tbird2340

So I've been looking nationwide for a week straight for a 2017 Platinum, one private owner (no rentals), with under 40K miles for $23K.. I found maybe a dozen, nationwide, that were $23,900-$25K.. I'm quickly coming to realize the $23K max budget I have will not get a 2017 Platinum..

So, that leaves me to a 2017 - 18 SL for around $22K or a 2016 Platinum for my $23K..

So, I'd like opinions on what people think would be better. A Platinum without CarPlay (major bummer) or an SL with CarPlay but not all the comfort..

Thanks for any replies..

MadMax07SL

Have you calculated the potential tax/tag/title and dealer fees you may be encountering before drawing a line in the sand at $23k? The reason I ask, if you're looking to cap the out the door price somewhere around $26k, then yeah, your asking price for the car needs to be around $23k. But if you wanted to be out the door at 23k, you're at maybe $20-21k asking for the car, then of course there is interest rate. If you're in great shape, 3-4% for a used car, if your record is spotty you will likely double that, can change a payment by a lot!

As far as your question, don't settle. Get the features you want for the best price possible. The year of the car doesn't really matter too much since your mileage search is out of warranty right from the start. That said have you considered extended warranty? That's something worth financing in, and you can spread payments throughout the life of the loan. but don't overspend for a short lived warranty. You can get 100,000 mile warranty on a Nissan for a lot cheaper then the GM or Chrysler or Fords, I say get the piece of mind if you plan to keep the car for more then 2 years...

MadMax07SL

And if car play is high on your want list, stop looking at 2016's all-together. You'll kick yourself if you are looking for that connectivity. Tech this day and age is so easily defined here. The feature you want only exists in the 2017 and newer, again, don't settle.

As for a 2017 platinum, if you are patient they will turn up. in about a year those will be flooding the market as 3 year leases are running out.

Fishlet

TBird,

i got the Platinum, so I'm kinda biased. The 360 view camera is a huge plus, I don't think I could do without it now. The LED headlights were not standard till 2019, so you should go for the platinum if you want that too. The Seats look much better as well (in both platinum & SR)

if you can find one, or spend just a little more... go for it

tbird2340

What exactly is the 360 camera? It looks sweet but is it just for when you are in reverse? Leather is amazing, I agree..

Thing is.. Guess how man Platinums are within 100 miles from me that are $25K or less? ONE.. And it has 42K Miles.. If I broaden it out to 200 miles from me there are four total.. And when I broadened my search out up to 500 miles away there were plenty.. All around $24-$25k.. I emailed probably 20 dealers, some up to 10 hours away, offering $23K.. Not one would do it.. That's when I realized, I'm not getting one for $23K.. The market is showing me that..

I actually agreed with a dealer an hour from me via email on this car for $23K.. 2017 SL with 15K miles on it.. One owner private..

sschumer

tbird2340, regarding your question about the 360 camera, see following. By the way, I have an '18 Platinum, never had this feature before, use it every single day now, absolutely love it.

Nissan Maxima - Intelligent Around View Monitor:

MadMax07SL

I have been considering the 4X4 Grand Cherokee Summit for about 2 years now, one of the main deal breakers is that of all the vehicles that could benefit from 4 corner cameras, it is not offered on any single trim. It has a feature where you can see the suspension when climbing rocks, has a digital representation on the gauge cluster that will show you which wheel is lower then the other to help you get out of a bind, but no cameras to avid ****. It's a great feature, hands down...and there's enough other things, even the rear window shade, the LED Headlights...I'm telling you, if you're only at $1000 or so between the SL and the Platinum at 2 years old it's worth the extra, that margin is like $7000+ difference when they are new...And again, be patient. They will pop up. If you can wait a few weeks, even 2 or 3 months, I guarantee you will stumble across one. Also note, the email trick only works if the car has been on the lot a long time and they are just ready to get rid of it. If you're in the store, ready to make the deal, they will get closer to your ask on a Platinum.

Fishlet

The visibility on the maxima is good for driving, but terrible for parking and in tight spaces (like some drive throughs). Because of the low seating position it's hard to see what's near the ground around you. I also like the 360 camera for parking forward sometimes. It comes on automatically for reverse, but you can hit one button to turn it on forward too. Useful when trying to park up close to a curb in front of you.

and as some others have said, all the other extra bells & whistles really add quite a bit to this car. Sorry to hear it's a bit beyond your price point right now but with some patience I think you'll find one. If not, at least you'll have extra time to save your coin for when you do purchase. I believe there were more Platinums sold then SLs, so there should be plenty to choose from

robtroxel

Well said! My says she will never drive another car without the 360 feature. We had it on our 2016 Plat and our 2019 Plat. Worth every penny!

tbird2340

Welp.. Change of plans.. I agreed on a 2017 SL with 15K miles on it for $23K.. Loved the look of the pictures.. Black wheels, which I prefer.. I ask to send a video/more pictures before I drive there the next day and there were like 3 significant imperfections that I didn't like..

So, I was super bummed as my hopes were HIGH when I finally found and agreed upon one.. When that happened we said let's pay a little more..

I came to a deal with a dealer 3 hours from me for this 17 Platinum.. We agreed on $24,600 (I offered $24K but he will not come down any lower then $24,600).. I really feel that $24-$26K is the market right now for 17 Platinums.. I was doing nationwide searches and hitting up dealers left and right trying to get one for $23K.. Not one single one of them agreed..

Since it's 3 hours away, I asked them what they would give me for my 08 Titan that is a really great truck.. He said sight unseen (I did send him videos though) he would give me $11K.. I said if he would give me $11,600 I would do it.. That means $15K out of pocket..

Not sure if I'm making a bad decision on trading my truck for that cheap, but it's an 08 and I hate selling privately.. I mean we were going to list it at $14K.. Would we get that? I doubt it.. Would we get $13K? Not sure.. But not having to screw with having 3 cars, bothering my parents to park it there, people calling me and low-balling, etc..

tbird2340

Now I'm really going back and forth about trading my truck in vs selling privately..

It's an 08 Titan LE...

I was going to sell privately and but now I'm wondering if I should.. The dealer and myself agreed to $11,690 on Trade (sight unseen).. My truck is beautiful.. It only has 66K miles and has every option you can get.. Also has a nice cap..

Looking on AutoTrader most trucks no where near as nice as mine are listed around $15K.. Now, those are dealers and who knows what they will actually sell for..

But I'm wondering if I'm being stupid.. Realistically I'm thinking $13K, easy, I would get selling privately? But, maybe not? And is dealing with people, getting low ball offers, meeting people for test drives, etc, etc all worth it for $1,400?

Some advice is needed.. I have until Monday to decide..

Thanks

Max2013

In many states you save on sales tax with the trade in. So you’d be paying tax on the trade difference rather than on the entire $24,600. Should factor that into your decision if it applies.

robtroxel

I think you will be glad you got the Platinum! Keep us posted

ALRONDON

I believe in most states you only pay the difference in Sales Taxes, that could offset the the hassle of trying to sell the truck by yourself and dealing with crazy people off the street....

MadMax07SL

If you could get a solid $15,000 I'd say sell it private. But as stated, the trade-in lowers your sell price of the replacement car, you then reduce your taxable. So if they give you $11690 at 7% sales tax that's $818 less in sales tax, and they manage all the paperwork. So it's like you're getting about $12500. If you hold out and private party list if for $14999, and end up down around $13000, it's that $500 convenience you just paid. Now if you list it at $15500 and get offers right away, there ya go. But it all depends on the market, and the advertising you'll have to do too.

tbird2340

Unfortunately for me, I live in Ohio and these ****** here don't take the trade in cost off the price.. I pay full tax on the actual sale price.. Now, if I was trading in to buy new that I guess comes off the cost.. But trading in for used I have to pay full tax..

MadMax07SL

I'm not saying you're wrong about that, I don't know what they do there. But I'd insist that they take the trade price off the value, and only tax at that amount, and if they say that isn't how they do it, tell them they must show you where in the law they are required to do it that way. Sounds VERY fishy...again, I know nothing about Ohio used car trade-in...but that just doesn't sound right.

tbird2340

Directly from tax.ohio.gov.. Ohio just sucks!

compyelc4

Didn't think the 17SL had Carplay. Platinum does.

MadMax07SL

In that case, Ohio isn't that big, drive out of state for the deal.