My 04 is nearly 5 years old now.

A little discouraging when you do or get a wax job done, and you notice additional imperfections in the pain.

Another spot of paint missing on the hood. The red lines where someone bumped your bumper (without your knowledge) in the parking lot that doesn't want to wipe off.

The dimpled spots on the side from doors.

The short scratches on the hood (someone place something on hood?).


The scratches in the back seat leather.

I guess if I leased, and got a new car every 2-3 years, I wouldn't have time for these issues to add up. Nor care, since I wouldn't be keeping the car for a longer term. Then, it would be the person buying the 3 year old car that would be complaining about the previous owner.

At least it is paid for, drives fine, and still nicer looking than most of the cars on the road.

 

I look at the age-induced cosmetic flaws/damage as "character" I'm 34 and have never owned a new car therefore I'm use to always having an imperfect car. My black G is still in amazing shape and most 6 y/o cars aren't in remotely as good shape. I don't even flip out when I see a new scratch or ding in my car because I get dings taken out when I get 4 to 5 of them and scratches are repaired with either 2000 grit polish/repair or an air brush. This will be my last black car though especially since I'll continue to buy 1 to 2 y/o used cars. Black shows too many flaws and requires lots of TLC. My next car will be white.

 

Im not good at keeping car's paint in good shape and my only regret about the G35 is that, i got it in black color. I am very **** about the maintenance just not the cosmetic part.

The car might get a brand new paint job very soon so, Im thinking about painting it dark grey color and be **** about the paint as well from that on...

 

I think you'd be shocked at just how much of a difference a professional detailer could make with your car's finish. It would be $300 well spent. Just make sure the detailer is reputable.

 

that is my first option actually. We have local detailers that do incredible things with messed up paint. I will give that a try first and go from there.

 

Like DaveB, I too have never owned a brand new car so I don't spaz out when I see paint chips and the like on the G35. Currently my silver G has several tiny-to-small chips on the front bumper and hood (which get touched up every 2-3 months), small crease dent on the rear fender, and a scratch on the trunk lid (both came like that when I bought the car). Other than that, it's in not too bad of a shape for a 5-year old car.

To those who own a black G, I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts on the maintenance part. I used to own a black Lexus, and I can't recall how often I had to wash, polish and wax her up on a weekly basis. Black calls for more attention to the paint than any other color, and I'm so glad I have switched to a non-black G

 

Unlike yourself and daveB. I have owned 4 brand new vehicles from feb 2000 to present. I flip out when i see a scratch. I go as far as to secretly inspect my car should my wife have to drive it for some strange reason (rarely happens). Why I put so much emphasis in the value of a car?? I have no idea, I just love them. I however have promised myself that this 04 Sedan is my last brand new car. They are such wothless peices of machinery, and yet we dump so much money into them and rarely recover half of it when we try to sell. But hey, we do it any way

 

My car tastes are such that I can't really afford new I let that first guy take the big hit in deprecitation in the first 15 months. I'd love to own a new car, but I don't see it happening until I'm well into my 40s. I want my house paid off by the time I'm 49 and be retired by the time I'm 53. The new cars can wait, but I'll always have a sweet ride

 

And that my friend is the way to go. I just haven't learned to do it as yet. but I'm sure this time it's for real. I have a 04 SDN, a 07 Cruiser (cycle) and wifey a 07 Minivan. I hope I'm set for a long time as far as toys are concerned. Plus I retire from the military in 10 yrs, and will obviously get another job to sustain my type of lifestyle and to combat boredom. I'll only be 45

 

I agree.

Keep the car in the best possible condition and go from there. Cars are meant to be enjoyed and those that look too perfect are either major garage queens or the owner spends alot of time and money reconditioning(re-painting hoods/bumpers, replacing grills etc) to make new again.

I kinda envy the guys with 7 yr old jeeps and trucks with slightly faded paint but nonetheless reliable transportation---they can park anywhere, don't have to wash it, and if they do its drive thru car wash and drive-dry, don't sweat any dings/scratches etc.

let your G become your beater......(but the nice kind of beater)

 

I bought my 04 last year as somewhat of a beater. I drive a ton for work and needed something comfy yet I wouldn't feel terrible about putting lots of miles on and not "babying." I still feel it is in good shape for it's age. Japanese cars never have the best paint quality, they never have. My last car, a VW, had far better paint.

 

I agree, why buy new--do what I and daveb do, buy 1-2 yrs old.(those that buy new cars yearly are exposed to carcinogens in the new car materials, enough bad stuff to cause nausea, headaches and lung cancer perhaps over 20 yrs. The fumes are the worst the first 3-6months, especially in a hot car with the ac on recirculate, ok tangent there)

Honestly, I want my next car to not be so nice, maybe 4-5 yr old very well taken-care of. I want to park wherever, I want to not sweat a scratch, I want to spend less money, I want to be free

Like Daveb, I want my next car to be silver or white and I want to pay off my house EARLY and retire early. go dave.

My wifes suv was the last new car we had(5 yrs ago) both cars payed off for 2 yrs now and I plan to keep it that way for awhile. My G will become my beater and I want to buy a 5-6 yr old vette in 3-4 yrs.

rant over.

 

I have a friend with a brand new Z06 and GM bought it back because the new car interior fumes are insane. It smelled like straight solvent. One friend of his puked after a 20 minute drive and this wife would get light headed after 5 minutes. Even funnier is the latest Motor Trend noted the same fumes in their tester Z06 (same color blue/green). They said it smelled like an auto painting room. I agree. That's exactly the smell.


My wife owns a silver 1998 Legacy GT wagon we bought back in August 2001. The car currently has 105K miles and still drives great. The body has seven dings which can easily taken out for $250. Otherwise, the body is flawless. The engine still runs strong, though the car is rather loud because it's a wagon and the chasiss is flimsy by today's standards or maybe it's because I'm so use to the controlled ride of the G. Over the course of 7 years, I've done the timing belt, water pump, tranny fluid, a half shaft, shocks, and tires with most of the stuff done by me. It's been a great car and I have 3 friends that want it as their "beater" car and they're all willing to pay $7500 for it which ain't bad seeing we paid $14.5K 7 years ago.

Next year I'm buying my wife an 2006 Legacy Outback H6 (~$18-19K) and I'm debating on selling my G, keeping the 98 LGT as my beater, and picking up a 03-04 350Z or an S2000 as my primary.

 

that's cool, but make sure you don't get a black one