yesterday i went to look at a g35 coupe. 6mt, 83k miles, only $10.5k. decide i want to go look at it.

so when i get there, they instantly want to know how i plan to purchase it. that's weird, i haven't even looked inside the car?

so when i mention i would trade in my TL, and i owe some on it. no big deal, people do it all the time, right?

well it quickly turns to they are appraising my car. wasn't expecting that, so its dirty, and i'm a little embarrassed. 5 minutes later they come back in, and tell me that all they would offer is $4k. what?

he then tells my that because i have a 6MT, he won't be able sell it. i argue, and tell him that it's not a base model, its a sport model, and its worth on average $2k more than an auto car.

so then the owner comes, and basically tells me he has no reason to talk to me, because he would never sell the car, and that no one but 16 y/o's and european immigrants buys manual cars. (also, i know that the car would never be financed because a bank would not take that risk ratio so the owner has a point)


so, i want to discuss with you guys what you think, is that actually a fair offer? on trade, i know you get crap, but that's $3k under what i was expecting. does having a sport model/manual car now hurt resale?

2004 NBP 6MT TL, 163k miles.

 

funny thing is when they go to sell a manual vehicle they will tell you how rare they are and expect to pay more.

 

I'd keep the TL as that has better gas mileage over the G35. If you're still set on getting a coupe, I'd go to a different dealership and never mention a trade-in until after you have negotiated a deal for the car with the price you want to pay.

According to KBB, your car with current mileage and assuming you have nav is worth at least $6,356 in excellent condition to $4,481 in fair condition. Since you had already shown them your card, they had lowed ball you even more. I wouldn't even go back to that dealership even if they had called me back.

 

Your car does have some mileage on it, but $4k is a bit on the low end. You would do better selling on your own (and clearly finding another dealership- I wouldn't deal with the asshats at that dealership again even if they begged you to come back). Other than being a bit dirty, what is the condition of your car? It always kills me that dealership reps act like they're doing you a favor by selling you a car, instead of catering to you to get you to willingly buy one. It's almost an adversarial relationship. I agree with keeping what you have if it'a in good shape, and running it til it won't go any further.

 

rear bumper has a scuff, front bumper also. one ding on the door which needs to get some paint onto it (not a big deal but i am anal), and the hood has a small crease.
intermittent CEL for catalytic converter, not the sensor, have the parts.
interior is mint except for a little dirt. no cracking in the leather, the back seat has never had a car seat, or practically anyone in it. speakers are fine, no wind leaks, no chips in the windshield.


also, i know what you mean on the dealer. i was not happy at all. they didn't listen to me saying i wanted to just look at the car. asked him to get the keys and instead i ended up inside with them running my car through carfax. very strange.

the car itself was sneakily pictured, and you couldn't see the 3 rims with huge road rash, i honestly doubt they could have been true they were so abused.

not to mention, the owner, and i quote, "this is the cheapest best condition within 250 miles, there is nothing wrong with it. except the radio and climate control don't work."

basically, i'm just confused at how the manual thing is now reversed????? in EU, sure its 95% of cars standard, but in America, 95% are auto. it's ALWAYS hard to find a 6mt.

 

this is rockstar143's car, but this is exactly what mine looks like minus the pedal covers.

 

The dealer will always push for the sale no matter what you tell them. That is what they ALL will do. Americans don't like manual transmissions....most are lazy and too busy texting and talking on the phone and eating to drive.

I think you should sell your car yourself and then buy the new one if it is still available. Have you carfaxed the new car? Is it a large dealership or one of the really small ones? (they usually buy off auction and many of their cars have problems because they don't service them after the buy them from the auction block)

 

Manuals are hard to find but he is correct that they are also hard to sell. We all think that it will fly off the lots but we are not the average consumers.

I think he low-balled you, but not by $3K....maybe $800-$1K. Sorry.

What is wrong with the TL? IMO, I would keep it and save the cash. As a past owner of a VQ35 I can tell you that they are awesome engines, but there are a lot of issues with oil consumption with those cars and I would not buy another one unless it had lower miles and a great warranty. I really like Infiniti's but if I got another one it would be a different engine.

 

I'll give you $4,100 for the car

It does seem low to me but they are just trying to make money as well. I feel that it is always better to sell your car privately then trade it in. Dealerships offer such low trade in values because they know that the buyer is so impatient and just wants to be in a new car. Either way, good luck with selling/trading in the TL and buying a new ride.

 

well i have a 'soft' offer from my friend for $7500 for my car cash. he's been looking for 8 months and hasn't found a 6mt to buy himself. so that's my basis of comparison.

i have the clutch to do, the timing/water service, and my loan is terrible. before i refi, i'm exhausting all my options. i was NOT serious when i went there, i just wanted to see if a g35 coupe would 'fit' me.

the TL just doesn't have enough soul, but its such a smart car to own. i'd be fine to keep it, but i just want to make sure.

to better describe what i'm trying to avoid, here's a gif.

 

If your TL is in decent shape with the repairable exceptions you mentioned, I would keep what you have and run it for a bit more. $10K plus for a car with non working HVAC or radio and curbed rims puts you potentially:

-back in debt (or more debt)
-gets you a car that needs work (plus the other stuff not working you're likely to find after purchase)
-is a depreciating asset already with 83K miles on it and may cost more in insurance (not sure about this one)
-you don't know the maintenance history

If your TL's interior is in decent shape, the car runs well, and you still enjoy it, keep it. Do some kind of minor upgrade to keep your interest in it (I've done this from time to time- it's way cheaper than replacing it). Insure it for liability only (and underinsured motorist coverage) as it's not worth much in a collision and save some cash (assuming you have full coverage with the existing loan- pay it off ASAP).

Good luck- don't get that particular G35

Lastly, for the potential $7500 your friend might give you, you're going to get an inferior car, plus you will have to still pay off the loan on your TL. Get the TB/ water pump and clutch done and you will be good for another 100K miles. Get your money out of this car before jumping into another. You're only 23 with a TL which is pretty good in itself

 

If u can find me 10 black/black 6mt 04 TLs for 4k each ill take them
Right now.


That being said, it's a lowball. But honestly, that's what the dealer is there for.

This particular dealer sounds pushy and rude when he should be kissing ass.

Honestly I feel like carmax would probably offer you more. And you can definitely do better on Craigslist selling it yourself.

 

great advice guys. over the summer i did do springs and new shocks to improve it. maybe what i'm feeling is that need to change things up again.

@quan, actually, the sales guy (not the owner though) told me to take it to carmax if i was dead set on trading in lol.

 

RUN FROM THAT DEALER.

He sounds EVIL.

Pray for him

 

tell ya what man im trading in my 04 manual with nav on an 07 type s. my car has 124,000 miles on it and im getting $8300 for it and it has damage on the left side. they are low balling the shit out of you. they first tired to give me $6500 for it which is still a lot more than you were offered but i negotiated and now im getting the $8300 and i still got them to come down $700 on their car and to put new tires and brakes on it. you can def talk salesman down i know because i am a car salesman lol

 

your first mistake was telling them how you were going to pay for the inifiniti. that shouldn't matter. however they look at your age and they want to know how serious you are.

you went there to look at the G35...instead the dealer asked how you were going to pay for it and then focused on your TL. if any dealer asks how you are going to pay for any car before even allowing you to look at the vehicle in question, then find a different dealer or car, it shouldn't matter until you reached the price you are willing to pay for the vehicle. then discussion on finanacing the vehicle can begin at that point.

as far as your appraisal...dealer is ALWAYS going to low ball you. go to car max and have them appraise your TL...you might be surprised what they may or may not give you for it.

 

^^i look really young. i know that, and am used to the treatment. but this was a little rude even with that in mind. a lot of times, i have to answer what they ask, or i will be refused service basically. its just easier to answer.

it was more an off hand, 'well i was just thinking about it, this is just the only manual g35 in the area, this is the only car to look at'

'you are buying this car?' ...'well, i'm not sure, i haven't seen it yet'...'where is your car?'...'i parked in the other lot'...'how old are you?'...'i'm 23'...'oh okay, well the car is in our other lot, so go (insert directions) and i'll tell them'

get to the other location. first question, by the way no handshake or introduction, 'how old are you?', and then continue on with all the other questions.

they were surprised with every answer it seemed. surprised and excited my TL was manual, excited to tell me the g35 was manual.

i don't know how much more obvious i could have been that I did not want to be talking numbers, or setting up to make a deal that night, unlike them. and then when they saw the mileage it all changed again.

when the sales guy got the owner, he also didn't shake hands. just told me about how he needs to make money. 'i understand that sir, but i also know that in 1 year this car does not lose 60% of the value'
'well only young kids like manual'...then he outlined a milage/price ratio that was better than what i paid last year, i think at least, and said no one would ever pay that including me. done trying to talk with them in any point other than to get the keys to test drive this damn car...
'well, this is the only car in the area, i would like to test drive it, the numbers are whatever'
'i do not see a point to you test driving, i don't want your car'

'i would like to test drive it'

'you guys have a nice night'

and i swear i am not embellishing. the salesman sat back down as i was standing up to leave, and seemed sheepish while he whispered for me to go to carmax. it was very strange all around.

 

i have to be honest, i've been trying to find a type-s(i don't care about the trans) to look at. i would enjoy that trade quite a bit.

 

wow dude thats a horrible salesman i would not go back to that dealership no matter what kind of car they have. and there are plenty of type-s out there. ive been looking for about a month and a half and have found plenty. finally found the one i liked and wanted and was close enough for me to go look at. good luck with the car buying experience.

 

veggie...run don't walk away from that dealer. your age shouldn't matter, but unfortunately it's working against you right now. its too bad....i guess "show me the money" might work to convince them you are serious.

 

Showing money always works

I've tapped my pocket "I've got cash right now" hundreds of times I've bought a lot of cars for export from private people and dealers and it always works. I even got my TL that way for 1000$ under asking price


Goodluck. Be patient on your search if you're really looking for something new. And don't let them mistreat you. Im 21 and I get that bullshit disrespect because of my age all the time. Stay calm and show you're more mature and they'll feel stupid. I've got tons of stories!

 

^^^

i always negotiate for the car with no trade in and then say well i might trade her in....

 

lesson learned there for sure. good advice, thank you everyone!

 

The power of cash is amazing. Those of you who know, know. Those who don't, don't.

Pay off this sled. Drive it for a long time while you accumulate cash - save just your normal payment for 3-4 additional years. Sell this car on your own some day. Pay cash for your next sled where you hold ALL of the cards and the dealers are helpless. Then, keep saving for your next one... and so on.

Some dealers don't want cash since they sell low and make MEGA commissions on high interest financing, but you don't want to buy a car from those dealers anyway.

When I bought my 04, the dealer was cussing at me when I left because he sold me the car for what they had in it thinking that they would make their money on financing... then I whipped out the hundys and walked with the title. The sales guy did not care because he got the sale up on the board, but the dealership lost the cost of the detail and new tires. I profited from their dysfunction because I had cash. They would have made $1800 if I financed.

 

Hey veggie.
words of advice, next time dont tell them you're going to trade in your car.
always have a trick up your sleeve for leverage.

edit*
read the rest of the thread.I've echoed what people already have said.

 

Just because it's harder to find doesn't necessarily mean it's worth more money.

You have to remember the demographic this car was marketed to, which was the same market BMW & Lexus targeted with the IS & 3-Series. These were luxury cars & luxury car owners tend to select autos over manuals because they're more convenient to them.

Today, that demographic still exists for this car, just with a cheaper budget. These cars aren't normally bought by enthusiasts like us thus, most people looking for a TL will want an auto.

Look at the dealer's point of view & who they have to sell this car to. The chances of finding a TL enthusiast or person who at least wants a manual TL are smaller than finding a person who just wants an affordable auto, luxury car.
First off, they originally offered you $6,500 for a car with 124,000 miles. They offered him $4,000 for a car with a 163,000 miles.

40,000 miles worth of difference is around enough to justify a $2,500 difference in price. That's roughly around 20,300 miles/year for him & 15,500 for you for the 8 years both vehicles have been around.

Second, you negotiated your price. The OP never mentioned anything about negotiating except that he believes his manual should be worth an extra $2,000; that's looking at from an enthusiast's viewpoint, not the dealer's.

 

I like to tell them I might trade or finance to get them wet. haha.

You should have thrown the "hard to sell because it's 6MT" back at him regarding the G.

 

I enjoy window shopping at dealers also. Although, as stated above the dealer sounds like a doucer. I look pretty young to and it's always hard getting service even when I traded my 07 TL-S.

 

I got a great deal on a 6MT Maxima because the place I bought it from felt they would have a hard time selling a car with a manual transmission. Got such a good deal in fact, that after putting 12k miles on the car, I got $900 more than I paid for it when it got totaled and that was minus my deductible.

Best thing to do with a manual transmission version is to sell it through a forum for that car and through eBay or Auto Trader. Dealers won't give squat for a manual transmission car these days.

 

Remember when you trade in a car, you save on taxes. Example. Car your buying $15,000, your trade $4,000. You get taxes on the difference. you get taxed on $11,000 dollars. So you save at 8% tax about $320.

 

^ You can get that same deal if you sell your car yourself. In Missouri, you have 9 months to roll a prior cash sale against a sale -the net is the same. I am pretty sure that all states do this.

 

OP dealers pay wholesale price on trade-in's... Meaning that in order for a dealer to make money they buy wholesale to then sell it retail... no dealer would accept a trade-in @ retail price because then there is no money to make.

On another note you do have alot of miles on your car and it being an 04 there isnt much room to play with... and also you being interested on a USED car, there isnt much you can do on negotiating that price as most dealers are strick on used car prices... just an fyi

 

as some say, financing is their bread and butter, and the trade in is how they can double the profit of a deal. usually you can negotiate at least one side of the transaction, and as also said there are less taxes, less hassle. i think i mentioned i want to refi, so its not that i'm serious about a trade. i was trying to be obvious about that, because the sales guy was pretty nice and i didn't want to get his hopes up for no reason.

maybe they caught that, and shut me down on it. who knows.

i'll never go back there, and if someone asks me to go there to look at a car, i will advise them to avoid them as well.

my family is a testament to the quality of the J-series, and the honda chassis's they've used over the years. i had no problem buying it with 140k, since my father's '07 accord has 148k on it now, his old car which my sister now drives is @ 269k. i'd love to see the three break 300k under our ownership. then send in a little story to Honda lol.