I am currently trying to decide between 2 pre-owned 8's.

The 1st is a 2004 Grand Touring 6spd w/ 13k miles. It is Velocity Red w/ red/black leather, etc. Price would be $16.3 out the door w/ tax, title, license...

The 2nd 2004 Grand Touring 6spd w/ 54k miles. It is Yellow w/ black leather, etc. Price would be about $14,200 from a private party.

Both vehicles look like new and drive like new. The Yellow one has been immaculately maintained and has all records, window sticker etc.

Do you think it is worth the extra $2k to get the one w/ such low miles? I am leaning towards the low mileage car but wanted to get some other opinions. Thanks in adavance for your perspective.

 

I would make a low ball offer on the one with the dealer.

1) It is winter. Sports cars don't sell well (if you are in a cold weather region). So thee should be wriggle room.

2) You are talking 40K mile difference. Seems worth the extra cash.

Take care,

Brian

 

Definitely go for the red. The milage difference is HUGE.

 

^^ I have to agree with the above. I would strongly go with the red one. Do make a low offer and see what happens!

Just to add one more thing - when were each of the cars registered? If they both have early 03 build dates and were sold early on then there may be little or no warranty left on the 13k one anyway. Just a thought to consider...

Good luck, you will love this car!

 

Icarus,
I just noticed your avatar, it rocks!

 

I'm in AZ so the winter thing doesn't really fly here. We've got 2 seasons, HOT and nice!

The full warranty on the red one did expire in September of '07 and the powertrain goes through September of '08. I didn't check on the yellow one since it is so close to 60k.

I already low-balled them to get to the $16.3 out the door. That price includes almost $1200 in taxes and a $250 registration fee. They were originally asking $15.9 + fees.

I figure that the resale on the 13k mile car will be better no matter what.

 

sfank you

 

get the red $15,000 out the door tax everything

 

Easier said than done. Even at $16.2 it is the best priced '04 w/ under 50k on the market.

I don't know what the 8 market is in your neck of the woods but most vehicles in general hold their value pretty well in Arizona b/c there is no "weather wear" to speak of.

 

I have a few questions. The first sounds like a retail unit at a dealer, is that correct?
If Yes. Are you financing the car? What can the dealer offer you? What can you get on your own? Does that differ with retail vs private sale.
How much of an inconvenience is it for you to do your own tag work? How much will be the "cost" of you missing work to do so?
What state are you in, so therefore how much are the tax and tags? I'm gonna use a roundabotu figure of $300 + 5% which is pretty "normal". That would be roughly an $1000-1200 difference betweeen the cars? That seems like a good investment for 40k.

 

Yep, the first is at a small dealer that primarily sells lease returns, etc. which is what this car is.

I will be paying cash for the car and you are pretty close on the tags/tax figures. Sales tax in Arizona runs about 7.5% and tags are based upon value and will probably be right about $300.

Taking tax and tags in to the equation, the car would actually be selling for about $15k or less w/o the additional fees. I don't typically purchase cars from dealers but this is an exceptionally low miles example w/ absolutely no body flaws, interior flaws, etc. At a Mazda dealer, I am confident that the pre-fee asking price would be closer to $17k if not more.

 

I'd buy the red one unless you have a hardon for yellow... It seems like a better overal deal. You also have a bit more protection as the dealer has a reputation to uphold so you have a bit of "implied" warranty nonetheless.

 

Here she is

http://members.***.net/wheels4sale/166_6623.JPG
http://members.***.net/wheels4sale/166_6625.JPG
http://members.***.net/wheels4sale/166_6627.JPG

 

Nice choice. The red seats really make that color great.