What To Look For On Inspection Of Used Nissan V35 350T

[dFed]

Hey,

I am looking at purchasing a manual 2006 NISSAN SKYLINE V35 350GT from Melb (I live in SA) and I just want to know the things I should be thinking about when I go there this weekend to have a closer inspection?

I have done a lot of research and I previously owned an R34 but it's hard to find info on the V35's and I have never purchased interstate. (I have heard all the scary stories about dodgy deals and what not which is freaking me out a little but I love the look of the car and it's the only manual one i can find within my price range)

So key things i am wondering about are (some obvious):

- stolen

- any accidents

- I check the VIN number through transport SA and it matched the car but didn't have any data for stolen or accidents. (The guy tells me its all working and hasn't been in any accidents)

- The real deal breakers mechanically that i can figure out on the test drive and inspection

- Is $14,500 to much for the car with 120,000kms?

- how is it on repairs/services?

- bet way to pay if i have the total sum of money (no financing needed)

- Is there a way I can check for dodgy odometer tampering?

- Is it worth getting an RAA van to go out and check it out ($250) for full inspection

Any info you can provide asap would be GREAT!

Cheers!

If this is in the wrong forum area sorry, i wasn't sure where to post it!

[V35_Paul]

Coupe or Sedan?

I'm guessing it's a Sedan at that price.

If he's got the papers to say it's his then it's his.

If it's clean no marks on the car and runs fine then that price is good

Check the locks work and the windows work.

RAA inspection is great piece of mind.

[t5iv]

Also check that the motors for the seat work ie. it goes up down back forth as intended. 120,000ks, I'd be interested to know how the clutch is and would suggest getting RACV to look over it. $250 for peace of mind...

[sonicii]

There aren't really any major issues with this particular type of car, so you really need to concentrate on the same process you would with any car.

Get a mechanical inspection - ask them to check for major accident damage/repairs. - unless you are a mechanic or are happy to check yourself.

Ask for a service record, at least for the time it has been in Aust.

Maybe give vicroads a call and see if they can do a history check, might be more accurite since it is registerd in Vic.

$14,500 is a good price if it is a sedan. It's a bargain if it is a coupe (almost think it is too cheap for a coupe..??)

Genuine KM is difficult one on any import.. you can only check for other signs that the KM aren't right, like excessive seat wear, excessive pedal/carpet wear, brake rotor wear. although at 120,000km, you would probably expect some wear on these items anyway.

I'm in qld, and purchsed mine from Vic.. I just paid with a bank cheque, but I had a friend on the ground who didn't hand the cheque over until the car was dropped off at the carrier in the described condition.

Servicing shouldn't be any more than most other cars, they are mechanically a 350Z with a different body, so most 350Z parts will fit. If you need anything V35 specific, there can be a bit of a wait while you source parts, and they can be expensive. But the USA Infiniti G35 is the same, so you can pick up parts for a good price from there if you can afford to wait.

[Seano350GT]

Good post, okay well:

Wwith these imports there is no way you can track the history of the vehicle when it was in Japan. I did a RACQ master check on mine ($290) and got 7 pages of very good info but nothing comes back with the history in Japan unfortunately. If you are good around cars you can physically check all the panels and look for things missing or weird sounds when it drives.

When you drive the car, check EVERYTHING, disregard the owner is in the car with you. Turn the radio off, listen for rattles or anything that doesn't sound right and BE SURE to bring it up with the seller. "That doesn't sound right what's that?" make sure they give you a good answer.

If you get the vehicle inspected and the customer denies this to be done, WALK AWAY.

Repairs & Servicing... DON'T GO TO NISSAN, they will charge you an arm and a leg for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Source parts you need from Japan and do it yourself if you have to, or build a relationship with a good mechanic that knows Imports. There isn't a great deal of mechanics that know V35's well so be careful.

$14,500 seems like a good deal to me, is the car bone stock?

Throw a price at the owner, say $13,000 and look for a reaction. If it's blunt, explain to the owner the faults in the vehicle (if any) to justify your offer. All they can say is no right?

Definitely worth getting the car checked, i'd never buy a vehicle without getting it fully checked by a qualified mechanic.

Goodluck with the purchase!

[dFed]

Thanks heaps!!

Yeh it's a coupe that's why I am being extra careful! I intend on flying down on friday then driving it back on saturday.

So I made a call and apparently it will be $322 for RACV (member price) and they need the buyer to go to the workshop and drop it off for a full day. They will return by the next day a full report. I think I'm going to do it, as peace of mind is worth it!

Hmm okay so don't take it to Nissan? Interesting, I thought that would be best as I doubt many mechanics would know much about V35's.

Edited July 30, 2012 by dFed

[t5iv]

Apparently there are a few mechanics in Melbourne that can work on the Vs. They honestly aren't any harder than a 350z however being an import it magically makes dollars disappear from your back pocket. Nissan tend to charge a surplus and there is a wealth of knowledge here. The majority of problems that you may encounter would have more than likely have been encountered by someone else here.

$14k for a coupe.... hmm... does the car live by the fish markets because it sure does smell fisshy! haha

[sonicii]

Australian Nissan mechanics don't get trained on imports. Some dealers are ok, some outright refuse to work on them. Do a search on this forum for any suggestions. If you can't find anything, ask. A good independent mechanic is often better than dealer mechanics for most cars anyway.

[Seano350GT]

Thanks heaps!!

Yeh it's a coupe that's why I am being extra careful! I intend on flying down on friday then driving it back on saturday.

So I made a call and apparently it will be $322 for RACV (member price) and they need the buyer to go to the workshop and drop it off for a full day. They will return by the next day a full report. I think I'm going to do it, as peace of mind is worth it!

Hmm okay so don't take it to Nissan? Interesting, I thought that would be best as I doubt many mechanics would know much about V35's.

Sounds like a great price to me. Yeah mate mine was a little cheaper than that but trust me it gives you A LOT of good info on the car. They also prepare the report for YOU, so when the seller goes to pick up his car from the workshop he can't get access to that report only you can. If you're flying to look at a car, be sure you look at more than 1. You will be hating life if you fly down look at it and it ends up being a pile of rubbish and have no plan B. My experience with Nissan is nothing but bad, the HEAD MECHANIC of Nissan sent me to the Panel Beaters to get my control arm bushes replaced LOL.

[t5iv]

Also, there seem to be a number of people on here from SA. That could help as well. Think they're organising a V cruise (honestly didn't think people lived down there).

[GED59]

Apparently there are a few mechanics in Melbourne that can work on the Vs. They honestly aren't any harder than a 350z however being an import it magically makes dollars disappear from your back pocket. Nissan tend to charge a surplus and there is a wealth of knowledge here. The majority of problems that you may encounter would have more than likely have been encountered by someone else here.

$14k for a coupe.... hmm... does the car live by the fish markets because it sure does smell fisshy! haha

Agreed $14k for a 2006 Coupe is too cheap ( looks like chicken tastes like fish )

[Deep Dish V35]

research the vin number/rego plate online.... reg office, insurers, compliancing... if somethings wrong you might find it that way.

i think 120000km is a bit high for the year, but that might be the only reason for the price

*edit* start here, it will tell you a fair bit (click on highlighted blue things for more details)

http://raws.infrastructure.gov.au/rawswebpublic/RAWPubVehSearch.asp

Edited July 30, 2012 by Deep Dish V35

[V35_Paul]

Too cheap for a coupe of that year. Something is up

[thinktea]

Agree that it sounds fishy..

Couldn't resist...found the ad on carsales.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/nissan-skyline-2006-12802841?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=0&eapi=2&__N=1216+4294739354+1246+1247+1252+1282+4294963846+4294963593+903+4294678014&find=v35|CarAll&silo=Stock&num=15&sort=Year

Based on the photos...it is not a 2006 car (i.e. Series 3). It has the old tail lights, headlights and front bumper.

It is not even a Series 2 as the interior radio fascia is a Series 1 fascia (not aluminum).

Cloth seats so not a premium (I believe that from 2005 onwards, all came with leather seats, whether premium or not)...which supports the argument that it is pre 2005.

[dFed]

Lol yeh that's the one...

So your saying it's 03? I did vin checks and it hasn't been written off, isn't under finance and not stolen.

Would you say the price is more precise considering it's an 03 model? Or still too cheap to be legit?

When I inspect it I may be able to push him further considering he is misleading with the year, so long as there is no body work damage or mechanical problems.

For me I don't mind that it isnt an 06 but I just don't want it to have any issues with it and I don't want to pay more than its worth obviously.

My biggest issue is I can't find a coupe under 17k that is manual..

Just noticed VIN check says its a sedan.. But it's clearly not lol.. :s also it says year of compliane is 2003 so it clearly is that year..

Edited July 31, 2012 by dFed

[adzr33]

Sounds suss hey. Be careful. If its coupe with sedan vin, plus the price and year discrepancies...... It seems a lot to be not right for a legit sale. Dunno about u guys but if I'm selling a car I know how old it is and how many doors it has. Is it being sold by a 10yr old lol.

Also complied in 2003?? I wouldn't think many of these were imported the same year as produced.

[Deep Dish V35]

did you do a raws check with that link i posted earlier? it'll tell you there if its supposed to be a 4 door or not

[itsRICHARD]

Saw this one on eBay last week for auction, watched it to see how much it would be sold for

Here's the link http://www.ebay.com....984.m1423.l2649

Ended few days ago, btw it has nsw plates

Edited July 31, 2012 by itsRICHARD

[sonicii]

This should be ringing huge alarm bells..

- It is not a 2006.. could be a early 2004 at best.. possibly older..

- Sold on ebay just weeks ago!! - which is weird, because the carsales ad says the ad was last modified in June!!

- Selling for a very very cheap price.

- If the VIN really is for a sedan, I would definatly be walking away, and alerting authorities. (although the VIN listed in the ebay ad is a 'CPV35' which is a coupe VIN, the sedan VIN will be a ...PV35...)

it has Series 1 tails, AC controls, speedo cluster - Series 1 ended in late 2004.

[Seano350GT]

Yeah DEFINITELY walk away, too many suss things regarding the sale. I would also alert authorities or get in contact with Carsales.com and report the false advertising they will take it straight off the site.