I just hit 15,000 miles and my 1 year anniversary with my '04 G35. I was curious what it was still worth so I got on the Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com and checked it out. I paid $32,900 for the car originally, and here is what I got.

$31,715 - If sold to a private party
$29,175 - If traded in to a dealer
$34,460 - Retail value

People always say that you lose a ton of money once you drive it off the lot. Apparently not with our cars. Of course that's if you believe in the Kelley Blue Book. I did a search before with the NADA and they didn't have any information on a 2004 model. By the way, I did the same information on a 350Z and it came back lower. Infiniti's hold their price better I guess.


2004 5AT, Brilliant Silver, Graphite Leather, Performance Package

 

Heck yeah it does.. I just refinanced at a lower rate... I get to payoff the car just 1 month later than I would have but pay $40 a month less. The bank was all over it because there was like almost $7K equity in the car. I was amazed.

2003.5 G35C 5AT
Premium Package
Tire/Wheel Package
K&N Filter, Z-Tube, EGK

 

I just checked KBB and here's what I got, with 2100 miles on the odo....
$32,625 trade-in
$35,360 private party (only an extra $640 w/ NAV checked)
$38,300 retail (extra $735 w/ NAV checked)

So if I could get blue book value, I could sell it private party for only a $740 loss in what I paid!? What's even screwier is that the retail price is over MSRP.

What is most interesting to note is that the Nav is greatly depreciated compared to the $2000 to get it in the first place. What a bummer.

On a sidenote, KBB needs to change their website so you select a car and choose the mileage & options, and it should give you all 3 values instead of having to do each one separately!!


2004.5 6MT DG/G Coupe | Premium | Aero Kit | ClearBra | See profile for pix

 

i agree that our cars do hold their value very well. last i heard/read, we were ranked either top or close to number one on resale value. however, don't base it off of kbb values alone. in the real world, i don't think ppl will pay $750 less than new mrsp for a one year old car. for example, i have a '03 coupe with about 22k miles on it. according to kbb, i could get from $27,800 to $29000 for it. this is unlikely since the '05's just came out and you can even get a used '04 with more options for $29k from a private seller.

 

The G35 Coupe is ranked #1 for all Coupes in resale value.

 

That's true. Actually, I originally wanted to get a "pre-owned" G35. Either '03 or '04 with less than 20k on it. I couldn't find one much less than a brand new one and in some cases, the used ones were *more* expensive. That's why I ended up buying a new one!

2004 6MT Twilight Blue/Graphite Leather
Premium package, Splash Guards
my G35

 

Well I have an early 04 coupe that is in immaculate condition. Paid almost 39000 out the door. Trying to sell it, but I doubt I can even get 33k.

Black / Black 2004 GcoupeMT. Premium. Splash Guardz.

 

http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/resale_values/

 

i've had an o4 for less than 3 months. i have some upgrades, with 2500 miles... how much of a hit do you think i would take? its an auto

 

I am feeling really good about my purchase right now. I picked up my 6 MT coupe this May. It had 6000 miles on it and I was able to get the price down to $28,500. I didn't get the color I would have liked, but it doesn't bother me too much anymore. What's funny is that the guy who owned it previously traded it in for a mustang.

 

"Well I have an early 04 coupe that is in immaculate condition. Paid almost 39000 out the door. Trying to sell it, but I doubt I can even get 33k."

Is this really a valid comparison? I mean, here in CA taxes + fees add about a 11% cost to the car. I really don't like when people quote out the door prices because it hides the actual cost of the car and the "hidden" costs of taxes & fees & add ons. Also, you don't state the milleage you have on it.

Now of course, you may live in a state with no or low sales tax, but presuming you live in a state with a similiar rate to what I posted, the actual price of your G was in the $35K -36K range and with milleage, if you got $32 K selling it, I would say that is holding value pretty damm well.

 

The Kelly BB is not very realistic. In the car world, the wholesale Black Book is the Bible used by all dealers.
I'm seeing low mile 04's going thru the dealer auctions in GA and bringing around $24 - $25K.
I guess it also depends on you location. But if you think that you can keep it for 1.5 - 2 years and get almost what you paid.....you are dreaming. Be prepared to loos approx. $5K in real life.

"I like you.....You remind me of myself when I was young and foolish"

 

Well I'm not saying that's what you would get from a dealer, I was talking mostly about selling it to a private party. Everyone knows the dealer will screw you on price. At least if you were selling your car to somebody else, you could use the KBB to your advantage. Sure you are not getting all your money back, but the fact is you get more back from our cars than any other coupe.

2004 5AT, Brilliant Silver, Graphite Leather, Performance Package

 

Agreed....the car is holding pretty well as compared to others!

"I like you.....You remind me of myself when I was young and foolish"

 

I agree that Kelly Blue Book is quite unrealistic in putting prices on our cars. The real accurate book is the Black Book. If you want to get a good idea of your wholesale value for your car, take it to Car Max. They are legit and will give top dollars for clean, low mileage, unpainted, desireable color cars. You will be pleasantly surprised.

2004 G35C/IvoryPearl/Graphite/5AT/Premium/Clear Bra