I am thinking buying 03 SE, 6 speed. I found one I like with 31 miles but has been on the lot for around 8 months; was built in 4/02.
Then there is another one with 8 miles built 11/02; this is brand new. I like the equipment on the first one more but I am worried of the time on the lot. There are probably scratches, dings, etc. Also if 8-10 people test drove the car they may abuse it a bit.
The later built may have factory fixes of some things like throttle hesitation, etc..
I think i can get a better deal on the one built 4/02.
What do you guys think?

 

31 miles isn't a lot, but it does mean that several people have test driven it. And as you say, people usually aren't nice when test-driving a fast car. Don't worry about scratches and/or dings though, just make the dealership fix it.

I do think the build date might be a problem. All of the notes on the forum about 2k2 problems have made me a little worried, and you'd expect that Nissan took action on these when they learned about them - so a later build date WOULD probably be better.

I guess my advice is that unless you can get a WAY better deal on the 4/02 (more than 10% discount vs. the other one), in the long run you might have better luck with the 11/02 build date. BTW, 8 mi. should mean that NO-ONE has test-driven it - supposedly it takes 8 - 9 miles to transport the car between various distribution points.

 

31 miles isn't a "lot" of miles for a new car. As long as it doesn't have over 100 you're good IMHO.

I agree that you might be able to get a better deal on the "older" one because it's been sitting. Just say to the guy - look, I know it's been sitting here and you want to move the vehicle.

I got a screamin deal on my leftover 2002 (purchased new in December '02). Even that car only had 60 miles on it. I have a feeling it was the color. I wanted a silver or gray car but they're everywhere! I'm glad I got the Merlot color. Looks nice and isn't a dime a dozen around here.

I say get the one you want. You'll be covered by the same warranty on both cars so it really doesn't matter which one is newer.

TSBs on 2k3's is a whole different story - one that I DON'T know. You'll have to wait until some 2k3 owners chime in.

Good luck on the purchase........

 

Hmmm, from what i've read and heard from dealers, a car typically stays on the lot for an average of 3 months or less. If a car has been on there for 8 months, I'd start to wonder why.

I'd want a car that was built closer to when I was ready to purchase. This way, many early production fixes may be incorporated into it already.

You might want to ask why that car has been on the lot for so long.

 

Funny you post this, I just bought a loaded SE on 12-30, and I noticed the build date on the car was 5/02 last night.

I was like

It still had plastic on everything, so I never even though to look, all I knew was I had found the exact car I wanted.

The one thing I did notice was that my rotors were warped within 150 miles. I was

The service manager said when cars sit a long time, the rotors rust and this happens.

After I saw the build date it all made sense.

I now have 900 miles on it. I'm a nut about cars. I love them and know them inside and out. When I tell you nothing is wrong with the car I mean it. The only problem may be the rotors. I do have the throttle hesitation, that just started. It's not bad at all but I would like to look into a fix.

The warranty is your safety net. Based on what I've been through, I'll tell ya to get what you want and don't worry about the build date. My other car (95 Talon TSi) I bought new also. I got that without some features I thought I would never miss because the car was right there and I would drive it home that night, I was too impatient. I've regretted it ever since (I shoulda got the AWD and CD player)

If you are going to be trading off on minor things, I would get the latter car. But if you are talking major items, you may end up regretting it for the life of the car.

 

I had many problems with my 2002 such as the SES light came on every week and tons of wind noise. But with my 2003 I have none of those problems and my paint is not chiping like my 2002 did so I would say go for the newer one.