Test driving an F50 tomorrow.

[M3Racer]

So to anyone who knows me, I've looked at about 100 or so different makes and models, trying to find a car. I had been looking around with a budget of about $5000. However my mom suggested we look at some more expensive cars, which would be mine until I went to college, at which point it would become hers, replacing her crappy mini-van. We've been looking at G35's, F50's and older M45's. Tomorrow we're going to look at an F50 at a dealer near here. It's a 2002 with just a hair over 15,000 miles. They're asking $26,500-ish. Before I go, I had a few questions:1) Does the price sound fair? 2) What issues do F50's have. I know about the vibration issue, but haven't heard anything more.3) How much better is the 2003. I think I remember reading about some differences here, but searched and couldn't find it.

I'm not a humongous fan of this dealer, but because it's the Nissan dealership, I wouldn't have them work on it. I'll try to take some pictures and at the least give the sales guy a tagging card.

If I have some extra time, I'll see how many cars on the lot I can tag before they stop me.

[maxnix]

Check for engine oil consumption. If you cannot verify OIC of 3750 miles (or 3 months, many would say), beware.

Also, be sure the throttle update and TCM reprogramming was redone. There are threads here concerning it.

2003 featured a number of under the skin refinements, most of which you would not notice, except for the numerically higher differential ratio.

Check out Jason B website which is a tribute to the 2002 Q45.

[elwesso]

that sounds overpriced... I mean, when you can pay $20grand for a 02 or 03 with 50k or so, that sounds a little iffy... I mean, when the car will last as long as we know it will, plus as long as its below 60k it can still have the 100k warranty, why pay more for less miles?

LIke brian said, check for OCI's and the TSB.

[mcrews]

I follow Wes's line of reason, but I think the price is fair (as a starting point). IMO I'd like to start w/ low miles.check when it was put into service, the warranty is miles or months, which ever comes first. I hit 48 months at 52k in Dec 05 on my 02 Q45 Sport.the Q's tend to use aome oil, so make sure the maintiance schedule is recorded.

Enjoy....it's very solid and very fast. You can't get a used 04 avalon for that money and the Q is a far supirior car.

[maxnix]

I would pay $22K -$24K if it were a premium model, checked out, and was never driven in winter salt.

[kev1n]

make sure its got the pedal update. I'd definately look for one with the sport and premium package.I'd probably go for an 03 if you could swing it.

[maxnix]

I'd definately look for one with the sport and premium package.

They are separate and cannot be combined.

[Rex]

I would pay $22K -$24K if it were a premium model, checked out, and was never driven in winter salt.

Be near impssoible to find one that hasn't seen winter salt int he greater Cincy area, so my guess would be this one has seen it. Though I agree with the pricing, but wouldn't buy one as I don't like the F50 looks. Find a Y34 .

[M3Racer]

That was not a fun experience. It turns out the car had sold before I first called to schedule a test drive. I was then offered a Lexus, which is, according to the pushy salesman, much more exciting than the Q. I'm actually looking at Y34's as well.

[BlackBirdVQ]

an LS400 or LS430 ? I find that car very borring to drive, it doesn't seem to have any balls even with "290HP" and 5AT transmission. Its nice inside but it doesn't do it for me. I almost bought a 99 LS400 before I got my Maxima, but it was sooo slow that I couldn't bring myself into buying a car that had trouble lighting up the rear tires with the TCS off and brake torqueing the shizznit out of it. Ofcourse going from a 13 sec nimble lil Sentra SE-R into a 15 second big boat like the LS was a bad experience for me, and the 95 Q45 I checked out a week later had snow tires and ugly rims that the dealer would not swap out nor budge on the price at all. Ironically that Q was identical to the one I have now.

[maxnix]

Exciting and Lexus LS are mutually exclusive since the late nineties, if ever.

I would report that salesman to the manager for switch and bait. Of course, the manager may have taught him how.

[BadQ45t]

That said (I agree) the 05' LS430 has tons of punch, I had my dads this weekend and it can MOVE.

[Jesda]

That said (I agree) the 05' LS430 has tons of punch, I had my dads this weekend and it can MOVE.

Yes, but so can the Buick Regal GS.

[Rex]

FWIW, there are a few low mile (~60k) Y33's on the area with asking prices in the ~$10-12k range.

[elwesso]

FWIW, there are a few low mile (~60k) Y33's on the area with asking prices in the ~$10-12k range.

but its just not an F50 or Y34.....

[Rex]

but its just not an F50 or Y34.....

So there's less of a chnce it's consuming ~1 qt of oil every 3k miles .

[elwesso]

Thats why the G50 is still a winnar in my book.

VH45DE>*

[Jesda]

FWIW, there are a few low mile (~60k) Y33's on the area with asking prices in the ~$10-12k range.

That would definitely make his mom happy.

[kev1n]

They are separate and cannot be combined.

wow, never knew that, I thought Jason B's car had both with the camera, nav and sports package. Were those options seperate from Premium package?

[widebodyq]

wow, never knew that, I thought Jason B's car had both with the camera, nav and sports package. Were those options seperate from Premium package?

Never heard of that either. I have the Nav, sport suspension, camera, reclining back seats, full size 18' spare etc. Wouldn't that be both

[M3Racer]

I just saw this thread for the first time in a while and thought it was about someone getting to drive the Ferrari F50. I thought "Good god, lucky bastard." Then looked at the thread creator and was confused for a second.

[srdrps13]

lol m3 racer.. not happy with the m3 and tl? eeshhhh $$$