The current owner has this one listed for $1350 states it doesn’t start and needs a new engine. However, I'm starting to think that the owner really doesn’t care or know about cars. I will try and diagnose of the engine is done, before I buy it but I am starting to think its common that someone will try and start their G35 one day and it will not work. Even on this forums there are more than a few post of people who cannot start their g35! What are the things I should look out for in this car?

 

Red light left of the dash staying on when trying to start the car. Means it has a key security issue that needs dealer attention.

 

gotcha, does this issue happen a lot?

 

I've heard of it?

 

Bring an OBD2 scanner, 1 gallon of fresh gas, and a set of jumper cables. See if you can get it to pull any codes, like Urban said check the NATS/IVIS light to see if it's solid red when cranking.

Quite a few things will prevent the engine from STARTING but only a couple will prevent them from CRANKING.

Plus the gas gauge is notorious for failing and reading 1/2 tank when it's actually empty.

Unfortunately when you get someone elses "cheap doesn't run for sale" car running in their driveway they're usually less inclined to sell it... it's a double edged sword. EDIT: Just shut it off really quick if it tries to start lol.

 

So I went and saw the car today she wasn't home, we were texting and I asked to get the story of the engine and she was being vague about it, so I pressed on she then replied “So many questions... I’m working I cant reply” I said if you don’t tell me why, I wont buy the car. So she went on and said it wasn’t starting so she brought it to the shop and they said it needed a new engine.

So she gave me her address and then canceled soon after, so I took it upon myself to see the car anyway. I was greeted by her brother and his buddies after they saw me peering into the car (almost got jumped). He turned out to be halfway decent and even offered to sell me the car on the spot. Problem is they were working on a car in the street, so it leads me to think that maybe this car really is shot if her brother has some working knowledge of cars. Idk what do u guys think?

 

I think it's absolutely impossible to tell without a few various tests, compression and leakdown being the first two.

Knowing all the details about WHAT HAPPENED though lets you make a pretty good guess, if it overheated then it's probably got a blown HG at minimum.

However, if it's got a clean chassis and that's what you're looking for then the price is right. You didn't post what year it was but if it's an '03 you should check the ECM to make sure it's the style that can be tuned.

 

So I just did some research and found her brothers FB and he also has the same car listed separately but in the comments he admits that the engine is knocking. So there I have it, engine is TOAST!!!

 

Yep, pretty common on the G35 because they drink oil and some folks don't check it regularly. Car runs low, eats a bearings, rod knock.

 

Good investigating on your part/Run away.....bahahaha

 

Not necessarily, $1350 for a clean chassis with a bad engine is still a hell of a deal if you're doing the engine swap yourself. You can pick up another VQ35DE for $800 or so as long as it's a 2003-2007 automatic or 2003-2004 6MT. If it's a 2005-2007 6MT then it takes the rev-up engine which is significantly harder to find and will probably be $1500 but even then you're only $3k into the car.

However if you're paying a shop to do the work that's going to be another $1500 in labor and you would probably be better off to pick one up that's running properly.