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Jan. 13, 2009 12:32 p.m. phillyj Reader

So my dad got the check for the totaled pathy. about $10k so we started looking for something today. Went to a toyota stealership because we have a friend who knows them. They had nothing used for around 10k. they had a 2003 v6 camry in another lot but was asking $13000 and 50000 miles which is way too much for it. They did have a 2007 pathfinder with 20000 miles asking $18000. If they let us get it for 15000, we would buy it. They didn't budge so we left. Its probably not gonna sell cause its a gas guzzler so we'll see.

Secondly we saw a 2002 nissan maxima asking $12000.

http://www.vehix.com/inventory/details.aspx?inventoryid=77000001350D3F&zip=19116

Its older and we probably might run into to issues but whichever is the best deal, we'll see. What do you guys think? You think the dealer will lower on the v6 toyota? The Pathfinder is lower on the list.
Jan. 13, 2009 12:48 p.m. neon4891 SuperDork

too bad your not closer to Sayre/Athens PA, Simmons Rockwell has a great selection and great prices, right in you range. But its about 200 miles from you, or at least the dealer you linked to. One example(@ S-R) is a similar maxima, 2 years newer, 50K fewer miles, for $1K more.

Just my $.02
Jan. 13, 2009 1:02 p.m. mtn Dork

Out of those options, I've driven a Camry and a Maxima. The Camry made me want to go to sleep, although the build quality was top notch (much to my chagrin). I liked the Maxima (the one I drove was an 03? with a six speed), and loved my 99 before Dad wrecked it.

I doubt that they would budge on the Camry, but there is probably a decent chance on the Pathfinder.
Jan. 13, 2009 2:43 p.m. belteshazzar Dork

I've had an '03 Maxima for three years now. Just turned over 135k. Never needed anything. Seriously, nothin. It's still bone dry underneath as well. I love the car, $12k seems like a lot though. Is that the only dealer nearby or something?
Jan. 13, 2009 2:56 p.m. Xceler8x HalfDork

You could do much worse than a Maxima. Great cars. The FWD BMW of Japan. Get a manual trans car and never look back.

I'd also check Craig's List if you're not adverse to a private sale. You'll get more car for your money. Also, you have cash from the insurance buy-out. 10 Large can be a powerful bargaining chip to people in a tough economy.
Jan. 13, 2009 3:16 p.m. phillyj Reader

this maxima is from the same dealer we bought the new pathy from so they will give us some consideration. When they talked with my day, they said they would drop 1000 and maybe the cash offer would drop some more. I think my dad is leaning towards the maxima because the pathyfinder would be so expensive to maintain i.e. the gas mileage. That pathy was a trade in so I guess someone downsized to a camry, pris, etc?

Anyone else have any opinions on the maxima?
Jan. 13, 2009 3:34 p.m. belteshazzar Dork

btw, without making any special effort my automatic trans maxima gets 19-21 in town and 28-29 on the road.

Cash will not necessarily help you get a better deal, at least half of a dealer's profit comes from writing the financing. When you say, "what if I pay cash?", you may just as well say "what if I take away half your profit margin?" just fyi.
Jan. 13, 2009 6:34 p.m. Datsun1500 HalfDork

They are high on price. Just a quick check here finds a 2003 Maxima GLE with 77K for 9995, and a 2004 SL (New body style) with 50K for 12K.

2004 Camry V6's with 50K for $13,000 etc.
Jan. 13, 2009 6:45 p.m. Luke Dork

Since you've got cash to offer, perhaps you could get a better deal by shopping privately?
Jan. 14, 2009 7:12 a.m. Junkyard_Dog Reader

Luke wrote:

Since you've got cash to offer, perhaps you could get a better deal by shopping privately?

You'll likely get a better car to boot, unless your state requires inspections and/or a warranty if you buy from a dealer. If a dealer is an as-is sale then you are 1000% better off finding a private seller.

Hint: whether a dealer or a private seller, the willingness to travel will almost always get you a better deal than staying in your hometown. Isn't it worth a 3 hour drive to save three grand?
Jan. 14, 2009 7:34 a.m. spitfirebill HalfDork

We have a 96 Maxima and love it. Its been a good car and just passed 190k miles. We also once had a 89 maxima and liked it even more, but those models have a weak automatic. I would love a manual Maxima, but don't see many.

The local Toyota dealer prices his used cars almost as high as new ones. They would not budge on 4runners when my wife bought mine a few years back.
Jan. 14, 2009 1:07 p.m. phillyj Reader

ok, so we went to that dealer and drove the maxima. man, it sucks. The brakes are not that great and theres a strong vibration at low speeds. Forget it. Plus the seating is worse than our Camry. Feels smaller in the drivers seat.

So we try out a 2003 pathfinder le that they had. That was nice and they were selling it for $12k and ~50000 miles. But they won't drop the price a bit and they said they had "other" offers". We're gonna call their bluff and see if they still have it tomorrow cause they said it would be sold by today.

After all, theres a 2007 pathy in our list with 20k miles for $17k and we could negotiate that a bit. This dealer also had a 2005 pathy with 50k miles for $15k sitting for a couple of months on the lot. But guess what, they won't negotiate the price. What gives? Can someone tell me if this $2000 difference is reasonable or should I suspect something?

With all the bad economy and stuff, theses sellers just won't budge.
Jan. 14, 2009 2:57 p.m. Xceler8x HalfDork

phillyj wrote:

ok, so we went to that dealer and drove the maxima. man, it sucks. The brakes are not that great and theres a strong vibration at low speeds. Forget it. Plus the seating is worse than our Camry. Feels smaller in the drivers seat.

The driver's seat is too small? I'm about average size at 160 lbs and 5' 10". I fit the drivers seat in my 95 Maxima with room to spare. But hey, personal preference I guess.

Also, if you had sucky brakes and a vibration I can say with confidence that you're driving a very beat or ill maintained version of a Maxima.

With all the bad economy and stuff, theses sellers just won't budge.

You have two posters, including myself, kindly point you to a private sale. The reasons have already been spelled out. Insisting on going to a dealer is going to mean you are paying more for the same car in a private sale. It also sounds like the lots you're dealing with are still stuck in the jurassic period of car sales. They're still doing high pressure "It's going to be gone TOMORROW!" style crap. Ditch those losers. If you won't even consider a private sale at least go to another lot or Carmax. At least Carmax won't try to shove a car down your throat and you know their price is set.
Jan. 14, 2009 3:45 p.m. Strizzo Dork

don't wait to call their bluff. tell them YOU'LL be gone tomorrow. there are 11ty billion pathfinders out there that fit what you're looking for, if they don't want to move on the price, tell them you're finding someone who will.
Jan. 14, 2009 5:16 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

If you MUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTT deal with a dealer, wait until the end of the month. After these idiots realize they ain't going to be able to afford food cause they have no commission, they will bend to your will.

I would suggest a private sale though. people want to get rid of E36 M3 fast now.
Jan. 14, 2009 5:38 p.m. JoshC New Reader

I agree 100% with the private sale. Back in June/July when we were looking for a car for my wife, a dealer had an 08 Vue with pushing 30k miles. After agressive negotiations, the lowest they would go was $18,500. We found another 08 with 9k miles, more options and a color she liked better with an individual and ended up paying $17,200. In the end, the sales manager flat out told me he couldn't match the price of an individual and we left. We ended up with a better car, less miles, more remaining warranty, Onstar and XM for less money. Is there a reason you're avoiding a private party sale?
Jan. 14, 2009 7:33 p.m. belteshazzar Dork

ignorant wrote:

If you MUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTT deal with a dealer, wait until the end of the month. After these idiots realize they ain't going to be able to afford food cause they have no commission, they will bend to your will.

I would suggest a private sale though. people want to get rid of E36 M3 fast now.

this is true. you come in on the 29th or 30th and some poor sap is gonna be one car away from hitting a bonus or goal or something. I've been on the wrong end of that too many times when I was a dealer.
Jan. 14, 2009 7:44 p.m. phillyj Reader

We didn't see any private seller we liked. There was a guy somewhere in NJ with a Highlander that my dad liked but he was somewhere in NJ. I'll look harder but tell me if its unreasonable to ask around $10k for a 2002 pathfinder? Thats all the insurance gave us anyway
Jan. 14, 2009 8:10 p.m. ddavidv SuperDork

For $15,000 I could buy a really nice used BMW. I don't know why you are looking at such boring cars and hanging out on GRM?
Jan. 14, 2009 8:12 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Reader

Again-BE WILLING TO TRAVEL. It looks like you're near Philadelphia PA. Aside from any sales tax issues whats wrong with NJ? Are you seriously telling me you can't find a nice private sale Pathfinder nearby? Tried Craigslist and Ebay? Even just as shopping tools I'd look there for comps. Also if you are up there I'd be looking south to avoid the tinworm. MD is 2 hours away and mandatory inspections mean dealer sales are at least safe with no major defects.

As for what insurance gave you I hope you didn't take thier first offer. Think of it as car shopping in reverse-you're the salesman selling your wrecked car for the highest price you can get.

I rode 8 hours to get my Volvo Turbo. It was in VA and passed inspection so I knew I could drive back. It was a no sale on eBay so I made an offer for $100 more than the last bid and they took it. One of the best deals I ever made.
Jan. 15, 2009 2:57 p.m. phillyj Reader

Ok, so anthoer day lost. Checked out another pathy, a 2004 with 40k miles but dealer didn't budge. Actually I can't find many private sellers especially in the paper. A few are online but they're 25 or more miles away. The problem with the long distance is we don't have the whole day to look cause my dad goes to work in the afternoon. Why waste 2 hours going after a car you're not really sure about. The dealer has a couple so not much of a problem. I'm gonna call up some guys who are doing a private sale and see what they have.
Jan. 16, 2009 11:24 a.m. phillyj Reader

help me out. Saw a 2003 avalon xls and its very nice. Just curious if the PS fluid around the fluid pipe is something to worry about? Is it a leak or what?
Jan. 16, 2009 11:29 a.m. 93celicaGT2 Reader

Some of those motors had a plastic fitting (way to go, toyota!). Easy to replace, assuming we're on the same page here.
Jan. 16, 2009 11:47 a.m. phillyj Reader

the metal pipe leading to or from? the powersteering fluid had a green liquid on it. Is it leaking and should I be concerned?

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