Advice needed on a Cat D 370z

[blackleigh]

Hi

I have been on the Nissan 370z Forum and asked advice on buying a Cat D Nissan 370z off ebay, but felt that opinions on there may have been a little bit bias as they all own one and love them as much as I do.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-370z-2010-only-3...

I went to see it this morning and looks fantastic, all the shut lines are spot on, there is no signs of internal damage and it drives fine and straight with no pulling knocks or bangs.

The guy selling it seemed really nice and honest, he said it has had the front bumper, headlamp and wing replaced and they have done a great job, the insurance company wrote the car off because of the cost of parts and not the amount of damage. This makes sense as the headlamps alone are £1600.

I have had a good look round and for a none Cat D with the same spec and same low millage I cant find one for less than £15k unless I get an auto or a soft top or high mileage.

This was a £35000 car when new so a none cat d would have lost £20,000 in the 8 years of its life and the advice I got from the 370z forum that these cars would be worth about £10,000 when I came to sell in 4 years and this cat D would be worth around £7,500 when I cam to sell in 4 years time, which is pretty good as my 10 plate BMW 520 M Sport cost me £17,500 when I bought it 3 years ago and my insurance company valued it at £10,500 last October when they wrote it off after a crash. As you can see I have lost more on a none cat d car than I would on this one. Lets face it this car is not going to depreciate any faster than a none Cat D and in 4 years time it will be 12 years old. What would any 12 year old car be worth n comparison to its purchase price?

I have doubts as I have never owned a Cat D so have posted on here in the hope that I can get an unbiased opinion.

My brother thinks I should get a Focus ST..

[Butter Face]

It’s actually a Cat C.

[Ahbefive]

I wouldn't buy a cat C personally but I suppose some people would.

[Trevor555]

It sounds like you've already talked yourself into it.

I've been inspecting/buying cars for many years.

I've seen some truly awful repairs on Cat cars so I must advise you to get it inspected by someone who REALLY knows what they're doing.

You really wont know whats been replaced/repaired unless someone has a look for you, and even then, how do you know the airbags will work? Or the seatbelt pretensioners will work? Or have the seats been stressed?

I could bore you with stuff I've seen, my only recommendation is to spend more cash and get one that's not been in a smash.

Having said all that, I've saw a lovely BMW Z3 that got written of for a small dent in the bonnet and headlights.

Go to a local bodyshop, ask if they'll hire you one of their experienced employees for a few hours.

[Pistom]

Trevor555 really talks sense. It needs to be about £2K cheaper to be worth the hassle.

I have no issues with Cat D or even C cars but they have to be properly repaired and at the right price.

[blackleigh]

Hi thanks for all your input, its really helpful.

The car is about £4grand below book, it has covered less than 5k miles a year, the work has been done to a very high standard and it drives really well.

I have been looking for a while and have not seen a none cat d or c for less than £14k with low mileage or with a manual box, it is the cheapest in the country at the moment.

What are the pit falls of cat c and d? and what should I worry about>?

[Ahbefive]

I'd spend more on a car that easn't written off and it will be worth that extra when you come to sell. Also it will be harder to move on a Cat C car later on.