Bleser

I test drove a 350Z Touring last night. It is "Pikes Peak White" with stone (light grey) leather interior, two-tone with black/grey dash. Looks pretty damn good. It is a six-speed with all the options I want.

Here is the funkiness: It is a dealer trade from another dealer in the area and has 1,012 miles on it. I consider that to be used... but the dealer is trying to tell me that they don't consider cars used/demos until they hit 4,000+ miles. The way I look at it, I would have to daily drive the car for a month or more to accumulate those miles... and there is no way the dealer would call that still a "new" car!

Also, more funkiness... all 350Z Touring models with the six-speed manual (which I am now in love with) are supposed to have 18" wheels, and the automatics have 17". This is a six-speed manual but has the automatic's 17". WEIRD.... but yet another reason to get a good deal, since I will be replacing the wheels in the future anyway.

MSPR w/18s (that it doesn't have) is $34,6xx. Invoice is $31,6xx. The dealer called and said they would sell it to me for $31,400. I said what about the wheels, which are included in the invoice price, but it doesn't have. He said he would try to get it down to $30,600. That sounds pretty good, but since it has 1,000 miles, I think it should be more like $30,000 or less. Kelly Blue Book, however, says a 2004 model, configured just like this one, with 1,000 miles, should go for $32,500 (retail value) or $28,000 (private party).

So I think even $30,600 is a pretty good deal. I would just like to know the history of the car a bit more. What do you guys/gals think and how would you go forward with a car like this? How concered would you be with the 1,000 miles of dealer/demo usage?

Wired 24/7

iTrader: (2)

Should probably be fine, if you're getting a good deal. After all, it will have warranty. Have the clutch and flywheel inspected though. Sounds like it's been on a few test drives...

You should also get an oil change, possibly replace differential and tranny fluid.

TK2005

That car isn't even broken in yet. If it has a navigation system in it, it is definitely a good deal. Well, to me it is. Some of the guys in here seem to be able to get amazing deals though. I guess if you live out in the woods and no one wants a Z but you then you can get a good deal.

Bleser

The car does not have nav. It has carpeted floor mats/trunk mat, aluminum kick plates, and painted splash gaurds. Pretty standard I guess.

You mention it isn't even broken in yet, but it has probably been driven like mad for the first 1,000 miles... so who knows.... which makes me

maxipad96

iTrader: (5)

How long do you plan on driving the car personally. I will only have this car for apx 70-90k miles. I don't see many MAJOR problems occuring in that time frame because of the first 1k put on it. I would get them down to whatever price you want on that one then pull a little switcharoo and say you want that price on one w/ 0 miles. After all, according to them they are both considered new and the same right? If they want your business, they will make this sale. If they seem tentative about it at first, be sure to calmly walk or at least start walking out of the dealership. They will change their tune. Make it seem like your ready to pull the trigger and then pull out at the last second because of your worries regarding a Z w/ 1k miles.

drivenCSZ

iTrader: (2)

well ill chime in here since i also bought a "dealer demo" or whatever you want to call it. My Z had 2500 miles on it, and it was never registered, but im not sure what the 4,000 mile point your refferring to. Im pretty sure my car was labeled as a dealer demo, however they touted the fact that it was never registered and thus i would be the first owner. With that said, i got a really great deal. I have 25k on my 03 now and i havent had had any more problems with it than anyone else on these boards. For all i know they could have drove the **** out of it during those first 2500 miles but i havent seen any long term effects. So my advice would be to inquire about why the wheels aren't 18's, because obviously it didnt come off the boat like that and to just find out a bit more about the car. But i dont think Id stress too much over it, you'll have the warranty also Id say to either try and get the price down below 30k or have them throw in an extended warranty as the deal closer. You could say something like "well your trying to sell me a new car but I didnt drive those first 1,xxx miles so how do I know that other dealer followed the nissan break in procedure correctly" and so on and so forth. then tell them youll buy it if they throw in an extended warranty. good luck, hope that helped.

Zcarboy

The reason they don't have the wheels maybe because they swap with another Z? It all depends on how much it bother you about having over 1,000 miles on it. If it was an auto with 1,000 miles I wouldn't think much about it, but a 6sp? Overall I think it a good deal really.

gdirty5

I thought all the models come with 18's...my friend got a enthu. with 18s so im pretty sure the Touring comes with it as well no matter if its Manual or AT

maxipad96

iTrader: (5)

Your friend w/ the entuis. got his 18's

Zcarboy

I think manual for sure should come with 18s except on base and maybe enth. Not talking roadster or 06 models here

namz111

I bought an 05 enth w/6sp and it has 17" wheels it had 35 miles on it i paid 28,890 has the kick plates carpet mats cargo net I thought it too was a great deal also had the 800.00 paint job

homiusang

iTrader: (3)

The reason it has 1000ish miles and still new is probably because someone who holds a higher position in the dealership (GM) has been driving the car for a little while.
All they need to do is put on a dealer plate and then drive the car everyday for fun/show off or whatever reason. After they are done with the car, they put it back to the dealerships and sell it as a "dealer's demo" or something like that.

My .02 cent

Bleser

Thanks for your thoughts. That is a great idea about the extended warranty. I wonder how much it is worth? It would be a great way to get that extra piece of mind.

Bleser

If you check out Nissan's Web site it lists that the automatic Touring models come with 17s standard and the 6-spd Touring comes with 18s.

I figure the 18s are worth about $2,000 MSRP. I came to this number by figuring out how much they charge for the automatic (configuring an enthusiast model), which is $1,000 more than the manual. Then they charge $1,1xx to get the 6spd over the automatic in the Touring car, but you also get 18s. So it is $1,000 cheaper to dump the auto, but still costs $1,1xx to upgrade to the 18s. Therefore the 18s should be worth about $2,000.

Right?

Bleser

I hope you are right, but the dealer refuses to call this car a "dealer demo." I would rather them just admit it and say some GM drove it than that it has 1,000 miles of test drives!

ken350z

iTrader: (2)

My 05 AT Touring came with "17 wheels as is said it should on the spec sheet.

I use the "17s for snow tires because at far as I know you can't get them on "18s.

twinship

iTrader: (3)

A few years from now, whether you paid a few hundered more or less for the car won't matter a bit. It's not worth stressing over.

If you can use the demo miles and 17' tires as leverage to get a free/discounted extended warranty thrown into the deal, that'd be gravy.

Just my $0.02.

Diesel350

iTrader: (6)

I would take no less than 30,000. The car is freaking used.

Z ish

I would pass on a car that has probably been driven very hard in a relatively short period of time

Masterfulks

I think I'd rather have a new Enthu with close to no miles for less cash.