Can't decide! HELP!!!
 

Hello everyone! I am a newbie on this website as I am about to purchase my first Z. I consider it a major upgrade from my 2008 Altima 3.5 SE. I am interested in 2 Zs for sale in my area. One is a 2007 Grand Touring Roadster with 25,000 miles on it with manual T with many bells and whistles such a navigation system, premium sound etc. Its a convertible of course (yes a newbie) and black on black. The other is a 2009 Coupe (not sure of the model) which was a demo at a dealer with 6,000 miles on it, also manual and red. They are both the same price. I know a lot is based on personal opinion but for those who have a convertible, is it better or worse than a coupe? That is really my major issue as I would rather have a convertible. I also really want the Nav system. But would I be better off with the newer 09 with less miles? Thanks for any help and opinions you can provide. I'm so glad I found this site. It's great and I know I'll be utilizing it even more when I get my Z which ever model I choose. Thanks!

u want a convertible? get the convertible! nothing wrong with it not better or worse but sexier imho

if I am not mistaken, there is no 2009 350z.... for the '09 mode yr, they have the new 370z.

If it is between an '08 in any trim/model (yes, even the nismo) and the 2009 370Z, only a fool would get the 08. The 370Z is superior in almost every single way to the 350Z

You need to know which model Z you are talking about when you are shopping. Don't let dealer's pull the wool over your eyes. Do your homework so you know the difference between models. Too many people come to this site, like you have, and end up overpaying for a base model and complaining that it doesn't have a good stereo, a limited slip differential, etc., even though the dealer had it listed as an "xyz" (touring, grand touring, etc.) model.

Don't buy until you can get an A+ in 350Z class. I can already see an issue with you not knowing what 09' you are looking at, however, the 08' ZR is a good car. As an aside, without you sharing the pricing, there's no way for us to tell if it's a good deal or not. If you are within $2k of the dealer's asking price, you are not getting a good deal.

You're right Zivman...my bad...370Z. Thanks for the advice!

Definitely get the 370Z. Looks are subjective, but the 370 is better where it counts... more power and VASTLY better interior. Just make sure it has the sports package. The rev match and VSLD are worth the money

Thanks scotts300! Your advice is very helpful. The Z's are at 1 dealer and they're asking around 25k for each. I have not seen the the '09 370z (not '09 350z...my bad) but will check it out in a few days at which time I'll know the model and more details and will take it for a test ride. Sorry for the newbie ?s. Right now I grappling with whether or not I want a convertible and it's pros and cons.

My pleasure. Dealers screw over the unknowing, and I've dealt with them so many times before that I've learned to love when they say, "we'd lose money at that price". Seriously, go to each dealership, take pictures of each vehicle to confirm what model it is, and don't make any offer. Make them show their cards, meaning, see what price they'll go to without your commitment, and write it down so that when you return you can START there and go lower. Read all you can at www.edmunds.com using their "True Market Value" once you are sure what model it is, go from there and report back. Happy shopping!

09 370Z any given day especially for $25K range.. 2005 convertibles are going in 16-18K range.. and if you go with 350Z in a couple of years the value will come down drastically..

i Have an 07 touring w/Nav and i must say it's pretty sweet.

More info on choices!
 

Hi All,
First I want to thank you all for the suggestions, advice and opinions. It's all very helpful. I have some more info and could use any more advice and opinions you may have. The '09 370z is the base model, has 6,000 miles on it, red, and was a dealer demo car. They're asking $25,300 for it. The '07 350z is a Grand Touring Roadster, has 25,310 miles on it, black, was commercially leased and has many added options such as Navigation, Bose Premium Sound, etc and it's a convertible which I prefer. Car Fax report no issues. They're asking $25,987 for that. Both cars are manual trans. Hope that helps in helping me make a decision. I plan to take both for test drives early next week. Thanks so much for any advice you can give.

I would still get the 370z. spend a few hundred bucks and get an LSD

LSD?
 

Thanks Zivman! Sorry...but what is LSD?

Limited slip diff ;)

Thanks TF! Any thoughts as to my decision?

You really need to drive them both to help you decide. You like the ZR, and that's awesome (we love ours too), but the Z34 (370) is a different car that you really have to drive to compare it. If you are looking for the car to be a fun commuter, you won't miss the LSD.

Pricing on the 09' is going to be hard because used values for it really aren't out yet. Does it have any options?

S01 Sport Package
K96 Aero Package
B95 Painted Splash Guards (typically added)
P93 Illuminated Kick Plates
L92 Carpeted Floor Mats (typically added)
T94 Carpeted Trunk Mat (typically added)

ASSUMING it has the 3 typically added options, the invoice on that car WHEN NEW is just over $29k, and people are paying just over invoice, in general, for the base model 370Z. I'd certainly confirm there is a Nissan stamp in the service book showing that the oil was changed at the dealership.

The ZR could be a touring or grand touring, and their prices are about $1500 apart from one another. Also, is it a certified vehicle? Does it have 18" wheels, leather, gold Brembo brakes? Hard to know if their asking price is within reason without knowing the model and if it's certified or not. You could likely score a great deal on either car. The 370 because it's a BASE and it's USED, and the 350 because it's almost winter and it's a convertible, and that it's the older model of the Z-car. It's highly likely, however, that both cars are grossly overpriced as-stated.

Can you post a link to each car? In the end, like I said, you need to drive both cars and THEN LEAVE the dealership to think about it and come back here with your impressions.

Thanks scotts300!
 

Thanks very much scotts300! Your advice was extremely helpful. I don't have a link for the 370z but I do for the 350z. Here it is! What do you think?

http://usedcars.kbb.com/detail/cars/...&kbb_zip=06247

Like I said to look for, that car is a TOURING, not a GRAND Touring. It doesn't have the Brembo brakes nor the 18/19" wheel combination that's standard on the coupe and convertible Grand Touring models. They may have done that on purpose, knowing Nissan dealerships, or they simply don't know (and it's your job to point it out to them when you make an offer and they say the offer is too low). The book value delta between the touring and grand touring, with all things held equal, is $1500.

After you drive both cars, if you decide you like the ZR, I'd offer $22k and hold tight under $23k.

Thanks again scotts300! Excellent advice which I will use next week! Any thoughts as to the condition of the 350zr knowing it was a commercially leased car...i.e. good or bad or indifferent?

Hard to tell with those small pics, but it looks clean. Lease should be ok, although I'd ask for the stock shift knob back (they likely charged the leaser a fee since they didn't return it with the stock knob). It's still under the full warranty, so even minor complaints should be handled under the 3/36 if there are any.

Isn't the 370 at a dealership? How can't there be an ad for it at the dealer's website?