Quote:
Originally Posted by madinsane
Just having some second thoughts on buying my car new versus an '05 or '06 used. The reason I bought it new is for the nicer spoiler on the '06+ 2007 Coupe 6MT, I have all the goodies, nav. etc.
I like the fact it has the warranty and everything but according to KBB I have already lost like $6k and have only owned it like 9 months.
When I drove it off the lot, it had door squeaks and rattles, the sunroof was completely LOOSE from the factory and popped when going over speed bumps. I had to get 4 panels replaced and the doors STILL rattle & Squeak to this day. Also, the driver's window had rattling but the dealer finally got that fixed... What a headache.
Since it was a black car it had spiderwebs, swirl marks, etc. that I didn't notice since I bought the car at night after work. They did their best to fix them, but I still notice the difference. I advise anyone to never buy a car at nighttime.
Anyways, just bitching, but I don't think a new car is worth the $$price premium of a used or certified. Needless to say this will be my last $40k car but I plan on keeping it a long time. Putting $1k tires on her every 15k miles is killing me. Also, the dealer sold me on some paint protection crap which was $1200 bucks and diddn't do jack shit. Total rip off.... Discuss.
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Unfortunately, it sounds like this will be a learning experience for you. I can't stress enough that you have to do your research! Especially when spending this kind of money! Fortunately, for you, this forum has lots and lots of valuable information floating around on it. Just ask and research.
Tip #1 Depreciation. A new car immediately depreciates $4k-$6k AS SOON AS IT IS DRIVEN OFF THE LOT. That's just the way it has always been. If you don't mind worrying about how the previous driver drove the car, you can always buy used or used/certified and save you the anxiety of depreciation cost. I tend to buy new and just expect the depreciation because I know that I am buying a car that I'm confident someone else hasn't ragged the shit out of. Yes, you get that wonderful warranty for up to 48 months on the used car, but what's the point if your engine, etc. is shot and you will be spending a large amount of time having to make return trips to the dealership to get stuff fixed on it? Another reason that the G35 may be showing a bit higher depreciation in such a shorte amount of time might have something to do with the fact that now there is a G37 which has replaced the G35 too.
Tip #2 You got a black car. What does this mean to you? You will be spending lots and lots of time and effort trying to keep her clean, otherwise, it will show ANY discrepency on the paint including swirl marks and spiderwebs, etc. The trade off is a clean black car sure does look sweet when it is dirt-free. (I know, I have a black one.) You will also soon be introduced to the wonderful world of rock chips too unless you take the proper precautions to clear bra the front end, or make a conviction not to drive your car.
Tip #3 Never ever pick up your new car purchase at night. I am guilty of this and found several discrepencies with it that I didn't notice until I got her under a flourescent light or in regular sunlight the following day.
Tip #4 I keep reading about folks having to replace your tires every 15k miles. I still don't understand how that is possible. I have 18k on my '04 coupe (low mileage) but there is still alot of tire tread on my original tires. I will admit, I don't drive my car hard though, so that may have something to do with it. Same with my brembo brakes.
Door rattles and body creaks have all been discussed multiple times on this forum and other G35 forums, I believe it has something to do with the way the frame was designed, but I may be wrong. You did get ripped off buying the paint protection.
Someone else on this forum had a problem with their sunroof making popping noises, and he had to take it back to the dealership - and they had to tighten the bolts holding the sunroof or something, I think that was BIADA too...