meh i`m looking for an 04+ Z with AT transmission, and either redline or silverstone. preferrably a touring model. The biggest thing here is it has to be from a private ownert, as I have a $25,000 budget that I cannot exceed. I found a good one on ebay motors, but the only problem is that the owner is in Texas, and the car is an 03 [well, whatever]

How do I go about this? I can`t buy the car without seeing it first...
Any suggestions?

 

Ask for tons of detailed digital pics of the car and then if you still think you're interested, I'd fly out there to take a look. I'd be ready to buy when you got there and to drive it back home. It will be a calculated risk of wasting airfare if you decide you don't want the car, but I'd rather lose a few hundred bucks than screw up and buy the wrong car... or if you have a friend interested in taking a long weekend adventure/roadtrip, drive out there. It's not THAT far from AZ. Best case scenario you'll be coming back with 2 cars instead of the 1 you went in...

 

thanks for the advice, I think i might do that.

one more ? though, is it reasonable for me to ask for under 25K for an 04 AT touring?

 

I think asking under 25000, or at least around that is reasonable. It depends on how many miles are on it. I live in San Antonio, and I just did an Edmunds report for a 2004 touring automatic, and it came to a private party price of 26,700. I said that it was used with 10000 miles also. So I guess depending on how many miles it has, and how badly the person wants to get rid of it, then I say you can always start negotiating around 25000, doesn't sound bad to me at all.

 

With 06 models to arrive in a few months, I think that is a fair price. You could also talk to a large dealership (who sells several different manufacturers) and ask for them to find you a used car within their network for under $25K . . . They may not make a killing off the deal, but 10% margin off of $25K is better than zero margin of $27K.

G

 

04' SS AT Enthuz (I think) near you.

 

Wow nice find! I wonder if its still on stock?

 

ha, i was on the phone with a "fleet manager" regarding that EXACT car. We made a deal on the phone, and while I was getting ready to drive down there, the guy called me and said the car`s been sold.

So yeah, that one`s off the market.

 

Never mind

 

never heard of carmax :-\

UPDATE: I found an ad in the local paper, some lady selling her silverstone fully loaded, AT Z.. but it`s an 03 with 37,000 miles.. she`s asking 25,500, but admitted it was her first time trying to sell it so she had no clue what price to start with

 

^I think he/she meant CarFAX.

 

www.carmax.com

 

there are none in AZ unfortunately

 

carmax is pretty horrible when it comes to price. I was able to get a 04 Z same trim level and 25k less miles for $2000 LESS than what they wanted for an 03.

EDIT - and I might add the fact that most people don't think I got that great of a deal on my car even though I got an 04 for 2k cheaper than carmax's 03.