Potential buying 370z lemon
 

Hey guys, I found a guy in California selling a 09 370z nismo with 18k miles, but it is a lemon. Basically he said half of the speedo cluster kept going out and was replaced multiple times therefore making it a lemon. The car is pristine looking, no accidents, garage kept, ect. How likely does it sound that a car would be deemed a lemon because of a faulty cluster or wiring to the cluster? Any idea what you guys think it would be worth or what a decent price would be for it. I would assume a non lemon 370z nismo with similar miles would go for 25k ish.

By the way he sent me a picture of the paperwork deeming it a lemon. I could post it up if you guys want.

Thanks guys

Lemon I believe by law is when a car is attempted to be fixed 3 or more times and is unable to perform, therefore being sold back to the dealer as a lemon.
If the car is a lemon, were they ever actual able to fix the problem in the end? If not, then I would pass on it because then you will not be buying into this problem, or others.

The car hasn't had a problem in years with the speedo cluster lighting up. It has been fixed. Say you could get a 09 370z lemon(for the reason I stated above) for $15k with 18k miles, would you?

You have to ask yourself why isn't he getting his lemon replaced through Nissan?
Also will you be needing a working gauge cluster? If so can you fix this problem yourself, because nissan won't?

He bought the car a lemon. He bought the car with the problem fixed and the problem hasn't come back since he has owned it. Basically the car, as it sits right now is in 100% working order and you wouldn't be able to tell it was a lemon unless looking at the title.

just find another car

^thanks for the help....

sure np.

you're spending a good chunk of money and since you are asking, i assume you aren't going to be building a track car by yourself. otherwise you wouldnt be asking such question since one would strip pretty much everything out anyway.

I wouldn't strip anything out. I would drive it as it sits. I would register and drive it as if it were a non lemon car. Basically im asking people here if just a cluster not working a few times after being replaced would be enough to make a car be a lemon. I don't know much about lemons so I figured Id ask people on here. Basically I have a chance to get a car that's worth 25k, if not a lemon, for 15k

over the course of 20+ new cars ive owned (title in hand) and sold, only one had issues with
the cluster where the speedo would stick at a certain speed. it was a warranty repair.

after that, it worked fine. but that's not a good example of wat you might experience
on your car. i say find another car.

Thanks, I was thinking if the speedo is the only problem, and its fixed anyways, why not save 10k bucks. I just don't know what the resale is like. I would figure it is better than a salvaged 370z nismo.

According to the seller right?

Yeah, but if I get there and the speedo doesn't light up then I know hes lying. He seems very straight up. Say the cluster didn't light up, its still not a big deal.

If you take it for a drive and are happy go for it. However, be sure to do one thing when you go to view it. Do not just stay focused on the cluster issue, as there might be other issues present. Personally I'd offer 5K below book price.

Also while there request to see documents and receipts of all work carried out not limited to cluster work only either.

Did the cluster going out affect the odometer?

x2 on the request to see all documents of work completed - he should have EVERYTHING if he had to lemon it.

He bought it as a lemon, he didn't lemon it himself. I will ask about the mileage and the cluster

How long has he owned it for?

Potential buying 370z lemon
 

I would not buy that car. Good luck to you OP.

Edit: Made first page on potential classic thread!

-M-

he has owned it 2 years. Anyone know anything about bringing a lemon title back to a clear title?

i would not risk saving a few grand for a car that has a lemon title if it's your daily.. like someone said earlier... if it's not going to be your track car then dont bother.. you do not want a daily car that you would need to bring back and forth to the dealer/shop..

I doubt if the cluster is the only problem of this car. He will not disclose everything since he want to sell the car given the fact its branded as a Lemon.
That alone should make you think why is he selling.

If you buy it and something happens down the line you'll be screwed as they ( the seller and dealers) could always say"well you bought a Lemon" so what do you expect...stop crying and complaining.period

Unless your a good mechanic and can handle what other problems it might bring.

Its a gamble you might win and loose with this sale.


Just be ready if the latter happens.

Plus you will be literally on your knees to resell this car with a lemon title!

I believe I would be saving more than a few grand. This car would bring 27k give or take. It only has 18k miles. If I got it for 15k( that's quite a discount) I would call the dealership and have them tell me what records they have of the car, and why its a lemon.

Cars can be deemed lemons for the stupidest reasons

What else do you need to know? :facepalm: Keep looking :cool:

Sounds to me like no one here can talk you out of it and you've already made up your mind.

Will you be paying cash or financing it? As far as I know, most banks will not give a car loan for a lemon titled car, much like a salvaged titled car. However, they might bend on that if the loan is far less than the book price. Just something to think about if financing.

For 15k i suggest you give it a go and take it to nissan for pre inspection because it really seems like you are settle on what you want.

Yes but selling a lemon is a whole different thing, unless you find someone gullible like you that will buy it. Remember sometimes you only THINK you are saving money.....................but in the long run....................why don't you do it and let us know how it turns out?

Well you asked our opinion but in the end its your money and your rear on the line!
Best wishes i hope you made the right choice. :tup:

If this is your 2nd car, And you're willing to accept the risk that something else maybe wrong with it, then by all means.

My z is my dd so I would pass. Good luck with your decision, hope to see you get in a z soon! :tup:

when life gives you lemons make lemonade :yum:

:iagree:

you should get it, i mean what's the worst that can happen?? other than you spending thousands and thousands to fix it, once it breaks.

Right but for that price he'd have to spend like 10k in repairs to even get close to what that car is worth as a non-lemon.

Go get it inspected and then make your decision.

it was sarcasm... in no way, shape, or form was i being serious 0.o

I got that part! :icon23: You just made it sound like the thousands of dollars of repairs made it not worth the price. To me it is at least! :p

If it has been listed as a lemon, the folks like CarFax will have that info. If he states the value at 15K, that's likely it's value. You cannot get away from the fact that the VIN is registered as a lemon. Anybody that does the research on it can find its history.

I should have expected this coming to a 370z forum lol. All im saying is if the car is as the seller says, and the only problem was the cluster not lighting up then this would be a steal. Its a big if. This car would sell more than a salvaged 370z. This car hasn't been in a wreck, ect. AS long as I could prove to the next buyer with paperwork ( seller has some now, and I would get more from the dealer and get an inspection) then it shouldn't be too hard of a sell. Say I buy it for 16k I feel like selling it for 20k wouldn't be too hard, im not into buying and selling but Im saying it seems possible as long as the car is what he says.

California deems cars lemons very easily from what I can tell. I was coming here to see if anyone has owned a lemon before and ask about resale, ect. Yes it is on the carfax as a lemon. If I get it inspected by a dealer and have it in writing the car is 100% and also have paperwork stating the car was only deemed a lemon because of half of the cluster not lighting up then I am not very worried about getting my money back when I sell it

I want your drugs. shipped to 91205