Looking at two Z's in OKC

Joehs · 10-19-2011, 04:21 PM

Hey all,

I've spotted two used Z's in my area that I've gone to look at. I'm looking for some opinions, as I yield to the experienced more than my want for a new sports car!

One located here:
Used 2009 Nissan 370Z 2dr Cpe Man - Bob Howard Nissan - Oklahoma City Nissan, Used Cars Oklahoma City, Auto Service Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Auto Parts, Oklahoma City Auto Repair, Norman, Edmond, Bethany

One located here:
Used 2009 Nissan 370Z For Sale | Norman OK .

A small run down of each vehicle from what I saw:

2009 Base 6MT - 12,115 Miles:
Paint looks good, couple nicks here and there, but that's to be expected with Oklahoma's bad roads. Nothing that can't be fixed by a paint detail and a good wash and wax. Tires are in decent condition, nothing spectacular, but should get another 10,000 miles before they need changed. Car appears to be well taken care of, and at 12,115 miles it wasn't driven too hard in the 3 years it's been out there. Dealer told me they were firm at $26,996, which still seems high to me. Even with the low miles.

2009 Base 6MT - 23,358 Miles:
Paint has some major swirl marks. Few more nicks in the front than the other car, but still nothing terrible. Tires are shot, they'll need replaced almost immediately. Interior was a bit dirtier than the other, but could be cleaned pretty easily (I chalk this up to the $/hr employees in the wash/detail bay at the dealership). Fairly low miles for an 09. Dealer "came down" to 27,000.

Ideally, I'd like to finance a bit here. My 785 credit score should qualify me for whatever the lowest finance rate I can get is (here's hoping to sub 2.5%). I'll be selling or trading in the Tacoma I drive now, and picking up a secondary trail rig/beater/winter car later.

What do you guys think about these two vehicles? I don't have too much of a paint color preference, although I do like the black/white over the other colors. Neither has the sport package, which is somewhat disappointing, but I haven't had any luck locating one even remotely close that has a sport package and is in my price range. It appears to me that they've overpriced these cars quite a bit and are trying to take advantage of a young buyer. Especially when I've seen people throwing out the 22-23k price tag for base model 6MT from 09.

Neither car has exactly racked up the miles, but I'm not sure that justifies a price tag that high. If I can buy a new 370 base+sport for the 32k range, then I'm a bit lost on how these cars are so high valued.

Comments, thoughts, opinions?

tjlazer · 10-19-2011, 05:41 PM

I would get the first one, the price is not bad and it has low miles. Less chance of the PO beating on the car or clutch.

Joehs · 10-19-2011, 05:44 PM

Funny enough, I just called and asked to come take a second look at it. The sales person told me it was going to auction tomorrow. But, if I was motivated we could make a deal tonight at 26,500. I told him that I wasn't ready to buy that fast. I figured it was probably a scare tactic.

If it comes back from auction I'll have more firepower to lower the price further. If it gets sold, it wasn't the right one. I've learned patience is a virtue when it comes to car buying. One will pop up sooner or later. I still feel like I'm not getting a solid deal at 26500 for an 09 base. Maybe I'm crazy but I feel like I can do better. Am I wrong?

nmjaxx9 · 10-19-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joehs

Funny enough, I just called and asked to come take a second look at it. The sales person told me it was going to auction tomorrow. But, if I was motivated we could make a deal tonight at 26,500. I told him that I wasn't ready to buy that fast. I figured it was probably a scare tactic.

If it comes back from auction I'll have more firepower to lower the price further. If it gets sold, it wasn't the right one. I've learned patience is a virtue when it comes to car buying. One will pop up sooner or later. I still feel like I'm not getting a solid deal at 26500 for an 09 base. Maybe I'm crazy but I feel like I can do better. Am I wrong?

You probably can do better, but that will only be when you are in the final stage and are 100% sure you will buy, salesman won't budge on price until they are absolutely sure they have you as a buyer. And yes, patience is always the key, if you don't find one another will come up, depending on how long you are willing to wait I say wait for a better option. But if you are working on a budget and iff you are eager to get one as soon as possible then I would say the first one is the better choice. And at 26K I think its a fair deal, if you can negotiate on price further before your drive it off the lot then I think that you are getting a solid deal.

Pat C. · 10-19-2011, 10:01 PM

Just want to chime in with a few comments. I just found an almost new 10' in gunmetal gray with the sport package, K@N intake along with front paint film. Car had 1600 miles on it, and just like you I didn't know much about these cars.
2 months later with another 1700 miles, I now feel I can make some suggestions.
First off, I wouldn't own a Z without the Sport package. Yes, you can add the rear spoiler, purchase the Rays forged rims and then pay a ton for the upgraded brakes. For me, the clincher is the 6 speed manual (which you can't add on) which has the auto rev increase upon downshifting. I didn't like it at first, but now I snicker each time I downshift because it's such a joy to use.
My advice would be to wait and buy the car you "really" want versus what you're able to locate today.
No I wasn't looking for one, and yes, I'm also a compulsive buyer, but have forced myself to do just what you had described.
In conclusion, you'll more than likely be able to find what you want if you just broaden your area of shopping. And lastly, I wouldn't buy any car that needed to have some "major" repair/replacement items... Was able to buy mine for 30g. Hope this helps...
Pat

UNKNOWN_370 · 10-20-2011, 12:08 AM

Texas/oklahoma/louisiana these cars run very high by comparison of the rest of the nation. For the cost of these, you figure, if you buy a new one. Your finance rate will be about 1 or 2% lower. Used cars sell higher rates for some weird reason??? $31,450 out the door would be around 33k. 34k with all accessories added. Use your email and see how many dealers would be willing to sell you the Z mentioned at 32k out the door. The 27k Z u r looking at will cost you nearly 30k once they get thru with you. So u might as well spend an extra $50 a month and get a 2012: they are hard to haggle sport,NISMO and auto Z's but are quick to drop pricing on the base car to around 30k. Give it a try.

Joehs · 10-20-2011, 08:02 AM

Great! Thanks for the comments guys!

I'm really in no rush. I know these things take time. I'd rather wait and get a deal I feel comfortable with than feel like I got screwed. I was just curious what the southern regioners had to say about the pricing I've come across so far. If one of them was a good deal, then so be it.

I'd prefer to find a base+sport 6MT if I could. I've had a hard time locating any though. I've started looking around the neighboring states, and headed out West as I've got some family in California. I'd have little to no issue flying out to pick up a car and driving it back.

For a base+sport 6MT I should be looking around the same price range, or should I expect closer to 30? If that's the case, I may as well look at a new one (*cringe*). I'm sure I can get a lower rate on a newer one and may make up the difference in cost.

Joehs · 10-20-2011, 03:57 PM

Just an update...They called me back. Apparently it "didn't sell at auction and will be back this evening". I figured it was probably them trying to make a quick sale. I may go take a second look at it.

10-19-2011, 04:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Joehs Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 6 Drives: 2008 Toyota Tacoma Rep Power: 13	Looking at two Z's in OKC Hey all, I've spotted two used Z's in my area that I've gone to look at. I'm looking for some opinions, as I yield to the experienced more than my want for a new sports car! One located here: Used 2009 Nissan 370Z 2dr Cpe Man - Bob Howard Nissan - Oklahoma City Nissan, Used Cars Oklahoma City, Auto Service Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Auto Parts, Oklahoma City Auto Repair, Norman, Edmond, Bethany One located here: Used 2009 Nissan 370Z For Sale \| Norman OK . A small run down of each vehicle from what I saw: 2009 Base 6MT - 12,115 Miles: Paint looks good, couple nicks here and there, but that's to be expected with Oklahoma's bad roads. Nothing that can't be fixed by a paint detail and a good wash and wax. Tires are in decent condition, nothing spectacular, but should get another 10,000 miles before they need changed. Car appears to be well taken care of, and at 12,115 miles it wasn't driven too hard in the 3 years it's been out there. Dealer told me they were firm at $26,996, which still seems high to me. Even with the low miles. 2009 Base 6MT - 23,358 Miles: Paint has some major swirl marks. Few more nicks in the front than the other car, but still nothing terrible. Tires are shot, they'll need replaced almost immediately. Interior was a bit dirtier than the other, but could be cleaned pretty easily (I chalk this up to the $/hr employees in the wash/detail bay at the dealership). Fairly low miles for an 09. Dealer "came down" to 27,000. Ideally, I'd like to finance a bit here. My 785 credit score should qualify me for whatever the lowest finance rate I can get is (here's hoping to sub 2.5%). I'll be selling or trading in the Tacoma I drive now, and picking up a secondary trail rig/beater/winter car later. What do you guys think about these two vehicles? I don't have too much of a paint color preference, although I do like the black/white over the other colors. Neither has the sport package, which is somewhat disappointing, but I haven't had any luck locating one even remotely close that has a sport package and is in my price range. It appears to me that they've overpriced these cars quite a bit and are trying to take advantage of a young buyer. Especially when I've seen people throwing out the 22-23k price tag for base model 6MT from 09. Neither car has exactly racked up the miles, but I'm not sure that justifies a price tag that high. If I can buy a new 370 base+sport for the 32k range, then I'm a bit lost on how these cars are so high valued. Comments, thoughts, opinions?

10-19-2011, 05:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 52 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 19	I would get the first one, the price is not bad and it has low miles. Less chance of the PO beating on the car or clutch. __________________ 2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

10-19-2011, 10:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pat C. Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 70 Drives: 10' 370Z coupe M6 Rep Power: 13	Sport package a must!! Just want to chime in with a few comments. I just found an almost new 10' in gunmetal gray with the sport package, K@N intake along with front paint film. Car had 1600 miles on it, and just like you I didn't know much about these cars. 2 months later with another 1700 miles, I now feel I can make some suggestions. First off, I wouldn't own a Z without the Sport package. Yes, you can add the rear spoiler, purchase the Rays forged rims and then pay a ton for the upgraded brakes. For me, the clincher is the 6 speed manual (which you can't add on) which has the auto rev increase upon downshifting. I didn't like it at first, but now I snicker each time I downshift because it's such a joy to use. My advice would be to wait and buy the car you "really" want versus what you're able to locate today. No I wasn't looking for one, and yes, I'm also a compulsive buyer, but have forced myself to do just what you had described. In conclusion, you'll more than likely be able to find what you want if you just broaden your area of shopping. And lastly, I wouldn't buy any car that needed to have some "major" repair/replacement items... Was able to buy mine for 30g. Hope this helps... Pat

10-19-2011, 05:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Joehs Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 6 Drives: 2008 Toyota Tacoma Rep Power: 13	Funny enough, I just called and asked to come take a second look at it. The sales person told me it was going to auction tomorrow. But, if I was motivated we could make a deal tonight at 26,500. I told him that I wasn't ready to buy that fast. I figured it was probably a scare tactic. If it comes back from auction I'll have more firepower to lower the price further. If it gets sold, it wasn't the right one. I've learned patience is a virtue when it comes to car buying. One will pop up sooner or later. I still feel like I'm not getting a solid deal at 26500 for an 09 base. Maybe I'm crazy but I feel like I can do better. Am I wrong?

10-20-2011, 12:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14857	Texas/oklahoma/louisiana these cars run very high by comparison of the rest of the nation. For the cost of these, you figure, if you buy a new one. Your finance rate will be about 1 or 2% lower. Used cars sell higher rates for some weird reason??? $31,450 out the door would be around 33k. 34k with all accessories added. Use your email and see how many dealers would be willing to sell you the Z mentioned at 32k out the door. The 27k Z u r looking at will cost you nearly 30k once they get thru with you. So u might as well spend an extra $50 a month and get a 2012: they are hard to haggle sport,NISMO and auto Z's but are quick to drop pricing on the base car to around 30k. Give it a try.

10-20-2011, 08:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Joehs Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 6 Drives: 2008 Toyota Tacoma Rep Power: 13	Great! Thanks for the comments guys! I'm really in no rush. I know these things take time. I'd rather wait and get a deal I feel comfortable with than feel like I got screwed. I was just curious what the southern regioners had to say about the pricing I've come across so far. If one of them was a good deal, then so be it. I'd prefer to find a base+sport 6MT if I could. I've had a hard time locating any though. I've started looking around the neighboring states, and headed out West as I've got some family in California. I'd have little to no issue flying out to pick up a car and driving it back. For a base+sport 6MT I should be looking around the same price range, or should I expect closer to 30? If that's the case, I may as well look at a new one (cringe). I'm sure I can get a lower rate on a newer one and may make up the difference in cost.

10-20-2011, 03:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Joehs Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 6 Drives: 2008 Toyota Tacoma Rep Power: 13	Just an update...They called me back. Apparently it "didn't sell at auction and will be back this evening". I figured it was probably them trying to make a quick sale. I may go take a second look at it.