Buying a high mileage 350z

[equitorium]

Hi guys,
For my past few years of driving I’ve owned quite small engine hatchbacks pushing 200bhp and I’m looking to make the jump to a 350z because I’ve always loved the cars. One that I’m looking at belongs to my SO’s friend, he’s offered to let me drive it, but my only concerns are that he’s spent over £4K repairing it in the last year or so and the car has 100k miles (I know these cars can push even 300k miles). But on the other side, he’s also spent around £3k modifying it (exhaust, full paint job etc).
He’s trying to sell it for £7k, but I’m hoping to get it for around £6k. Just wanted to get a second opinion on if I should go for it or look elsewhere? (It’ll be used as my daily driver, roughly 15 miles a day on A roads)

[un1eash]

What year is it? Is it GT spec? £5-6k seems to be the starting point for a clean 350z. My only take away from owning one before was £500+ road tax and 11mpg around town.

[samoht]

I'd say 100k isn't that high mileage for these, only a tad above average.

What year is it? There are some differences between the various models that affect values.

The high road tax only kicks in for cars registered from 23rd March 2006, FWIW. 15 miles a day on A-roads sounds like a good use-case for a 350Z to me, they're good on slightly faster, flowing roads.


When I was selling mine I found the front suspension bushes had gone, £900 to get both front "banana arms" changed. So something to check for.

I'd also check the bodywork, I saw a lot of tatty ones when I was looking (stone chips and small dents), and look for rust bubbles around the rear arches.

IF the new paint job was done with good body prep and any rust repaired before the paint, that could be a positive. OTOH a cheap paint job may lead to paint flaking off down the road.

Equally the exhausts rust on these, so a new one may be good - or it might have a horrible drone at a motorway cruise, worth checking out. If the cats have been removed or changed for 'high flow' cats, that often causes trouble at MoT time. Conversely stock cats are fine.

As with any performance car, check the brand, age, tread and condition of all four tyres (£500 for a new set of MPS4). Also brake discs for rust.


In general the 350Z is a fairly robust car, it doesn't have many major mechanical issues. Compared to something like a Boxster at similar money, you're much less likely to get a bill for more than the car's worth.

If you want a 350Z then I'd suggest considering at all those up for sale, not just the one that someone you know is selling. Of course as it's an easy starting point you may as well inspect and test drive your friend's car, but it may not necessarily be the best option.

FWIW I sold my 30k mile '07 HR for £8750 in Dec, I think that was about the going rate.

https://www.350z-uk.com/ is a good place to ask too, although there are a fair few present & past 350/370Z owners on here also, happy to talk.

[Strudul]

Be interested to know what he spent £4k repairing.

In almost 5 years and 30k miles (now on 104k), I haven't even spent £1k on repairs for my 350Z...

[ZX10R NIN]

What year is OP? Is it an import? If it is then he may have spent some money under sealing it, you also mention a paint job are you sure you've got your figures right?