more (maintenance) then you going to get a nice used Accord/Camry/Altima etc...where people beat the snot out of the when cold, give them jiffy lube and call it a day.

Bottom line is cars are more resilient then we think: used is not the risk it once was. Stuff breaks on anything. Being an educated consumer and patient is key.

My first used sports car I got with 50K on it...sold it with 154K and it was quite well behaved (including a ton of mods I put into it).

Next used sports car was the 370Z. 2400 miles on it, someone didn't really fit in the seats well. Win for me.

Third used sports car is the Cayman we now have. Its still new, and yeah got an extended warranty for some piece of mind (wife wanted it, not me so much).

You an read the reliability studies and perhaps state that Honda or Toyota eek out a few points in issues per 100 then other brands but honestly, Nissan is right up there. A bulk of their cars are Altimas, Maximas, Sentras, Versa etc...the Z contains some unique components, lots of shared ones.

OP: find the lowest mile/year car you can find in your budget. If a few K is going to stretch you too thin...you should *really* reconsider the price point for now and save longer. I would shop within 5K ranges, so say 25K is your top end. If that hurts too much, then lower it to 20K.

- b

jooonnn · 01-23-2013, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawb474

Hi everyone, I've been on the market for a Z for a long time and am finally close to making a purchase. I really want a 40th, but it's hard to find one for less than 28K

I'm a recent grad from Baylor (any Bears out there?) and I want to make sure I'm making a good decision financially. So the question is, do I buy a car for closer to $25-28k with low miles or one for a few thousand less with higher miles. Will I be paying a significantly more on services/maintenance on the high mile Z?

I've come across a couple some other Zs with really high miles at a cheap cost (makes sense).

One, for instance, is at 70,000 miles with sport and touring for less than 22K. I think it's a great deal but realistically, is it a smart buy? What sort of issues do the high mile Zs have? I'm only going to have the car for about 3 years and I don't put more than 10,000 miles on it per year.

Congrats on getting a degree! I am a recent Clemson grad so I share a similar experience. You just spent several years paying to go to school. You earned your degree, now get EXACTLY what you want. IMHO it would be a crime to waste your "fresh out of college" car experience on a used one that you weren't there to start with from day one on your new life. You hesitated on automatic, get manual. Make sure you get everything you want the way you want out of a car you are buying with your own money. Don't have enough money? Save up. Life is too short to settle on something like this during your prime years. This is your chance to own a very impractical car before you have a family so do it right.

Take it from me, I bought a new 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe on a whim because it looked nice and saved me some money from getting a Z. Several maintenance issues later i traded the car in after 6 months for a new 2013 Nissan 370Z. Buy right the first time!

At the end of the day it's better to wonder "Why?" than "What if...?"

Ps: If you don't have a job yet, don't even bother looking for a car yet.

DEpointfive0 · 01-23-2013, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jooonnn

Congrats on getting a degree! I am a recent Clemson grad so I share a similar experience. You just spent several years paying to go to school. You earned your degree, now get EXACTLY what you want. IMHO it would be a crime to waste your "fresh out of college" car experience on a used one that you weren't there to start with from day one on your new life. You hesitated on automatic, get manual. Make sure you get everything you want the way you want out of a car you are buying with your own money. Don't have enough money? Save up. Life is too short to settle on something like this during your prime years. This is your chance to own a very impractical car before you have a family so do it right.

Take it from me, I bought a new 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe on a whim because it looked nice and saved me some money from getting a Z. Several maintenance issues later i traded the car in after 6 months for a new 2013 Nissan 370Z. Buy right the first time!

At the end of the day it's better to wonder "Why?" than "What if...?"

Ps: If you don't have a job yet, don't even bother looking for a car yet.

Well said! Wise man, OP, listen to this guy

Phaddi_inc · 01-23-2013, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jooonnn

Congrats on getting a degree! I am a recent Clemson grad so I share a similar experience. You just spent several years paying to go to school. You earned your degree, now get EXACTLY what you want. IMHO it would be a crime to waste your "fresh out of college" car experience on a used one that you weren't there to start with from day one on your new life. You hesitated on automatic, get manual. Make sure you get everything you want the way you want out of a car you are buying with your own money. Don't have enough money? Save up. Life is too short to settle on something like this during your prime years. This is your chance to own a very impractical car before you have a family so do it right.

Take it from me, I bought a new 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe on a whim because it looked nice and saved me some money from getting a Z. Several maintenance issues later i traded the car in after 6 months for a new 2013 Nissan 370Z. Buy right the first time!

At the end of the day it's better to wonder "Why?" than "What if...?"

Ps: If you don't have a job yet, don't even bother looking for a car yet.

wow, best reply ever.

SAmilitaryman · 01-23-2013, 09:08 AM

My mothers 2000 maxima with 225k miles and still running fine would like yo have a word with you.

Fishey · 01-23-2013, 09:21 AM

I am glad that I don't want or need a new car since my favorite era of cars are from 1985-1995 with a few models up till 2001. High mileage never bothered me it just depends on maintenance and type of car. The 370Z is a good reliable car for the most part except for some small things and like the 350Z it is extremely easy to work on. I would have no problem buying a higher mileage Z. I think my lowest mileage car is my 944 and it has like 130,000mi on the body and my highest mileage is my daily with 275,000mi on engine/body. I think about a car payment and I can put a new motor in my Volvo so hard to justify another car. I also have a 230,000 mile BMW, 170,000mi truck and a 185,000mi expedition.

I guess your opinion of high mileage changes when you can work on something yourself. I look for cars that are easy to work/reliable rather then low mileage. P.S. Toyota might be the worst brand ever for older cars. Ever try to get parts for an old Toyota? Yea, Good luck!

Fishey · 01-23-2013, 09:52 AM

The thing I find to be the worst indicator of reliability is "Initial Quality" like J.D. Power.

NickTurnon · 01-23-2013, 10:49 AM

I am driving a high mileage z and the only problem that I have had is the steering lock replaced last week. Other then that- its perfect

I wonder how many miles ill run her til I sell her. I still owe about half the car on the loan!

7speed · 01-23-2013, 12:57 PM

So did you ever get the car? I'm surprised you hadn't found one for reasonable miles and price in DFW.

I just got mine last week from courtesy nissan 09 std, base with 37k. Listed for $22g and dealer took off another $1,500

Rawb474 · 01-23-2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7speed

So did you ever get the car? I'm surprised you hadn't found one for reasonable miles and price in DFW.

I just got mine last week from courtesy nissan 09 std, base with 37k. Listed for $22g and dealer took off another $1,500

I'm going to hold off on this one. I can find deals similar to that all the time, but not ones that are sports+touring, and I'm only interested in those.

I'm going to be patient and start looking again in a couple months... maybe when I get a higher paying job (last thing I want to do is get myself in financial trouble).

I appreciate all your responses! I've wanted this car for so long but I know I really need to wait. I think if its come to this and is this hard to make the final purchase, I'm probably just not ready to buy. Hoping to get a new job soon and with that, a Z.

lemon-fresh · 01-23-2013, 02:53 PM

There are also gonna be some even more amazing cars coming out in the next few years.

7speed · 01-23-2013, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawb474

I'm going to hold off on this one. I can find deals similar to that all the time, but not ones that are sports+touring, and I'm only interested in those.

I'm going to be patient and start looking again in a couple months... maybe when I get a higher paying job (last thing I want to do is get myself in financial trouble).

I appreciate all your responses! I've wanted this car for so long but I know I really need to wait. I think if its come to this and is this hard to make the final purchase, I'm probably just not ready to buy. Hoping to get a new job soon and with that, a Z.

Cool, I just realized as I went through more of the posts your looking for touring/sport.

Yeah don't rush, u will find what you want. I didn't mind the base, only thing that I wanted from sport was wheels (which I can find), spoiler (I found and added to mine already). Toss up was the leather but I don't mind the cloth

FPenvy · 01-23-2013, 06:22 PM

I agree and I agree with him. I did the same thing right out of college first job landed a little after and within first 6 months searched and found my perfect Z and had to fly to Louisiana to get it. Drive it straight home 1200 miles with the biggest smile on my face.

01-23-2013, 07:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
dawudih Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Katy, TX Age: 52 Posts: 93 Drives: 2011 370z auto Rep Power: 16	I work off Lemmon at the ER across the street from the Audi dealership. Fancy area. Check Trophy Nissan on 635; they'll beat that deal. Nothing wrong with a high mileage car; when did 70K become high mileage anyway. My 4Runner has 185K with almost no issues.

01-23-2013, 09:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
Fishey Base Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lebanon Posts: 159 Drives: Volvo T5-R Rep Power: 14	I am glad that I don't want or need a new car since my favorite era of cars are from 1985-1995 with a few models up till 2001. High mileage never bothered me it just depends on maintenance and type of car. The 370Z is a good reliable car for the most part except for some small things and like the 350Z it is extremely easy to work on. I would have no problem buying a higher mileage Z. I think my lowest mileage car is my 944 and it has like 130,000mi on the body and my highest mileage is my daily with 275,000mi on engine/body. I think about a car payment and I can put a new motor in my Volvo so hard to justify another car. I also have a 230,000 mile BMW, 170,000mi truck and a 185,000mi expedition. I guess your opinion of high mileage changes when you can work on something yourself. I look for cars that are easy to work/reliable rather then low mileage. P.S. Toyota might be the worst brand ever for older cars. Ever try to get parts for an old Toyota? Yea, Good luck! Last edited by Fishey; 01-23-2013 at 09:29 AM.

01-23-2013, 10:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
NickTurnon A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Scottsdale Age: 35 Posts: 1,636 Drives: 09 BS 7AT 370z Rep Power: 20	I am driving a high mileage z and the only problem that I have had is the steering lock replaced last week. Other then that- its perfect I wonder how many miles ill run her til I sell her. I still owe about half the car on the loan! __________________ 2009 Brilliant Silver BASE 7AT \| TEIN S-Tech Springs \| K&N Drop Ins & z1 Maf Tubes \| AAM S-Line Short Tails \| 5% Tint \| 20MM Spacers \| Sport Spoiler NickTurnon's 370z Build

01-23-2013, 12:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
7speed Track Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Dallas Posts: 697 Drives: 09 370 sports clone Rep Power: 15	So did you ever get the car? I'm surprised you hadn't found one for reasonable miles and price in DFW. I just got mine last week from courtesy nissan 09 std, base with 37k. Listed for $22g and dealer took off another $1,500 __________________ 09 370z 6spd traded 1/12/15 for 15 Challenger RT 6spd

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01-23-2013, 04:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
bvl Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA Posts: 362 Drives: MB Roadster (sold) Rep Power: 16	Agree with AK: used is used. I would wager people with sports cars tend to baby them more (maintenance) then you going to get a nice used Accord/Camry/Altima etc...where people beat the snot out of the when cold, give them jiffy lube and call it a day. Bottom line is cars are more resilient then we think: used is not the risk it once was. Stuff breaks on anything. Being an educated consumer and patient is key. My first used sports car I got with 50K on it...sold it with 154K and it was quite well behaved (including a ton of mods I put into it). Next used sports car was the 370Z. 2400 miles on it, someone didn't really fit in the seats well. Win for me. Third used sports car is the Cayman we now have. Its still new, and yeah got an extended warranty for some piece of mind (wife wanted it, not me so much). You an read the reliability studies and perhaps state that Honda or Toyota eek out a few points in issues per 100 then other brands but honestly, Nissan is right up there. A bulk of their cars are Altimas, Maximas, Sentras, Versa etc...the Z contains some unique components, lots of shared ones. OP: find the lowest mile/year car you can find in your budget. If a few K is going to stretch you too thin...you should really reconsider the price point for now and save longer. I would shop within 5K ranges, so say 25K is your top end. If that hurts too much, then lower it to 20K. - b

01-23-2013, 09:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
SAmilitaryman Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: san antonio, tx Posts: 168 Drives: 09 Nissan black 370z Rep Power: 14	My mothers 2000 maxima with 225k miles and still running fine would like yo have a word with you.

01-23-2013, 09:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
Fishey Base Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lebanon Posts: 159 Drives: Volvo T5-R Rep Power: 14	The thing I find to be the worst indicator of reliability is "Initial Quality" like J.D. Power.

01-23-2013, 02:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
lemon-fresh Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Calgary Age: 41 Posts: 471 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 15	There are also gonna be some even more amazing cars coming out in the next few years.

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