I've had a hard time getting an idea how much I should sell my G35 Sedan w/Premium/Aero 10,500 miles. I decided to order an 04 coupe 6MT with Premium. I talked to the dealer briefly about trading it in and his comment is that "these are not as hot as the used to be". I know where this is going Any thoughts?

 

As you probably suspect, he's setting you up for a serious lowball. And since coupes are still selling for MSRP and up in most places, he's probably not inclined to give you a great deal on a trade-in. Unfortunately I haven't sold a car yet to dealers so I can't offer any advice. All I can say is good luck and hope I'm just underestimating him.

 

You might as well plan on a pounding - a car that new always takes a big depreciation hit and he's holding a hot commodity that he knows he can sell. Another thing is that the used car market is saturated right now, because everyone has cycled out their old cars with deals and financing rates being so favorable. All this spells trouble for anyone wanting to do what you're thinking about.

I'd consider it real hard - and maybe wait for the next big thing - unless you have about $5k+ burning a hole in your pocket..

-- mike

2003 G35C 6MT Leather, BS, Prem

 

I took a hit when I traded my 2002 Accord for a Murano.Since the Hondas have lower depreciation rates than most cars I think you'll get raped on your sedan.

2003.5 G35
2003 350Z
2003 Murano SL

 

Just keep in mind that anytime you buy a car and drive it off the lot its value drops about 6k or more depending on the car. With the mileage, I'd say be prepared to take a decent loss. If you had 2-300 miles on it and just changed your mind I might say different. So yeah, like the last guy said, you're gonna get raped by the dealer. You might want to try selling it yourself locally to make up some of the loss. Even if it takes a month or three you will save a few thousand. Also, you will be able to get an '04 then and that will help future resale value a bit.

I still salute you for your decision. If you can afford the loss, go for it and take it as a learning lesson. I just got out of a lease early to get my G and I took probably a bigger hit than you will take on a straight trade. That and I had to drive a car I was unsatisfied with for 3 years before I got the ***** to actually do it. I took my hit and I'm not looking back. All I know is I love my coupe!

Rob

 

well if you live in a state with nice high tax rates (i.e. NY, CA, etc.), thats a irrecoverable 3k (assuming a loaded g35 in NY) once you sign on the dotted line, and if you put on miles in the 4 digits, the value goes down even more, by the time your ready to sell in a couple of weeks/months with <10000 miles, you have a 6k hit.

obviously a 19k jetta isn't going to depreciate that much, but compare percentages and they should about be the same.

 

I actually bought this G used at Denver Infiniti so my hit might not be as bad as having bought this new. I am thinking about listing it in the local paper as well. I had read little about the coupe when I bought the sedan. I have 2 kids and thought thought a coupe was not even a possibility. After joining this forum and test driving a coupe and realizing the back seats are actually usable I want a 6MT. I liked the handling of the coupe. Unfortunately, there was not a 6MT to test just an automatic. I'm not thrilled about the automatic in my sedan and I like the package and Brembo brakes that come standard on the coupe. The only thing I;m not sure about is the nav. Do people really use this? I've never had a nav system in my cars so I know nothing about this.

 

Also, I don't remember seeing aluminum pedals in the coupe; is this standard in the coupe? Has anyone bought their car from Grubbs? I'm thinking also maybe going out of state to get a better deal as Denver Infiniti is known for being hard asses on their new car prices.

 

I don't know about that I traded in my 2001 CL Type-S for my G I paid 36K for the Acura out the door. I only got 16K for my trade in. $20K Depreciation? WTF Cars are the Worst investment. At least a House even though you live in it and it gets used it still goes up in Value......... Can I get a Street Address for My Coupe???!!! LOL

NismoCPV-35

 

Land goes up cause they don't make any more of it; cars on the other hand....you get the picture.

 

You all are playing right into the hands of a majority of dealers with this talk. Why should it simply be assumed that your almost new 30k car will take a 20% ($6k) hit after only 2-3k mi.? Are you speaking from personal experience or simply voicing your worst case fears?

There ARE buyers equally interested in $2-3k less than invoice on a barely used '03.5 sedan vs $750 over on an '04. How many "should I buy now, or order and pay more?" posts have you seen? Not everyone finances, or is turned off either buying slightly used or at the end of a model year. Plenty of people actively seek out such bargains.

The big question is, how much cushion does the dealer really need on a trade if they're making $3k over invoice plus holdback on the coupe sale? Probably nowhere near 20%. Plus, most dealers prefer a very low mi., barely used vehicle on their lot rather than a 2-3 y.o. POS that may end up at auction. With nothing off MSRP on new coupe sales, a dealer should be able to offer a much better trade-in than you're talking about and still have a reasonable expectation of making a profit.

Granted, they may not want to risk alot of these trades but, if you are an existing customer whom they profited from just a few short months ago, they certainly should be willing to offer you a noticibly better trade-in than any other dealer. After all, their goal IS to sell you another car now, not ostracize you forever. Good luck.