280gty

Well, when I got laid off last year... i decided to give away my Datsun 280Zx.
It was unfortunately vandalized a bit so I didn't bother trying to sell it and bartered for future mechanical services with a mechanic who loved the car.



After taking a job that paid half of my old salary for 6 months, I finally got a new job that offered the same pay as my old job with full medical & dental benefits 2 months ago.

I'm looking for another 2 seater again but no more "classic" cars since I'm no mechanic and don't want to deal with the issues associated with owning those old cars even though I loved the style and it's eye catching uniqueness on the road... I just don't have the time anymore.

What do you guys think of a 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i with 21,000 miles?

The price offered by the "Chrysler dealership" is $18,995... no way will I buy it for that price.... suggested retail value is $18,115 but I won't pay that either.

How much would you guys think would be a great deal?
I'd really like to buy the car to have fun driving in but given this economy and that I will pay them cash... I want a killer deal or I won't buy it.

It has a brushed aluminum dash interior which I really like... just like I liked the stainless steel roof strip I had bought for my Datsun... Black cars with stainless steel or aluminum accents is really nice.

Oh, unlike my Datsun it's an automatic, but I'd prefer that right now.

NismoPick

I think you should read this to yourself again...

#1: If you think you can get a better deal somewhere else, go to that somewhere else.

#2: Reality check... most 03 Z4's are going for $15k-$20k right now, so unless you find an idiot seller, or a wrecked one, you're going to be waiting a long time to buy one for anything less.

#3: Most dealers / people don't accept $18k in cash... that screams "Something is phony here".

280gty

Well, 03's for $20,000 would never sell around here.
I have already seen 03 z4's for $14,000 (neg.) - $18,000 (neg.)... mileage is usually 30-47,000... they did all sell but never for $18,000.

I have even seen 2 really nice 04- 05 Z4 offered for $18 - $20,000 around mid 30,000 miles.

Now, All of these were private sales and kbb private sales price for 03's in EXCELLENT conditition would average $15,000 - $18,000 depending on options.
As far as a higher price for dealerships, I've never had to pay retail price even for brand new cars.. retail has always been negotiable especially for "cash."

$18,995 for that 03 is above kbb retail price, $18,115 is kbb suggested Retail as a "starting point for negotiations" with "final sales price being less."

Any mileage up to 45,000 is fine, but problem for me is that they were not Black with Aluminum trim which is what I'd really want.

Dealers have normally asked me whether I wanted to finance or cash whenever i negotiate with them... maybe because I used the term with them first... not sure.

When I have used the term "cash sale" with dealers, they have always
expected a cashiers / bank check... and aren't surprised when I give them one.

I've always understood that a cashiers / bank check is like cash for them because I have to withdraw that actual cash to have it made out in their name by the bank... unlike a personal check.

Here's a retail ad that actually says "cash price" $28500 because it's a killer deal for a 2008 Z4, maybe there's something wrong with the car for that price but I'm sure they'd accept a cashiers / bank check for that amount... they just won't finance for that price.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/ctd/1248906354.html

NismoPick

So.... what's your question again?

280gty

oh, I just wanted an idea of a "reasonable" lowball price from others before I e-mailed the dealer an offer... or maybe know of another similar car for sale.

From other posts i read, you guys always seem to be on the lookout for car deals so I thought I'd ask.

Anyway, I sent out an offer this morning... he hasn't e-mailed back...

Bleach

Get a Honda S2000

Niku-Sama

buy a cube and shut up, you know you want one, dont lie

User395

I would go on ebay and watch a bunch of Z4's, S2000's and whatever other car you like. After the auctions end just get an idea of what the avg ending price is.

NismoPick

Exactly. Here's the thing... there's a lot of Z4's going for $12k-$15k (like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-Z...fCarsQ5fTrucks )

But 280gty wants an 03 with the 3.0L motor, 21,000 miles ( yes... an 03 w/ 21k miles ), specific trim package, and does not want to pay what they are going for. Sounds pretty reasonable....


Hey... I wish I could get paid millions to eat, sleep, and watch TV. It will happen someday....

Bleach

Stay home and put the wife to work!

NismoPick

^^^ Now... how to get her to make millions... I'm almost set!!!

Honestly, there is such little difference between the 2.5 & 3.0 motor, it's not even worth shelling out the extra cash for it. Checky (Z4 2.5i vs Z4 3.0i): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0Al6EE0PzA

If you are dying for Z4 w/ a high performance motor, why not buy the Z4 ///M Coupe?

280gty

uh, since when did I say I wanted to pay only $15,000?
I said I won't pay $18,115 which is "suggested" KBB retail value and that Z4 has not had any takers for $18,995.

Btw, I haven't seen any 2003 Z4 "2.5" with 74,000 mile actually be able to sell for $14,000 around here.

This Z4 is standard.
Dealer says the only option is an automatic transmission.. yes he e-mailed me back and wants me to stop by.

Like I said, I have other options of Z4's CHEAPER than kbb private sales with MORE options.... just not Black with aluminum trim... I don't care if it's up to 45,000 miles or if it's a 2.5.

Regardless, I have not seen ANY 03 Z4's selling for $18,000.

Given lack of sales at dealerships right now, last thing I want to do is pay retail... and since when is retail price at a dealership non negotiable even in the best economy???
Every Dealership I've been to negotiates because they mark up prices with used cars.

Hell, my father bought a brand new Mercedes E class fully loaded with Nav. & sport package for $12,000 off sticker price so why would a 2003 Z4 have a sticker price that's so much more sacred?

I'm not in a hurry, and every month that goes by, cars get older... and cheaper so maybe I'll get an even better deal... Dealerships lowballs owners at trade-in so I don't feel guilty holding out for the best deal possible.

NismoPick

So this whole thing is about you trying to bargan $1k off?

And here's some 03 Z4's sold for $18k+

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...65%3A13|39%3A1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Doo...65%3A13|39%3A1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...65%3A13|39%3A1

280gty

Wow, Those 03 Z4's have SPORT packages, 2 or more options packages, fully loaded and 10 - 15k miles for around $18K?

Sure seems like my "basic" Z4 with only an automatic and 22,000 miles is waaaay overpriced compared to those cars like I said it was.

No wonder the dealer responded to my e-mail for $2,500 less than his asking price... and no wonder many 03 Z4's with 30k miles was only selling here for only $14 - $16,000.

NismoPick

Cool... hopefully you'll have the car in your driveway tomorrow for much less than the asking price.

Also, what's with deleting your message several times, then reposting it? Using the EDIT will save you some time.

280gty

Okay, so I've been e-mailed pics of a 2004 Z4 3.0i with 24,000 miles, sport / premium package etc. with an asking price of $18,900 OBO.

He says it has no accident history and dealership maintenance history.

However, I'm curious as to why a pampered Z4 would have so much orange brake dust on the Disks as in the pics?
Those orange discs really popped out at me at full image size.

Isn't that from being out in the rain or snow alot?

I tend to pamper any car I've owned and I never had that much tarnish on my brake discs until that one car got flooded.

I do see some cars that are parked in the streets that get tarnished like that in the winter and the owners clean it up when summer comes... so maybe it's not a big deal.

I haven't seen the car in person yet as it is a bit of distance from where I live.

SportBikeMike

I don't think the orange brake dust necessarily means its was driven in snow or rain. My 350Z accumulates that stuff, and its never driven in bad weather.

Bleach

I get that dust on my 280ZX but not the 350Z. I would just say the Z4 is in an area with moist air at night.

SpeciallySpiked

When it rains here in Colorado nearly all my brakes look like that before I take them for a spin. It's not a big deal

Niku-Sama

rotors are metal too, they rust not a problem.

please dont be one of those subaru peopple that are like....
"OMGWTFBBQ STRANGE ORANGE DUST ON MY ROTORS HELP OR I AM GOIN TO DIE"

280gty

My daily driver is a Subaru Impreza... with spotless brake discs.

280gty

Okay, it took him 3 days before he e-mailed a response to my inquiry about those orange brake discs.

I wasn't getting too worried about those discs but his response makes me suspicious.
According to him, those brake discs got orange from oxidation from washing the car the day before he took photos???

Now, being driven in rain and snow I understand can "build up" oxidation, or "prolonged" storage in an area with moisture... but not from one car wash.
I know people who cleanup oxidation after the winter when they are detailing their car for the summer... but not to have unexpected oxidation caused by washing it.


.

SpeciallySpiked

Dude... Have you never owned a car? That crap happens to me all the time. Even when I wash them.

Who cleans their disk brakes other than just driving???

280gty

Yes, you are right in that most owners do NOT clean their brake discs, so how come all the Z4's I've looked at have been washed but still have nice shiny brake discs instead of being oxidized?

I drove thru a carwash yesterday, and then intentionally sprayed hose water on all 4 brake discs when i got home.
Discs are dry, shiny and clean as of this moment... not all orange from oxidation.

This is not an old car, and it is advertised as a pampered car with low mileage, always garaged, never driven in winter, and never driven in rain from his knowlegde. YET ALL 4 DISCS ARE ORANGE FROM OXIDATION and it's from one car washing?... that's what i find strange.
This is the only pampered car I've looked at that has this problem and I've mainly seen cars parked out in the streets during winter that had this... or just from older cars.

It is usually prolonged moisture exposure that causes such noticeable oxidation, the one car I owned that had 4 oxidized brake discs was under water for 8 hours.

I'm not saying this car is junk but that it's not as pampered as the owner advertises, I do like the car but I'm going to ask if he can drive the car to my local mechanic for a full inspection or take it to a BMW dealership for a maintenance report before I make an offer.

.

SpeciallySpiked

Sorry for my hostility was kinda pissed when I was checking this. I think that's a wise choice to have it checked out by a mechanic regardless of the discs.