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

[Angrymarshmello]

Sweet, I'd go for it

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I wonder if Edmunds is really accurate with TMV at this point on an outdated model?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though how are other dealers in the area doing on prices on the 03's? I'd personally hate to buy a car that is already outdated if I'm buying it "new".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.

I did a bit of negotiating at the end of last month on an 03 SE with cloth seats at another dealer. The price was $25, 800. This SE is loaded and is down to $25,600...so it does seem as if dealers are getting more desperate to move the 03's. I understand what you're saying about the 04's...but I just like the body style of the 03's better and if it's gonna save me 3-4k all the better. As for resale, I'm not too concerned about it as I'll probably keep this car for quite some time.

I did check out some used Maximas. I found two 2002's...SE's each with about 10k on the odometer...the dealer was asking $19,800 What do you think?

 

[RossMAN]

I'd pay the extra $6k to get a NEW '03

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'd pay the extra $6k to get a NEW '03

Exactly my thinking RossMAN.

 

[StageLeft]

I did check out some used Maximas. I found two 2002's...SE's each with about 10k on the odometer...the dealer was asking $19,800 What do you think?

I'd go for it. When I bought my max I had a strict budget but I ran into a 2002 with 10.5k on the odo for $20,500 and nearly wet my pants on the spot. They lose so much value immediately that a late model maxima is an excellent purchase.

Wouldn't you like to save $5-6k and get a mere 10k on the odometer? Then you'll have ample full warranty left on it. I mean think about it a mere 10k on the odometer and you save a whopping 20% on the price of the car.

 

[psy44]

Whatever you do, don't get the copper colored ones, in my opinion they are really ugly on that model.

 

[N8Magic]

FYI, CarsDirect has a target price of $24,291 for the model that you quoted in your first post.

I used 44333 as the zip code. (that is Akron's zip code no?)

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: psy44
Whatever you do, don't get the copper colored ones, in my opinion they are really ugly on that model.

The 03 doesn't come in copper, maybe you're confused with the 04.

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

I did check out some used Maximas. I found two 2002's...SE's each with about 10k on the odometer...the dealer was asking $19,800 What do you think?

I'd go for it. When I bought my max I had a strict budget but I ran into a 2002 with 10.5k on the odo for $20,500 and nearly wet my pants on the spot. They lose so much value immediately that a late model maxima is an excellent purchase.

Wouldn't you like to save $5-6k and get a mere 10k on the odometer? Then you'll have ample full warranty left on it. I mean think about it a mere 10k on the odometer and you save a whopping 20% on the price of the car.

Ok...so you guys got me thinking about some other alternatives. I'm still considering the used '02 SE's that I found. As for the depreciation factor...are you suggesting that I look at a Honda Accord or a Camry?

 

[StageLeft]

As for the depreciation factor...are you suggesting that I look at a Honda Accord or a Camry?

I'm not suggesting you buy one of those, by God. What I do suggest is that if you're dead-set on buying a new car then a Maxima is quite possibly not the best choice, since Camrys and Accords do seem to depreciate lower.

However what's more important: A new car or having a maxima? You can answer that.

So, given the obvious answer to that question if money is important to you then buying a slightly old maxima is probably the best way to go about it. You can get a very low mileage 02 SE loaded for about $20k on the nose if you search around.

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

As for the depreciation factor...are you suggesting that I look at a Honda Accord or a Camry?

I'm not suggesting you buy one of those, by God. What I do suggest is that if you're dead-set on buying a new car then a Maxima is quite possibly not the best choice, since Camrys and Accords do seem to depreciate lower.

However what's more important: A new car or having a maxima? You can answer that.

So, given the obvious answer to that question if money is important to you then buying a slightly old maxima is probably the best way to go about it. You can get a very low mileage 02 SE loaded for about $20k on the nose if you search around.

What about the V-6 Accord? I thought about going to test drive one for comparison.

I'd love to find an '02 SE loaded for about $20k...is there a website you recommend for locating used cars?

Thanks.

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: Wolverine27

Originally posted by: Skoorb

As for the depreciation factor...are you suggesting that I look at a Honda Accord or a Camry?

I'm not suggesting you buy one of those, by God. What I do suggest is that if you're dead-set on buying a new car then a Maxima is quite possibly not the best choice, since Camrys and Accords do seem to depreciate lower.

However what's more important: A new car or having a maxima? You can answer that.

So, given the obvious answer to that question if money is important to you then buying a slightly old maxima is probably the best way to go about it. You can get a very low mileage 02 SE loaded for about $20k on the nose if you search around.

What about the V-6 Accord? I thought about going to test drive one for comparison.

I'd love to find an '02 SE loaded for about $20k...is there a website you recommend for locating used cars?

Thanks.

Auto Trader

 

[Storm]

You could probably go lower than 19k... I did a quick search on auto-trader last night and there are 2002 SEs for like 18k and then you could prolly bargain down to 17k. I also noticed there are 2000 SEs that have low mileage too.

Why dont you see if you can get a 2003 SE that has a couple k miles on it maybe you can get it for 22-22k?

Edit
In my are of Jersey.

 

[Balthazar]

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.

It's not THAT bad, good lord.

I would take an '03 any day of the week.
Magnificent vehicle.

 

[Balthazar]

Originally posted by: 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.

Its not a complete redesign, same, essentially, engine and most parts. It's not a complete overhaul.

 

[StageLeft]

You could get the accord and it's the only one I'd consider but it's still no maxima Drive both i guess.

Autotrader is a good place to start. I happened to buy mine from a lot that sells late model imports that they buy from lease-auctions. Yes it was a lease car (doesn't bother me in the least).

 

[zer0burn]

why not look at a fully loaded mazda 6???

 

[Wolverine27]

Spac3d: Thanks for the Auto Trader link.

Storm:

You could probably go lower than 19k... I did a quick search on auto-trader last night and there are 2002 SEs for like 18k and then you could prolly bargain down to 17k. I also noticed there are 2000 SEs that have low mileage too.

Why dont you see if you can get a 2003 SE that has a couple k miles on it maybe you can get it for 22-22k?

Edit
In my are of Jersey.

That would definitely be an ideal situation. I may have to wait a bit to find a pre-owned 2003 in my area.

zer0burn:

why not look at a fully loaded mazda 6???

I'll put the 6 on my list of test drives too. Thanks for the suggestion.

Skoorb

You could get the accord and it's the only one I'd consider but it's still no maxima Drive both i guess.

Autotrader is a good place to start. I happened to buy mine from a lot that sells late model imports that they buy from lease-auctions. Yes it was a lease car (doesn't bother me in the least).

I agree with you there. I like the value and the performance the Accord offers, but I agree with you...it's still no Maxima I guess I'll keep searching...

Thanks for all the input guys!