I have been browsing the classifieds on this site and autotrader and I am baffled by the prices that most are asking for used 350's. Most people on this site are quite aware that new 04 base models can be had in the 25k range and enthusiasts in the high 26 perhaps. These prices would be with a little searching and haggling no doubt. Anyway what is my point? If anyone believes that they are not going to take a multi thousand dollar hit selling in the first twelve months, They are going to be running classified ads for a long time,Kelley blue book prices be damned. If you paid sticker plus 2k for an enthusiast, plus tax etc, your out the door price was probably in the 30k range. So be it. You are not going to get 25-28 for your car now, it doesn't matter what you owe or what you total of payments are. There are a sh**load of these things on the used market already and in the next 6 months to a year there will be that many more.
Also, your mods, however dear they are to you, do not add to the value of your car, you will not recover the costs in resale, and they will probably hurt your resale value. Paid 38k for a track model out the door. Put another 5k in mods into it. You would be lucky to get 28k for your 43k investment.
And why are so many selling so soon? I don't get it. The members on this site are generally more knowledgable buyers than average and I would assume they would understand that buying and then selling in a years time will hurt them much more than any internet bubble ever could.
Anyway, I'll wager $20 that I will own an '03 Daytona Blue track model with less than 20,000 miles in the next nine months for under 23k. Any takers, flamers, or educated replies? Obviously all this is my amateur opinion at best.

 

You'll get it, remember it's just a car, someone is always selling one, just wait for the right deal.

 

The object is to keep your car in pristine shape, the miles low, and you'll see some $$. Especially with the 2003 model. Its destined to be a classic...its the first year return of the Z car!!!

 

who was that post directed towards?

obviously... if someone has a set price in mind for their vehicle, they reserve the right to sell it at that price. Seriously, your post was meaningless... you wasted all that time and accomplished what? lol... these people kill me

 

Sir... put down the pipe.

Unless you come across a rare IDIOT a track won't be had for $23k retail.

Auction from trade-in maybe... who knows. Book is already holding fair value - even then why worry? At MSRP the car is an INCREDIBLE value, why worry about how cheap you'll find one?

 

What I don't understand is, why are you posting about it here? You're complaining about people wanting a decent amount of money on their car because the market is great right now for the Z. You sound bitter.

 

yes, I am bitter, not about prices, but because I just quit smoking. Second, I posted what I wanted to post, if you didn't like it mizer, I guess you wasted YOUR time. Three, the 2003 model year is not going to be classic in the sense that it commands higher retail prices. It probably will be the model year to avoid with all the early production niggles we read about so much. Anyway, I knew I would cause some tension with that post at the time and probably should have just shutup and stuck on another nicotine patch. And my numbers for obtaining a track model I stand by. I'll probably just buy new this month anyhow, I've waited long enuf. Deep down I love you all. Really. Great site and great members. I knew that post would inflame and I semi-apoligize for it.

 

Well, I could go the same route and tell you to re-read my post, because all I did was ask you a question, but, it was the way that I asked it that kind of irked you. You knew what kind of replies you'd get when you posted your question.

 

Soulswimmer, I actually liked your original post because I thought you made a good point, even though it came out of nowhere. (People often make the mistake of thinking that the asking price has something to do with what they put into the car.) But what I really liked was this line:

That was hilarious!

 

Rehobeth Beach eh? I drive through there every weekend. Say hi to the silver blur next week

 

soulswimmer,

It's just economics. The buyer and seller will have to "negotiate" a price that leaves both parties feeling they gained value from the exchange. You want to buy at 22K, the seller wants to sell at 30K. Why don't you offer the seller 25K. If he doesn't accept, that's fine too. The seller will be better off keeping the car and you may be better off buying something else. It's all about preceived value. You can't make someone sell you a car for less than what he wants. You can't fight Economics. Have you considered what dealers are selling a used 03 Z track? The private seller's price may be in fact the market price. Did you ask the seller to price the Z without the mods? He or she may be able sell the items here.

 

you'd be one lucky sob to find a good condition track in db for 23k. salvaged cars won't count but def. good luck!

 

The point is, some people will never get what they are asking because they are so clueless. You see it all the time: "I paid $X for the car, and put $Y into it, so I figure 0.75($X+$Y) is a fair price" (Sorry about the math.) Those numbers don't figure into it: market value is what people are paying for these cars. The money you put into it usually LOWERS the value of the car (I know it does for me when I am buying a used car; I want it stock)

That's all Soulswimmer was saying, and I agree completely. Of course you will have to negotiate a price, but it's just funny to see the crazy prices people are asking. That's all.

As for why so many are selling so soon, that is an interesting question. Is it more for the 350Z than other cars? If so, what does that mean; are a lot of people not happy with it?

(No flames please! I LOVE my Z! Just asking the question, is all.)