Buy a 2013 or a 2014 model?
 

Hey guys,
I'm just about to buy my first 370z, but I am facing a dilemma. After a lot of searching online, I can get a 2013 model or I can buy a 2014 with everything I want except for the desired body color.

But here's what's weird - the difference in price is ~$600 between the two. That seems a little high for the 2013 model and makes me inclined to buy the latest and greatest. I know they dropped the base price by ~$3,000 for 2014, but that still seems pretty high for what's last year's model just collecting dust in someone's car lot.

But then I've read that the Tokyo Motor Show is next week and Nissan will unveil the next generation body type. So ruthless cheapskate that I am when it comes to major purchases like this, I'm planning on waiting to see what it looks like and what its specs are before pulling the trigger. After all, what's another week after waiting this long?

Am I crazy? Let me know. My guess is that there ought to be at least a $2K-$3K difference between buying a current model and the previous year's.

I'm in same boat as you makes sense to go 2014 new with the price drop. But now waiting to see the new Z. It would give me a year to save more if they decide to make it more upscale. If they downgrade it BRZ levels then will just get the 14 now

This is what's been keeping me from even modding my car at all. I'm waiting until the Tokyo motor show to see if I should keep the cash for a down payment or continue with the mod list.

But if it were a 13 - 14 deal, I'd take the '14, even if just for a $600 difference. Doesn't matter when the vehicle was titled. If it is a '13, it has already depreciated by just that much more. The latest model year for negligible cost difference is that way to go just in case you decide to sell it.

I had the same dilemma
 

Soon we'll have some idea what's coming. The ONLY reason I just bought my used 2012 was cause it had only 1k mileage & a good price. So if the new one will end up being something real good, I can always trade it in the second year of it's introduction. If it's a 4 cyl. & nothing for me, I'll stay with my 2012. Oil cooler & fangs :) I think it's the best 370 year, just my thinking.

Thanks guys! We'll see what the 370z will be soon enough.

I'm anxious to see what the new body style etc brings myself but that didn't stop me from buying a 2014. Fantastic deal on a fantastic car! It'll take Nissan a couple years to sort everything out on the new model anyway and it'll be time for a trade at that point.

if you are thinking about buying a 2015 with a new body style, i suggest don't spend your money on new one, get you a clean 12-13 low miles that someone else paid for depreciation, then keep it for a few years and go from there, the car should not depreciate as much by then if you decide to sell it and get the 2015..i would never buy the first year a new redesign cars, i wait to see the reliability issues get taking care of and then buy the second year production..

While waiting for just such a model to appear, I decided to play with dealers a bit by quoting Kelly Blue Book dealer and Truecar valuations for this year's and last year's model. Total... Radio... Silence...

That said, I have noticed that the Truecar valuation for 2014 models has dropped ~$800 in the past week alone. So I remain a patient man.

interesting post.. I am in the same dilemma... i have a 2010 roadster now and was going to upgrade to a 2014 loaded with nav and sports packages. ... pricing here in canada is nearly as good as what they are quoting me in the USA. BUT sounds like i am still getting hosed if you guys are indicating there are many reductions out there on the '2014 model

Well, Truecar is interesting. It quotes some seemingly *amazing* deals then when the dealers contact you (if they bother to at all), they pull a complete bait and switch with the prices and options. I have not been impressed so far. When I finally get my new set of wheels, I'll write up the experience from beginning to end here. It's a far cry from late '99 when I went into a dealership with all sorts of printouts from edmunds.com and played hardball in an age when dealers by and large hadn't even heard of sites like that yet.

That's kind of a small upgrade. :)

There should be a price drop coming after the Tokyo Show announcement, assuming it's a positive reaction. I'd certainly wait until after that and see what's up, poke around here for other experiences, etc.

Based on salse figures ( Nissan 370Z Sales Figures - GOOD CAR BAD CAR ), the Z is surprisingly holding it's own the last few months, despite an announcement on the horizon. It's possible dealers can still sell these cars at current prices. It's one of the unpredictable variables with a low production model. Even if they're not selling madly, they don't necessarily need to sell madly. And it's a car that always looks damn good on the lot.

Lastly, if you have the money to jump into the market for a new Z, you can demand the body color you want. :) Don't settle!

Jesus. The Z can't sell for ****. We should feel lucky they're even bothering to make a Z35.

I would go with the 2014, because it's newer & it's an even number. I'm a numbers guy & I like even numbers.

This is not a bad idea. Someone here's got some decent car buyer's IQ. :tup:

Truecar gave me numbers but ALL the dealers have their own add-ons which truecar does not account for. They offer stuff that is 99% profit, for instance they have the VIN serialized on all the parts (don't care), offer 5-year cleaning of the interior (don't care) or offer Lo-Jack (so-so). The car I got has the third tail light that blinks. I hate that. I guess the dealer can disable it. It's hard to buy a plain vanilla car!

I got a 2014 and it was not my original color desire, but the inside has ALL the bells and whistles. I have A7, Bose, Nav/Touring, and Sports package. I was afraid I'd have to go without Sports or Nav but I got it all at the cost of color only. A great trade since I plan to be the driver all the time.

I'm glad I bought now. The new design is not going to be like a new computer where the old models are basically unsellable. It will be many month before a new car comes out to see in person and by then you will be waiting for the next one. Live now!

Check with FightingChance.com as well if you want to be real picky. I got my deal by waiting about 60 days before pulling the trigger. Don't settle but don't sweat the small stuff either.

You can always order the car if you don't mind waiting. That's what I did. It's a four month wait, but I'm getting exactly what I want so it's worth it. Whichever you decide you will be getting a great car, but if it were me I'd get the 2014.

Wait until 2014's are on the lot and go for a 2013 or even a low mileage 2012.

Also, invest in the Black Book so you can see the auction value of the car. Bring that with you to the dealership and you will watch their faces fall before your eyes. It's like an anti-bullshit talisman.

TrueCar et al is not really of any value -- it will just help average out the degree of robbery committed by salespersons in striking deals.

I would also review the thread on buying a new car -- the info on prices is a bit dated, but the details on dealer holdback, differences between invoice and MSRP, etc are all very, very useful.

Good luck! :tup:

Thanks, here's one more piece of data in my experience. I arranged for a very specific car with a very specific features through CarsDirect. OTD price was $36 less than haggling with the dealer directly. Said dealer went on and on and on about how the incentives for buying 2013 models have never ever ever happened before and that they will never ever ever happen again. I was going to point him to links all the way back to 2009 showing the incentives on 2008 350Zs but why bother?

Not only did he want to make a direct sale at higher margin than paying out a 3rd party commission and making less even when I told him I was the party on the receiving end of both potential transactions for this car, he just kept lying and lying and lying with easily refuted facts and figures in the age of KBB and Edmunds...

In the end, he was about $500 above the average KBB OTD price so I passed. I like the looks of the latest mock-up of the next generation Z as opposed to that Michael Bayish monstrosity that was previously floated about so we'll just have to wait and see.

I'm throwing in my 2 cents. I just bought a 2013 Gunmetal, Sports/ navi, Touring with a 3k Nissan incentive a great trade for my 2013 beetle turbo navy, Fender sound, sun roof and I'm glad I waited since 2009 for it to happen. If you can wait then it's meant to be but right now just a FYI, dealers need to move the '13's since soon the 15's will be out and the overstock on '14s remains high, research and visit them as many times as it takes, I went to the same dealer 3x and walked away 'till finally the called me and we agreed on a price, no charge for the mudflaps, rugs and free oil changes for a couple of years. Good luck.:tiphat: