Thanks in advance for tolerating another new buyer thread as I'm sure you get several of these every week.

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on an '03 G35 sedan and would just like some verification that I'm not missing anything. I've already contacted the servicing dealer who confirmed that there are no outstanding recalls. Also, I've searched and found out about the known issues such as the audio circuit board failures and compression rod clunks, neither of which have occurred on the car or at least haven't been repaired by the dealer.

Other info, the car has 108K miles, salvage title, and is being repaired by my family's body shop. Damage was to the left front and it didn't set off the airbags. They have repaired and sold several G35s like this and have two parts cars if I need them in the future. And the price is right.

Should I be checking anything else? Appreciate your thoughts and look forward to becoming a member of this community. I'm a long time fan of the VQ as I have a great running '95 Maxima with 265K that I will be departing with if this deal goes through.

Eric

 

Yes, check your extra parts and see if you have an 03-04 headlamp that you can sell to me . Passenger side please.

 

Oh, I forgot to mention that it's an early '03 model with a 3/02 build date.

I can ask him if he's interested in selling, although chances might be slim...probably just used one of them to fix the PS headlamp on "my" car.

 

hope the price is lower than $8k, otherwise, just walk away.

also, don't trust the dealer on any information. at least do a carfax. get the vin, and contact infiniti HQ to get more detailed information on recalls.

 

Price will be between $7k and $7.5k, so I think it's worth the risk. But I'm open to opinions on the value. Good call on Infiniti HQ, I'll do that. The body shop has a carfax and they read it to me on the phone, no issues there. It is a one-owner and per the dealership it was lady-driven.

 

^I think that's a bit high for a rebuilt title. For that mileage, you could pick up one with a clean title for 8-9
I got mine for about 8700. Clean title, 99k, single owner. That was about a year ago.

 

Post pics Eric. Colour? Doggy-door?

 

Really? The research I've done within a couple hundred miles shows retail asking prices of $11k-$12k even with the miles. Figured I could maybe negotiate $10k at best.

I should get the car this weekend for a test period, so I'll def post up some pics. It's silver. What's the doggy-door?

 

I think you're right about the price, Eric. After doing some more research on cars.com, there were 5 2003 G35's with ~108k miles ranging in price from $10-$12k. But those are with no accidents.

this is a doggy-dor (it's the door-handle on the trunk)

 

Yep, I figure I'm saving about $3k due to it having a rebuilt title. It probably still wouldn't be worth the risk to me if the work wasn't being done by my family's body shop. They've been at it for 50 years and do excellent work. In fact, they rebuilt my '95 Maxima at 90K when my brother totalled it. I've driven it to 265K without any problems...tires wear perfectly every time (I've been through a few sets, lol).

I only saw the car for a minute, but pretty sure it has the doggy door. Is there a problem with those, other than they're kind of ugly?

Anywhere I can get a build sheet from Infiniti quickly? I won't see the car again for a few days and I'm anxious to see what options it has now that I've done a little more research.

 

I did notice that it has the 5 spoke oem wheels, not the 6 spoke, and also the oem spoiler. Does that mean anything as far as any other options it should have?

 

Just called Infiniti Consumer Affairs. They say the only option added was the sport suspension package.

 

^ yep. 5 spoke oem wheels give that away. Also, keep in mind you're seeing $10-12 asking price that number doesn't mean much as I have never paid asking price for any vehicle I've ever owned... in fact, I've never failed to get at least $2000 off asking price. Just something to think about.

One more thing... that's a terrible picture of a doggy-door... mine looks much better

 

Sport package - higher-rate springs and shocks to match, it's a nice little upgrade from base.

Doggy-doors are rare and coveted by all sedan owners who aren't lucky enough to have one!

 

Also, if you have the sport shocks, you can put Coupe and/or 350Z springs on without having to change shocks. That will give you a nice drop, better handling, and it won't cost very much, or have a negitave effect on your ride quality.





Often such sedan owners will try to cover up how much they covet the Doggy Door by saying it is 'old' or 'ugly' or 'stupid' but the truth is they just wish they were cool enough to own one