notoriousbob

All,

Been lurking on here/shopping for a 350z for about three months. I'm pretty particular about what I'm looking for (<30k miles, 07/08, touring/grand touring, leather seats, navigation, little to no drivetrain mods). Unlike most people, I am also open to buying a vert, and, if the price was right, an automatic.

To dispel some of the stigma associated with a first post user, here's a little bit about myself. I've been involved in the Z scene since 2007 when I purchased a 1990 n/a z32. I've since rebuilt the VG30DE and replaced just about every other part on it. If you're involved in the Maryland/NOVA Z scene, we've probably met, or at least know some of the same people. So please know you are actually helping someone committed to the Z, who will be purchasing a 350, and who isn't just blowing smoke about his brother/cousin/father/uncle who "may be looking for one."

I've got a couple of questions about options that I don't think have been directly addressed, and I'm curious as to what people's opinions are.

What should I value the grand touring trim over the touring trim? The leather seats? The navigation?

I was quoted 23k+taxes+fees+shipping for a 2008 grand touring 6MT,leather,nav,stock vert with 11k miles. Is this a good place to start price-wise?

Thanks in advance for all your help,

-Bob

Note: I am replacing my DD, not my current Z, which is why my interest is in comfort/convenience options and not performance ones.

Deteria

iTrader: (2)

Not really a value issue, but it's more of if you can find a GT near you, if you are willing to travel far to get a GT (since they are rare), and how badly you'd want one.

I'd estimate that you'd be able to find an 07 GT with low mileage and clean title for ~ 23-24k OTD if not from CarMax (since you can't bargain on price w/ them).

Value of getting a GT over Touring is you'd be gaining Brembos and the Rays wheels if you get the coupe. If convertible, just Brembos. The diffusers aren't really seen, but not really a gain as far as deciding factor.

Navi are more common on GTs as far as when I searched for my Z, but they also can come on Touring models.

Personally I'd go for the coupe because they will come w/ the Rays, but that probably won't matter if you are changing wheels.

You may find that most dealers price the GT and Touring pretty close, so w/e you can strike a better deal getting. But if I coulda gotten a GT from the start, I would get that over the touring, even if it cost $1-2k more. Brembo swap + Rays wheels alone would cost you > $2k used.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Don't know. For black leather in July and August I would take cloth seats for sure. So leather is a deficit for me.

23000 is a bit dear. Offer 20700.

lgear080

iTrader: (21)

Sounds like a lot of money for a 5 year old car.

I think youd prefer a 370z... Have you test driven one?

Deteria

iTrader: (2)

It's good for us with the newer year model 350z Car be holding value

But yes... you could jump to a 370z...but a similarly equip 370z Sports / Touring / Navi is still going to be 5-10k more after tax depending on mileage. Easily 25-50% increased cost. Either way, I still think OP has made a smart choice going after a Touring or Grand Touring model.

Blu Hvn

iTrader: (1)

My first suggestion is confirm it is, in fact, a Grand Touring. Many times I've seen a Touring identified as a Grand Touring by dealers and private sellers.

lgear080

iTrader: (21)

There are a lot of 370s floating at $25k

Deteria

iTrader: (2)

There are, and they are base models no sport package. 370Z @ it's simplest form or super high mileage 09s.

MatadorZ33

I paid 21k+ taxes fees and shipping on my 08 GT 6spd nav coupe but it had 38k miles. However, it was certified by Nissan.

notoriousbob

Firstly, I want to thank you all for you responses and feedback so far.

A few conclusions I think I've come to so far. I'm not going to upvalue the nav and GT as much as I was. I don't really care about the GT wheels, and I can put in a nav and/or install the brembos on a touring. And while I was originally open minded, I don't think I can in good faith buy an auto.

As for the 370z... I don't really care for it. As someone into Z's, I can appreciate the retro styling. But it just isn't me. Maybe I'm just a model back on the Z, as it took the z34 to come out for me to finally look at moving up from my 32 to a 33.

Matador mentioned higher miles vs. Nissan certified. Do you guys think this is an appropriate tradeoff? Or does it depend on the situation? Also, where are these great deal verts that the dealer pushes on you that everyone is talking about! Also, I set out just to purchase a Z with as few miles as possible, but is there a sweet spot where mileage and value intersect?

Thanks again for participating in this dialogue, as I am very excited to not just buy a z33, but to buy the right z33!

-Bob

Edit: And to respond to lgear's question, no I have not test driven a 370z. My opinions on it thus far are based on its styling.

Deteria

iTrader: (2)

If $ isn't an issue, I'd say get a 370z Sports + Touring. You will find their transmission shifts much smoother and overall feels more refined.

As far as sticking with a 350z, I'm just gonna say to do a GT conversion (Brembos + Rays), it will cost you ~ 2-3k for used Brembos + Calipers + Wheels + tires. So obviously if you want to go with stock look, it's cheaper to get a GT from the start. If you want other wheels and are upgrading brakes, then obviously getting a GT doesn't matter. If you just want Brembos, they cost ~ $1k used and you have to get rotors on top of that + fluids or what not. Pricing difference between GT and Touring is maybe 1-2k.

And if you are putting an aftermarket double din HU, then you can get by w/out a factory nav, or have 2 navs, which I find to be a convenience.

Mileage is up to you. I've read the VQ35DEs can last 200k miles, however I don't think anyone has gone that far on a VQ35HR yet (07-09) but I wouldn't doubt it (being a better motor). But if you can get a real low mileage Z, then it's like getting a new car so wouldn't hurt.

notoriousbob

Now is when stuff gets tricky. I found not quite the right car for the right price.

Found a 2007 touring coupe with 27k miles for 16k.

But it's an A/T, and doesn't have the options I want. I feel extra silly for writing about how I cannot in good faith buy an A/T the other day. Apparently that probably wasn't true. I'm at least going to check it out. I'll keep everyone posted as to what transcribes.

Also, I went by a dealership earlier today to give the 370z a chance in person. Still wasn't really feeling the looks. I did give them my contact info and asked them to keep me posted about 350 trade-ins and whatnot though.

As always, advice/feedback welcome!

-Bob

notoriousbob

All,

Here for a quick update. Checked out the 2007 Black auto for 16k. Don't think I'm gonna pull the trigger on it. There was a bit of rash on the front passenger wheel, the back bumper was scratched, and the front bumper was scratched. Also, I don't think the 30k was done yet. Note: The owner was a very nice guy and had not been deceptive about any of these things or the condition of the car in general.

But for me, to get the car in the condition I want, I'd all of a sudden be looking at quite a bit more than 16k. And then I'd be buying a 350 with basically none of the options that I want, for a price I could probably find one with the stuff I want.

At any rate, I'm pretty sure he'll be able to get his asking price, so I told him not to wait up for me.

And so, the search continues.

-Bob

Deteria

iTrader: (2)

I would advise not getting an auto unless your wife/shuggamama is the one buying the car for you and has the say in what you getting, or you are sharing the car with the wife/shuggamama and they dunno how to drive 6MT.

notoriousbob

All,

Going with Deteria's advice and completely eliminating autos from my search. I've also come to the conclusion that getting a Z with a factory navi is incredibly impractical. I've linked some Z's below that I am currently internet fawning over. As always, feedback is welcome -- especially about the pricing. I cannot thank the members here enough for the help given so far allowing me to fine tune my search.

-Bob

Next up:

2006 touring, black, 29.5k miles, listed at $17k
link on craigslist

2007 touring, sm blue, 24k miles, listed at $21.5k
link on autotrader

2008 touring, nogaro red, 46k miles, listed at $19.8k, possibly a "no haggle" price
link at the dealership

2008 touring, nogaro red, 27k miles, listed at $21.7k
link to autotrader page

2008 touring, silver, 19k miles, listed at 21.6k.
has a ridiculous wing that would need to be dealt with before I could ethically allow myself to drive the car.
link to autotrader page

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Lots of choices here. Geebus pick one and go get it.

notoriousbob

I will try to view/haggle over as many as I can in the next coming days. And I know that the folks on here are extraordinary knowledgeable when it comes to things like first offer, and what the actual market value of the car is. I'm excited, and I would have loved to just grab the first one I test drove. But one of my regrets on my first Z was that I did not do my due diligence prior to picking one.

That said, I am hoping to have this done within the next week and a half or so.

Anyways, let me vent for a second. Just got off the phone with "Frederick Nissan" in Frederick, MD. I'm using the quotes, because I think I was actually talking with some call center person. The person kept trying to get me to "schedule an appointment so they could find the right car for me in person." And I keep asking point blank that I am interested in the 350z, and I wanted to know what they were pricing it at, what the trans was, etc etc. And finally, I get it out of her that she has no idea about that car, or any car at the dealership. And I am telling her that I am looking for a very specific car, only that 350, and I just want information about that car, and can she transfer me to a salesperson or specialist who does have that information. But she STILL tries to pitch me. ("What you're looking for, is the best model car for you, at the lowest cost, right?") So I again clarify that I am only interested in that 350z. And I mention prior communication that I had with one of their sales managers, and she has no idea who he is. That's really when I suspected it was some call center crap. Anyways, it left a really sour taste in my mouth. That's all.

-Bob

Deteria

iTrader: (2)

Silver one is an auto. San Marino Blue and the Red ones look good. Now pick a color and time to have fun