Ask the Car People.SM


Buying a used Altima

30 messages,  Last post on Jan 20, 2012 at 10:58 AM

You are in the Nissan Altima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 3

#2 of 30 2003 Altima - should I take the deal? by hg2003

May 24, 2006 (11:13 am)

My husband and I are eyeballing a 2003 Nissan Altima S with 35,500 miles on it, standard features besides tinted windows. It really is in great shape, looks and feels brand new except for a couple minor door dings in the paint and blown speakers. I did my research , negotiated the best I could and feel like they are giving us a fair price at $13,000 before TTL. They are trying to tell us they are breaking even on the car which is very hard for us to believe. $13,000 although seeming fair, was still our "high price" in the grand scheme of things. Still have to try to get a better interest rate at a credit union, and take it for a pre-purchase inspection, but if all goes well would it be advantageous to cut the check for $500 less than the final price we came up with last night and take our chances...OR do you think that would push us out the door? Trade in was anywhere between $10,800 and $12,700, they claim to own the car at $12.9. We are just so afraid of getting screwed and want to get the best deal we can, and make it just slightly more affordable.
Help?

#3 of 30 Re: 2003 Altima - should I take the deal? [hg2003] by alan_s

May 24, 2006 (2:14 pm)

Replying to: hg2003 (May 24, 2006 11:13 am)
You could get a brand new one for around $17,000 and a new car will finance at a much lower interest rate than a used one, so the $4,000 you think you are saving on a 3 year old out-of-warranty car is a misnomer. The monthly payments on a new one may be very close to the used one you are looking at, and you could lease a new one for even less.
The price of the car is just part of the story...
Get the interest rate on the used one and the special interest rate NMAC is offering on a new one and calculate out the monthly payments over the same term. You may be surprised.
On the other hand KBB trade-in value for this car is around $12,000 and dealer retail is $16,000, depending on which state you are in, so $13,000 isn't bad for the used one if it is in excellent condition.
Get the dealer to replace the blown speakers and take out the dings using "paintless dent removal" for you at no charge as part of the deal if you decide to go for it. That is worth several hundred dollars to you.

#4 of 30 Re: 2003 Altima - should I take the deal? [alan_s] by ray_h1

May 28, 2006 (9:30 am)

Replying to: alan_s (May 24, 2006 2:14 pm)
Everything you said plus the fact that the current Altima is nearing the end of its model life. Nissan and the dealers will be offering promotions to move existing stock off the lots. I hope Mrs. hg2003 and her husband will think long and hard about going $13,000.00 into debt on what is a nearly four year old car that will suddenly lose another $2,000.00 value in September. I hope they also understand that a healthy dose of skepticism regarding what a salesman tells a customer is generally a good thing.

#5 of 30 Re: 2003 Altima - should I take the deal? [ray_h1] by hg2003

May 30, 2006 (3:31 pm)

Replying to: ray_h1 (May 28, 2006 9:30 am)
Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately we could not wait until the end of the summer for all the deals that I knew were coming or be pushed any further financially. We didn't get the 2003, but we did negotiate a great deal on a 2005 that was previously a Hertz rental for $14,500. Although it has higher than average miles, it was also serviced a lot as a rental, has a leftover warranty , auto trans, all front and rear seat airbags and ABS. More of what we wanted anyway and we are very happy with it. Appreciate the advice!

#6 of 30 Re: 2003 Altima - should I take the deal? [hg2003] by ray_h1

May 30, 2006 (11:02 pm)

Replying to: hg2003 (May 30, 2006 3:31 pm)
Congrats! Enjoy.

#7 of 30 Looking for an owner's manual by mvelezwhite

Jun 03, 2006 (8:45 pm)

I bought a 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5S today. Having previously owned a 2001 version, I have become very attached to Altimas. Unfortunately, this one (in very good condition and only 44000 miles) did not come with an owner's manual. There are a lot of features and accessories in this that I don't know how to operate and I really need to see an owner's manual. Nissan's web site used to provide pdf files which had older manuals. However, they are only providing 2005 and 2006 model years' manuals now. Can anyone help me find someplace online that has the info that I'm looking for.

#8 of 30 Re: Looking for an owner's manual [mvelezwhite] by ray_h1

Jun 04, 2006 (6:45 am)

Replying to: mvelezwhite (Jun 03, 2006 8:45 pm)
Hopefully some kind soul will offer assistance, but if all else fails, you can buy or order a replacement owner's manual through a Nissan dealership. Highway robbery pricing, but you really need access to the information about fluid capacities and grades in addition to explanations about how to use all the must-have, life-experience enhancing features that all but require a PhD to negotiate.

#9 of 30 Re: Looking for an owner's manual [ray_h1] by ruby02

Jul 11, 2006 (3:24 am)

Replying to: ray_h1 (Jun 04, 2006 6:45 am)
Try here...http://www.phatg20.net/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=6- 9
 
LJ

#10 of 30 Thinking about buying a 2005 altima by hannahja

Jul 11, 2006 (11:49 am)

I just heard about the recall on the 2006 Altimas and I've been considering buying an Altima for a few months. If I were to buy a 2005 do you think I run the risk of having some of the same problems? I love the styling of the newer model Altimas. I have a 98 that we love-it hasn't given us any problems and has 165,000 miles on it. But I would consider changing my mind if I could find something just as sporty as the Altima without the worries. Anyone have any ideas? I've been doing lots of research and now I feel like I have to start over.

Messages Page 1 of 3

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement