I agree with Cracker. I bought my 03.5 sedan loaded with leather, Premuim Package, Nismo Aero Kit, and wood trim for $22,500 in Jan 06. Car had 24K miles and three years left on the factory warranty. A 2 or 3 year old car with low miles is the cheapest way to buy these cars. GO with a reputable dealer and have the car checked out carefully. Let the first owner take the big hit on depreciation. As soon as you drive a new car off the lot it is already a used car!

 

I agree with others that suggest to buy used. A home will allow you to build equity and will almost always go up in value. In a few years you'll be making more cash and a car payment won't be as big a burden.

 

Of course, the home going up in value may depend on location and timing. Many people are worried that there may be a housing bust in the next few years now that interest rates are rising.

In my case, there was an used G35 when I was looking, but they wanted too much of a premium. I could probably have negotiated them down. Of course, after a few more years, there are many more available G35s now.

 

That's part of the reason I bought my car. Reminded me of my Mustang for some reason. The G is like a very refined version.

I get 17, damn near all city driving. Same as my 5.0 did back in the late 80s early 90s And around 25- on the highway. " ...."
I think it's worth it, since I drive just a few miles a day. In my case, it takes a while to get through the 20 gallon tank.

 

I could definitely go used, and I was ready to...but part of my downpayment is my pops hooking me up with 2k as a grad present for finishing everything, which is WAY cool and way more than they should, but he refused to give it to me when I told him I was going to buy an 04, with 34k on the clock, and 2 years left on warranty. He says because I have an 05 tacoma, it is INSANE to go from an 05 back to an 04, and I said, not really because I am moving up in so many ways. I am still thinking about going new, but with an 04 my payments would be less, insurance would be less, etc. But didn't the 04s have HUGE issues with brakes? Like enough of an issue to go with an 05 or 06?

 

oh, and yes, I have already been approved for the 2.95 rate because I already applied and was approved for it, so that's at least good.

 

I have nearly 26K on my 04's brakes. When I go in for the 30K service before my warranty expires, I'll have them checked again.

I'm not a hard driver, though maybe harder than I would be on a family car. Obviously I'm gentler than those who complained they didn't get 10K on their factory tires

 

I have only about 16K miles on my '04 with NO brake issues. I think the big problem was with the '03s and maybe some early '04s (mine was made late in the run). If you want a used car, check the Carfax report and have inspected by an independent mechanic.

 

Uh... no. (lol)

My average is around 18, but I typically get ~16 (15.5 to 17) on normal everyday driving. Granted my commute allows me to drive 70 MPH on the freeway consistently most of the way (West LA to Sherman Oaks) which (in my opinion) is very atypical.

My route varies between straight 405 driving to taking Beverly Glen. The traffic is usually free in my direction but is always stop and go the other side.

On long drives on the freeway (hundreds of miles), I get around 22-23 MPG (going about 80 to 100).

 

now I have come to a bigger decision, with the same down, do I lease a premium package, sunroof, for about 79 bux less a month, or do I buy a base w/ sunroof and pay 100 more a month but own it at the end? I am tempted to do a lease because I previouly liked to switch cars, btu I have a feeling this car will make me stop switching cars...:-)

 

My Navi tells me I am doing 18.1mpg, but sometimes it drops to 17.8.

 

I just leased a G35 6MT. $425 per mo. Has all the bells and whistles I didn't necessarily want or need, but I turn it in in 39 months, so I'm not paying the full price for all the upgrades. At the end of it, I'll probably end up with an '09 unless they do something stupid.

Sure, I will probably go over my alotted mileage at the end (15k per year), but this thing is so fun to drive.... life's too short to worry about the little things. Like speeding tickets. And jail.

 

I got my loaded X with navi for 39 months, 18K/year for $499/month. You couldn't get 18K/year?