Considering A 1994 300ZX

[BobOB]

My wife is considering buying what looks like a very clean car with 31,000 original miles. We've checked the CarFax and Car History reports which look very clean. The dealership is asking $12,900 for the car (they stated they have put $2,500 into it) which is high for blue book. The car is immaculate inside and out. The engine compartment looks like a brand new car. We asked the dealership (a very reputable Infiniti dealership) if they could contact the previous owner to see if the timing belt has been replaced and it has not. We've owned an 85 and 86 Z years past and are familiar with the older models, but not familiar with the body styles for the model we are looking at.

The car's ride is very smooth and the engine seems to be very solid. There is a slight squeak near the dash, but its not very annoying. This car is a two owner vehicle, which per the dealership, has been garaged its entire life. On the down side, there isn't much in the way of a glove box or interior storage as compared to our previous Zs.

This car appears to be fairly well equipped with the exception of an electronic dash and non-tilting steering wheel. The seats are leather and in excellent shape. It is a non-smoker vehicle.

With this in mind, what else should we be looking at before making an offer? We would plan on replacing the timing belt, water pump and thermostat. Are there any red flags that owners of this year are aware of such as injector problems, oil leaks, etc? Your feedback will be gratefully appreciated.

[Ace2cool]

That's ridiculous money for a Z. Got a listing we can view?

[DCaff300ZX]

I've seen many Z's running this range as I feel many dealerships are trying to jumpstart the increase in value the Z32, and many other Japanese cars.
Honestly without the 120K service done (what SHOULD have been the $2,500 the dealer spent) that car is really worth only maybe 9K in many markets that have more Z32's, as a car at $12.9K/31K miles should have NO problems and be pretty minty-fresh.
It sounds like the one you are looking at borders on this as your comments suggest, and it's already in the sub-$10K range without 120K service which is pretty mandatory for our cars.
Since it seems that costs aren't your holdup, keep looking as I've seen better cars for that cost.
This local to me TT is overpriced some, but is a TT and has the 120K:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4862876333.html

[BobOB]

This model is not a TT which is fine by us? What does the 120K service normally entail? We do have a very good mechanic that states he can work on the car with no problem should we purchase it.

The dealership stated that they put $2500 into it. New battery, UVI?, R valve cover gasket seal, resurfaced the rotors, LOF? and detail. Tires in great shape and breaks at 7MM front/8MM rear. I think their costs are high.
I agree that they are asking a high price for the vehicle and if we make an offer, its going to be more along the lines of what you've noted.

There are only a few things I don't care for. The lack of glove box and storage space, shallow rear storage (our 300ZX TT had more room). This would be an extra car just for those days when we want to take a joy ride. It will be garaged (what ever we buy).

I appreciate your feedback. If there is anything else we should be concerned about, feel free to share your thoughts.

[BobOB]

That's ridiculous money for a Z. Got a listing we can view?

Her is a link to the dealership website showing the car in question. They did just lowered it about $800. Still too high IMO.

http://www.infinitioftacoma.com/auto/us ... a/2681758/

[DCaff300ZX]

Too, too funny...I was thinking of JUST this car when I read your post, and looked at it as I looked at the TT post on Seattle cl.
I'm in Tacoma, nice to help a Washington guy!
That NA is grossly overpriced save the mileage, given what you said. Dealerships also add their profit to the high end value, and I think you still may be able to negotiate the car to a reasonable price given some ammo. No 120K and ANYTHING else missing = those costs ($1,500-1,800 for 120K) off the top NA value. At $9,500 to $10.5K that's still too much for an NA even at 31K miles, the TT's usually go for about $2K more than NA's of equal condition to explain that.
BTW, do you know of Doug Smith and Fairlady Motors in University Place?
MUST know guy for Z's, he'll steer you straight and does top work- do speak with him about that car for his opinion, and if possible bring it to him for an inspection- I GUARANTEE you'll leave with the full story and idea of the car's true value and needs.
CAN'T do better than that for help!

[BobOB]

Good scoop! I have heard of Fairlady Motors and we will call him tomorrow. This is very helpful. I did see one of your responses on another thread that pretty much answered the 120K service.

The scoop at the dealership is that this car came from Florida. Supposedly went to auction and purchased by a military person. It was traded in for a newer Infiniti. The dealership has had it for about a month and has already discounted it twice. The salesman that sold us our Infiniti is a straight shooter, but a man of few words. We will pick his brain some more and see if we can take the car to Doug Smith. I'm going to tell him what we think about their price and what they put into the car so they have an idea of what we think the car is worth. If they want to sell it, they are going to have to meet our price. I really appreciate your input.

[DCaff300ZX]

I like your plan, and attitude. By no means do I think you shouldn't buy the car, but I do want you to get a fair price and knowledge of what you're getting...the Z32 is FAR different than the previous Z's and bear keeping a few things paramount and that Doug will go over with you.
Tell Doug that Dave C. says Hi, and my '93TT may still be there when you visit as she gets her work done...

[Ace2cool]

Grossly overpriced doesn't even begin to describe an N/A automatic, even with that mileage. KBB puts the car at $7500, and even from a dealer, they only say $7900 is the fair purchase price. They give the MSRP at $8841, which I think would be fair for a 31K mile N/A. These guys are off their rocker.

[Ace2cool]

I also find it funny that they "put $2500 into it" and still couldn't do the free mod of aligning the hood properly. I'd pass, and pass hard. If you really like it, though, offer $8500, and don't go higher than $9k. When the car sits there for another 3 months (and it will. no one is going to pay even close to that at auction), they'll call you. Don't budge on the $9k price.

[DCaff300ZX]

I agree, and if they visit Doug they will get even a lower value most likely as I've NEVER seen anyone who can pick a car apart faster than Doug. He can see ANY paint changes and honestly it gets a little funny at all of the things he notes, and you will have missed.
I bet Doug says $8-$8.5K unless that thing is mint, maybe even less as I know he trusts the AT as much as we do...NOT.

[BobOB]

Today we took the car to Doug Smith of Fairlady Motors in University Place Washington. Dave is right, this guy is really dialed into these cars. He spent a fair amount of time going over the car and test drove it. He found a lot of minor items that we were able to take back to the dealership as bargaining chips. We've made an offer and will have to see if the dealership accepts it. They are over priced and we aren't going to budge much either. They claim they have more money into it that what we are offering which we are pretty darn sure is incorrect. There is no way a dealership will overpay for a 20 year old car. I'll keep you posted on our outcome. Once again, thank you Dave for your advice. It paid off. If we don't purchase this car, now we have a go-to guy. By the way, Doug says hello Dave.

[BobOB]

Doug went through with a fine tooth comb and thought $8-$10K was a good price. As mentioned above, he picked up on things we would never have seen. He did note there was inconsistencies in the paint job where apparently there was some minor work done. The left rear quarter panel had a small section of Bondo but he felt that it more than likely was a minor dent. He identified areas on the rear portion of the car where it had been touched up. The paint job to me looked very good, but after Doug pointed out the imperfections, I could tell that someone at one time did some work on the body. To the average person, they'd never know it. He did feel the car was very well taken care of and was more than likely garaged or under a car port. If the dealership accepts our offer, we are going to have Doug do what ever work is needed. It will be interesting to see if the dealership will come down to our offering price. They claim they have more money into it than we are offering, and I'm having a hard time buying their party line. The good news is that we aren't in a hurry to purchase the car since its going to be an extra, fun car. I'll keep you posted. I really appreciate the feedback here. It made a difference.

[Ace2cool]

That's what we're here for! Couldn't have stood seeing you walk in here and post that you paid $12.9k for an N/A. I would have cried for you. Glad that Doug just happened to be in the area though. Always nice to have a Z wizard nearby.

[DCaff300ZX]

Doug is amazing, he has picked apart many cars I felt were pretty minty (he just floored me with mine!) and sees ALL of the details...scary stuff but AWESOME to have on your side when buying a car. I now wish I could have had mine inspected by him as I would have saved another couple grand and still got the car.
I used his approach buying my Accord and beat right past the dealer pricing and got it for just below low book value so it does work if you can lay out the car's reality to the dealer via a solid mechanic, and they DO want to move the car.
Definitely be patient Bob, I believe the dealers around here are trying to jump start the Japanese classic car market boom as prices have jumped 2-3 grand at dealers, but that with this help you will get that car and for a reasonable price.