Too good not to question
 

Hey ya'll, bit of a dilemma I'd like some input on from the more knowledgeable folks here and/or the dealers.

As I'm typing from work on a cell I'll try to keep it brief for all our sakes.

The crux of the situation is this: local dealer finally located a Sport Z, but its outside the state. First he tried to tell me he'd give it to me for 32500 without telling me its actually out of state, until I call him amazed he could find one locally. Turns out its the same another dealer tried to get for me but that one was at least up front about the 800 dealer swap fee. In addition its got NO extras, i.e. mats, locks, guards or kickplates. I tell him I am not interested in that, with 2010s right around the corner and a model matching my wishes surely among them locally.

So he writes back, throws in everything but splash guards, takes it down to 31500 with no transfer fee and wants to make a deal by weeks end. Ordinarily I'd move on this; sounds like a great deal.

Here's the catch.

He claims that he cannot get a VIN for me and while he sympathizes with my caution at signing for anything sight unseen, the Z will not and cannot come to Memphis without a John Hancock, but I can certainly drive a demo if I want to get a feel for it.

I have suddenly become very, very leery. Is it truly impossible to give me a VIN an transfer without paperwork done? He won't even tell me where its coming from. I really was going to jump, too. Thoughts, please? Opinions?

I would walk, you should not have to sign anything until the car is at the dealership you are buying from. What if the car gets damaged during transit? What if it lacks something and he says sorry, but tough?

additional; he claims its not a test drive demo but won't tell me the mileage.

Yep...this is super shady, no VIN, no answers on mileage, is it even a 370z?

Precisely my fear.

Shoot; just noticed I put this in wrong section. Please move it with my apologies.

I agree with Dreamer! Wait for the 2010's to come out!

Thanks for the input thus far.

Aye; I have waited this long for the right model, a little longer will not kill me. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and assume the VIN and mileage info is only unavailable because its so late and I may have asked after business hours, but it seems to me that info should be relatively and freely obtainanable, but then - its why I asked here: to make sure.

However if he will not budge on the transfer before signing; he's got no deal. I was hoping anyone here could advise if he is even allowed to.

the dealership i bought my car from transferred it from another dealership before i even went in to look at it and sign papers

Latest e-mail says...

The VIN is JN1AZ44E79M407989. We are a reputable company and have been doing dealer trades for years. Our intent is never to sell someone a vehicle that does not meet their expectations. The Z is about 260 miles away. We have our trades driven in by our employees, that is what keeps the cost down. The Z will 260 miles plus any miles that have been done on test drives. The dealers we trade with disclose demo mileage up front so we can make an informed decision. If we can wrap everything up on tomorrow then we can get the Z in for you. When it gets here on Friday you can inspect and drive. If it does not meet your expectations we understand and will back out the deal.

Let me know if this will work for you.

Well, I sent him back an e-mail with a few last questions...one last attempt at getting the current mileage from him (especially since he states that the other dealership gave it to him), driver information...i.e. is the employee bringing it back a smoker, etc. Will their service techs be going over it with a fine tooth comb when it arrives.

Carfax shows no records on file for that VIN, so...I don't know. If he comes back with a low mileage to factor in with the 260 road trip...I told him I was reticent, especially with it still being in the break-in period and so much of the initial first driving done at a constant highway speed.

id walk man, whole thing smells fishy. piece of mind means alot to me i guess.

Im guessing the car already has the 260+ miles on it. He is trucking it in, telling you a story to cover that this was not a demo car.