Ross Mac Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Hi, Ive arranged to view a 2003 GT pack Z on Saturday (private sale) and Im just after a bit of advice. I've seen the buying guides on here but was just after any tips for things to look out for or questions to ask. I've spoken to the vendor who assures me he is an enthusiast and it has had all the recalls done - what would these include? I just want to give him a bit of a test beforehand to make sure he isnt just talking the talk to get it sold. Any advice as I dont want to travel the 165 miles from Newcastle to Derbyshire to get there and be disappointed, or more importantly be stung. Cheers Ross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Ask him exactly what recalls have been rectified? Main ones are: Front tyre feathering rear boot struts Skipping CD player clicking rear axles Check paint work at front for stone chips I'm sure others will be along to add to the list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holtehero Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Left front speaker cutting out synchromesh between 5th and 6th (find it difficult to change between those gears) these are fresh in my mind as i bought mine last week, good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 If your buying privately please please please get a HPI report done before you give him any money. I'm sorry if I am telling you something you already know, but the Zed is not a cheap car and the vast majority are on finance. If it is on finance the car belongs to the finance company and NOT the guy selling it. By law the guy should settle the finance before he sells the car. Of course many private sellers will promise they are going to settle the finance when they get your cheque... Secondly, like any performance car, the Z is more likely to have been crashed than your average Mondeo etc, and again ( unless the damage is very recent, or wasn't repaired through an Insurance company ) the HPI report should tell you this. The best advice I can give you is to take an expert but remember AA and RAC inspections will NOT spot accident damage, they are only trained to spot mechanical problems. Good luck mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zzzz... Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Front tyre feathering rear boot struts Skipping CD player clicking rear axles Check paint work at front for stone chips. (or lack of chips = re-spray!) -6th gear synchro - (there is good way of detecting wear on the synchro and baulk ring. Drive it or let him drive it...and ask him to change from 4th to 6th gear when driving over 2000rpm...( for example when joining a motorway slip road... if the gear crunches you will know the 6th gear synchro and baulk ring will need replacing soon.) -Driver window glass dropping a little bit at high speed. (70-80mph) and you get wind noise... easy fix = adjust window position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Mac Posted May 22, 2007 Author Share Posted May 22, 2007 Thats great guys thaks for all the responses I'm getting my mate to run an HPI check for me as he works at a Renault main dealer and can do it for free. I'll check the same as you suggest plus check to make sure all panels line up, shut lines and panel gaps are all equal, check for overspray, any orange peel paintwork etc. Its apparently got the paint protector film on the bumper and bonnet so should be limited chips Will see when I get there I suppose.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 If he tells you it has been back in for any of the above recalls - then he's lying ! There has been no recalls for the 350Z since it was launched in the Uk. The above problems are ones that the dealer will fix if you go and complain, but they were at no point recalled to get any of these fixes done. Surprised none of the guys spotted that - there is quite a major difference there Gus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 If he tells you it has been back in for any of the above recalls - then he's lying ! There has been no recalls for the 350Z since it was launched in the Uk. The above problems are ones that the dealer will fix if you go and complain, but they were at no point recalled to get any of these fixes done. Surprised none of the guys spotted that - there is quite a major difference there Gus I thought that was a given. If a car had been recalled to dealers for as many issues as we have listed Nissan wouldn't be able to shift a zed for love nor money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 For a new member I think it is woth distinguishing - a manufacturer recall is completely different from you going and complaining and getting them to fix. The term used was "recall" and you guys started saying that all sorts of things came under that category - not so. Maybe a bit pedantic, but worth clarifying for someone new. Gus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sl114 Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 So recall is Nissan saying they need a car back to fix something, whereas what most on here have done, is taken the car back to have something fixed under warranty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 So recall is Nissan saying they need a car back to fix something, whereas what most on here have done, is taken the car back to have something fixed under warranty? Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkfish Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 So recall is Nissan saying they need a car back to fix something, whereas what most on here have done, is taken the car back to have something fixed under warranty? And manufacturers usually only issue recalls when it's a serious safety issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zzzz... Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Correct ! Recall is issued and recorded in the government register as a Safety Related issue which can lead to a serious or fatal injury. US is more stringent than Europe in this respect. This will involve a high level management of rectification activity of all cars potentially affected by the concern, and an oficial register of what cars have been recalled and percentages "pending". Very Expensive, and bad publicity. If the OEM (not only Nissan ...)thinks it is not a safety critical issue but requiring rectification they can do something like a "silent campaign" so, when the car comes in for a service, regular maintenance, other warranty claim repair etc...the silent repair will be carried out and recorded. Or they can deal with it on a case-by-case basis... depending how grumpy the customer is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Mac Posted May 23, 2007 Author Share Posted May 23, 2007 Well this question has turned out to be more informative than I had intended!! Its put me in good stead for when I get to see one - the one I had intended on seeing has sold tonight Im gonna have to be quick when I find one but not many coming up nearby me at the moment in my budget that I fancy. Will just have to keep searching.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sl114 Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 What is your budget? Do you want mine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Well this question has turned out to be more informative than I had intended!! Its put me in good stead for when I get to see one - the one I had intended on seeing has sold tonight Im gonna have to be quick when I find one but not many coming up nearby me at the moment in my budget that I fancy. Will just have to keep searching.... You need to be prepared to travel man !!!!!!!!!!!!! I did a 9 hour round trip to Newcastle to pick mine up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sl114 Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Too right, i travelled for 1 hour to get mine, lol. For sale though, plug plug plug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Mac Posted May 24, 2007 Author Share Posted May 24, 2007 9 hours thats a hell of a drive!! I've seen yours is for sale - and its very nice indeed - however as it stands its unfortunatley out of my budget. I've got 16k as an absolute max to play with..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lomoto Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 Just another thing to check on a used car , make sure it's got the locking wheel nut key Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedrush Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 I got on a plane to Edinborough to collect mine and I live in S.E london was worth it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holtehero Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 Drove a four hour round journey to view it. Got to do it again to collect the car, though i feel the final two hours are going to fly by Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkfish Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 I got on a plane to Edinborough to collect mine and I live in S.E london was worth it though Never knew you got yours from Edinburgh, mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickJ Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Just another thing to check on a used car , make sure it's got the locking wheel nut key And a complete set of keys, 2 remotes & valet key, cost me £110 for another key! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.