So the time has almost come, after four years of drooling over the 350Z...I have been given a budget (from the wife) lol of $20K to buy a used 350Z. My personal color of choice would have to be the LeMans Sunset, closest 1 I found was a 10hr drive away in Ga, 55k Miles, wants $19k for an '03 LMS. 2nd Choice of color is PPW, closest is In Ohio, '03 with about 70k in miles, wants hi $18k for it. Then last nite, I found one at a local dealer, its my 3rd color of Choice, Brickyard...but Local dealer wants asking price of $22.5k, he's gotta be dreaming, its an '03 and has 60k miles on it. Pics of it look mint online, has the white interior, i'm working on getting out to the dealer tonite to take a look at it. Trade in value on the BY Z is $17k, KBB rrp is $20,050. I was thinking an asking price of $19k would be fair right?

However, I really dont have anything to put down, and would be financing it for atleast 72mths.

I've heard of some of the 'teething' problems with the 03/04 models, that doesnt bother me too much, the 60k in miles does somewhat. The wife has her Minivan (05 quest) and is cool w/me getting a Z. It will be my daily driver.

so, is $19k a fair asking price, or should I haggle some more?

btw, all the Z's I mentioned above are the "enthusiast" trim level

and the 6 speed transmission is a Must

any input would be appreciated

Gav.

 

Depends on the model.....Is it a track, touring, enthus or base.

I would also run a carfax before buying any used cars. See the history.

Also, considering many 03, 04's had transmission problems...I would also look into if the following cars your interested in had a tranny replacements.

 

hmm i bought my 2004.5 with 15k miles (enthusiast) this january for 19.5 from a used car dealer... bargained him down from 23k

 

You should be able to easily find a low miles Z for that. Check you local CarMax dealership.

 

wow Kabs, thats a pretty good deal, btw...your Pioneer Stereo is very nice, I just googled it, Love pioneer car audio

 

Dont buy an 03 model!

 

Are the '03 Models that bad?

I mean, if you were one of the 1st original owners of a 2002 bought '03 model, how many still actually own the original car?

I know alot of 1st year model vehicles have issues, but is the '03 really such a dog/lemon?

I've read on this forum of various issues for the 03/04 Z, is the consensus on the board's to stay away from used '03's completley. I am convinced of staying away from salvage/rebuild title 350z's after reading numerous thread's on that subject...but I am after all on a budget.

And the '03's are 3-4k on avg cheaper than an '04.

 

June 2002! You have been a formum member since Christ was a corporal. Newbees should be asking you for pricing advise.

 

Dave, im a long time member, but I hardly post...in saying that I dont come to the board that often unless im bored or wanting to buy a Z .

and most of the time im looking at the off topic/lounge

 

Sir, you sound poor. You should wait til the price drops further or until the 2004.5+ prices drop to your budget. You do not want to deal with the 03 problems. You do not want to buy new expensive tires more often then should have to.

Most importantly, if you really want one that bad, which I'm sure you do (2002 Membership) then save a large down payment until your payments are so little, it won't impact you in a big way, where you have to take a 72 month loan. Save a down payment of half the price.

I love the Z too. I purchased a new 05 Enthusiast, had it for 9 months, and decided to give it up in Sept. 2005 since the payments were having a big impact on me. And, I'm still on the forums almost everday. I am poor too. I plan to rebuy used when I can afford to put down 50-75% down payment.

 

I'm not poor, I've got a mortgage, 3 kids & a wife...there's a difference.

 

2k over trade in price is very fair... thats more than they make on new cars... if they want to move it they will take that offer.

 

how much did you loose in selling you car after 9 months? id assume it drops in value a lot in the first year or 2

 

I recently traded in a 2003 DB Performance model with 18,000 miles. The dealership was in turn selling it for $22,500, which gave them plenty of room for profit. They gave me $19,000 on the trade but also reduced the price on a brand new '05 Touring ZR by approximately $7,000. So, in a round about way I think $22,000 or more for something with 60,000+ miles is too much money. Look around, there are plenty of us Northerners who can only drive the car 6 months a year and don't crank up the miles. A road trip might be in order for you!

 

Sorry for the late reply. I lost $6 G's including tax. I only put 2000 miles on the car too. It wasn't my daily driver. I have an 01 accord coupe v6.

 

ouch, what a losss! freaking cars are the worst investment.. i feel ur pain