Here's the deal guys... Dealerships suck! Ha, go figure. Anyway, I went and test drove two 350's today... Here's a breakdown of them, and I need some price opinions here...

#1
2003 350z Touring Pearl White Automatic $14988
71,736 Miles
Crack all the way through the windshield [said they were replacing that this coming monday.]
Has the frost leather.
Has a clear bra that seems in good condition.
The mudguar on left front was cracked this morning, said he would put it back on. Dunno if he is gonna fix it?
Two small, very minor dents on back trunk lid.
Small dent/scrape on front bumper towards bottom right corner, not that noticeable.
It drives nice, shifts nice. The leather is in pretty good condition, one small tear on the side.

#2
2003 350z Base Pearl White Automatic $12988
87032
Kenwood CD Player
Exterior was nice, nothing visible.
Black interior looked in good condition.
When driving it was a little stiffer and bumpier.
Darker tinted windows. But looked like a weird cheap tint that was bluish on the inside.

So that's about it... I'm not worried about modding out or totally messing with the car. I may eventually get different rims, darker tint, and maybe a body kit and a different exhaust, but nothing crazy major. I currently drive a 2007 Honda Civic LX Sedan and they said they could give me "around" 13 for it but they wanted to see it again in person [the main guy wasn't there today]. That's that. I looked up KBB prices, and they're wanting quite a bit more than what #1 car is worth. I think I like #1 better because of the lesser miles. Anyway, opinions would be appreciated!!

 

High mileage, those cars are overpriced maybe it's just the area you live in

 

I would get #1 and just fix the issues. maybe see if theyll drop the price a little more

 

#2 can't be a Base. Base only comes with manual.

They should replace the mud guard outright IMO. I don't know about pricing but it's a buyers market, maybe they throw in extended warranty if it doesnt already have it. In the higher mileages clutch, transmission could be problems.

 

Sound like you should be around $13,000 for either one....(somewhat depending on the market in your area)

 

Private Party Value #1
Excellent Condition: 13,600
Good Condition: 12,800
Fair Condition: 11,750

Trade In Value #1
Excellent Condition: 11,325
Good Condition: 10,600
Fair Condition: 9,425

Suggested Retail #1: 16,000

Private Party Value #2 (I figured out it is an Enthusiast)
Excellent Condition: 11,185
Good Condition: 10,435
Fair Condition: 9,410

Trade-In Value #2
Excellent Condition: 9,100
Good Condition: 8,425
Fair Condition: 7,300

Suggested Retail #2: 13,535

I am in Norman Oklahoma, so I would think prices should be cheap here. They are a family-owned place so that may have something to do with the price. They're supposed to call me back on Monday. I think both cars are over-priced by at least $1500-$2000. But how do you tell them that? lol.

 

You don't. You just say:

I will give you blank for this car today.

 

Even if I'm trying to trade in?
That's the problem.
They're going to try to give me around 13 for my car (pay off is like 14.7 or so), and I'm not wanting to have to pay off some of my Civic.
What I was hoping to do with them is say, hey, you want too much for your car, I need at least 15.6 for mine, and it all kinda evens out.

That almost soudns stupid... But it could work. I'm sure they'd be making quite a off of their 350z and they could sell my car for around that same price. So idk.

 

Yes. The purchase and trade in are separate transactions. Negotiate them separately. Fix the price on one before moving to the other.

You are short $1,700 for the Civic? They will roll the $1,700 into the 350Z loan.

 

Oh I see! That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the info.
How should I start out?
Should I aim a little lower than what I actually want to pay for their car? That way they think they're talking me up?

 

You'll do fine on the 350Z. The Civic is where you will get hurt. You are upside-down. You are operating from a position of weakness not one of strength. They have the Z AND the money.

 

True. We'll see.. Maybe they won't try to screw me over too much...

 

I don't think either of these cars sound like a great buy. At this point, I wouldn't pay any more for either of then than the private party "fair" condition price. It is in the middle of winter. You like in Oklahoma where everything is iced over, and the economy and car market at at a 3 decade low.

Your best bet it to hang on to your Honda and pay it off. If you really have to buy a car, then pay off your Honda first, then sell it privately. Once you have the Honda sold, then make a cash offer on the Z but start out at the "trade in" value and work up from there.

 

Well I figured out today that I owe less on my Honda than I expected, so I can sell it now for $14.6 and that'll get payoff. The is much closer ($100 off) to the KBB value. Hopefully I'll have more luck selling it, and I have quite a few interests on Ebay.

As far as the 350z with 71,000 miles, I did an autocheck and it has a high rating and three previous owners. It looks like it was shipped to the dealer 7/27/2002, 10/2/2002 Title, and the first registration event/renewal 9/30/2003 and Title on the same day. Then it says Reported at Auto Auction on 12/15/2005 with 21,640 miles, 1/26/2006 Reported as Fleet/Lease, 1/31/2006 Title, 3/01/2006 22,341 miles Title, 3/01/2006 Registration Renewal, 3/06/2007 Registration Renewal, 2/08/2008 Registration Renewal, 5/20/2008 Registration Renewal.

So the car rates an 88, and like cars rate from 77-87, so its a little above average. No wrecks of any sort reported or damage, everything else checks out. I don't feel like the car has been driven hard, obviously I need to find a mechanic for that. So any suggestions/comments would help me out here!

 

Well I went to take a look at the car again [they wanted to see my Civic], and he came down to 14.5 for the car. Which is still WAY too high. I didn't have to talk him down, he just jumped. The original price was 14,988. But he only wants to give me 11.7 for my car. However, I have someone else interested in it. So I've decided to just wait and let him keep the car for another few weeks and then return hopefully with my Civic sold. We'll see!

 

Sounds like a good plan. Sell that Civic. In the mean time you can drive the FWD car for a while longer in the winter.

 

17,599 is what we're selling a touring roadster 04 for, vehicle only has 28K so seeing that these vehicles have near triple the mileage, I think they're asking too much.

 

Yeah they're asking too much. Unsure why, they've had the car over 3 months now.
Anyway, I've found something else to go take a look at:

2005 Nissan 350z Track Model
-Daytona Blue
-51,000 Miles
-M/T
-Leather Interior (black & blue leather)
-JVC/Infinity/Kenwood Custom Stereo
-Brembo Brakes and Rays 1-Piece Forged Racing Wheels
-He has said: "The car has had no transmission issues at all. Warranty work done at Bob Howard Nissan in Edmond included: realignment and tire replacement for a tire feathering issue around 7,000 miles, a new fuel line replaced under a recall, and a replacement of the power window motors.
Everything in the car functions as new. It had a new battery replaced at around 38,000 miles and other than that just routine maintenance done at suggested intervals. The tires are Nitto 555's and have 15,000 miles on them...still a ton of tread. The inside of the car looks brand new. The exterior has a few tiny dings (right rear wheel well arch) and rock chips and scratches."
-Comes with original stock stereo (plus the installed one), Still Custom Fitted Car Cover, and a K&N Aircharger Intake.
-Car checks out on Autocheck, nothing reported, has had two owners, one from brand new to 6k, and then this guy from 8k to 50k.
-Great Price of: 14,200.
-Here's a pic:


What do you guys think about this one? I like the mileage, and price better already. This guy has had his car for sale for 3-4 months also, listed it on ebay twice, and just now lowered his price to this range. Before it was 16k.

 

Very good price... I'd try and get it even lower... I'd offer something like 13k cash for his and see what he does... remember, it's a BUYERS MARKET!

 

Alright, thanks for the advice! We'll see what happens this weekend!
Man, I'm excited. Haha.