I'm dealing with a private party and a dealer for 04G35 w/pre.pkg (both are same option and color)

private party- $26,300 (12000mile, clean)-->OTD= $28,000
dealer - $29,000 (New!!! 04G35) ---> OTD = $31,700

money-wise I am leaning to the used one but.. not sure it is the best choice or not.
Can you guys recommand one of those?

If I buy a used one, is the warranty(incl. brake warranty) transferable?

 

yes, the break warranty is transferable, as long as your car under 3yrs/36000 miles, they will do the brake service w/o any question. For my opinion, i will take the 2004 new g35
since its not that much difference. If you can get the used one for under 28000, thats better, otherwise, i will take the new one

 

My vote is for the pre-owned. Think of it this way--in a few years when you owe 10 grand on the new one, you would only owe $6,300 on the pre-owned. I know that $ 3,700 does not sound like alot--consider it almost a year less in payments at $350-$400 a month--you get the title 9 months sooner and someone else has already taken the hit on depreciation. Is it a nonsmoker, no paintwork/no accidents/flood etc--go for it. Think of it as buying the new one and putting $3,700 more down. Am I making any sense to you?

 

I recently had to make the same decision, but I approached it a little differently.

Used w/Premium package and low miles
or
New w/o Premium (Sport only)

The cost ended up being the same once the better financing of the new one was factored in...

Since everything in the Premium package fell into the 'nice to have, but by no means necessary' category, the decision was somewhat straight-forward.

It also takes me 1.5 years to put on 12,000 miles, so I really have a different vision from most as to what 'average' mileage is....

 

Question? Where do you live? If you live in Florida PLEASE send me a PM.

 

Also...
request the service record on the private deal.

If service record is clean @ 12K then you know you have a good car.

 

Your math is wrong somewhere. There is a 2700 spread on the sales price and a 3700 spread on the OTD price. Why a 1000 diff. other than 2700 extra to have sales tax on. Nothing like a new car and being the first owner and knowing the history of the car. Plus when you sell it you are orig owner not the second owner. Be smart and get the new car.

 

If you're going to keep the car a real long time buy the new one for the piece of mind. If you're only going to keep it 2-3 years then save the money and get the used one.

 

If he difference is indeed $3,700, I'd get the used one but have the car checked out first. BTW - the bumper to bumper warranty is 4 years and 50K miles, so you have plenty left on the car.

 

Why not look at an 03.5 with around 20K. I was quoted 24,500 OTD on an 03.5 sport pkg....around 7K in savings.

 

I appreciate for the comments...

Its still hard to decide... I have some more general questions about used cars. I am not sure how to check there is no paint job or mecahnical problem although the used one looks very good, well maintained by a mid-age lady, seems desn't drive aggressively~~ clean int.& ext.
can you guys tell me how to check those by bare eyes or test-driving?
do you guys recommand me to bring the car to a mechanics for pre-purchasing check which costs around $70. (I heard many mechanics can't even tell if it had an accident or not..)
And,
I'll check carfax report, do I have to pay $20 just for one car? are there any free trials...
the final price difference is because of less tax for the used one. I think I can save some tax when I purchase the used one. its fake ..but Isn't it possible?

Again thanks for the replies..

 

Also see if she is willing to reduce the selling price of the car on paper so both of you will have to pay less taxes.
I know the dealer won't do that and you could end up saving a chunk of money.

 

I would have it checked out (maybe the Infiniti dealer or a Carmax). I would see if she is willing to pay for the Carfax or at least split it. That way if you don't buy the car she would still have a copy to show to other potential buyers. Look for any overspray around the wheels and engine bay. Also see if you can have the engine compression checked, though with so few miles I can't imagine there would be problems there. I think the main thing you would look for is to see if it's been in an accident. Good luck!

 

If it's clean definately buy the used car.

No wait ....

If you can get it for $31,700, definately buy the new car.

(Inner dialogue. A guy goes to a psychiatrist. "Doc, I keep having these alternating recurring dreams. First I'm a teepee; then I'm a wigwam; then I'm a teepee; then I'm a wigwam. It's driving me crazy. What's wrong with me?" The doctor replies, "It's very simple. You're two tents.")

Looks to me like you've got a pretty even choice. No worries either way.

 

Personally...for $2,700, it would NOT be worth 12k miles, less warranty and another person's "break-in" of my car.


As a follow up: if you don't know what to look for when it comes to a used care you definitely want to have it checked out. In Houston, we have a company you can pay abou $150.00 to go over the car with a fine tooth comb...totally worth it if purchasing a used car. Alternatively, save the $150.00 and now the new car is only $2,550 more. Yet another reason to buy the new one. :-)