Hello all,
I am stuck on a decision whether to buy a 350Z I found in MI. First off I'll start of by saying this would be my third car purchasing and I am still a college student about to graduate next year. My bargaining skills are not strong and I feel as I am not going to get the same amount of respect as a middle aged person. I really fell in love with this one and even though I drive a rather dependable Mazda 3 I would love to own a convertible sports car. My experience with dealers has been poor at best, but I learned from my mistakes and I am really trying not to get screwed on this one. I would post a link, but since the dealer is holding it for me it has been taken off online.

Basic Info:
2004 350Z Touring(convertible), already installed CAI, 6 speed. Besides CAI everything as far as I know is stock. 50200 miles on the car. CARFAX only shows a single minor accident and the car does not show any cosmetic damage where it happened.

Problem:
My friend and I test drove it and found that it grinds from 5th into 6th. Bad synchronizer. The dealer said they would repair it by putting a new transmission in. The tranny they are putting in, is from same year Z(not as strong as '08 tranny) and it has 60XXX miles already on it.

Price:
Originally this car was listed at 14900, now they are raising it 500 dollars. The only warranty on the tranny is 90 days(no mileage restrictions), and a year warranty would cost another 300 dollars.

Dealer:

I told him that I would like the year warranty at no extra charge, he came back to me saying the original price was 17XXX dollars for the car(has been on the lot since jan.). He also said the tranny cost them 1400 dollars(not sure if ******** or for real). He also told me that there are other people inquiring about the car and that is why I put a 500 dollar deposit.

Question:

From talking to pretty much everyone I know who knows anything about cars the responses I get are torn. I realize it is a risk, which is where you guys come in. I would like to get more opinions on this dilemma and any suggestions if I have some bargaining power over the price. Once the new transmission is installed of course I would test drive it again, but for right now I would like to get some opinions.

Thank you all in ahead for reading this, its a mouth-full, but I hope you guys will help me out!

P.S. I would not hold anybody responsible for anything, so please feel free to give me all of your thoughts and comments.

EDIT: This is a ford dealer with a used car lot all connected.

 

I call ******** on that dealer completely, if there's problems with the transmission they should replace it at no cost, not jack up the price. Also that **** about other people inquiring is probably a lie to make you pay for it.

If you want to be completely happy with a Track, the brembos really make the difference (don't think Tourings have brembos do they?)

Anyways if you wanted you could find an 07-08 for maybe 1-3k more if you're patient enough.

If dealing with salesman is your only option be aggressive and don't let them raise the price. If you don't like the deal they're throwing at you just tell them you're leaving because they're trained to believe that you aren't going to come back.

My opinion! Good luck!

 

Make sure the new transmission is model CD009 (this means revision #9). Anything but that exact model should be unacceptable.

I cannot help you with your lack of negotiation skills. It can be like a game of poker . . . the dealer could be bluffing.

Good luck.

 

Correct me if I am wrong but don't CD009 come from 2008 cars? Thats why I am so torn, since this is out of 2004 and it has 10k miles more than this car.

BTW, thanks for the quick replies.

 

i feel that you should honestly wait. I rushed my z cause i wanted it right away and ended up having to throw money into it when i just thought it was a little fix. If the dealership doesnt want to give you a new trans i say f them. If you are willing to drive a little expand your search to a few states around you. You will open up a lot more options for yourself.

but goodluck with it anyways

 

You are putting your hard saved money into a vehicle. Wait until they give you what you want or wait until you find another car that is what you want. You already know you are getting a 350z, and there doesn't seem to be anything special about this particular one except a possibly bogus transmission. Going to be plenty of other cars for sale, why rush it?

 

I am not sure when the CD009 came out . . . but it is the one and only model transmission that you want.
.

.

 

Not true. 18 or 68 makes little difference. Sellers respect money not age. If you visit the seller with a roll of $100 bills in your pocket, and you are a buyer not a window shopper, you have the sellers attention and respect.

Sellers want two things: money and now. You can fulfill these needs with a simple offer:

I will give you $$$ for this car today.

 

Keep searching

 

Only dilemma here is the one that you created. Pass on a 350Z with transmission or other serious problems. Once you fix your eyes on one must-have Z you are in trouble. There is no one must-have Z.

Any used vehicle carries potential risk. Pass on a vehicle with know problems.

 

OP pass on the Z without even thinking. I also live in michigan, and know it's not exactly easy to find a Z you want. But if you wait it can be done. I shopped for a year to get mine, eventually I found one in Ohio, (4 hr drive one way). If your buying a car, a day to drive there and back is worth it. I bought an 05 touring 6spd for 14,000 before taxes and **** that had 25,070 miles and only had a key job on one side,(which my dealer in MI would fix for $575). These guys are dicks and are ripping you off.

I've called lots a dealers and had many a-h0les pull crap. There are better deals, and some that can even be found in MI. That Z with a tranny with no issues isn't worth 17,000 with a warranty. Like some ppl said, you can have a 07+ a few g's more. Hell i saw one in chicago that was an black 08 6 spd burnt orange interior Z for 19,000 with a warranty. Wait and you'll be happy.

 

Pass it up. Don't set your heart on anything too soon= rule #1. Look around autotrader or carmax.com. Carmax can ship a car to you also. You can always make a short 2-3hr drive outside your area to see a nice Z. Well worth the trip if it's in better shape.

 

I used to work at a dealership and quit because of how I had to interact with customers. first off, they misrepresent interest to get a deposit. we were to sell as if they were going to buy today. if we didnt sell the car that day we were scrutinized. secondly, there is more markup or gross profit in used cars (remember that). lets say they have $500 gross on a NEW fiesta. You can bet the Z was a trade in, and I can tell you why it was traded in (synchro problem).

Lastly, I would buy a "front line" car. stay away from gimmicks like value or pre auction vehicles. we would let these cars run for about 30 mins before appoimtments because... there were issues with them as they were taken in on trade.

I lied, last thing dont listen to their finance manager. his job is to sell financial products such as warranties (yes in some cases this can be good). what they dont tell you is how they marked up your interest rate by 2%. we serioualy did this on every deal and it made me sick.

 

Well, thank you so much for all of your input. My first car I f'ed up on and the forums helped me so I am going to take your suggestions to heart. express01 thanks for the info, I have been financing my cars through my credit union so far and am planning on doing that for as long as possible. What my gameplan as of right now is that I will have them put that tranny in, try to work them blah, blah blah, I'm not gonna get the car but rather just have fun with them. Sorry I just do not like dealers(please don't take offence). I have drastically increased my searches on car websites from 250 miles to continental US and found one that looks legit. It is a private seller but they are FAR away, I'm talking 1k miles..ROADTRIP

Once again, thank you for all the insight.

 

How about paying cash for cars. No payments. That would be cool.

 

I honestly hate dealers after working at two of the largest in my state. I would have any car youre interested in checked out by a mechanic. most private sales are as is.

I would steer clear of that dealer. that transmission problem is something that shouldve been disclosed. im willing to bet they are making at least 2k on the z. remember the sales "consultant" is getting 20-30% of that.

I actually bought my z from a dealer, my sales person knew I worked for a competitor and didnt give me the run around. just do your research on the vehicle before you even go in.

 

Paying cash doesnt build credit. and credit unions generally offer the lowest rates. and the dealer gets money if you let them find you financing.

 

Like I said, I'm still in college, paying for everything for myself(no parents). So cash flow is not huge, but enough to afford a 300 dollar or so payment, it's just I'm paying that right now, but I would have a Z instead of a Mazda 3. Now in a year it's a whole new ball game(depending on the student loan payments), I might just try and save up as much as possible and pay it off with in the next two to three years.

 

have you checked on the insurance for a z? could change your mind after that

 

yes, the funny thing is it would only be 5 bucks more per month then the mazda, with comprehensive and collision