Looking at buying a used 6MT Coupe, probably 2004. Anyone have some suggestions of things to look for before buying?

 

research KBB, Edmunds, and NADA.
Read reviews. Any reason why 04? Look into the changes for 05 and 06, mainly 05. Not saying one is better but there are changes in the engine and interior. Everyone has their own opinon and preferences. Autotrader seemed to have the best selection if you don't mind having it shipped. The marketplace forum here is good too.

 

I only follow edmunds. Dealers dont use KBB. Most dont use the NADA. Most go by the Black Book. www.carquotes.com

 

I've done my research and know pricing. What I'm looking for are the things that I should look for on the car when I inspect it. Problem areas and such.

2004 as it should have had some of the bugs worked out that were in the 2003. 2004 seems to fit my price range the best. I'd do a 2005 too, though.

 

I bought my '04 used, and of course you look over the car, looking for damage, all the edges to see if it was repainted, look at the paint gloss. Definitely test drive the car, go into all the gears, and definitely go on the highway at least up to 60mph.
Now... the most important thing for me, when I was buying the vehicle, that it had transferrable warranty, and the longer the remainder of warranty the better. That's why I bought mine from Infiniti Dealer. I found it on Autotrader with everything I wanted and low miles. So remember the lower the miles and later the year, the longer the warranty. The car is a dream, and dealers fix most of the annoyances, so make sure you buy it with warranty. Good luck.

 

Well, the one I bought my car from thankfuly uses KBB. Either that or KBB is more acurate than carquotes.com. The one I bought is exactly the kbb invoice price and less than the car quotes invoice price. Yes, I got my new 06 6MT at INVOICE. Premium, aero, mud guards. No nav.

 

I am looking at an '04 right now that's immaculate. I know the person who owns it and so the condition and how it was driven are not a problem
It has just over 19K miles, it is loaded but an auto...not really a dealbreaker for me.
sure..I thought for another 'just' another 10K more I could step into a new one..but options, especially dealer-installed are not cheap.
Then add on higher insurance, license/registration and taxes on a new one.
The cost 'getting in' is substantially higher.
This one is immaculate (diamond graphite) and obviously had lots of TLC.
I am looking for a performance car that is also great for long trips, and occassionally throwing an extra person in the back on the way to dinner.
Weekend mornings for heading up to the Sierras (only an hour away) or out to the Monterey coast.