06' 350Z Purchase

[drbrock]

My friend at the bank is selling his 350z for 17.5k. It has 20k miles and it is a manual. You guys think this is a good deal and nice car or is it overhyped.

EDIT
Everyone has put in thier two cents and I think this is a great deal. Now I have not drivin the Z but since you guys are the experts, which one would you pick the Z or a 66 mustang coupe inline 6. I have to sell the mustang to get the Z but I won't have a hard time getting rid of it.

Obviously the Z is much quicker but the question is more geared towards fun to drive and longevity

 

[Jeff7181]

As an investment it's a horrible deal, the car will only depreciate as there is nothing special about it.
If you're not looking at it as an investment and the owner is your friend, drive it and see if it's worth $17.5k to you.

Personally, I like 350z's and if it were me I'd probably buy it if I knew it was well maintained. The reason I went with my Altima Coupe rather than a used 350z is because people tend to abuse them and I wanted a brand new car at least once in my life.

 

[drbrock]

I know the car was well maintained my friend is in his 40's. I am assuming he was not a track superstar. More of female getting car for him.

 

[RGUN]

Why do people think all powerful cars are abused... tell me this, is it more likely that someone goes full throttle all the time in a car that can accelerate to 60 in 5 seconds or one that takes 10... For my money, a powerful car is less likely to be abused than a regular car... besides the fact that unique cars like that in my experience get babied by their owners.

 

[Audiotherapy]

i think its below KBB... if u got money for premium gas why not...

make sure u get some decent 19" shoes for it

 

[drbrock]

I didn't realize it takes premium, kinda kills the deal for me, I bring myself to buying that fuel

 

[krunchykrome]

gentlemen, listen closely

a car is never an investment; stop using the two words in the same sentence

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: RGUN
Why do people think all powerful cars are abused... tell me this, is it more likely that someone goes full throttle all the time in a car that can accelerate to 60 in 5 seconds or one that takes 10... For my money, a powerful car is less likely to be abused than a regular car... besides the fact that unique cars like that in my experience get babied by their owners.

There's nothing special about a 350z that should cause someone to baby it. It's a relatively cheap sports car... if I had one I'd drive the hell out of it.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
gentlemen, listen closely

a car is never an investment; stop using the two words in the same sentence

Jay Leno would disagree with you.

 

[thomsbrain]

Where did the OP use the word "investment?" He asked if it was a good deal.

AFAIK, that would be a very low price for a 2-year-old 350Z with only 20K. If you like the car, I'd jump on it.

 

[fstime]

Terrible idea, the last guy who posted on ATOT about his 350Z purchase got flamed back to the stone age.

Apparently, ATOT found to many things wrong with the car (even though he was happy with his purchase amirite).

I wish the guys driving pos 91' civics would post their ride. (est. ~95% of atot)

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: BouZouki
Terrible idea, the last guy who posted on ATOT about his 350Z purchase got flamed back to the stone age.

Apparently, ATOT found to many things wrong with the car (even though he was happy with his purchase amirite).

I wish the guys driving pos 91' civics would post their ride. (est. ~95% of atot)

I think the problem there was it was an automatic

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by: RGUN
Why do people think all powerful cars are abused... tell me this, is it more likely that someone goes full throttle all the time in a car that can accelerate to 60 in 5 seconds or one that takes 10... For my money, a powerful car is less likely to be abused than a regular car... besides the fact that unique cars like that in my experience get babied by their owners.

Because it is pretty well established the more powerful the car, the more likely the owner is a more aggressive driver. This is especially true for cheaper sporty cars (sub $40k), because they are often bought by younger drivers getting their first decent performing car and they have no idea how to take care of it. A 350Z is not a unique car, through the 2005 model year (3 years), 100,000 had been sold in the US. I see them all the time around here.

This doesn't really apply to the OP though as he knows the owner and probably has a pretty good idea of how the car was treated. If he knows the car has been well maintained, I'd take it, the price looks very good as mentioned above.

Terrible idea, the last guy who posted on ATOT about his 350Z purchase got flamed back to the stone age.

Apparently, ATOT found to many things wrong with the car (even though he was happy with his purchase amirite).

I wish the guys driving pos 91' civics would post their ride. (est. ~95% of atot)

I don't believe that guy was personally flamed by anyone in the thread for his choice. He got a pretty good deal on the car. Though the one here is better. I don't own a 91' Civic either.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
gentlemen, listen closely

a car is never an investment; stop using the two words in the same sentence

Every time an Enzo dies, your Enzo's value goes up. Go now and kill all the Enzos, there can only be one!

 

[Azelrok]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
gentlemen, listen closely

a car is never an investment; stop using the two words in the same sentence

if you put car + investment + GT500KR in the same sentence it would make sense


maybe even GT500

 

[Xyclone]

Originally posted by: Azelrok

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
gentlemen, listen closely

a car is never an investment; stop using the two words in the same sentence

if you put car + investment + GT500KR in the same sentence it would make sense


maybe even GT500

I don't really look at cars and investments, but buying a Mustang as an investment? C'mon it's a Ford. They depreciate so quickly.

 

[alkemyst]

much of the Z market is older professionals. Most are not abused.

 

[f1r3s1d3]

Originally posted by: Xyclone

Originally posted by: Azelrok

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
gentlemen, listen closely

a car is never an investment; stop using the two words in the same sentence

if you put car + investment + GT500KR in the same sentence it would make sense


maybe even GT500

I don't really look at cars and investments, but buying a Mustang as an investment? C'mon it's a Ford. They depreciate so quickly.

Go take a look at mustang prices then get back to me. They don't depreciate much, at all. :roll:

 

[chris7b]

I think its a great deal on a great car. If you're ready to deal with the costs of ownership, I'd do it.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: f1r3s1d3

Originally posted by: Xyclone

Originally posted by: Azelrok

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
gentlemen, listen closely

a car is never an investment; stop using the two words in the same sentence

if you put car + investment + GT500KR in the same sentence it would make sense


maybe even GT500

I don't really look at cars and investments, but buying a Mustang as an investment? C'mon it's a Ford. They depreciate so quickly.

Go take a look at mustang prices then get back to me. They don't depreciate much, at all. :roll:

The 03-04 Cobras have been holding steady if not climbing a little, due to everyone holding on to them now since the GT500 wasn't all that it was hyped to be (real car enthusiasts know that Shelby is just a name and want a car from John Coletti and SVT and couldn't care less about a Sheby sticker).

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: drbrock
I didn't realize it takes premium, kinda kills the deal for me, I bring myself to buying that fuel

So you'll spend $17.5k on a car that will probably cost $500 a year to register and cost you $400 for a pair of tires every 6 months, but the idea of spending $156 ($0.20 x 15 gal x 52 weeks) a year extra in gas turns you off?

If thats the case you might be getting in over your head here. Maintenence costs for a car like this might be more than you'd expect, and premium fuel is one of those costs. Gotta pay to play.

 

[dud]

Why did someone mention "investment" in the same sentence with the word "car"?

Unless you are buying a "classic" car at a premium ... a car is a ridiculous investment. Ignore that comment.

As for the 350Z ... that seems to be a GREAT price on a GREAT car ... just be prepared to pay for maintenance and fuel.

 

[drbrock]

Originally posted by: exdeath

Originally posted by: drbrock
I didn't realize it takes premium, kinda kills the deal for me, I bring myself to buying that fuel

So you'll spend $17.5k on a car that will probably cost $500 a year to register and cost you $400 for a pair of tires every 6 months, but the idea of spending $156 ($0.20 x 15 gal x 52 weeks) a year extra in gas turns you off?

If thats the case you might be getting in over your head here. Maintenence costs for a car like this might be more than you'd expect, and premium fuel is one of those costs. Gotta pay to play.

Tires wear out every 6 months on this car? That is pretty weak. Crossfire tires last longer than that. I was just going to pick up the car for a daily driver not to tear it up on the track. Your right though on the premium that should not deter me from getting the car.

Also I have no idea on the register costs your talking about. Both of my cars together don't cost that much to register. I figured the biggest increase in cost will be insurance.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: drbrock

Originally posted by: exdeath

Originally posted by: drbrock
I didn't realize it takes premium, kinda kills the deal for me, I bring myself to buying that fuel

So you'll spend $17.5k on a car that will probably cost $500 a year to register and cost you $400 for a pair of tires every 6 months, but the idea of spending $156 ($0.20 x 15 gal x 52 weeks) a year extra in gas turns you off?

If thats the case you might be getting in over your head here. Maintenence costs for a car like this might be more than you'd expect, and premium fuel is one of those costs. Gotta pay to play.

Tires wear out every 6 months on this car? That is pretty weak. Crossfire tires last longer than that. I was just going to pick up the car for a daily driver not to tear it up on the track. Your right though on the premium that should not deter me from getting the car.

Also I have no idea on the register costs your talking about. Both of my cars together don't cost that much to register. I figured the biggest increase in cost will be insurance.

I'm just generalizing on the registration costs of any '06 or newer vehicle, which is generally around $300-500 a year for the one vehicle.

Tire wear is going to be higher on any performance vehicle, regardless how much you try to baby it. It's a 3400 lb car with 18" wheels with soft rubber and 300 HP. They will wear faster and be more costly than you are probably used to. I have this saying that you know your car is fast when you are more worried about tire prices than gas prices

Just things to think about.

 

[Arkaign]

It may be obvious, but some general tire tips for longer usage :

(1)- If you live in a very sunny area, it helps to have garaged/covered parking during the day to have less solar exposure (dries/cracks tires after a long time). Given this is a performance vehicle with fairly low sidewalls, the tires probably won't last long enough to matter.

(2)- Proper inflation! Not too high, not too low. Too high and you get a wear stripe in the center, too low and you put a considerably higher stress on the sidewall and edges. Best fuel economy is generally with *slightly* overinflated tires, but IMHO it's not worth it in the long run.

(3)- Slow down before you enter a turn. Braking while turning puts a lot of added stress on your tires, particularly the front ones.

(4)- The two-set rule. Get a spare set of rims used (pretty cheaply available on a vehicle so common) and put some soft, low-profile, high-speed rated tires on them. Switch to these when you want to go out for some spirited driving, and use them only on these kinds of occasions. If you never break tractions or burn out on your daily driver set, and follow the above recommendations, you can probably achieve 25,000-50,000 miles a set, depending on road quality, driving habits, weather exposure, and so on.