help! how do you spot trouble in a used 370z

jhtran13 · 11-01-2013, 07:34 PM

Hey guys,

just wanted your opinion, what do you guys look for in a used 370z,

i saw a 2009 370z with 47000 miles on it, the body paint was good, very minor nicks but nothing major.

I test drove it and engine wasnt jerking when i drove it on the highway.

I haven't looked under the hood yet for checking corrosions, rust

Also, I am wondering how many miles a 370z can take before you start experiencing problems.

Thanks guys

critical · 11-01-2013, 07:38 PM

have andrew take it for a drive. everything that's wrong will be exposed.

jhtran13 · 11-01-2013, 07:44 PM

helpp andrew!! if u are in houston, that would be sweet

ever since i saw the 370z in 09' i fell in love with it but i was a high school kid at that time so i started working alot and saving $

at last! the 370z is within my grasp

help a first time car buyer and first time future 370z owner =D

critical · 11-01-2013, 07:50 PM

get your *** out there andrew!

TreeSemdyZee · 11-01-2013, 08:06 PM

I've got an '09 with over 61,000 and haven't had a lick of issues with it. ('cept one self-imposed screw-up.)

PapoZalsa · 11-01-2013, 08:30 PM

Check service records, Carfax, see if the TSBs has been done....

shawnski · 11-01-2013, 08:59 PM

Check your pm, I left u a message

OldGuy · 11-01-2013, 09:40 PM

Ask dealer if they will tell you prior owner and call him. If you get the name, it's a good sign dealer has nothing to hide. If car was bought at auction and last owner is not accessible, spend a couple hundred dollars to have a mechanic go over it carefully. Incidentally, since the price of the new models is lower and sales are tapering this time of year, see how close you are to being able to afford a new one, or maybe find a left over 2013. Less chance of "buying some else's troubles" that way. I've had my 2009 for four years now and I've had no problems other than TSB's and recalls---but I have only 12,000 miles on her.

kenchan · 11-01-2013, 09:58 PM

I think DE is stuck somewhere I'm his Z

DEpointfive0 · 11-01-2013, 10:42 PM

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, hi, I'm Andrew, I won't be in Houston any time in the next month
There is a guy on the Houston Z page who works for a dealer, maybe he'll check it out for free

TNTi · 11-01-2013, 10:43 PM

Not a mechanic nor mechanically inclined but my personal used car buying routine:

1). Check the CarFax, not a perfect resource but better than nothing

2). Take my time visually inspecting the car (usually the salesman gets bored and goes off to "take a call"). I visualize that I'm detailing the car and go over every square inch. At least you might catch a miss-aligned panel (minor accident) or curb rash. Open the hood, hatch, fuel filler door, etc. An obsessed previous owner will clean all these which means that possibly he was just as obsessed with the maintenance.

3). Check the tires. The OEM's wear out ridiculously fast (IMHO) but shredded side tread will tell you that some expensive fun was had.

4). Look for an oil change reminder sticker. Might give you an idea when the last time the car was serviced.

A car at a good Nissan dealer or from CarMax is a safer bet because these places will generally perform some sort of multi-point inspection

Good luck with your purchase. Every Z I have bought has been used and they all turned out to be good, reliable cars.

122554 · 11-01-2013, 10:43 PM

Blood stains on the seats may indicate previous problem!

UNKNOWN_370 · 11-02-2013, 04:50 AM

Invest in a scan gauge.

Justice97 · 11-02-2013, 06:55 AM

1st car I bought was a Z back in 89. It was an 83 and had 127K on it. That thing gave me no issues other than clutch and the usual wear and tear till about 230K. 2nd timing chain was needed and the engine is still strong. If I were an adult and took care of her the right way, she would have been on her 3rd or 4th timing chain, but I was a kid and eh.

If you get the Z take care of her and she will take care of you.

Good luck with your future Z purchase. It may not be this one, but I do see a Z in your future.

onzedge · 11-02-2013, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

I think DE is stuck somewhere I'm his Z

11-01-2013, 07:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
jhtran13 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Houston Posts: 57 Drives: 15' 370z/sport Rep Power: 11	help! how do you spot trouble in a used 370z Hey guys, just wanted your opinion, what do you guys look for in a used 370z, i saw a 2009 370z with 47000 miles on it, the body paint was good, very minor nicks but nothing major. I test drove it and engine wasnt jerking when i drove it on the highway. I haven't looked under the hood yet for checking corrosions, rust Also, I am wondering how many miles a 370z can take before you start experiencing problems. Thanks guys

11-01-2013, 07:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
critical A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington Posts: 1,252 Drives: 09' 370z 7AT Rep Power: 15	have andrew take it for a drive. everything that's wrong will be exposed. DIGItonium, Trips, kenchan and 3 others like this. __________________ Quaife w/ gears \|Stillen Gen 3\|SOLD FI Resonated Test Pipes \|SOLD FI 18'' \| 25row Stillen Race \| Progress 35mm/25mm sways \| Swifts/Koni\|Volk G25's\| Stoptech SS lines\|\|SPL Front/Rear Arms\|

11-01-2013, 07:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
jhtran13 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Houston Posts: 57 Drives: 15' 370z/sport Rep Power: 11	helpp andrew!! if u are in houston, that would be sweet ever since i saw the 370z in 09' i fell in love with it but i was a high school kid at that time so i started working alot and saving $ at last! the 370z is within my grasp help a first time car buyer and first time future 370z owner =D Leadfoot likes this. Last edited by jhtran13; 11-01-2013 at 08:00 PM.

11-01-2013, 07:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
critical A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington Posts: 1,252 Drives: 09' 370z 7AT Rep Power: 15	get your * out there andrew! __________________ Quaife w/ gears \|Stillen Gen 3\|SOLD FI Resonated Test Pipes \|SOLD FI 18'' \| 25row Stillen Race \| Progress 35mm/25mm sways \| Swifts/Koni\|Volk G25's\| Stoptech SS lines\|\|SPL Front/Rear Arms**\|

11-01-2013, 08:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4499	Check service records, Carfax, see if the TSBs has been done.... __________________ 2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

11-01-2013, 08:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,883 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	I've got an '09 with over 61,000 and haven't had a lick of issues with it. ('cept one self-imposed screw-up.)

11-01-2013, 08:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
shawnski Base Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: houston,tx Age: 67 Posts: 71 Drives: 12 zx14r, 12 370z Rep Power: 11	Check your pm, I left u a message

11-01-2013, 09:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
OldGuy Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Greensburg PA Posts: 899 Drives: '09370Z Red Base A7 Rep Power: 16	Ask dealer if they will tell you prior owner and call him. If you get the name, it's a good sign dealer has nothing to hide. If car was bought at auction and last owner is not accessible, spend a couple hundred dollars to have a mechanic go over it carefully. Incidentally, since the price of the new models is lower and sales are tapering this time of year, see how close you are to being able to afford a new one, or maybe find a left over 2013. Less chance of "buying some else's troubles" that way. I've had my 2009 for four years now and I've had no problems other than TSB's and recalls---but I have only 12,000 miles on her.

11-01-2013, 09:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	I think DE is stuck somewhere I'm his Z onzedge and DEpointfive0 like this.

11-01-2013, 10:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 Premium Member Bitches Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17151	AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, hi, I'm Andrew, I won't be in Houston any time in the next month There is a guy on the Houston Z page who works for a dealer, maybe he'll check it out for free onzedge likes this. __________________ Do YOU want to know what/where I got my username from? ( Click to show/hide ) NSFW due to language:

11-01-2013, 10:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
TNTi Base Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Tennessee Posts: 22 Drives: '10 40th Annv. 370Z Rep Power: 11	Not a mechanic nor mechanically inclined but my personal used car buying routine: 1). Check the CarFax, not a perfect resource but better than nothing 2). Take my time visually inspecting the car (usually the salesman gets bored and goes off to "take a call"). I visualize that I'm detailing the car and go over every square inch. At least you might catch a miss-aligned panel (minor accident) or curb rash. Open the hood, hatch, fuel filler door, etc. An obsessed previous owner will clean all these which means that possibly he was just as obsessed with the maintenance. 3). Check the tires. The OEM's wear out ridiculously fast (IMHO) but shredded side tread will tell you that some expensive fun was had. 4). Look for an oil change reminder sticker. Might give you an idea when the last time the car was serviced. A car at a good Nissan dealer or from CarMax is a safer bet because these places will generally perform some sort of multi-point inspection Good luck with your purchase. Every Z I have bought has been used and they all turned out to be good, reliable cars. Last edited by TNTi; 11-01-2013 at 10:44 PM. Reason: grammer

11-01-2013, 10:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
122554 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: My own world Posts: 506 Drives: 2010 Nismo Rep Power: 13	Blood stains on the seats may indicate previous problem! TreeSemdyZee likes this. __________________ I don't normally drink beer, but when I do....i drink a lot!

11-02-2013, 04:50 AM	#13 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14857	Invest in a scan gauge. __________________ Favorite Quote. "I'm not gonna kill you... I'm just gonna Bash Your Face In" Jack Nicholson-"The Shining". 1980

11-02-2013, 06:55 AM	#14 (permalink)
Justice97 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: San Antonio Posts: 387 Drives: 11 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 15	1st car I bought was a Z back in 89. It was an 83 and had 127K on it. That thing gave me no issues other than clutch and the usual wear and tear till about 230K. 2nd timing chain was needed and the engine is still strong. If I were an adult and took care of her the right way, she would have been on her 3rd or 4th timing chain, but I was a kid and eh. If you get the Z take care of her and she will take care of you. Good luck with your future Z purchase. It may not be this one, but I do see a Z in your future. Leadfoot likes this.

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