Pices312

I went to a local dealer and test drove the 6 speed TL. It is definitely a quick car. The power is there when you press down on the gas pedal. The power, however, is different from my 350Z, it seems more refined and the overall ride is smoother. I will be getting mine appraised tomorrow and if we can agree on a price for both cars then I will be making the deal. I must say that I'm very torn about giving up my Zcar. If the deal goes through it will be a sad/happy day for me. Is this feeling of ambivalence something others of you have felt when parting with a car or is it just a "guy thing"?
Wish me luck in my negotiations, I hope I'm making the right decision.

jtruman

Although I do not own a 350Z, I had intended to buy that car in the first place. I struggled a bit with pure performance (350z) vs. refined performance (TL). I made the decision to go with TL because I drive it more for commute rather than weekends in the mountains.

Good luck!

goofy md

I also am giving up my 350Z for a TL. I think it's the best switch in terms of practicality while still being able to DRIVE the car. and I concur with your feelings foer the Z. A very bittersweet exchange.

Pices312

goofy md,
did you trade in your car or are you selling privately? If I might be so bold what did you get/asking for your 350Z? I will know tomorrow if they are going to low ball me at the dealer.
They are willing to take $1500 off of MSRP plus handling for a price of $31695. That still gives them $1400-1600 over invoice.

goofy md

I haven't compleated my transaction yet. I'd rather trade it in even though I'll lose money on the deal. it's just easier. I was going to ask you the same thing about how much you get for the trade in. . What model Z did (do) you have? mine is a touring.

Z Factor

Good luck, and I understand your thinking. The Z and the TL are two totally different animals, but with their positives. However, the TL is more versatile, and has loads of power for a sports sedan, so you can get close to the performance of a sports car, yet take a refined trip with family or friends.

I look forward to you posting about your new TL

ColdFusionTL

why are you guys trading in your Z's?

Pices312

I haven't gotten a price for a trade in yet.
I need a bigger car for multiple reasons plus the Zcar is not a year round car. I have the Touring with 6MT, black with burnt orange seats. 9800 miles and a vin# 137. I fully expect the dealer to offer me a ridiculous price, an offer I will surely refuse. The salesman raved about how my car looked new and then says it's only a Summer car. I agree about the "Summer car" issue to a degree. I just feel he is setting me up for a lowball offer. I believe a fair trade in value is between $26-27,000 for a mint car that they will sell minimally,for $29,000, with little to no re-conditioning.
I love how they pooh pooh Edmunds, Kelly's BlueBook and Black book estimates as being $2000-3000 overvalued as a trade in benchmark. That $2000-3000 overvalue estimate is money they want in their pocket on top of the $1400 over invoice profit on the TL. They are greedy IMHO.
I will keep you posted.

danno

I had the same issue trying to trade my 1999 M3 for the TL. All dealers will say Edmunds and N.A.S.D. and Kellys are over valued. THE book that the dealers use to buy your car is GALVES. They are always much lower,so the dealer can make a profit from you,then use the EDMUNDS etc. to sell your used car showing how much "VALUE" your car is worth to someone else!! Thats why the GALVES book is sometimes referred to the GRAVEYARD book!!

SilverBulletCLS

Dealers actually refer it as the black book.

Pices312

I got the call from the dealer and as I suspected they came in with an offer of $24,000 as a trade in. I said no. I am waiting to see if another dealer will be willing to offer $26,000. If the wholesaler is willing to go for that number ($26,000) I will make a deal. Otherwise, I will be driving my Zcar and probably put Pilot AS tires on as a way to improve traction.

Pices312

There are worse things in life than not making the deal you want. I will be driving my 350Z off into the sunset so to speak. I have enjoyed reading about the TL and wish you all lots of fun and enjoyment. The dealers are just a bit too greedy for my liking and so no deal could be reached.
hasta la vista baby! I won't be back.

partagas

Bummer, glad to have conversed with you. Farewell.

greenseed

Pices312,

Why torment yourself on a trade-in with those salesholes? Sounds like your not anxious or in a hurry, so just sell your car outright. Perhaps through ebay or your local autotrader or somthing. Just a thought!

Heres a 350Z with 4500 miles on it and its currently at 27600 with 20 hours left. Notice its black with burnt in a 6MT as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2452518369

SilverBulletCLS

Don't forget you do own a Nissan. Which has one of the worst resale values. Along side with Ford. You won't get near what you paid especially in the 1st year. My SUV Pathfinder 03 LE is loaded, its only worth 24k now, but it was bought for 29k.

adam209

not all nissan's, right? why wouldn't a Z or murano hold its value?

Pices312

I am thinking very much about selling it privately, The 350Z is supposedly one of those cars that does hold its value, my problem is the wholesalers/dealers want to get you coming and going. Maybe I will be back, with a new TL?! One thing is for sure I won't buy from either of the 2 dealers I went to originally, except to tell them take your cars and .......!
Thanks for the encouragement.

Stewie

It sure seems like all Nissans and Infinitis as well.

Check out the 3-yr residuals on the 350Z or G35.
Very poor considering they are Japanese marques.

Nissan isn't the same as Honda or Toyota in resale value.

SilverBulletCLS

They won't. I have yet to see a Nissan or Infiniti hold its value compared to Toyota, Honda.

ColdFusionTL

Here are 2 sites that say the g35 (an infiniti) will hold its value for a long time. Lately, honda cars havent been holding their value. They've been declining in value very quickly. I know my TL-S lost so much value after only a year of me owning it.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/031016-4.htm

http://www.is-it-a-lemon.com/blue_book/2004_model.htm

SilverBulletCLS

Sorry after reviewing the books, and seen what dealers offer, they are NOT holding there value. A loaded G35 is worth trade in 26k, its new 32k.

My CL-S lost 2k in 1 year, that was much better.

ColdFusionTL

I'm sorry but thats bs..my TL was only worth 24k when i traded my car. I got the car for 31 or 32k. After exactly one year, the car was already worth 24k. A CL-S trade in would be even worst because its discontinued, it only has 2 doors and it was never a really popular car. If anything, your CL-S would be worth less than my TL-S was. Sad but true. My brother has a CL-S and he knows his resell is really bad. BTW, have you actually seen any used g35 coupes around? Maybe one or 2 but thats it. All g35 drivers know that our cars hold their value really high and so no one decides to sell. KBB may say that, but people would still buy a g35 used for more than that just to get some money off a brand new one. 32k for a coupe is bs also. It is still quite impossible to get anything off sticker price for a coupe. Most dealer inventories only have cars with stickers 35k and up. I know my car was nowhere near 32k. Even a base g with no options would still cost 33k base.

I dont even know where you got 26k cuz a g thats a year old and fully loaded is still worth 32300 for a trade in and $34135 for a private sell. A year old CL-S with everything including navi(onstar), and rear spoiler is only worth 26k private sell. From a price of around 34k-35k new. And even worse, 23500 for a trade in. I based everything on 12000 miles and an 'excellent' rating for the interior. So stop trying cuz your wrong...very wrong:thefinger