How low to offer on a used 350z?

Im in the market for a Nissan 350z (2003-2005) with the miles preferably below 60k, up to 80-90k max.



I did some research on the topic and the average going price for them is anywhere from 9,5-13k mark up prices (yahoo autos, cars.com, autotrader.com).



Kelly blue book, edmunds both quote me in the $10,735 ; $9,298 [respectively] ballpark.



My choice is very barely affected by the trim (base,enthusiast,track,etc) but mostly by cosmetics (how upkept is the interior? how is the paint/dings?) and obviously whether known issues were fixed.



If i were to walk in to a dealership and lowball them with 9k would i have a chance? Is it a little too low to start? id be willing to go up to the 10k mark (even 11 if the car deserves it - a year up or top trim or really good condition, etc).



Should i negotiate from 9k up in 100 increments? 200s? should i negotiate Sale price or TT out the door? (taxes%26amp;tags)



There are known issues with the car {feathering, window motor breaking, rattling, transmission failure) - when such things are fixed, they are documented right? Where could i check if the dealer is honest about these issues having been fixed? should there be a document with all the fixes? (i dont know if the maintenance/oil change booklet would include these)



Can i use the fact that its a sportscar/stick shift (im in new york)/tough gas times to be driving a car that uses premium only - as leverage? Would that be rude (or implied that the invoice/kbb value reflects this)?



Please give as much advice as possibleHow low to offer on a used 350z?
I dont know how many Datsun/ Nissan products you have bought in the past, but as an owner of many Skylines and Nissans over the years i can tell you they are great cars....



As for the kelly blue book it really does not mean a lot- its what dealers quote from when they are taking your car as a trade in and that is about it.... I mean no disrespect to car dealers when i say that either, but personally it is my beleif that vehicles are sold for what the market will bear and what the market beleives the vehicle to be worth....



All Nissan products are fantastic but you also must realise that you are buying a sports car that is second hand and so therefore there may be things you will need to repair or replace due to age or regular wear and tear.



I am not sure how well you would go at negotiating with a dealer- generally dealers will negotiate but they also need to make a living.... If you dont like a dealers price then i suggest you look at an auto auction or a private sale.... But if you came to buy a car from me and started quoting the blue book and complaining about gas prices id probably suggest you head to your local BMW dealership, where you can argue blue book and gas prices with people who would see merit in these arguements.....



Basically a 350z is a nice car and if you want one pay what you think its worth, but dealer or private, nobody really has a reason to take a low ball offer from you when it is a desireable vehicle. Good luck finding what you want man.How low to offer on a used 350z?
Comapring dealerships and private sales, is ridiculous. They're two completely different markets. Different conditions, etc. Apples and oranges.



And as a private seller, no, i don't "expect to lose at least 1k" from my prices.The fact that you think I should, is just insulting.



If my car is worth $11k to me, it's worth $11k. Take your "haggling" elsewhere.How low to offer on a used 350z?
"Can i use the fact that its a sportscar/stick shift (im in new york)/tough gas times to be driving a car that uses premium only - as leverage?"

That's absurd. You know it's a sports car.

If you wanted a fuel efficient car, go buy one. Seriously. If you showed up to buy a car from me, and then complained that it wasn't as fuel efficient as you wanted and you wanted a discount for it, I'd tell you to get the F--- off my property. You knew what you were looking at, when you saw the ad.

That's like going to buy a boat, then complaining that it doesn't fly, and wanting a discount.



"Would that be rude (or implied that the invoice/kbb value reflects this)?"

Unless someone from KBB is with you, and appraising the car, their book has absolutely NOTHING to do with the value of the car.

Ultimately, you can offer whatever you want. And the seller can say no. And ask you to leave. Which is what I do, everytime someone lowballs me.

Think about it this way. Let's say you have a $11,000 car you're trying to sell. Would you want someone to come in, and immediately disrespect you and your business, by offering 20% less than the price tag?

Hell no.

Edit: I AM A DEALERSHIP, idiot.

And no, it's not stupid that they mark the cars up. They cover tax and title, warranties, pre-sale inspection, etc. None of which you can get from a private seller. Of course we're going to mark up our prices. We offer more benefits.
Its nearly impossible to advise you because I don't know anything about the real value of the cars you are looking at. And KBB %26amp; Edmund's are not very accurate at all.

And "low balling" as in offering thousands below their asking price often just makes you look like a game-playing whack job who they wont want to waste time on.

Check the Black Book values, condition is paramount, and then ad a reasonable profit. And that's the price you should target paying.

Whats a reasonable profit ? On a $9000-13,000 car, I cant imagine any dealer selling it to you for less than $1500-2000 profit.

Again, I cant stress how important condition is to a cars value.

A clean car can easily be worth thousands more than an average car and maybe even double what a rough one would be worth.

Warranties, if any, at a dealer are not FREE, they are added to the price of the car. (And 50-50 warranties are effectively worthless)

There is no ballpark figure that most dealers will come down. And, I wouldn't be so quick to assume that every private party is willing to come down $1000. Some might, but they might not too.

a $1000 discount from a dealer or even more MIGHT be possible depending on how "jacked up" their prices are to start with.

Some places, like Carmax, do not negotiate. Its take it or leave it.