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LVZ · 03-02-2009, 09:51 PM

Im going to go test drive a used 2005 350z with 60k miles from a privet seller tomorrow. What should I be looking for as far as hidden problems or warning sign that could be a red flag? I'm not talking about just kicking a tire or two I want to look this Z over with a fine tooth comb. Please list what know problems haunt the 2005 enthusiast Z and Z's in general that have have 50+k miles on them. Also it is an automatic transmission.
Thanks,
-LVZ

AJisDaMan · 03-02-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVZ

Im going to go test drive a used 2005 350z with 60k miles from a privet seller tomorrow. What should I be looking for as far as hidden problems or warning sign that could be a red flag? I'm not talking about just kicking a tire or two I want to look this Z over with a fine tooth comb. Please list what know problems haunt the 2005 enthusiast Z and Z's in general that have have 50+k miles on them. Also it is an automatic transmission.
Thanks,
-LVZ

My friend is a mechanic.. I always bring him along when i go looking at used cars..

Know this doesn't help you, just thought ide tell you

LVZ · 03-03-2009, 01:08 AM

Yeah, unfortunately that doesn't help me too much.

karen · 03-03-2009, 01:34 AM

you really have to own and drive the car for a few weeks to hear all the clunks, rattles and sqeaks.......lol Then you will be back here asking how to fix them....personally I would take it to a reputable mechanic or dealer and have a full check up. Good luck.

BonesZ33 · 03-03-2009, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVZ

Yeah, unfortunately that doesn't help me too much.

LOLOL that is sooooo funy

BonesZ33 · 03-03-2009, 01:54 AM

2005 350z are pretty solid...

if its an manual transmission make sure you check for tranny grinds and clutch wear

get under the car and check if the rear end is leaking at all

while your under the car check the inside rear tires for excessive inside tire wear..

350z engines are pretty sound.. so just make sure it sounds good.. not clicks or clunking

ask if the transmission was ever replaced and get all service records

ask what type of gas they used.. if they used anything other than 91 or 93 octane walk away.. there could be hidden damage in the engine

other than that just check the normal things..

check closely for any signs of body damage or wear

post some pictures up sometimes you can tell if there was body damage or not

take care good luck

LVZ · 03-03-2009, 11:51 AM

Thanks bones and Karen, very helpful information.
Bones, as far as the octane goes we only have 91 octane premium gas here. What kind of probs I'm I looking at if he used Reg or mid range gas? Also We do have 100 octane racing gas would it be a good Idea to mix a few gals of 100 octane in with the 91 to average a higher octane mixture? I ask this as I'm sure the guy will say he used only 91 octane just to get the sale...

Carnut · 03-03-2009, 12:11 PM

Regarding octane, are you over 6000 ft elevation? If so, the thinner air reduces the effective compression and lower octane is OK. If the car were run consistantly with too low octane and detonation occurred there could be damage to the plugs, the pistons and the valves.

There seems to be a lot of folks replacing the radios in these cars. Mine is an enthusiast that had the (non Bose) radio made by Clarion. It got so the CD wouldn't eject and I bought another the fellow said was used for a year and sat in his closet for 4 years. I could not get the CD to go in this one. I ended up replacing the factory radio with a Pioneer double DIN at the cost to me of around $400 total and I did the install myself.

Other than that I have heard of problems with window switches and motors, The seats tend to wear early. They really are pretty reliable cars. I think my power seat switch is bad right now, but it is too cold to try and properly diagnose it.

LVZ · 03-03-2009, 12:56 PM

Thanks, Its an automatic enthusiast Z. It doesn't have the BOSE radio, I plan on putting a double din in as well. I'll be sure to check the seats and windows for any bugs. Also I'm at just over 2k elevation :/

Random question.
Could I replace the 05 headlights with the 06+ ones? Ive seen on Cardomain a few people have. What would I need to do in order to replace the stock 05's with 06+ headlights?
I don't know if it been asked so I didn't want to start a new thread.

BonesZ33 · 03-03-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVZ

Thanks, Its an automatic enthusiast Z. It doesn't have the BOSE radio, I plan on putting a double din in as well. I'll be sure to check the seats and windows for any bugs. Also I'm at just over 2k elevation :/

Random question.
Could I replace the 05 headlights with the 06+ ones? Ive seen on Cardomain a few people have. What would I need to do in order to replace the stock 05's with 06+ headlights?
I don't know if it been asked so I didn't want to start a new thread.

Yes

Headlight, taillights, bumper and hood you can all put onto 03-05 350zs from 06+s

TYteStuff1126 · 03-03-2009, 01:08 PM

I have a 2005 as well and have experienced no problems at all, so just run over it as the others have said.

Regarding the headlights, it is possible to do, but it will take a good chunk out of your wallet if you buy OEM stuff, especially to get the HIDs. The newer models have bi-xenon lamps so using the bulbs and ballasts from 03-05 won't work if you buy just the housing, so there's a lot of little things you have to get and will get easily over 1000 bucks if you go with the original housings from Nissan.

TYteStuff1126 · 03-03-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonesZ33

Yes

Headlight, taillights, bumper and hood you can all put onto 03-05 350zs from 06+s

Why is it that every time I reply your reply shows up right above mine?! WHY

LVZ · 03-04-2009, 09:20 AM

UPDATE:
I checked it out yesterday and I was very impressed with how clean it was. He had a Car fax report printed out and tittle in hand. After inspecting the Z the rear tires are balding on the inside and the passenger side breaks squeak a little. How ever he is going to include new pads with the car. The only body issue is a small junk that is chipped off of the driver side above the door on the trim piece. A picture of it is below. (cant see the chip but it looks like a small dinosaur took a small bite out of it)
Anyone know what its called and how much to replace the whole trim part above the door?

Carnut · 03-04-2009, 09:40 AM

If you replace the rotors with the brake job it will cost you well over $100. 4 wheel alignmnet is around $80 at indy shops and probably more at a dealer. Wear on the inside is usually camber, but toe in could be involved as well. Regarding the chip, the best bet is to take it to a bodyshop for an estimate (before you buy). None of these issues are normal wear items you should expect to pay for in the first few months of ownership. I would either have them fixed first or deduct for the reconditioning.

BonesZ33 · 03-04-2009, 10:02 AM

yea carnut has good points ^^ use it as leverage or have him fix it

you said it it is a 2005 enthusiast with 60k?

the car actually has the 17inch rims from the base model.. are you sure its an enthusiast?
you can tell if it is a base model because it would be missing cruise control on the steering wheel, and no traction control..

how much is he asking?

point out the things to him and get him to lower the price or find a diferent Z.. make sure you let him know your not in any rush to buy, and that there are plenty of Zs avaliable

hope this helps good luck.

acidjake75 · 03-04-2009, 10:40 AM

Ive got an 05 and have had it for 2 yrs, I got mine for $17,500 with 28k miles on her. mine is a base and had 17s. Ive had no issues and Ive seen them go now for as little as $12,500 but thats with alot of miles (nowadays). Good luck, I only have 48K miles on her now..so 60K sounds like alot...I hope your getting a good deal.

LVZ · 03-04-2009, 11:55 AM

BonesZ33 its the enthusiast as it has cruise control on the steering wheel. I'm not sure how to tell if it has traction control though?..

He is asking $12,000 for it.
I Carfaxed it myself as well this morning and come back with no probs and had all the belts, filters and oil changed at 58k miles @ dealership. The warranty expired at 60k miles so he got the above done just before then.

Carnut I'm not sure I understand what you mean by this "Wear on the inside is usually camber, but toe in could be involved as well" I would be fine paying out of pocket if I also had to replace the rotors with some slotted ones. The passenger side rotors have a few lines in them but the driver side is smooth to the touch. I will get an alignment done as well to make sure the rights sides rotor marks or from the bad brakes.
Sofar it looks like I will be getting new rear tiers, brakes, rotors and an alignment.

TYteStuff1126 · 03-04-2009, 12:09 PM

Hey LVZ, look under the steering wheel just to the left, there will be a button that says "TCS" and that will turn it on and off. It should be above the gas cap release. If you have an Enthusiast then you do have traction control because I have an Enthusiast lol. However you do not have VDC

Carnut · 03-04-2009, 01:31 PM

In '04 the enthusiast came standard with 17 inch rims. That is what is on mine. Just before I bought mine I spoke to a guy who had an '04 with 12,000 mles. (white) It had some hail dents, but no wreck history. He asked me $12000 for it. I had wear on my Taurus SHO on the inside rear tire. I rotated them (can't on the Z) and all 4 tires would wear out on the inside edge. A good indy alignment shop corrected it by adjusting the rear toe in. Camber on the rear of the Ford is hard to change. As I said a 4 wheel alignment at a good indy shop is about $80 around here. You have easily got $600 of work to do to the car (probably more). That is figuring the rear brakes DIY. Are you sure you want to pay $12,000 for the car and sink that additional in it? That doesn't count the radio, add at least $400 for that.

LVZ · 03-04-2009, 02:04 PM

Thanks for clearing that up Carnut. The 2005 Z has a Pioneer AVIC F series head unit already installed that he is including. As for paying another $600-$1k on top of the $12k I will still be a few thousand under NADA value.
Also you can fix the "tire Feathering" issue on the Z's? Everyone I've looked at has had the same feathering problem. If its true you can fix the alignment on the Z so it doesn't feather why wouldn't Nissan have a recall to fix the alignment?