2005 350z Worth the price?

[Safo]

Hello Nico Forum,

I've been considering this car for about a week now. I went off to see it about an hour drive from me and its in great condition here's a few things about it then well get to the sale price. I ran the Carfax and I was able to gather his photos of all original damage. The car ran most its life in Maryland and California when it was crashed and written off by insurance. The current owner bought the vehicle at auction (not sure for how much) and then he had it repaired by a local "reputable" Miami body shop. The body work looks flawless in person aside from a few missing side skirt clips and the turn signal lights not install but he has and will include.

2005 Nissan 350Z
Touring model. Navigation, heated leather seats, Bose stereo..
Rebuilt title.
71,xxx miles 6sp M/T
Sale price: $11,800

driver side seat air bag deployed.
No mechanical issues
Nismo cold air intake
Volk TE37 Time Attacks (damage to one wheel see last photo. Its not cracked, its a long gouge from the red line about 5 inches long.)

[orangeNblue]

No it isn't....I would say avoid this one. There was a lot of damage and the asking price is still high for a rebuilt titled car. Buying a car with a rebuilt title is a huge risk. Let me say that again....buying a car with a rebuilt title is a HUGE RISK. This is coming from someone who has bought two....I didn't learn my lesson the first time obviously, but I will never buy another rebuilt car unless it's older than I am or under $1000. Just be careful. If you are serious about it here are a few tips with purchasing any older/used car.

-Take it to a mechanic. Just because someone has said its in perfect shape or has records doesn't mean it is
-Make sure you know all of the costs ahead of time. People miss out on this because they're thinking about paying for the car. Know about your loan information and what offers you're eligible for. If you have cash make sure to include other necessities such as any maintenance, any needed parts, having the car registered, having the car checked out, and insurance. Its always smart to know the REAL cost of the car.
-Since it was wrecked take it to a body shop. One that is well known and has a great track record. They can look the car over to see how well a job was done and anything that may have been missed
-Be patient....a car is a big purchase and there are several out there. Don't make any hasty moves because no car is 1 in a million. Be sure you can make your purchase with confidence

Good luck and welcome to NICO...hope this helps you out

[BusyBadger]

Rebuilt title

It looked ok until I got to that part...

...and this one...

... when it was crashed...

Orange is right about taking it to a mechanic, I highly recommend that with all cars you consider purchasing, not just ones with some damage/issues. Many shops even have a buyer's inspection like that right on their menu as a standard service.

Also consider the aftermarket bits that are on the car. Even if the car had a clean title I'd have some reservations because of how the car was probably drive, the crash confirms it. I'm really curious about the crash itself, that seat damage, that's pretty impressive...I would have some very real concerns about the cars' structural integrity.

Speaking of which, if you still consider purchasing this car despite the objections voiced here make a call to your insurance company and make sure that they will insure a car with a rebuilt title. Some companies won't, fewer still insure cars with a salvage title.

There are plenty of Z's out there for purchase that don't have the baggage that one (probably) has, good ones are easy to find if you're patient.

Welcome to NICO!

[Safo]

Thanks for the welcome's and advice!

I am aware of the insurance limitations and that's probably the most daunting mater considering that I have to switch from allstate if I purchase a rebuilt title vehicle. I've been through a autoloan issue that fell through since they never mentioned they would cover a rebuilt title and I was about to close the sale the next day until I brought that up. Funny how they didn't bother to notice after I previously gave them the vin info. The air bag deployment on the seat there is due to the sensor right on the area of the collision. Everything else is intact, functional and no frame damage. Personally I have a friend in the collision repair business and I know how to give an overal inspection, what to look for, etc.. and mechanically the car is pristine aside from a half filled cultch master cylinder. Didn't see any oil sweating, seals look good and no fluids leaking. I took it for a test drive and it grabs well, only issue is the cluth catch point is at the top of the pedal which I relate to be a stock setting and can adjust myself. I am worries if the air bag light will prevent any title transfer? On rebuilt do they inspect the car before titling? Id be able to replace and repair the seat air bag also, but am I getting a decent buy with 71K miles and what's included being rebuilt?

[dasoupdude]

Hmm, thats how much an 05 could go for with a 'clean' title..


That car looks very familiar to me..I may have seen it around before.

[orangeNblue]

Yeah I think you could find a clean titled 04-05, maybe even for less. Personally I'd go 07 if you can afford it. I've had an 03 and now have an 08...the headlights, interior, wheels, and hood are all different not to mention a HR motor....

but I think you could get exactly the car you're looking for in that price range with a clean title. In the end its up to you. I you like the car and want it bad enough, nothin we say will be able to talk you out of it. Good luck with whatever choice you do make....i hope everything works out for you. The Z is a really great car!

[Safo]

Thank guys, I really value the advise of the Nico forums.

See here is where i am on this. Lets throw the wheels and tires into consideration on this buy. From what I've researched the wheels are worth at least 2K with those tires being rather new (3months old). The other deals i searched around for where all between 9500-1500 within mileage and 'clean titles'. The car has a rebuilt title but the original damage wasn't too bad and the repair job is perfect. The vehicle title alone makes the value considerably low and makes finding insurance a sincere pain!

Okay, so 71K miles, rebuilt title, $11,800... if we say they were stock wheels and tires (even new) we could confidently lower the car price to say $10,00. The other clean titles run about that. I'm going to try and speak to the seller down to 11k.. what do you think?

[BusyBadger]

IU'd start at $8500 and go up from there but wouldn't pay a dime over $9500 for it (and that's considering that TE37's are one of my favourite wheels out there). I'd cite the fact one of the wheels will need some work to get to look right, the missing clips, and the turn signals...along with the rebuilt title, of course.

If the seller is smart he'll know how hard it's going to be to move a rebuilt car and jump on any reasonable offer, and anything between $8-9K is reasonable considering, as Soup already mentioned, you can get a cleanly titled car for what they're asking for this accident case.

[Safo]

Thanks. I asked him to call me tonight to go over details. I want to renegotiate the price with him. He was quoted $200 to refinish the wheel like new from a local shop, and he replaced the clips for me, the turn signals will be included i can have them install by a friend of mines shop for near nothing. I know for sure now that the price is steep for a rebuilt title in any situation. Simply for the fact that it is a rebuilt title, no matter the severity of the damage. I learned this after having so many rejections for auto insurance and auto loans as to how much an 'omen' the rebuilt title leaves on the car. He was originally asking for 12,500 and we worked down to 11,800 initially. I was of course not fully read on the type of resale going around aside from the 15K+ clean titles from local dealers. Last week when we met I agreed to purchase it on a hand shake bases, but that was before the loan fell through. The way we planned the sale was he drives the car to me and we complete the title transfer and sale, then i'm going to drive him back down an hour from me. He said that, "i told everyone who called the car has sold" and agreed to hold the car till this weeks end as i asked to give time to gather my fund... I am up in the air over this for days now and I will definitely take your advise and speak new terms on a sales price all facts considered. Thinking...

[Safo]

So I spoke to him to a few minutes ago and he explained that he paid about $10K at auction (a year ago). $900 to ship from California and $1300 at the body shop. The insurance provider is through "United Auto Nation" so collectively $12,200 was what he roughly spent to get the car where it is now a year later. He's a good guy 25yr old and hes selling because his girl is pregnant and he needs a 4-door car to start his family. He has been patient in working with me and explained hes not in a hurry right now to sell the car and would even wait for the right price. Tonight he offered me to buy it for $11K... I have 5K cash, and 4K on a high interest (17%) Credit Union personal loan, finally $2K from the long distance brother in NY. $11K its loaded with leather interior and all the electronics, and i want to be a Z owner

[orangeNblue]

Honestly I really don't think you should buy this car..i just went onto autotrader and found a slew of 350z's that come at a descent price and no "baggage". The thing is this car could be perfect and the best car you ever owned or full of gremlins and ultimately leave you disappointed with a bad taste in your mouth. buying a car is a big deal and from the sound of your interest rate, it sounds like you may not have a strong credit rating. If this car turns out to be a lemon...well for lack of better words, you're up S**T creek without a paddle....

....BUT if you're hell bent on getting this car this should help....tell him you aren't in a hurry either...take the $7k in cash you have and tell him you have 7 in cash and are only able to finance 3K toward the car because of your conditions and the cars history. Explain that you will have problems insuring and with financing rates. You can't and won't spend any more. Tell him that's all you can offer and are really interested in the car, but just don't have that kind of money. If he really wants to sell it then he will...if not don't buy it...its a $10000 car. I sold my 2003 touring with 55K miles and all the extras (full system, 06+ interior, modded headlights, some engine mods, and full tint) for $10k, no history, everything in newish condition other than it being in need of a new front bumper and that was a year ago.

[Safo]

Well I'm 21 and have no credit history. I would be able to pay the loan back in less than 2 years to avoid the high interest I can make higher monthly payments. I think that it would be one way to build a strong credit score if anything good at all can come from such high interest. I'm working and I'm in school, full time. Wow, seriously i wish here in Florida I could get a clean 6sp touring model for $10K... i need a lucky break or something.. I have 11K and i want 350z that's in good condition under 71K-ish miles. I am 90% sure that this care will not give any issues... i'm poking around at Auto Trader now.

[orangeNblue]

best way to build credit is to either get a 3 year no interest loan from best buy or something and make larger payments....or get a gas credit card and pay it off in full each month....

car isn't a bad deal either, but that interest is really high. If you could find a co-signer that would really help. but if you think the car is a good deal then go for it. I wouldn't pay more than $10k, tho I really just wouldn't buy it period. He knows no one really wants a car with a history, but he is asking more than it's worth. You could pick up a clean 03-04 for around $10-12K. Just keep looking

[Safo]

I don't think 11K is that great a deal for the car if it had stock wheels. But even with the given wheels for the value of them, you wouldn't feel 11K? Here's a thought I'm leaning out of this deal and looking at an 07 or 08 for around <15K clean title and I have a co signer that I can finance a loan at 6.4% interest at 66 months. From there my only other considerations are a higher insurance to pay full coverage on which will run me about 300/monthly and 230/monthly on the loan. With the cash reserve and income I can manage these payments. Might be a smarter deal than dumping on a quick buy..

[orangeNblue]

No really...varrstoen's look the same and are lightish as well. and they're only $1000. I don't feel like the wheels are really worth it.

I think its a better idea to go for a newer one, but you will not find a 07-08 for less than 17...I just bought a low mileage, still under warranty 2008 and I still paid $20k for it...

[Safo]

Local guy just sold a 2008 clean with a 2K customer stereo for $16300. And under 30K miles.

[orangeNblue]

wow...if you can find a deal like that then jump on it

[Safo]

I will. I am no longer getting this vehicle guys. Thank to all your advise, feedback and my further research. I am looking for a 07-08 at $15K to finance. Will update as soon as I am able to land on one. Thanks again..

[orangeNblue]

good luck man! you'll find something

[BusyBadger]

No really...varrstoen's look the same and are lightish as well. and they're only $1000.

Actually, I think Varrstoen's are kinda chunky.

[jerryd1987]

It also depends heavily on what the market is in your area thats the issue with asking online, i see where it was driven in your original post but not where your at i know cali is kinda expensive like hawaii is. For instance on oahu most of the time you will be hard pressed to find an 03 bone stock with 70-100k miles for under 15-16k when the blue book is 13-14k(clean title of course) it might have something to do with the cost of living, so many military on island, or the fact that you wont see it hit below 75 very often even in the winter time it just rains alot in the winter. by comparison i bought my 03 for 11k when the blue book was 14k in ohio so even figuring in the 1500 to ship it i still save an a** ton =/