Guys I need help. I just found a 2003 6-spd (BASE) at my local dealership with only 6000 miles on the odo. According to the sales people it is a repo. I looked it over it has no cosmetic problems. I have not driven it yet because the asking price of $24,995 kinda discouraged me.

There is no info on wether or not if it has HLSD. Since it has not bose I am guessing its probably a base model w/o hlsd.

What I would like to know is what would be a fair price to try with the sales people on that car?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

way way 2 much. I paid 25.8K for my 02 loaded 6spd without nav. That car is worth 20K at the most..

 

Well I too am looking for a Maxima, probaly just going to get one from the auction soooooo much more cheaper there. I have talked to a few dealers about some 2k3's and that is a high price but they can come off a lot. With dealers they don't take it as an insult if you low ball them cause it happens all the time. So shoot low and they will counter offer, I would offer 19,500 out the door and they will come back probaly within 1000 of that price. For example there is a loaded used 2k3 se auto here in tampa the sticker was 25000 and I said whats the lowest and he said 21000 and I said 19500 out the door and he said maybe so if he bites that one then I might buy. Remember these cars are not in high demand so don't rush into anything.


Dave Lott

 

That car is probably worth about 19k at this point.

A quick way to check whether it has HLSD is to look at the pedals--if they are racing type (alluminum w/holes in them), then it has HLSD. Otherwise, it doesn't have it. From what I've read/heard, most of the HLSDs were installed on the high end Maximas, not base models. However, there have been a few base ones w/it.

Definitely bargain with the dealerships. Who cares if you "offend" them with a low offer--you're not there to make friends, but rather to leave with as much of your hard-earned money as possible.

Good luck.

 

$24,995?? That's insane. If you want to know if it has HLSD check out the pedals...If they are the metallic sport looking ones, that's the way to tell if it has it.

 

For a 2k3 another good way to check if it has HLSD is to look at the roof. Hlsd was a pacage deal with sunroof on all 2k3 six speeds. If it doesnt have a sunroof it doesnt have hlsd however it might have a sunroof and not have hlsd so still check the pedals
WHEELMAN

 

$25k for a used max is a total rip off! Why?

1) It has 6K miles on it!
2) It has been previously driven by another driver
3) All 2k3 max's have huge depreciation, due to 2k4 on the market

If the dealer can't go below or at $20K, walk out of there. Also, don't trust the dealer's word, there could be something else wrong with it other than it being a REPO. I know it's hard to find a 6 speed max but when you are buying a 2k3, make sure you are the first owner!

 

... quote:

ok guys,

I know that I didnt consult with you guys much after my initial post but I ended up making the purchase. Its a Titanium Edition (that includes the side airbags) SE, 6-SPD, Sunroof, Bose, (no leather - just the way I like it!) it has 5425 miles on it. HLSD was confimed both by the vin and the pedals. I love it!

Now I know it may not be a deal that some of you may have gotten but I got it for 19500 + Taxes. (that was it, they werent doing anything else and said they would not sell it less than that so believe me I couldnt do anything in MY capacity to lower it further)

I just love the way it drives and how clean it is, its got all the new car stuff (the airbag cards are still intact hanging out of the glove compartmant haha)

Upon closer inspection I did find one chip in the side molding and one smaller one in the back and the dealer (in writing) promises blemish/ding free exterior after they touch it up or do whatever they will in a few days.

and oh another thing, it turned out it wasnt a repo (that was another silver maxima/auto that was a repo) It was a trade in for the 350Z

Also since some of you suggested in other cases I also had them run me a carfax etc. etc.

I thank you all for your help

 

Good Job! $19.5K is a great deal esp. w/ Sunroof, Bose and TE. Some people pay the same for a basic POS Saturn L300. So, you definitely got yourself a deal. Enjoy your new ride!

 

Awesome deal, I wish I could have gotten one like that (or ANY with the HLSD) Good luck with your whip.

 

Hey man, that's a GREAT deal! Great job bargaining them down. The car sounds awesome, and you'll definitely have fun w/it.

 

stupid question..... what is HLSD?

 

Helical Limited Slip Differential. It's "traction control" for a manual.

 

Maxxxed, Prodigy & Vito,

Thanks so much guys, your comments have made me feel good about my deal. Otherwise I wasnt sure if it was or not. Thanks so much guys.

I believe it is Helical Limited Slip Differential. I am sure one of these experts will be able to explain exactly what it does. I know I cant hehe. All I know is that my 6-spd HLSD burns less tires and feels less torque steer than my friends Auto (no HLSD) Personally, I am not sure how HLSD is directly related to that.

 

Really basic explanation of HLSD...When one of the front wheels begins to slip more than the other, the mechanism locks up the wheels so that they spin at the same speed. This, in turn, gives the car a type of traction control that you'd normally see on an automatic car. However, I believe the HLSD is completely mechanical, so there's no computer chip that monitors the wheels/spin. I could be wrong about the latter part. But, essentially, it makes up for the difference ("differential") in the slip ("slip") of the wheels.

I'm sure someone else can give a more thorough explanation.

 

ohh ok
didn't know everyone thought it was such a big deal

I have traction control on my automatic... I was wondering if people turn it off, or if they use it most of the time? I've heard that magazines turn it off to get the fastest runs... but in the real world... i would guess that the speed diff isn't worth the cost of the tires.

 

That's a great deal.

All the 2k Maximas @ dealers around here are listing for $18k...is it really that easy to bring them down the "right" price?

 

It wasnt really that easy in my case to bring the price down. At one point they refused to budge any lower than 22250 (most of you know exactly what the "$250" is for - "man you've gotto help us out, meet me in the middle" crap) I loved the car and unfortunately they figured it out (the last thing I wanted them to know) so then I changed my negotation technique. I called my dad in haha... He was just as brutal as the sales manager. At one point my dad told me "why the hell dont you get the damn Forester 2.5XT its definately faster and doesnt look as ugly as this thing (believe me its the other way around and my dad knows it) We start to walk out and I told the sales person that I couldnt believe what they were doing with us. I on my own have brought over 7 car shoppers to them and told him that if I walked I would never come back. I guess another guy (always standing in the corner the whole time not saying anything) called the sales guy over and discussed it right there than he turned to us and said. Sir if you promise that you will come back to us next time and you keep bringing others to us, we cant let you leave like that. Give us a decent offer. He told me further that I can use their computer if I wanted to research other vehicles and get prices. Well I went to KBB.com and according to them the trade in price for the NON HLSD/TE SE was about 18500 (approx) and private retail for the same car was 21500 (again approx) so we offered them 19000 even told them no more no way. They discussed it again and looked at some long list of papers and came back and told us that they were very sorry that they couldnt do it for 19000. But he told us that they would be willing to order in a altima 3.5SE from the factory as we desired (which was another option I had considered) Needless to say after driving this car, I was not interested in the Altima at all. We got up and left.

I got back to work and an hour later I got a call from the manager and he told me that I should strongly consider the maxima again and not buy the subaru. He said that he would do his best on any nissan I would want to keep me from getting another car from another dealer. At this point I was feeling a little guilty (I must admit). on the other hand I told him that I only liked that 6-spd maxima and except of the Z I wouldnt consider another nissan because its not my type.

Too keep this damn book short, the conversation ended when he said he would sell it for $19500. An hour later I was in the max.

I was impressed not only by the car but with the whole dealership experience (hectic, but in the end - good)

 

How does your 6spd drive without the HLSD?

I have HLSD and I'm curious on what the difference is...

 

Thanks for the input, Ghetto.

I'm looking to do battle with a dealership asking $18k on a car listed @ $16.5k (retail) on kbb & edmunds.

If one can get a 2k3 for less than $20k, $14k-$15k for a 2k sounds reasonable.

 

No problem CoolMax, I dont think there should be a problem getting that price range for that car. If not just head on up here I can almost guarantee you that you'd get a good deal. Esp with all the 2k, 2k1 and 2k2's (autos) they've got on their used car lot.

 

great job and great car...I love the TE models....but could not find one thru 7 dealers in So Cal...they just were not willing to work a bit to find the car.

 

Tracy ? you think we the only ones reading the ORG ?..... The 2k2 - 2k3 Max is just like the 93 Cobra... Hard to find and Fast as hell !