Buying ex press car? yes / no?

[rabbitstew]

Hi,

Ive just done some research on a Nissan 350z im considering buying and discovered it is actually an ex Nissan Press car. It was loaned out to motoring journalists for most of its 1st year before being sold off to a private individual.

Now, having found this out, this would explain why the car did not feel quite as "new" or "tight" as the other cars I test drove with similar mileage and looked more worn than id expect for a car with this mileage.

Would finding this info out put you off buying the car, especially when you see how journo`s test their cars on TV shows etc!!!

On the other hand, it comes with full Nissan history and 12 months warrenty, so if anything did go wrong I should be in the clear.....

[liner33]

wouldnt touch it unless i couldnt afford anything else

[ewan221]

Run away is my advice.

Have you had a look at for sale section on 350z UK forum ?

[Mr MXT]

If it was a press car is it likely to have been fettled in anyway?

[-Z-]

As an opposite opinion, I owned the M3 in this 5th gear vid for 18 months and 20k miles. It never felt less than perfect, nothing ever went wrong. Clutch & brakes were faultless and still not near replacement when I sold it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQGclh6Sn8Q

[Audicab]

Hi Jack, if you don't fancy that one i'll be selling mine in the next couple of weeks, it is booked into Nissan for an MOT and service next week so i'll be selling it after that. 2004 54 UK car with 2 owners and fnsh.

If you are interested drop me a line.

Cheers,
Phil

[rabbitstew]

Cheers for the feedback. After thinking about it, im going to go for this ex press car. I figure Nissan would have made sure its running top notch if the press were going to drive it, and even tho journo`s may have thrashed it a few times, its probably had less abuse than a lot of other cars. They are giving it a full 12 months warrenty and just had its major service. So if anything does go wrong, its straight back to them.

[Audicab]

Enjoy it, they are a fantastic car and they do seem pretty bullet proof. Get yourself over to the 350z forums for great advice.

Cheers
Phil

[rabbitstew]

Audicab said:

Enjoy it, they are a fantastic car and they do seem pretty bullet proof. Get yourself over to the 350z forums for great advice.

Cheers
Phil

Cheers, already joined that forum, as ive loads to learn about and read. Already eyeing up exhaust systems and mod`s as I seldom keep a car as stock for long.

[was8v]

rabbitstew said:

Now, having found this out, this would explain why the car did not feel quite as "new" or "tight" as the other cars I test drove with similar mileage and looked more worn than id expect for a car with this mileage.

Given what you say here I'd walk and get one of the less worn feeling cars!!!!

The press are likely to have thrashed the nuts off it. But then who knows how an ex-private owner drove any car? Judge the car as it is on its individual merits, there are plenty out there to choose from.


Most on the 350z forum (me included) wouldn't trust a Nissan dealer with their car... I'm also of the impression used car warranties are worth very little, far better to spend the money on inspecting before buying.

Heres mine (any excuse) azure is easily the best colour:

[liner33]

Definitely the best colour

[ScoobieWRX]

It doesn't matter what car it is, if you have driven a few already and this one just doesn't feel as good or 'tight' as the ones you have driven, why on earth would you buy it?

It's a major purchase that warrants a careful decision.

[Animal]

My car felt fine - 'tight' - but still went back to dealer once a month for first 3 months for niggly crap to be fixed. After those experiences I'd echo what's been said above - there are some great independents out there (Japex, Abbey Motorsport) so why bother going to a Nissan dealer?

I take it the car you're looking at is a GT?

w.r.t. exhausts etc: can I make the suggestion that you don't bother going through loads of video clips (they often bear no relation to the real sound) but instead go to a meet? I didn't but fortunately I love the way mine sounds! I bet my neighbours don't though...

Best,

Alex

[rabbitstew]

Good points. I will check it out again before i make my decision. Its the GT version and has all the optional extras as well.

[Qube]

was8v said:

Heres mine (any excuse) azure is easily the best colour:

There are pleny of funky combos out there !.

A well polished Azure 350z does look nice though.

Edited by Qube on Thursday 10th March 12:09

[Qube]

rabbitstew said:

Good points. I will check it out again before i make my decision. Its the GT version and has all the optional extras as well.

Oh, I'm in the middle of putting mine up for sale, the plate transfer has come through today.

It's an 08' 313 GT Roadster in Night blue pearl, with frost interior (grey), 19K on clock. Quite a rare colour combo, I believe.

[Cobstar]

I ran an Audi ex press car for five years. No regrets - a very special car and still the best car I've owned and she'll always have a special place in my heart. The repair and maintenance costs were on the high side but she was 8 years old with 120k on the clock when I bought her and the issues were no different to those with non-press office cars. I would have been worried about using a mint, low-mileage one as a daily runner.

Maybe if I'd seen the press picture of her racing over a bridge with all four wheels in the air first I might have changed my mind :laugh

Would I buy an ex-press car again - it would depend. Probably not for a younger car that was made in large numbers and still easily available. But I wouldn't rule it out for something special like the one I owned.