My 2003 G35 6MT Coupe is currently leased by me since new. I had a 24 month, 24k mile lease, which is up on June 19th. I've decided I don't want the car any longer due to too many transmission and clutch problems, rattles, and other annoying problems. Plus, the car just doesn't meet my needs any longer, as I'm buying a house that needs some work that I'll be doing, so I'm buying a used SUV to haul house stuff and my boat with. The transmission and clutch were replaced last month, and after 2 attempts, the dealer still can't fix the clutch chatter/shuddering. Since my lease is almost up, I just don't want to deal with it anymore, so I haven't brought it back for them to fix it right.

Anyway, my car will have about 21k miles at the end of the lease, well under the 24k I paid for. My buyout price is $24,000, and with the nasty 8.5% Long Island sales tax, it will cost me $26,000 to buy the car.

Looking up the book value of my car, the private party value is about $29,000. So I'm thinking of listing my car for sale on ebay and here, and if I can get $29k for it, I can make a $3k profit that I wouldn't make if I just turned the car in to the dealer at the end of the lease.

The issue is my car still has quite a bit of clutch chatter and some rattles, but is otherwise in excellent condition. It is still under warranty, but I don't know if anyone wants to buy a car that has clutch chatter that will need more trips to the dealer to fix under warranty? I mean if someone test drives this car, they're not going to be happy with the clutch chatter (I know I'm not).

So my question is, should I even bother trying to make a profit by buying and reselling my car off lease? How much of a discount would people be looking for with the clutch chatter/tranny issue? How much would you pay for a car like this?

 

if the trans problems are very serious and the dealer cant even fix it,i wouldnt buy it.. $26k can be spent better

 

read more into your own post...
if the car has problems... why do u want to buy it and try to re-sell it. just let it go and get yourself another one.

you will be sticking someone else with a car that you know has problems... let the dealer do that...

 

Try to sell before lease is up and pay off lease if you get a buyer.

 

I 2nd that would you buy a strangers G35 w/ problems for $26k and try to sell it for $29k on ebay?

 

Buy it and sell it for as much as you can get. There is a real value in used coupes and the warranty will be transferrable. You may feel guilty but the dealer is going to throw it on the lot and sticker it at 32 or who knows what. 21K is awesome mileage for a coveted car.

 

This is your best option by far....and if you don't sell it by then, just turn it in and be done with it!!!!

 

^ Exactly, then you don't pay the tax.