
Question: If you could be so kind as to advise what you think a good negotiated price for a 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe (at a retailer), fully loaded with every option in near mint condition with 28k miles would be?
I’ve found one for $22,000 and have not contacted the seller yet. Compared to other similar listings around the country, this looks like a great deal (most similar builds at this price range have about 50k miles) and I’m wondering if it would still be possible to toake off another $500 to $1K off the price? I am paying cash, if that matters? Thanks for your help!
Queen of the Road: Hi there. For a 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe with 28,000 miles, prices can range from $20,400 (being in above average condition) to $18,900 (being in average condition) and $17,450 (being below average condition). Generally, most dealerships have about a minimum 12%-14% markup from wholesale prices. Keep negotiating. $22k is okay, but far from great. If its in average condition, you have every right to lower it down to $19k. $22k is on the higher end, but again, it better be in tip top shape. Best of luck and Happy New Year!!
Follow Up Comment 1: Thanks for the help. This is the first car I have ever bought (my 1992 Lexus ES300 has finally died on me this week!) and I need to get a car by the end of February (sooner if possible)
I do have the cash to pay for the Infiniti, and this one is the perfect build with low miles (28k) and from the descriptions and the 60 pictures on the website appears to be in execellent condition. Here is the link to the specific car I am looking at 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe
It is specifically listed at $21,990, and I was planning on offering $20,000 to them over the phone, saying that is all I can afford and sticking to that number. In the end, if they can get the price down to $21,000, then I would definately be willing to drive to Illionis (5 hours drive from Ohio) to make sure the car is ok, but it, and drive it home. Do you think I should offer a lower first bid, or try $20,000 and stick with that?
Do you think it woudl be a better idea to wait 6-7 weeks to buy? Infiniti did just bring out the G37 Coupe, which is likely going to push the G35 prices down even more (which is what I was waiting for), but I doubt there will be much general depreciation over what I can find now, especially if I can get a good deal, and this car is the exact one I want, and I highly doubt it will still be for sale in 6 weeks.
Do you have any other recommendations? Do you think a first offer of $20,000 is a good starting point for me? I have about $30,000 of savings, so I can afford the $22k price without a loan, but I’m in lawschool now and while I have a pretty good income from AOR profits (learned here one FW, which is paying for this car completely and my law school tuition), I’d like to have as much left over $ for law school tuition as possible. Is it common, or likely, that I might get a lower price if I pay cash? I have found so far in my hunt that no one cares if I get a loan or pay cash (and loans on this type of car are typically not at great interest rates (not low enough for arbitrage, ie 3% or lower).
Please let me know any techniques you would use, such as what you would offer first. Keeping in mind I have a 5 hour drive to see the car, obviously we’ll have to agree on a price over the phone. I really apprecaite your help!
PS: If you are into AOR, or have any questions about that, I’d be happy to try to help you out!
Queen of the Road: Mike, if you are into AOR you should checkout www.prosper.com. Okie Dokie …let’s focus on your quest for a G35. You sound like a good guy so I’m going to get Suze Orman on you for a second. Why in the world do you want to blow the bulk of your savings on a car? You should invest it and see if it can grow and pay off your entire law school tuition. BTW many dealerships prefer people that finance because the dealer makes a financing fee (this is another section altogether).
Now if you are determined to get the G35 here is our expert advice.
You are absolutely correct that the G37 will depress G35 prices. Give it about 6 months because it takes a bit until the G37s trickle down. In my opinion, paying that much money now for a G35 is a mistake if you are able to wait. Knowing you are in Ohio helps me figure out that there are probably not a lot of preowned G35s around. However, the California auctions we see have TONS of them and they sell for wholesale prices. Right now the 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe should wholesale for $18,900 so retail should be $20,900.
The price you are being quoted is a decent deal but far from great. There a lot of extra options on the G35 you are looking at but let’s stay disciplined here. Offer $20,000 and let them know that car lists at $18,900 wholesale but because of the options you will pay $20,000. Stick to your guns because the car is depreciating everyday as your money is appreciating everyday. What do you lose for taking your sweet time?
Here is some more food for thought. A 2004 Nissan 350Z convertible with 28,000 miles wholesales for around $18,950. The 2004 350z Coupe with 28,000 miles wholesales for $16,850.
Our goal is to get you into a car you love and also to make sure you don’t pay more than you should. With a car like the G35, there is plenty of supply available and being patient will yield you a killer deal. Now go get ‘em!
Follow Up Comment 2: Thanks, the $18,900 data point helps. I could really care less about the navigation system (have a Garmin already), but I do want all the other options. I think $20k is a fair number. There is a identical G35 about 50 miles from this car, and I’m going to see who offers the lowest and try to get a bidding war going.
Also, FYI, I am fully capable to afford this car now. I have the $30k in savings right now after fully paying off my first year of law school. My AOR right now is yielding $3,750 per month in profits which will last until the end of July (at which point it is AOR 2.0)(also, my AOR is more of a family o rama with me keeping the profits b/c my parents don’t care since they are in the highest tax bracket and its not worth the effort to them). Furthermore, I have a full tuition scholarship to law school and only have about $12-$14k in living expenses each year. I’m also maxing out a ROTH IRA each year and will continue to be able to do this. I will very likely have a firm internship paying $2,225 per week this summer (for 14 weeks) while I live at home at my parents house with minimal expenses. And lastly, my dad offered to subsidize this purchase by $5,000, which he would have otherwise used to buy me a used Camry with 100k miles. So to make the long story short, I can afford the car, the school, living expenses, and a ROTH IRA all as a student. However, without this above info, I would have given the Suze Orman speech to me as well .
Anyway, like I said, I need the car by the end of February. Once middle of March rolls around I have 6 weeks of preparing for law school exams in which I will not have any time to shop for cars or be distracted, and immediately after exams, I’ll need a car to start work. If I can get this price down to $20k and buy it in a week or two, I think that is a good enough deal. It won’t bother me if it drops another $500-$1000 by the end of February, which is assuming I can find a relatively similar car close to me (you are right, this car in this configuration is difficult to find in Ohio).
Thanks for your help, if you can think of any other info that might be beneficial, I’d apprecaite hearing it.
PS: As for prosper with AOR $, I’m happy with my CD’s at 5.7% (and that SECU past promo at 9.34%) and Countrywide savings at 5.3% all under FDIC limits and government backed.
One more thing…the G35 is definately the car for me (not the Nissans). I have always loved cars, and am familar with pretty much every car out there. There is something about the G35 styling that I really love and the exhaust note is splendid (obviously this is shared by the Nissans). Furthermore, considering I’m 6′6” tall, I fit well in few coupes (Somehow the G35 works!).
As far as waiting, I have wanted this car since it came out in 2003. I almost bought this car when I graduated from undergrad 7 months ago, but I decided then to wait b/c the G37 was coming to push down prices (which I think it has b/c 7 months ago the cars were going for about $1500 more in general). I was planning on buying around April, but that was before I realized how much work law school is. Now that my car has officially died (beyond economicially smart repair), and the $5k subsidy from the parents (which will be the last handout I ever get) I really can’t pass up this opportunity to get the car of my dreams (during my mid 20’s dreams that is ).
PS: I wish I was in California now, it is -5 degrees here and we just got 7 inches of snow (not great weather for a G35), but truthfully it rarely snows here.
Thanks for the chat.
Mike
Follow Up Comment 3: Made some calls today. The G35 I showed you before has been sold (at full price too for $22k on day after listing, and they said they really do not negotiate at all and mostly sell to dealerships). Most places seemed willing to negotiate about $300-$800…
I did however find a almost identical car See Here for the New G35 Find (no navigation but 1k less miles) for $150 cheaper at $21,885. I asked for $19k and he said not possible, at which point he said the best they could do was $20,500. I talked to him awhile longer and asked if he could go to $20k and he said that he believed he could do that. So right now, it sounds like I can get the Black/Black fully loaded except Navigation (which I don’t want anyway) with $27,600 miles for $20,000. I will ask at the end for $19,500 and tell him if he says yes to that I’ll put a deposit down immediatly over the phone.
Considering I have only until the end of February to find a better deal, what do you think if I can get this car for $20,000 (plus my home tax rate of 6.5%). I may be able to get it to $19,500 or $19,750 possibly. One thing however, is that above the rear driver tire there is a golf ball size dent (you can see it in one of thier pictures online). They said they can get this dent out for me though at no charge (why would they not have fixed the dent before???).
Other thoughts (not that I want either of these cars) but they have two other black/black Infiniti G35’s: an 04 in black (but the ugly 17 inch rims with 55k miles asking $19.5k now and an 03 in black loaded but has 97k miles for $16,500 asking). These prices for the miles seem to be comparable.
Is it a great deal if I can get it at $19.5-20k? Do you think if I waited until the last week in February I might be able to find a similar one for $18,500-19,000?
Thanks again!
Mike