YACT...I'm looking at buying a New 2003 Maxima SE...

[Wolverine27]

There seem to be a lot of members here that are quite knowledgeable in cars. So I thought I'd see what you guys thought...

I'm looking at buying a New 2003 Maxima SE (loaded...leather, heated seats, titanium package, sunroof, traction control, etc.) The deal I've got so far is...

$25,596 and 60 months financing at 1.9%

Do you guys think this is a good deal?

Your comments are much appreciated.

-Wolverine

 

[vi edit]

It's a lot of car for the money, just remember that it already has pretty low resale and it's only probably going to be worse when the new models hit the showrooms shortly.

Depreciation isn't going to be pretty.

 

[human2k]

You can get 2 Hyundai Elantra's with the freedom of America's best warranty for that price.



Cheers.:beer:

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
It's a lot of car for the money, just remember that it already has pretty low resale and it's only probably going to be worse when the new models hit the showrooms shortly.

Depreciation isn't going to be pretty.

The new models are already in at my local dealer which is why they're trying to move the 2003's.

 

[ElFenix]

make sure you bring a financial calculator and check the numbers on the loan yourself. they'll pad it if they can.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Hey Skooooorb ....

- M4H

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Wolverine27

Originally posted by: vi_edit
It's a lot of car for the money, just remember that it already has pretty low resale and it's only probably going to be worse when the new models hit the showrooms shortly.

Depreciation isn't going to be pretty.

The new models are already in at my local dealer which is why they're trying to move the 2003's.

So this is NOT the new bubble looking one?? If it is not then I say go for it, if you have the money(not in school etc..) and you need a good 4 door car. If it is the new bubble one, move on.


And are there any other dealers within 50-100 miles? If so use the internet and have them bid against each other, will only get price lowwer. NEVER take first or second offer.

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
make sure you bring a financial calculator and check the numbers on the loan yourself. they'll pad it if they can.

Good advice. I've already got my spreadsheet ready

 

[BigSmooth]

I'd say that's a pretty good deal considering how loaded it is.
Like other have said, the immediate depreciation on the last model year before a major redesign is going to be really bad, but if you're planning on keeping the car for 5+ years, that's not as much of an issue.

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Wolverine27

Originally posted by: vi_edit
It's a lot of car for the money, just remember that it already has pretty low resale and it's only probably going to be worse when the new models hit the showrooms shortly.

Depreciation isn't going to be pretty.

The new models are already in at my local dealer which is why they're trying to move the 2003's.

So this is NOT the new bubble looking one?? If it is not then I say go for it, if you have the money(not in school etc..) and you need a good 4 door car. If it is the new bubble one, move on.


And are there any other dealers within 50-100 miles? If so use the internet and have them bid against each other, will only get price lowwer. NEVER take first or second offer.

No this is not the new bubble looking one. It's the older body style...which I actually prefer. I do need a 4 door (future kid hauler) but I still wanted to have something sporty. And this price falls in my budget.

There are 5 dealers within reasonable driving distance in my area. The guy I've been dealing with seems pretty straightforward and is the salesman in charge of internet sales so I think his pricing has been pretty decent. I'll push for more...but I'm feeling pretty good with where we've negotiated thus far. If you guys think I should ask for more...what do you think would be reasonable?

 

[ElFenix]

whats edmund's tmv say?

my area says 26,500 for that, you're a good 2 grand under invoice... nissan must have a rebate going on... i say do it unless another dealer in your area is cheaper.

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: bigsmooth
I'd say that's a pretty good deal considering how loaded it is.
Like other have said, the immediate depreciation on the last model year before a major redesign is going to be really bad, but if you're planning on keeping the car for 5+ years, that's not as much of an issue.

I think I'll definitely be keeping this car for a while...definitely 5+ years. I don't drive very many miles and I take good care of my cars...and no I don't want to lease

 

[flot]

Although I'm a big Nissan fan, financially this doesn't sound like the wisest purchase.

The thing is, it's already "the old style maxima" because the new ones just came out. I don't know how much of a deal that is off the price of a maxima, say, 4 months ago - but I'd definitely take that into consideration.

If you're really going to own it until it's worth nothing (some people do that) then it doesn't make much difference. But if you want to preserve some resale value down the road, the newer body style will be worth more. (Although again, I don't know how much $$ those are selling for right now, either)

 

[XCLAN]

i traded my 2000 firebird in for a 5th generation maxima....
right now u could get a nice SUV or and a Car used for that price....just my opinion.
Right now there is a Litigation lawsuit for the maxima , it has bad paint on it.....my front of my maxima needs repainted and new windshield. I have never seen this kinda garbage happen to a car this new.......
its great car but....not a pot of gold

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
whats edmund's tmv say?

my area says 26,500 for that, you're a good 2 grand under invoice... nissan must have a rebate going on... i say do it unless another dealer in your area is cheaper.

Edmunds TMV in my area says $26,927

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: XCLAN
i traded my 2000 firebird in for a 5th generation maxima....
right now u could get a nice SUV or and a Car used for that price....just my opinion.
Right now there is a Litigation lawsuit for the maxima , it has bad paint on it.....my front of my maxima needs repainted and new windshield. I have never seen this kinda garbage happen to a car this new.......
its great car but....not a pot of gold

What year is your Maxima XCLAN?

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

If you like the car go for it. Try to make them reduce more on the price. If you only plan on keeping this car for a few years, its not worth it cause it has really bad resale value.

However if you plan on keeping this car for over 5 years or so, then go for it. It has great bang for the buck and fun to drive.

Make sure you check out Maxima.org if you need any advice on the car.

 

[psteng19]

I say go for it, but check the invoice for it with all the options.

This is the last year the Maxima's are being built in Japan IIRC.
The '04's are built here in the US and people have already observed quality differences.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Wolverine27

Originally posted by: XCLAN
i traded my 2000 firebird in for a 5th generation maxima....
right now u could get a nice SUV or and a Car used for that price....just my opinion.
Right now there is a Litigation lawsuit for the maxima , it has bad paint on it.....my front of my maxima needs repainted and new windshield. I have never seen this kinda garbage happen to a car this new.......
its great car but....not a pot of gold

What year is your Maxima XCLAN?

5th gen maximas are 2000-2003. And yes they have really crappy paint on those models. Getting a 3M clear-bra helps out though. You can use thte crappy paint issue as leverage with the dealer to reduce the price.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: psteng19
I say go for it, but check the invoice for it with all the options.

This is the last year the Maxima's are being built in Japan IIRC.
The '04's are built here in the US and people have already observed quality differences.

you sure? cause a lot of the new owners have said that it feels much more "substantial" and better built than their previous Maxima (4th-5th gen). The owners have said its much more quieter and smoother than the previous Maximas. That's either a good or bad thing depending on your point of view.

 

[BigSmooth]

Even if there are some quality issues with the '04s, that's not necessarily due to the switch to a US manufacturing plant (although it could be).

All-new models often have quality control problems in their first year of production, no matter where they're built.

 

[StageLeft]

I wonder if Edmunds is really accurate with TMV at this point on an outdated model? That is a good interest rate and the price seems ok, but not spectacular. Really though how are other dealers in the area doing on prices on the 03's? I'd personally hate to buy a car that is already outdated if I'm buying it "new". I love my 2000 because it shares the same gen wtih the 2001-2003's, but if I was going to buy a "new" maxima I'd personally either want him to hack more off that price or just spend 3-4k more and get a 3.5SE 2004 model.

Nissans have relatively poor resale compared to honda/toyota anyway and since, as others mentioned, this is the final year in that the 5th gen it's going to be compounded. In November of 02 I paid only $15,300 for my SE which is loaded except lacks leather and had only 37k miles on it then. You'll be in the hole loanwise on that particular car for 2-3 years before you've built any equity in it at all. I know a car isn't supposed to be an investment but seriously it's gonna tumble in resale quickly.

How much is your dealer selling 04's for? I'd check some others to see how they are doing on the 03's. Dealers must be getting very desperate to sell them now.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Oh also let me add this since it might be relevant:
My dad bought our 99 at around this time when the 5th gens were released. This allowed us to get a great deal on the car since we paid substantially less. The car's MRSP was around $36kCDN, and we paid out the door price of $36k CDN which is pretty big savings if you consider that we pay 15% tax on top of the other car-related taxes (A/C, luxury/ gas,..)

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
If you like the car go for it. Try to make them reduce more on the price. If you only plan on keeping this car for a few years, its not worth it cause it has really bad resale value.

However if you plan on keeping this car for over 5 years or so, then go for it. It has great bang for the buck and fun to drive.

Make sure you check out Maxima.org if you need any advice on the car.

Thanks for the advice and thanks for that link mAdD INDIAN.

 

[Ryan]

You can definitly talk them down lower. Bring someone with you who is a GOOD arguer (preferably a woman) and let them do all the talking. I guarantee you'll get it down to at least 23k