Build Thread: 2004 Nissan 350Z Theft Recovery, Sold on 4/11/2012 Options

[95CelicaST]

Total project cost?

[richee3]

Best update ever.

[Bitter]

so what comes up if you carfax the vin?

[97celiman]

so you have a clear title and a new paint job? ballin. downright ballin

[njccmd2002]

give me the vin to carfax it

[dustin15brown]

Nissan can't get the car in until Monday/Tuesday, so we're on a temporary hold

[dustin15brown]

[SwissFerdi]

Love the color. Not a fan of the bumper, it looks aftermarket.

[ILuvMyCelica95]

holy **** he actually finished?!

Good job DBrown

[dustin15brown]

ok so I will update:
In my earlier posts, I made it seem like a quick easy deal to get the title. Well here is what really happened. I went and met with my lawyer to get his advice. He said it was a touchy subject and that the judge would go one of two ways, and I would have to deal with whatever decision he rendered. The first way was that he could order me to return the car to North Carolina to the guy I bought it from. And then have HIM have his state check out the car and then get the title in HIS name and then basically HOPE he transfers the title to me. And then bring it back to Indiana. That idea SUCKS. Especially since I paid in cash, so it makes the transaction a little bit harder to follow.
The second option is that they could go through all the red tape and eventually I would file for a lost title. And the state would issue it to me. That option sounds a lot better!
But first we called the BMV and they said tough luck kid, send the car back to North Carolina. You bought the car, and shouldn't have. He shouldn't have sold it to you. Research more before you buy next time. So it appears the BMV is going to be no help.
And there are two main judges I would potentially see in court if I went. One is known for being a stickler for the rules and no compassion. If I saw him, I would be screwed most likely. And the second judge was a friend of my parents. Since they do so much real estate in our small town, they are well known, respected, and liked. So it was a toss up if I went to court.
So my mom actually went into the court house and talked to the judge . He called the Sheriff and asked him to come in. So the three of them sat there in his chambers/office and went over everything. It was decided that the sheriff would come out and look over everything and give his opinion. He is also a very good friend of my parents. I lucked out very much so in that they both thought it was a cool project, and that I caught the raw end of the deal. And they put the steps in motion to get me a title. I was under the impression it would be a rebuilt title or whatever. Then it came in the mail, and it was a "Court Ordered" Clear Title. It's the same as a lost title that you file for. Still a clear title. If you carfax it, it will most likely still show that there was something that happened. But i'm not worried about that. It's been searched by Nissan and the BMV and deemed totally roadworthy.

Next, I had to tow the Z in to Nissan to have them figure out why it wouldn't start, the radio didn't work, fans came on, and no horn. It seems like a really long list, huh? And at $95 an hour *after a discount for being a paid member on my350z.com* it could be a painful experience. My dad hauled it to Nissan yesterday and stayed there the WHOLE day to make sure everything got figured out (I'm in college still so I can't just leave with everything going on here).
The total bill through Nissan was going to be $475 for their work yesterday. The service manager and a tech stayed after hours to finish it and they decided to do it off the books. So I got out of there with a $235 bill. Dad hauled it back home last night 100% street ready. He DID however take the first drive in it today, which makes me really mad, but it's whatever I guess.
I will finally get to see the fruition of my 2.5 year project on friday. And I will get to drive it for the very first time. I got the insurance and license done yesterday as well.... and it wasn't cheap!

All in all, this has proved to be a very valuable project and I have learned SO much.... I'll try to make it a picture whore this weekend and get a lot of pics, maybe even a few with the celica if the weather is nice!

Thanks for the support guys

[Supersprynt]

I think since your parents did so much for you in the way of friends & time spent it's ok your dad took the first drive.

[SwissFerdi]

I understand wanting to pop the first drive cherry, but it was nice enough for him to stay there the whole day...and what's he gonna do, have it towed home instead of driving it himself?

All in all, how much did you spend, and why did you not swap in a 3S-GTE? Can't wait to see the pics.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Nov 18, 2009 - 4:03 PM

[dustin15brown]

I think since your parents did so much for you in the way of friends & time spent it's ok your dad took the first drive.

I understand this in part... but then again... i have done a majority of the work. It's obviously my car, i paid for it. My dad didn't want it on their insurance so i had to get my own policy instead of using their discounted rates... Mom had no desire to drive it before me.... I guess it would have been different if he asked the drive it, but he didn't... he just went...
I've put 2.5 years in to this project, stupid amounts of time, and my own money.... it woulda been very nice to have the first go at it

I understand wanting to pop the first drive cherry, but it was nice enough for him to stay there the whole day...and what's he gonna do, have it towed home instead of driving it himself?

All in all, how much did you spend, and why did you not swap in a 3S-GTE? Can't wait to see the pics.

Yes it was nice, but he didn't have anything else going on... at all....
He did take it home on the same trailer that he took it there on.... and then drove it today.
I spent enough on it
and swap in a 3s.... in to the z? because that would be RETARDED
And I have a 3s sitting in the garage waiting to go in to the celica already

[CastrolCelica]

Sigh, if you lived closer I'd pay you to install a Beams in my Celica hahaha. Oh, I can dream, I can dream....

Great work though. Having gone to college and had to pay my way through, I have no idea how you could afford this project. I know you're avoiding the question through out your thread and don't want to say, and that's fine. All I can say is, I think you're the first person I ever knew at that age with that nice of a car. Great build.

[Supersprynt]

I understand you completely. Not saying you're wrong at all, just maybe let it slide.

[95CelicaST]

I would be pissed if someone else got the first drive in my project, but I would probably do the same thing - the only difference is I wouldn't have told you I drove it, and thus you would be under the impression that you got the first drive.

And Nissan probably drove it too. How else would it get on the flatbed? So your dad probably got sloppy seconds. Your car has been around the block a few times.. it's officially a whore.


This is what I did with my brother's motorcycle. I took it for a spin before he came home, and we told him the mileage change was simply "dealer mileage".

This post has been edited by 95CelicaST: Nov 18, 2009 - 6:43 PM

[dustin15brown]

They pushed it off AND back on the trailer at Nissan.... and Dad didn't tell me he drove it, mom did.... I dont think dad planned on tellin me

[95CelicaST]

Sneaky sneaky, sir.

[CelicaST_CALI]

Dustin i have somthing to tell you...i drove her to,she was just so willing and i was there with extra time,im sorry..



Hahaha jk,without your parents your Z would most likely be in NC so id be ok with the first drive Glad to see it all worked out!!!rough $ #?

[richee3]

I totally understand you being mad about your dad taking the first drive in it. If after I swap the Celica, put a lot of hard work and money into it, my dad just hops in it and takes off, I'd be upset too. But, after I finally have my first go in it, I'd let it all go. I wouldn't care that my dad had the first drive. After all, who drove it first isn't important. What is important is how much work you've put into the car, everything you've gone through, and you'll finally be able to drive it. The project is finished and over, now it's time to enjoy what you've put so much effort into. In 20 years, you won't care that your dad drove it first. Back to my example of my dad driving the Celi first after I get everything done, truthfully I'd love if he took the first drive in it. He and I have completely different interests and don't do much together. It would mean a lot to me if he actually cared enough to want to go for a spin in the car after I get everything done. And if he and I shared the same interests and he helped me out with the car once in a while, as your dad did with the Z, it would mean even more to me that he cared enough to help out and cared to drive the car.

I don't know, that's just my sentimental $0.02. All I can say is be careful on the first drive! If a bird craps on the car, make sure you shoot that bird.