Should I Sell it or Keep it?

[myother45isalesbaer]

I have a 2004 M45. I was looking at new cars and didn't like the idea of trading it in. It is in as new condition as could be. I bought it new in 2004 and put a total of 35,000 miles on it. It is such a rare bird I was thinking of just parking it. Production numbers are low, it's reaonably fast for a big sport luxury car, alot of options on all new ones are extra and over the years nothing of any significance has gone wrong with it. I was thinking over time it has to increase in value. Then I wonder am I just fooling myself because I like it so much. So the question remains, should I sell/trade it or keep it?

[Larz]

I happen to be among those who really love the body style of those two years (03-04). And apparently I am not alone. The angle at which the rear end slopes downward, the long body, and the roof lines are brilliant. I think it is one of, if not the best body design from all generations of the M or the newer Q models. I don't think it will ever look 'old' or outdated.
If you want a newer car, I say get one. But I would keep the M as well. I found this online and thought I'd share it:

http://jalopnik.com/why-the-infiniti-m4 ... -678729583

[myother45isalesbaer]

Thanks. I think I am going to keep it. At every gas station stop it seems someone asks about it. Many want to know if Infiniti just came out with it and how much do they want. All are disappointed they can't buy one and shocked its a 2004. Except for the old time cars of the 30s-40s, US cars seem to dominant the classic high end market. But I have a funny feeling about this one. It's a strange fluke that I think just might become high in demand in the next few years.

I think I will buy a new car and keep the M. Nothing I've driven, like the split window vette or the 4.2 Jag E type have given me an overall thrill like the M. Wierd but true.

[szh]

A tough call!

I like my 2003 M45 a lot ... but it is a daily driver and is showing its age now. Bought it new in fall of 2003 and it now has 163k miles on it. The seats are worn, plenty of squeaks from the inside, and the outside has the usual dings, etc., from people not watching out (including my wife at home in the garage with her car doors ... sigh!).

So, I'd like to keep it going for a lot longer, but may end up parking/selling it and getting a new daily driver. The Tesla Model S is beckoning me a bit ... my company is offering free charging at work for electric cars. This would save me a bundle on gas costs (I drive about 15000 miles per year)!

Z

[The Bodyguard]

Keep it!!! But if you decide to sell, sell it to one of us who will appreciate it for what it is... a true gem!!

[myother45isalesbaer]

szh,

You and I have posted several times about our M45's. These two years seem to have something weird about them. It is not the obvious single ways that they are different than other M's. Its more like the whole package is different. Back in it's day it had several items, like top speed, handling, leather quality, etc. where it was number 1 or 2 or could hang in the top 5 compared to other cars built to be sport, luxury sedans. Today, mainly because of new technology, it has fallen out of the top 5 lists on nearly every sports, luxury sedan item they are judged on. But if you loved it in 2003-04 and still love it today then there is something different and weird about it. I have driven most of the competition and walked away thinking the newer one is better and yet I leave the lot without buying. Not sure today what that 'somthing' the old M has the newer ones don't.

That 'something' seems to be is the car is not excellent at anything. It is very good at almost most everything. Over my nearly 50+ years of driving I have had cars that did some excellent things but had flaws and did some things really badly. My M45 does not do anything badly, just a few things not as well as others. I think because I don't hate some traits, like others I owned and love nearly all of the M's I am keeping the M45 as a highway only machine because it seems to love highway driving the best.

I am going to replace it with a fun around town car like a Mustang or Dodge Hellcat where I can beat the crap out of them. In general I want a car for around town that I can put the top down and screw around. Its a toss up between the Mustang convertible and the Dodge's 700 hp. The M stays and the other one I decide on gets added to inventory.

[Double E]

A quiet applause on this decision.
I’ve been in the same camp recently and have also contributed to your posts and thoughts on this car. You probably already know I share the Y34 fondness and have owned 2.
That you like enough to keep it, think about it this way, if you were to get rid of it, you’d never convince someone it was worth anything north of 9K. (I’d pay you 9.5K) and that individual would probably not be someone here. I could be wrong I guess but you’d also put that car in the “wish I hadn’t sold it” category and always think of it as a mistake to sell.
It’s not aging perfectly and I’m trying to sort that out but I’m keeping it for a while longer. It just turned “1” this week.

[myother45isalesbaer]

Double E,

Sorry to hear its not aging perfectly. Hope its aging well without any major stuff going wrong. Only 2 things I need. Trunk struts and TPMS sensor and mine will be in new condition. You are right. I won't get stink for it and I think its worth alot more. Maybe stink times 3. I have had those wish I had that one back too many times. When I look at the prices today it makes me sick. Don't miss the cars, miss the money. I'll miss the M45 and not the money this time. I'm keeping it. Thanks for your support. At least if I keep it I can stay on this site. LOL.

[Double E]

I need the trunk struts too. I did them on my other M. Replacement is DIY but a little involved with removing the rear seat. Not tough to do but you'll be happier than paying someone.

I got new TPMS sensors and can tell you the ones you'll need to get.
The dealer will have to program them to the car but any tire shop can mount them. Don;t believe the tire shop monkey that thinks he knows how to program them to the car. He can't.

The dealer might charge a little to do it so take it to them good n dirty so it gets a free clean up too.

[myother45isalesbaer]

LOL. Been down the road with the tire monkey. They tried all their BS and failed. Finally had to go to the dealer. Paid good money but they got the job done. The struts I hate to say it, I am just not interested in doing. My back hurts now from a short bike ride. Maybe if its not too much back seat jumping around I'll attempt them is it saves some money, but I have to save more than a doctors visit and med costs. LOL. It does suck getting old. Just when you know enough to do most things and enjoy them your stinking body gives out. In my case its my back. You would be surprised how pain in the back effects other things, like walking upright, sleeping, s*** to name a few important things. I need more pain killers until this heals up a little more.

[szh]

szh,

You and I have posted several times about our M45's. These two years seem to have something weird about them. It is not the obvious single ways that they are different than other M's. Its more like the whole package is different. Back in it's day it had several items, like top speed, handling, leather quality, etc. where it was number 1 or 2 or could hang in the top 5 compared to other cars built to be sport, luxury sedans. Today, mainly because of new technology, it has fallen out of the top 5 lists on nearly every sports, luxury sedan item they are judged on. But if you loved it in 2003-04 and still love it today then there is something different and weird about it. I have driven most of the competition and walked away thinking the newer one is better and yet I leave the lot without buying. Not sure today what that 'somthing' the old M has the newer ones don't.

That 'something' seems to be is the car is not excellent at anything. It is very good at almost most everything. Over my nearly 50+ years of driving I have had cars that did some excellent things but had flaws and did some things really badly. My M45 does not do anything badly, just a few things not as well as others. I think because I don't hate some traits, like others I owned and love nearly all of the M's I am keeping the M45 as a highway only machine because it seems to love highway driving the best.

Couldn't agree with you more!

I love the [somewhat dated but unique] looks of my Y34 for sure. It is instantly recognizable on the road, and stands out in a field of modern "inverted-soap-dish" cars.

Unfortunately, I have never worried about the looks of my car - performance is always where my money goes (good tires, frequent oil changes, etc.).

So, now my 2003 M45 is showing its age a lot more than I'd like. The choice is between spending significant amounts of money to get its looks into shape, its interiors into way better condition, and get it looking good ... or ... splurging on my next car. Plus, my high-school age son is going to start college next year, so money will stay tight for a while.

Like I mentioned, I am leaning towards a Tesla Model S ... my company subsidizes energy for the folks who own any electric car ("free" chargers at work). So we have two Teslas (one roadster and one Model S), one Volt and one Spark so far. I'd save about $3000 a year on gasoline costs by going full electric.

Tempting ...

Z

[myother45isalesbaer]

I always liked the looks of the Tesla's. They aren't cheap. I would have a hard time justifying one on a MPG vs. $$ basis. But then sometimes all the financial analysis goes in the garbage and you get what you want because you want to and can. Just looking at cash flow $3,000 for just gasoline is a lot. That's a very nice deal your company offers and with one college bound you need to get that cash flow improving. LOL. You can justify almost anything depending what you include or exclude from your analysis. Enjoy the car, you know you are buying one! No sense in overthinking it anymore. You will just get a headache.

You are a smart guy. I am sure you know you are trading a little polluter, the car, for a big polluter, the major electric generation plants. Unless your electricity is all hydro the majority of other methods aren't contributing to improving the environment, just getting it out of sight so we don't see it and can make ourselves feel better. Personally I wouldn't feel all that bad as there is not a damn thing I can do about it.

SO ENJOY THAT TESLA. I like the instant torque the electric motor gives vs. the ones that push pieces of metal through holes and need to go faster to get max torque going. Can I have a test drive?

[szh]

Oh, definitely, the "reduced" pollution aspect is not the reason. I know that electricity generation has its load of high pollution issues for sure!

It is just that a leasing deal on a Tesla S is pretty excellent, and coupled with the $3k of cash flow savings in no gasoline costs, it makes it tempting! Plus, I was in one recently, and the immediate torque and quietness of the car in general is very nice indeed.

Regardless of which, the price of the S is a bit daunting - I prefer to pay cash for all my cars (have done so since 1986 ) and the cost of a Tesla S would not be amenable to my method for making this happen. As I have detailed before, I simply put a car payment into my own account and save till the car purchase can be made in cash. But don't quite have enough for a Tesla S ... yet. Maybe, I simply need to up my car "payments" to myself for a few more years.

So, it probably will not happen soon ... perhaps not for a few more years anyway. Till my son is out of college maybe.

Z

[myother45isalesbaer]

Oh, sorry, I took it you were trying to get the Tesla before the college expenses kicked in. Totally agree about owning the car the day you buy it. It takes awhile in life to get to that financial point, but I haven't had payments in years. I love going into a dealer and telling them its a cash deal to them so hurry the F up on the paper work as I have to leave soon. It gives you alot of power over them. Downside is they hate you because they can't make money on the financing. But a deal is a deal and they will hustle and move faster if you tell them "lets skip that financing step and get down to business". One trick I pulled was finance it myself using a home equity loan. Rate is cheaper and I can pay what I want when I want from $0 to total pay-off. I usually structure my own loan payments to me to meet my needs for the month. The loan gets annoying after awhile and I am not doing it again, but it gets the job done if you like to play around with money. And I do love playing with all types and forms of money before I was born.

I am shocked you are considering leasing after what you told me about payments. I am sure you know what you are doing, but let me just say I know several private parties that leased and said they would never do it again. I always hated leasing for alot of reasons. One financial wizard finally came out on TV and said leasing is for businesses only and individuals should stay away from them. A Tesla though is one of those cars when the bug bites you, you will do almost anything to get one. GOOD LUCK with whatever deal you make to get one of those cars. No doubt they are awesome and state of the art. I still would like a test drive whenever.

Let me leave for now with this story. I took the M out today for some around town stuff. It started to talk to me. It talks alot sometimes. So the M says, if I knew this was all we were going to do and not get the MPH's and rev's up I would have stayed home. Take me there. So I listened and took the M home and promised no more around town crap. All this got me thinking. Manufacturers engineer every sound a car makes to appeal to the customer to make sales. The little bell went off and I thought what are they going to engineer into a Tesla that makes the sounds of silence? Your favorite music, engine noices, just what are they going to do with silence? Now my mind is working overtime and I still don't have a solid idea. Just what are they going to do with the sounds of silence? What is the sound of instant torque and a big smile on your face as you blow off some high HP machine in total silence?

[Larz]

Let me leave for now with this story. I took the M out today for some around town stuff. It started to talk to me. It talks alot sometimes. So the M says, if I knew this was all we were going to do and not get the MPH's and rev's up I would have stayed home. Take me there. So I listened and took the M home and promised no more around town crap. All this got me thinking. Manufacturers engineer every sound a car makes to appeal to the customer to make sales. The little bell went off and I thought what are they going to engineer into a Tesla that makes the sounds of silence? Your favorite music, engine noices, just what are they going to do with silence? Now my mind is working overtime and I still don't have a solid idea. Just what are they going to do with the sounds of silence? What is the sound of instant torque and a big smile on your face as you blow off some high HP machine in total silence?

There will be a sound, but you won't hear it because the sound will come from the driver you just passed .. a quite sorrowful sigh as he realizes you just did him up and did so without needing to stop at a fuel station ... ever!

[myother45isalesbaer]

ROFLOL!!! Good one. That would be a hoot and I would love just to see the look on his face if this really could happen. I was thinking, maybe we could find some kind of victory song, whatever, as the Tesla passes his twin turbo, computer tuned absolete Hellcat.

[paranoidjack]

I knew for years, that after my '00 Q45 my next car would be a y34 '03 or '04. I preferred the '04 to have the CD in dash but whatever I plan to replace the audio anyway. I have always loved this car. It is undeniably timeless, compare it to any other 2003, including lexus and bmw, and it looks measurably newer. Combine that with the reliability of the drivetrain and transmission if it is ANYTHING like my Q45 and it was a slam dunk. To get a car with all these features, voice activation, cooled seats, 340 hp, frameless windows, high quality leather, for $4700 and 105k was a joke. I have since put $800 into it to make it nicer; trunk struts, interior bulb replacement, exhaust repairs, spark plugs, doing all pulleys and belts this week, flushed all fluids, new rotors and pads. Next is front and rear struts and tires. Then for $7k you have a car that feels at least $15 and to some appear to be a near new $30k car! Not that I really care what others think, but it is nice to have others appreciate your car as much as you. Though I loved my Q45 it began to appear dated and others surely felt that way!

Love driving in my M45. My other 45 is a Sig, though I don't carry it in this car, seat clearance is tight. I carry my G20.

love this car. Love this car. Love this car. Next is M56.

jack

[myother45isalesbaer]

What a great deal. The seller must have been into money and not cars. Don't take offense, but it really makes me mad such a rare and awesome car is selling so cheap. On the other hand you picked up one hell of a ride. Long story, but many years ago I saw the old Q, talked to the owner and took a drive. Thats how I got into and bought the M. You are smart replacing all the parts that can go bad. What you did is very slick. For small $$ you got a great car, through a few bucks into it and now are driving one awesome machine. Smart move. Please keep me informed how many miles you roll on before a major issue occurs.

I had to go out yesterday and was sitting in my car waiting for my passenger to return and started watching and rating the cars going by. There was not one I liked the looks of, new or old. Then the thought hit me. I can't replace my M's power, looks, options, ride unless I spent about $80K. I should park this thing before it gets damaged. I think that is exactly what I am going to do. I'll use it for highway trips or when I am in the mood. I have never appreciated or loved any car as much as my M45. And since 2004 I have not lost that much techno ground I care about.

I love the Sig's. All of them. I don't think their build quality is very much behind the Les or Wilson. Now I am back into guns and I will have to go buy another Sig. I have one in a 380. I am impressed with it. I think Sig in general passes alot of guns that have big names but just aren't built as well. That's my opinion and anyone can disagree but I am sticking to my OP. I took me many years and shooting many other guns to come to my OP. The one I laugh at that everyone seems to love is Kimber. I never meet a gun I couldn't love but that one to me is more hype than its worth.

Good quote at the end.