minimus

I'm planning to buy a friend's 2 year old Black 2003 Track Model with an awesome aftermarket sound system. I've checked it out. It's in perfect condition and has ~8500 miles on it. I'm planning to buy if for a lil over $27K.

What do you guys think of this deal?

I didn't know about the tire feathering problem until I joined this forum recently, so I will be sure to check it out next time I see the car. His car was made in Fall of 2002, so it seems to me like it was an earlier 2003 model.

Any advice or suggestion on getting the Z with this deal over let's say: buying a new 2005 Enthusiast for little more with obviously more warranty, or my other possible option: a new G35Coupe for a few grand more.

I don't plan to use the car for racing of any sorts, or modding it much more; just for the daily commute with style. So is it possible that the Track is too much for me?

And for the those who know: What (if any) are the differences between the 2003/2004/2005 Track editions?

tjhands

I bought my 2003 Track model about 2 months ago and I loooooove it. It had 15,000 miles on it and I picked it up privately for $24,100. Your deal doesn't sound too bad for one with 8,000 on it. Check the Blue book or Edmund's and you'll see how underpriced it is compared to those sources.
Mine has some feathering on the fronts, but it'll make it to 20,000 before new tires are needed.....not bad compared to some people who've needed them after like 10,000 miles.
The Brembo brakes look kick-*** on the Track....I think yours doesn't sound like too bad of a deal....have you already haggled with the owner or is that his bottom line offer? You may be able to get him down a grand or so with a little savvy dealin'.
Let us know how it turns out!

sentry65

iTrader: (11)

just for reference, I traded a 2004.5 auto enthusiast for my 03 track model used from a dealer with 1468 miles on it in PERFECT condition, came with a bra (blah I know, but still was free), also got cargo net, side sills, and seat pouch (again, blah but free) for just under 30k

I am sooooo happy I got the track model, and also that it's an 03 - more mod friendly and never any question about warrenty covering tire feathering or other issues etc

I do miss the 2004.5 and 05 suspension, but that's getting replaced anyway...

The Brickyard Rat

iTrader: (1)

I'd go with a new 05 Enthusiast. new is always better and the guts of the Enthusiast (engine, drivetrain) are same as Track.

Plus your car would be two years newer (05 instead of 03).

As I'm typing, I'm thinking the 05 is a "no brainer" imo.

sentry65

iTrader: (11)

it's a no brainer if you don't want to reprogram the ECU, add in certain parts like I think I was told the JWT cams won't work with the 4.5 and higher models cause of how the ECU is locked and they can't raise the idle.

You can save a lot of money getting a 03 or 04. What exact advantage does the 05 have over the 04? none that I can think of. The track model and aniversary models would be the only 05's I'd ever consider. Also, the only other reason I'd look into an 05 is if I was getting an automatic because of the new revmatching feature (I haven't driven one to know if even that is worthwhile)

ANXIOUZ

iTrader: (13)

I have an 03 Track w/ around 9k miles now. I have aftermarket tires so I can't speak about the feathering....but I've had zero issues so far. And seeing those Brembo's poke out from behind some nice rims =

I think you should go for it. I'm going to have to spend a good deal of money to get a nice stereo installed soon. It looks like you won't have to worry about that part.

Does it still have the stock rims on it?

tractng

iTrader: (9)

sentry65,

Do you really get a big hit trading in your Z for another Z?

I want to trade my base in for a used convertible.

I am expecting a hit, but not sure what the range should be.

tony

minimus

Update. I got my Z yesterday. Oh man... it's soooo nice.

Here's a pic:

The Brickyard Rat

iTrader: (1)

Congrats!

sentry65

iTrader: (11)

well, when I traded in my auto Z I was leasing it - so I knew I was going to be in for a beating.

I got something like 25k for my trade in (5500 miles on it) and got the track model for just under 30k with 1468 miles on it

The other advantage I had sorta going for me was I could trade in my 2004.5's extended warrenty and get the used car extended warrenty for a lot less money than a new car warrenty (and this car in a way was in better shape than the one I was trading in) So I guess I took a 4k hit coming out of my lease -which i was happy just to do that!

Because I was trading in a 04 model and getting a 03 model I had a slight advantage trading in a current year car for last years car. But come on, the cars are the same pretty much. The things that ARE different are either minor things, or things I was going to change anyway.

Things I noticed going to the 03 coming from the 2004.5 was missing the seatbelt extenders, the dashboard cubby opened different (my 2004.5 one wouldn't open half the time and the 03 did - go figure)

biggest difference was the 03's suspension wasn't as nice, but I was planning on changing that anyway.


my payments went from $535 a month for a 4 year lease, to $649 a month for a 6 year buy.

I'm glad I went for the 03 - more mod friendly, less money than new. Already broken in. The previous owner babied the thing - I'll spare you the details, but he did

I was originally considering a 2004.5 base model for 26k but decided the extra 4k was worth getting the track model just for the brembos and wheels alone, but also factoring in the factory LSD, xenons, pedal covers, VDC etc - I went for it. I know a lot of that stuff I've changed already or will change soon, but I've been happy with it.

Since I'm somewhat knowledgable about nissan's issues with the Z, the dealerships give me absolutely no trouble at all with TSB's and tire feathering issues. They won't look for tire feathering on a 2004.5 cause it's considered to be "fixed" but they won't BS you if you have a 2003

ANXIOUZ

iTrader: (13)

I actually found the previous owner of my 03 Track. He said he got like $26-27k trade-in for the car (8k miles, aftermarket rims/tires) a few months ago. And he was just getting into a different color 03 (higher mileage I believe). That sounds a bit high to me though. But the right dealer can probably get you a decent trade-in if they're trying to rotate their stock.