Hello everyone!

I have a chance to get either a brand new '06 Base Interlagos Fire 6 speed for ~$27,500 or an '03 fully loaded Touring Metallic White auto trans for ~ 26,000 The '03 has 20,000 miles on it.

I'm a complete newcomer to the "Z" . . . I've been doing a lot of reading and lurking, but not much else. It seems that the '03 had some kind of problems, probably because it was the first year? Both cars, of course, look great!

I'm having a hard time trying to make up my mind.

Can anyone with some experience help me out?


Thanks very much!

 

go new and haggle that price down....

 

I just bought an 03 touring a few months ago and I love it. Yeah it might have its problems here and there, but every car does. I got the touring because of all the options it came with. I am very happy with it.

 

I'd be inclined to go new, too, but the thing is, you're looking at two different models. Never mind the price or the new factor, what do you really want, auto or manual? Interlagos Fire or White? Leather or cloth?

Try to divorce price from the equation for a minute, and think about what features you really want to live with.

You could probably haggle both of those prices down some.

 

Some questions for you (brought up above already. Must have been posted when I was typing):

1) Do you prefer a manual or automatic? I personally wouldn't consider an automatic Z, but that's just my personal preference.

2) Do you really care about leather, etc. that the touring has? I personally didn't want it. I prefer the cloth seats better. I don't intend to drive my Z in the cold, so heated seats aren't a big deal. Reading several posts and hearing an 05 Bose system, I wasn't impressed at all. Could put a better system in pretty easily (well, there isn't a dash kit out for 06 that I know of yet........when there is, I will be upgrading my 06 stereo).

3) Is interlagos your first color choice? Since it's a higher cost paint, you could get a different color and save some money. I haven't seen it in person, but I think it looks very sharp in pics. I'm just curious what your first color choice would be.


I haven't even looked at pricing to see if those are in line, but those are the questions that immediately came to mind?

 

I am not a big fan of the touring options... esp the bose package (makes upgrading the stereo a pain... but if you are going to stay stock anyway it might be ok for you), and with the automatic you don't get vdc or the 18inch wheels. The 06 base got the HID's which is nice but it still lacks traction control (most people turn it off but I think its important to have when you aren't racing) and the LSD. I would say look at getting an 05 or 04 Enthusiast which can easly be found for 22-24k depending on miles and options.

 

Thanks for your replies, everyone!

What I was thinking was that there is a HUGE price difference between the "base" and the "touring" (or "grand touring") models, and it might be a good idea to purchase a used (but higher quality) car for about the same price.

New cars depreciate so rapidly that I'm almost afraid to get one!

But seriously, you guys are right in that I should set the price aside and consider exactly what I want, first of all. For example I don't really want automatic trans. Color is not that important, except I dont want black, etc.

OK then . . . I will focus on exactly what I want, even if it means waiting a little longer. I sure look forward to getting that car though, and I'll continue to lurk around here.

(I was just afraid that there were some serious problems with the '03s)

Thanks again

 

No problem. You mentioned $27,500 for a new base. Did that include your taxes, etc.? If it didn't, the invoice of an 06 Enthusiast 6MT isn't much more then 28K with the typical options (mats, guards, kick plates), but as you said, you need to figure out exactly what you want.

 

The dealer gave me an e-mail quote of $27,418 for the base model with Interlagos Fire paint, floor and trunk mats, aluminum kick plates, splash guards and the "cargo convenience" net.

This price included the $605 destination charge, but does not include the 6% NJ sales tax or registration fee, so I thought it wasn't too bad.

I could probably get them to come down on the '03 Touring a bit, but I don't think they will budge any lower on the '06. I personally lean towards the '06, but I think I'll wait it out and learn as much as I can from you guys here, before I do anything.

Joe

 

Including destination, that car has an invoice of $27,255. Looking at the deals people have made around here, there have been some that got theirs below invoice (getting into holdback and fpa).

An enthusiast with the same options, but any color but interlagos would have an invoice $28,106.

Good luck on your reseach and decision

 

I'd buy new but edge your budget up abit to get the Enthusiast; lots of goodies for only a few more $$$ then Base.

 

I like your attitude. One day you will visit the dealer and see a 350Z that you cannot resist. That is the car you will buy. It just happens that way.

 

+1 this man speaks the truth

 

The price seems a little bit high on the 06 base, and a LOOOOT high on the 03 touring.

You should be able to get an 03 touring with around the same miles for around 22-23k. There is actually an 03 black touring with a few extras thrown in listed a few posts down with 22,500 miles on it listed for 23k and most felt that was too high. I believe it's now listed at $21.5 for almost the exact same car with extras.

If the price is even close I would prefer the 06 myself by quite a bit. Buying a used 03 would only be an advantage if you're saving a lot.