Put yourself in this same situation even if you have already purchased your Z ....


A question for all.....If you were looking to buy a 350Z in August would you purchase an 03 or 04?? I feel that I can get a better deal on an 03 because of the new models coming out however I feel that since 03 was the first year of production on the Z that it may be worth getting the 04. Do you feel the recurring problems on the 03's.....ie...grease on the windows, seat movements, the BOSE issues...will be taken care of in the 04's so it would be worth spending a little more? Also the knee pads and electric doors for the NAV seem like good additions.... opinions please....

 

I would wait for the 04.The wait will be worth it.Trust me.

 

I'm in the same position. I'm going to get an '03. It's not like all the problems will magically go away with the first official '04 to roll out. The first '04 and the last '03 will be virtually identical. More important, WHEN was the car made. It seems that the first several thousand Z's were the most prone to the problems, including the tranny problem.

So...just look for a high VIN serial number (I am scoping for anything 10K or higher...the '03s still on the lot are in the teen K's) and you will be just as safe with an '03 as with an '04.

The '04 will have slightly better resale, but you should be able to compensate for that by saving on the initial purchase of the '03.

 

I am sort of in the same boat. I have not bought a Z yet, but I am sure I will. I just need to get a job first. Anyway, here are my thoughts...

If I get an 04 I would probably order it. This does three main things:

1) I can order exactly what I want, and only what I want.
2) I get an 04 over the 03. I realize that most of the problems are fixed for the last few 03 models on the lot (assuming they haven't been there for 8 months), but still, more improvements the better.
3) I can have time (2-3 extra months while being built and shipped) to save money for the down payment.

There are two reasons to get the 03. First, I need to say that I would only get what I want (colour and model) so if there isn't an 03 that I want, I'm not going to settle.

1) I could get it right away and start enjoying it the very next day.
2) I might be able to get a good deal on it, expecially if the 04 are already coming out.

I will just have to wait and see how the market is when I am ready to purchase.

 

I too was kinda in the same boat, but it seemed pretty hard to get an automatic 03 Daytona blue Enthusiast w/few to no options (no side airbags and no aero kit) around here. I ended up putting down a deposit on an 04 as my dealer will be getting one exactly like I want on Sept. 10th and he's not charging anymore for an 04 vs. an 03.

Too bad it means I gotta wait 2 months for my car. I kinda would like to have it now while the weather is still good up here.

 

After reading about the changes for '04, I think I would just get a late model '03 that is not affected by the early problems if you can get a great deal on one. I'm not tall and my leg never hits the console so the pad would be a waste, I cant subscribe to Sat radio here in Canada so that would be a waste, I did not get navi, so if the standard cubby does not have the motorized door, I'm no worse off. The only thing I may have gone for is Liquid Silver, but that is "late availability" anyway. The late '03's should not have any problems.

 

By all means, go with the '04. The '03 has been depreciating for almost a year now. At the time you buy it, the '04 will be worth more than the '03.

This seems trivial, but if you have an emergency and need to sell, you will regret buying the '03. Good luck.

Dan

 

Good feedback from all......Do you think that offering invoice price on an '03 at this time of year putting 15k down is reasonable??

keep the opinions coming....

 

Besides that 04 will have some problems of 03 fixed look at the residual value. That alone will give you at least couple of thou over 03 model.

 

I wish I could find a single dealer who was willing to sell an 03 for invoice. I was at one at the end of June and they insisted on MSRP. The best I've done in my area is $500 over invoice (I'm just gonna get the 04 which they're willing to do for the same price). The rest have wanted from a little more to a lot more.

 

I agree with bobbyz"...just get a late model '03 that is not affected by the early problems if you can get a great deal on one"and bshockley;"...could get it right away and start enjoying it the very next day.... might be able to get a good deal on it...".

Since there will be no major changes, why wait, enjoy the car now!

As far as the residual value, unless you're trading in a couple years, that shouldn't be a big issue. If it does, I'd wait til 2005!

eachtau, just buy the car and enjoy yourself TODAY. It's a fun car. Life is too short to worry about it!

Peace

 

Simple decission man, besides the few small problems that the 03 has, the 04 is the way to go. I went to buy an 03, I could not find the one with the options I wanted in Sunset Orange. Hey same price 03, 04 I just have to wait till Sept 16.

 

$500 over invoice price is the best deal I could find on an '03....I don't think they will do the same on an '04, but I havn't asked....

 

I would take whichever gives me the car I want at the least price.

As some above pointed out problems with the Z have been fixed as discovered.