looking to buy a used 350z but i have a quick question

[5hiftg3ar]

1. how many miles would be too many miles on a used Z? what range should i be looking at? keep in mind that im only willing to spend under $20,000 on the car =D

2. how hard is it to maintain a black car(free of most scratches, swirls, etc.)?

3. how much would it be to convert to an h.i.d. setup on a base model? would i need to buy a new housing for the lights so that they project as they're meant to?
Modified by 5hiftg3ar at 1:56 AM 3/5/2007

[Exar-Kun]

1. Anything under 15k a year2. Like any black car....pain in the ***.3. Don't bother, it's too costly and a pain in the butt. Just buy a car that had factory HID.

-Chet

[ZBAZ]

1. how many miles would be too many miles on a used Z? what range should i be looking at? keep in mind that im only willing to spend under $20,000 on the car =D

2. how hard is it to maintain a black car(free of most scratches, swirls, etc.)?

3. how much would it be to convert to an h.i.d. setup on a base model? would i need to buy a new housing for the lights so that they project as they're meant to?

Modified by 5hiftg3ar at 1:56 AM 3/5/2007

First off and this is just my point of view;

My Ford Truck = 301,000+ milesMy sons car is my old Ford Aerostar = 445,000 milesMy Z 2003 = 51,000 milesMy Fathers Lexus LS400 = 242,000 miles or so.My 81 Harley Davidson = 162,455 milesmy Daughter Ford Tauras 1994 = 250,000 +

Why is it that people believe the Money Hungry, Dirty Dealing, Propaganda Preaching, Dirty Dog Automobile industry about how they feel we need new cars every 2 to 3 years and that vehicles can only go 3 years or 36,000 miles. When 3 year 36,000 miles is just right for the automobile industry to re-sell the car in perfect condition, just broken in, still under warranty in most cases, still has future value, still can be used for decades and dependable. It never seems to surprise me that there are some folks that believe in the past and they drive 1950's something that are over 60 years old and are still some what reliable up to today currant used vehicle market that are year old ones with 25,000 miles on it.

My advise is to do your homework;

#1 CarFax.com

#2 Receipts, Receipts, Receipts You can never have enough proof of service

#3 Check Alignment by checking tires wear. How old are tires because they are 250.00 each

#4 Do you own visual on Ball joints upper and lower, Tie rod Bushings, Shocks,

#5 Pull oil sample and send them to http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ for evaluation

#6 Get a 'ph Test kit for the radiator fluid. Very important to check for cavitation and other cooling issues

#7 Physically check to see everything in the car works. Every switch, light ect

#8 Check for over spray for body repair or car damage. Look carefully at all the body nuts and bolts to see over spray, inside fenders, engine compartment. Check all the lines on the car with your fingers to make sure the distance is the same over the entire cars seems.

#9 Ask for every after market item to be show to you and how it works and if it works and if not why? and what its going to take to get it working again.

#10 Check title to be sure its not a salvage car. Sports cars are wrecked all the time by new owners playing with a car they are not used to and destroy it.

#11 Check fuel lines, oil lines, coolant lines.

#12 if has a turbo check inside the intake to see if the turbo blades are worn

#13 If your buying a manual transmission inspect the clutch well

#14 Check the DMV for any reported delinquent or outstanding tickets on that license plate.

#15 Check the brakes and Rotors to see if worn and need replacement. If the car has squeaky brakes that means that the car has had the crap driven out of it and the brakes have been used hard. Guess what he has been racing the car either on the street or track.

#16 Ask the seller have you raced or driven this Z on a track?

#17 check for seat wear because the upholstery work is spendy to do.

Good luck this should get you started.