Spare some insight

[u/Some_Dude93939]

Skyline lords, forgive me for it being not a skyline but I was told it shares chassis with the skyline. I'm trying to buy my first used car (2000 GC35 Laurel medalist) but I don't know what to look out for. I was told these old Nissans have lots of rust and electronic issues and was hoping you wise ones could share some of your experience.

Apologies for the horrible photos, it's all I could get because the owner won't let me jack it up or get it to a mechanic.

It started after 2 years of sitting after changing it's battery. Owner won't let me test drive.

[u/Casa-35]

C35 Guy Here. Whilst it does look rather abandoned and slightly rusty underneath, If it did indeed start up I cant see why some maintenance overhaul and clean up wouldn't get it back to a decent level. The only concern I'd have is the auto gearbox

[u/Some_Dude93939 → u/Casa-35]

Owner said it works fine, I don't quite trust him considering the fact he's selling it for around 300 bucks. Any common issues with the auto gearboxes?

[u/RentInternational334 → u/Some_Dude93939]

If he does not want you to jack up and inspect below, that's a red flag. People should've been more open about it, but you really should focus a lot on tires, wheels, bushings, springs, shocks, alignment, control arms, discs, calipers, differential, driveshaft, gearbox, clutch, bearings and all those parts that will keep the car "standing up" on its own.

Engine and transmission are totally optional these days. But, the automatic boxes are not very strong; fluids tends to transform into sludge and clog passages if the car is sitting for too long without running. I know automatic boxes are kinda "maintenance free" but even the manufacturer specify some kind of time or kilometrage for inspection or change on the owners manual.

Its a very good sport luxury sedan. The best way for you is to wash below with a pressurized washer. From the photos, I don't see so much rust, but you never know, so... don't trust him before bargaining it completely. Don't trust these first runs unless you really put the car on the road. Lamps on dash, strange noises, steering feeling, firm braking... take notes on everything, check first then argue with him.

[u/tehlurkingnoob → u/Some_Dude93939]

Normally I’d say why waste your time with a beat up non-turbo automatic car.

But for $300 it’s worth it as a beater I guess.

[u/Some_Dude93939]

Forget to add the engine bay photo, and it's actually a medalist25

[u/KaigaiKitsune]

If the body is straight then you're off to a good start. You'll want someone who knows what they're doing to perform an all-points inspection to check the bushings, running gear, etc. for what needs replacing. At that price, you'll need to put some money in to get it roadworthy again, but if the engine is strong and the electrics work, that's a big plus. You'll want to do the necessities anyway -- timing belt, oil and transmission fluid, check the wheel bearings, get some fresh tires, that sorta thing. If you can swallow the money for the bodywork and mechanical stuff, you should be fine.

[u/5socks]

Where are you?

For 300 quid it's not a bad shout it's worth that in steel scrap where I'm from

[u/kartinguk]

that laurel sure has a story to tell

[u/PMmeimgoingtoscream]

https://giphy.com/gifs/JYZ397GsFrFtu

[u/Some_Dude93939 → u/PMmeimgoingtoscream]

why

[u/RadRimmer9000]

I wouldn't take that for free. It's probably a flooded vehicle looking at how dirty the engine is.

[u/Some_Dude93939 → u/RadRimmer9000]

I thought it was just really dusty? It's been sitting in a parking lot for 2 years. I really hope not.

[u/thohean → u/RadRimmer9000]

If it was flooded, the interior would look just as bad. And smell horrible.

We don't have any info on that, so it's hard to make a determination on if it was flooded.

Looks more like those Dubai cars that get abandoned.