Need Help - Infiniti G35 - US Car - Low Mileage - Should I buy ?????

[parimal]

Hi Folks.. Need your help. I came across a low mileage US car that a colleague of mine is selling. Its one owner, purchased in 2006 and imported from California. Its in top condition and with only 50,000 kms on it. He is asking $16,0000 for it considering it is in top condition and very low mileage. He imported the car and has brought it up to CDN spec.
My Questions

1. Is 16K a good price for a 2006 Infiniti G35 sedan ? Do you feel its overpriced ? I checked VMR canada and the retail value comes to 15K. Do you feel that infiniti is a brand that can be resold easily if I decided to sell in a few years.
2. Do you feel that a RWD sedan will drive okay in snow ? I intend to buy snow tires but will the car be able to handle the snow ?
3. Any tips / recommendations for what I should look for when buying this car. He has all the maintanence etc. I intend to take it to Infiniti dealership and requesting an inspection.
4. Any alternative premium cars that you could suggest in the same price range ?

I would really appreciate your help

Thanks

[jasonkwan86]

My instincts tell me that $16,000 is way too much, considering it is an american car. I checked Canadian Blackbook, and even if I go to the most expensive model, the average asking price is also around $15,000. Typically, american cars will sell for much less than Canadian cars in oder to find a buyer, hence why there has been a steep decline in importation of new vehicles lately. If I were you I would take a look at what other similar american vehicles are selling for and determine how much to pay.

Remember to get a Carproof for Canadian History, and a Carfax for American History. Keep an eye out for water damage or water damage repair.

[parimal]

Thanks Jason..

[DJ_Peanuts22]

Carfax isn't that reliable.

I would check out Experian Autocheck.

[adrenaline rush]

With winter tires, G35's are perfectly fine in the snowy conditions. Without, they're not so great.

Depending on when the car was originally sold, you may even have some powertrain warranty left. You're well under in mileage and it's a 6 year warranty.

Typically Infiniti's have pretty good resale value (the coupes more so than the sedans) but still better than average. Price wise, I think you should be able to get some off the price...

[parimal]

Thanks guys,,, really appreciate your quick response...

[vaportech]

16k? That expensive. Your friend bought in the states to save. So he must past that discount onto the next buyer. Us spec will always sell for less even if its in tip top condition. You should check for similar mileage used car listings for that dame model in the states.

[mr_raider]

With good winter tires, you should be able to manage most of the time in snow. Especially considering how little snow southern ontario gets. Be careful going uphill and parking on snow banks though. Keep a shovel and traction aids in the trunk.

[Brian99]

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/ctd/3080596428.html

AWD as well.

[thedead]

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/ctd/3080596428.html

AWD as well.

lol that is a BMW...with a much smaller/slower engine

[parimal]

Lol....the person is stuck on 16k and not coming down which is a pity. I showed the vmr and canadian blackbook prices which are close to 10,000 and 12,000...well...lets hope i get some thing else.

Point on the bmw, Infinii was rated as one of consumer reports best buy , bmw had lots of issues reported so more probability of problems. I love the looks of the bmw but staying away due to all the issues as per cr.

[poedua]

Lol....the person is stuck on 16k and not coming down which is a pity. I showed the vmr and canadian blackbook prices which are close to 10,000 and 12,000...well...lets hope i get some thing else.

Point on the bmw, Infinii was rated as one of consumer reports best buy , bmw had lots of issues reported so more probability of problems. I love the looks of the bmw but staying away due to all the issues as per cr.

Then walk away from the deal.

AT MOST....good private deals should only be around 5% above max ( as in ' pristine ' / ' showroom ' ) VMR / BlackBook wholesale values IMHO.

[Brian99]

lol that is a BMW...with a much smaller/slower engine

Read OP. He was looking for alternatives in said price range. Also did not state performance criteria.

[Toolatecrew]

16 K is way high for an 06 G35 even if it was a canadian car. I got my G35 X with 100k on it (Canada Car clean title and reports) for 13K. A RWD US car should be quite a bit less than that.For 16 K you are getting close to getting an 07 G35 which is a newer style vehicle.

The G35 is a good car in that class. In the same price range you could get the much less powerful TSX or maybe a TL if you want V6 power. A Lexus IS is going to cost more. They command very high used prices because they are bullet proof (although a bit dull) There are lots of G35s around in that price range. If you want one you can find one no problem. Buy a good set of snow tires and rims.

Make sure that the car is checked for compression rods/bushings. The G35 is reliable mechanically but they all suffer from compression rod wear issues. 05 and earlier suffer from fast brake wear. Most of the the other mechanicals are reliable and cheap to fix. Its made by Nissan really. Be prepared to pay at the pump though. its thristy and even more so becuase its hard not to want to ulease all 280 plus hp every chance you get

[parimal]

Thanks guys...the main reason for my interest was low mileage.. At 40 k mileage, i think it deserved a little bit more premium vs 100k mileage that u can usually find in the same model car. Havent seen a 2007...is there a drastic difference ? I might negotiate the guy to 15k ? Will it be a good deal then ?

I will look into the acura TL and the lexus but not sure if anything wll come close in terms of mileage and price?

[Toolatecrew]

Thanks guys...the main reason for my interest was low mileage.. At 40 k mileage, i think it deserved a little bit more premium vs 100k mileage that u can usually find in the same model car. Havent seen a 2007...is there a drastic difference ? I might negotiate the guy to 15k ? Will it be a good deal then ?

I will look into the acura TL and the lexus but not sure if anything wll come close in terms of mileage and price?

40 K mileage is = to about 65 KM don't forget the odometer is in MILES not KM.

so its got about 35 ,000 less KM on it than the one I bought. s that worth an extra 3k? That's up to you but the thing is that certain things wear out or need service based on AGE not miles. Busings can deteriorate over time so a car with 60,000km may need them replaced after 6 years just like a car with 100k over 6 years will.

its a fact of the market that US cars get discounted in Canada. If you buy that car from your friend and end up wanting to trade it in in a year or 2 to a dealer you will get HOSED. They will offer you 5 K for the thing and say "its a US car". Even a private sale people are going to want a big discount. Doesn't matter if its fair that is the way that is.

The low mileage and the fact that's a US car should cancel out. 15 K is not a good deal. Its up to you but I would not pay anymore than 12 and even then I'd probably be asking for even more of a discount just because its a US car. Like I said I paid 13 for mine and its an X AWD. There are other 06 G35Xs locally for ess than 14 K with around 100k on them.

[poedua]

Thanks guys...the main reason for my interest was low mileage.. At 40 k mileage, i think it deserved a little bit more premium vs 100k mileage that u can usually find in the same model car

But that ' low km ' premium should only be about $750 - $1,000 ...max.


Havent seen a 2007...is there a drastic difference ? I might negotiate the guy to 15k ? Will it be a good deal then ?

Nope.

15k is a lousy deal ( especially for a U.S. car )...13k is a ' so so ' fair deal....a ' good ' deal for you is $11,000.

The US coupe below with 69,000km on it is selling for $15,900 at a dealership - and you assume there's about $3,000 profit in that price...so the MAX ' private sale ' equivalent should be about $12,000 - $13,000.

AND the base coupe commands a $2,000 premium over the base sedan.

In a nutshell, I agree with Toolatecrew, you're still getting ' fleeced ' at $15,000.;)

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Infiniti/G/TORONTO/Ontario/5_14594736_20091022080709197/?showcpo=ShowCPO

[akito925]

Thanks guys...the main reason for my interest was low mileage.. At 40 k mileage, i think it deserved a little bit more premium vs 100k mileage that u can usually find in the same model car. Havent seen a 2007...is there a drastic difference ? I might negotiate the guy to 15k ? Will it be a good deal then ?

I will look into the acura TL and the lexus but not sure if anything wll come close in terms of mileage and price?

Heres a example of a TSX

http://www.haldimandmotors.com/vehicle.aspx?usedcars=ACURA~TSX&stk=32-1219&page=1

65,559 kms

$17,995
+ HST

[kingrukus]

Walk away from the deal. Your "friend" is trying to make money off of you. They probably paid 16k for the car or even less by importing it from the US and are either trying to profit or break even on the car. An '06 is an entire generation old, and is about to go two generations back once the next generation is introduced later this year as a '14 model. I wouldn't pay more than 12k for a mint 03-06 G35 sedan - it is an old dated design. There are better choices at 16k.

You should be disgusted with your friend. Only a fool would pay 16k for a US import '06 G35 auto sedan.

[mr_raider]

Thanks guys...the main reason for my interest was low mileage.. At 40 k mileage, i think it deserved a little bit more premium vs 100k mileage that u can usually find in the same model car. Havent seen a 2007...is there a drastic difference ? I might negotiate the guy to 15k ? Will it be a good deal then ?

I will look into the acura TL and the lexus but not sure if anything wll come close in terms of mileage and price?

The Lexus IS250 has issues with engine deposits. Stay away. The IS350 is fine.

[poedua]

Walk away from the deal. Your "friend" is trying to make money off of you. They probably paid 16k for the car or even less by importing it from the US and are either trying to profit or break even on the car. An '06 is an entire generation old, and is about to go two generations back once the next generation is introduced later this year as a '14 model. I wouldn't pay more than 12k for a mint 03-06 G35 sedan - it is an old dated design. There are better choices at 16k.

You should be disgusted with your friend.

Only a fool would pay 16k for a US import '06 G35 auto sedan.

+1

That's it in a nutshell.;)

[parimal]

Thanks guys...it is a sedan that has 42000 kms not miles... So my thought was that 2000 premium may bejustified over 13000 for a car with 100k. The only benefit is that i knowthis guy and he is the first owner and he moved to canada and brought the car along. I would probably keep the car for atleast next 6 years.

[macnut]

The only benefit is that i know this guy and he is the first owner and he moved to canada and brought the car along. I would probably keep the car for at least next 6 years.

Well that puts an entirely different complexion on it.

A 1-owner vehicle, known history, service records and full set of keys come with the car, that's worth a small premium in my view.

As long as you are comfortable with the speedometer emphasizing m.p.h. - watch out for speeding tickets.

And happy with using prem. fuel, and expecting to keep it for at least 6 years remove the main concerns with the acquisition.

Might be a past generation, but I think they looked just as good if not better than the present one.

[kingrukus]

My dad's cousin who works for a local Nissan dealership recently received a 2006 G35 on trade-in from an elderly gentlemen. The car was serviced by this dealership for it's entire life, and only had 32000km (that is like brand new). Needless to say the car was in EXCELLENT condition. It ended up being sold to another family member for $12000.

As I said before, you are getting ripped off.

[carmaster]

Check out this site and price is out based on the features:

http://www.vmrcanada.com/value_menus/canprices/06ing335.html

[parimal]

Comes to 13600 for Wholesale and 15950 for retail....its a nail biter..

[poedua]

Thanks guys...it is a sedan that has 42000 kms not miles... So my thought was that 2000 premium may bejustified over 13000 for a car with 100k.

It looks like you're still looking for excuses to ' pay through the nose' for this car.

$2,000 is ridiculous ...based on VMR, the premium should only be about $750 - $1,000 ...max.


The only benefit is that i knowthis guy and he is the first owner and he moved to canada and brought the car along. I would probably keep the car for atleast next 6 years.

That still isn't any justification to let him rip you off with by asking for such a high price.

It's worth only about $12,000 - $13,000....pay any more than that and you're getting fleeced IMO..

[parimal]

I guess, you are right... I may have to let this deal go... if the price doesnt drop

[poedua]

I guess, you are right... I may have to let this deal go... if the price doesnt drop

I would...cause as it stands now...for a 6 year old car, it's a really lousy deal.

You work hard for your money....as a minimum ...you want to find a ' good ' / ' great ' deal...and should expect nothing less. :)

And remember, $13,600 for Wholesale is for a ' mint / showroom ' condition ( maybe 5% of all cars are like that ) CANADIAN vehicle ( not a US vehicle )....so, coupled this with the fact most private sales should be at or below max wholesale....everything still points at something closer to about $12,000....not $16,000.

[coriolis]

It looks like someone fell in love with a certain car, which is never a good thing when buying a car. There are always other vehicles out there.

[TorontoEh]

The Lexus IS250 has issues with engine deposits. Stay away. The IS350 is fine.

Really? I suppose certain year model and not the current generation 2009+ ?


It looks like someone fell in love with a certain car, which is never a good thing when buying a car. There are always other vehicles out there.

So true! OP - Walk away from this deal

[2004acura]

so is a 2004 acura TL fully loaded a bad deal at $11000(157K KM)?
bought it 3 months ago

[parimal]

Yes...the condition of the car is absolutely mint . I think i fell in love with the idea of owning this car. It is hard to find something with low mileage and when they do come by , they ask for premium. I will look for a acura rdx instead...

[poedua]

Yes...the condition of the car is absolutely mint . I think i fell in love with the idea of owning this car. It is hard to find something with low mileage and when they do come by , they ask for premium. I will look for a acura rdx instead...

In a nutshell....even though it may be mint and low kms, the car is still overpriced.

Even WITH all that, it's still only worth $12,000 - $13,000.....not $16,000.

Don't let your emotions - i.e falling ' in love ' with the car - trump logic & common sense.;)

[mr_raider]

Really? I suppose certain year model and not the current generation 2009+ ?


All 4gr-fse engines. Currently the LSB for the fix only applies to 06-09 models, but I guess 2010 and + will be added soon enough. Lexus can't fully fix the problem short of fully redesigning the injection system on the 2.5, or reconfiguring the full exhaust system.