Got Lucky!

ZeeBabar · 11-18-2016, 06:56 PM

I have a 2014 sports package 370z in bright red with 18500 miles on it. All highway miles, pristine condition.

About a week ago, I had dropped into a nearby Mazda dealership, looked at their new Mazda Miata's and got tempted (I have a car shopping disease). However, they were all ranging from $25000 for the basic "sports" trim, about $28k for their "club" trim and over $30k for the Grand Touring.

I could not see them giving my car more than $18,500. I took it to CarMax and they offered me $19k for my 370z. I dropped the silly idea...or so I I thought.

On Wednesday, while on EBay, I saw a used 2016 Mazda Miata Grand Touring with 5k miles up for auction. At that time, with about 9 bidders, the bid was $23,600 (A new GT is about $31k) and 5-6 hours to go for the sale to end. I bid $23,700 and then stopped myself, got off EBay so I don't do anything stupid and get into a bidding war.

Six hours later, I received a notification that I had won the auction. The seller was in the Atlanta area. I tossed and turned all night long. In the morning, I contacted the seller, decided I would tame my 370z to Atlanta area, turn in my 370z to Meet the seller, give him the $19k from Carmax and another $3700 cashiers check.

Last night I cursed myself for having made the bid, this morning I kept looking at my lovely 370z and getting mad at myself for having gone to the Mazda dealer, got tempted by the tan leather seats, Bose system, the easily retractable roof and convertible, the awesom 6 speed but still, given that I mostly do long distance diving, my 370Z interior was much roomier, the power so much greater.

I got ready or the 4 hour drive to Atlanta, called the seller, and let him know that Ai was on my way, had the car title would need his full name for the cashiers check and that I expected the car to be pristine and the title available for me before the exchange.

He then told me that the title was with his finance company and would not be available till the end of the month. While I pretended disappointment I smiled. I called EBay and they said he should never have put up the car for sale without a ready title in his hand and that it would not reflect on me if I did not go through with it.

Whew!!! Almost divorced my 370z!! Just took it for a drive to fall in love with it again!!

cooltoy · 11-18-2016, 07:17 PM

I hope she forgives you.

ZeeBabar · 11-18-2016, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooltoy

I hope she forgives you.

Taking her on a 240 mile drive tomorrow, return on Monday. Spending 8 hours with her will do the trick!!

Z-Girl 12 · 11-18-2016, 07:44 PM

Don't let it happen again...

alcheng · 11-18-2016, 07:51 PM

lucky you, otherwise we gonna see a used 2016 Mazda Miata Grand Touring with 5k+ miles up for auction on ebay in two weeks.

gbhrps · 11-18-2016, 08:12 PM

Zeebabar,

If you are tall like me (6'3") you just about made the biggest mistake of your life.

When I sold my 3 antique cars this September, I wanted to replace the three of them with a modern 2 seat convertible, one that not everybody drove. The candidates were the Bimmer Z4, the Porsche Boxster, the 2016 MX5 and the 370z Roadster.

My wife would not set foot in either the Z4 or theBoxster, because they just "reeked of snob appeal" and she wanted no part of the image. That left the other two.

After much research and test drives in each, we discovered that neither of us would fit the Miata for anything longer than a drive across town. I absolutely loved the looks of the car and how it drove (5.5 seconds to 60 mph versus the 370z's 5.1 is not a lot of difference), but my wife's short stature found the floor hump on the passenger side kept her left leg airborne, while I couldn't get the seat back far enough back, and I did not fit on the passenger side at all. The car is simply made for the standard sized person from Japan.

The 370z just had all kinds of room. Okay, so the gas mileage is dismal compared to the Miata's 41 mpg on hightest, but if you don't fit the car, .... what's the point in owning it?

Trust me, ... you made the right choice in keeping the 370z.

Gene

ZeeBabar · 11-18-2016, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbhrps

Zeebabar,

If you are tall like me (6'3") you just about made the biggest mistake of your life.

When I sold my 3 antique cars this September, I wanted to replace the three of them with a modern 2 seat convertible, one that not everybody drove. The candidates were the Bimmer Z4, the Porsche Boxster, the 2016 MX5 and the 370z Roadster.

My wife would not set foot in either the Z4 or theBoxster, because they just "reeked of snob appeal" and she wanted no part of the image. That left the other two.

After much research and test drives in each, we discovered that neither of us would fit the Miata for anything longer than a drive across town. I absolutely loved the looks of the car and how it drove (5.5 seconds to 60 mph versus the 370z's 5.1 is not a lot of difference), but my wife's short stature found the floor hump on the passenger side kept her left leg airborne, while I couldn't get the seat back far enough back, and I did not fit on the passenger side at all. The car is simply made for the standard sized person from Japan.

The 370z just had all kinds of room. Okay, so the gas mileage is dismal compared to the Miata's 41 mpg on hightest, but if you don't fit the car, .... what's the point in owning it?

Trust me, ... you made the right choice in keeping the 370z.

Gene

Thanks. The Mazda dealership is next door and seeing those cute cars every day tempted me. I do fit in on the drivers side but not as comfortably as in the Z. The manual, the clutch are just as perfect as can be.

One major reason I considered trading for the Miata is that I seem to have a personality defect. In the 370z, I take it personal when their cars pull up next to me or overtake me on the highway. I drive fast and often rashly. I don't think I would take on the Mustangs and Camaros and other cars on the highway or stop lights. in a convertible with a little engine.

In any case, I am holding on to my Z.

Duc_Z09 · 11-18-2016, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeeBabar

I don't think I would take on the Mustangs and Camaros and other cars on the highway or stop lights. in a convertible with a little engine.

This is why you should buy the Miata and do a TT LS3 swap.

TreeSemdyZee · 11-19-2016, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc_Z09

This is why you should buy the Miata and do a TT LS9 swap.

Fixed.

UNKNOWN_370 · 11-19-2016, 11:12 AM

Crazy story!!!

I could NEVER think of giving up my Z for a miata or toyobaru twin. Lol

Ventruck · 11-19-2016, 01:30 PM

Really wanted to say "whoa OP that was mad stupid" but new-gen Miatas look really good. Had it not been raining I would've been test driving one right now at the auto show.

The RF would probably end me. Of course I'd be going in with the intention of FI asap.

OldGuyFla · 11-20-2016, 10:45 AM

I would never buy any car sight unseen, no matter what it looked like in a picture.

Fuzzzy · 11-20-2016, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGuyFla

I would never buy any car sight unseen, no matter what it looked like in a picture.

That's because you aren't a self-professed semi-professional (whatever the hell that means) gambler like OP is.

Chuck33079 · 11-20-2016, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzzy

semi-professional gambler like OP is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzzy

(whatever the hell that means)

It means you lose money for a living.

TexasChuck · 11-21-2016, 10:31 AM

Would be for the full amount w/o trade.

11-18-2016, 06:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
ZeeBabar Banned Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Missouri Posts: 423 Drives: 2006 350z Rep Power: 0	Got Lucky! I have a 2014 sports package 370z in bright red with 18500 miles on it. All highway miles, pristine condition. About a week ago, I had dropped into a nearby Mazda dealership, looked at their new Mazda Miata's and got tempted (I have a car shopping disease). However, they were all ranging from $25000 for the basic "sports" trim, about $28k for their "club" trim and over $30k for the Grand Touring. I could not see them giving my car more than $18,500. I took it to CarMax and they offered me $19k for my 370z. I dropped the silly idea...or so I I thought. On Wednesday, while on EBay, I saw a used 2016 Mazda Miata Grand Touring with 5k miles up for auction. At that time, with about 9 bidders, the bid was $23,600 (A new GT is about $31k) and 5-6 hours to go for the sale to end. I bid $23,700 and then stopped myself, got off EBay so I don't do anything stupid and get into a bidding war. Six hours later, I received a notification that I had won the auction. The seller was in the Atlanta area. I tossed and turned all night long. In the morning, I contacted the seller, decided I would tame my 370z to Atlanta area, turn in my 370z to Meet the seller, give him the $19k from Carmax and another $3700 cashiers check. Last night I cursed myself for having made the bid, this morning I kept looking at my lovely 370z and getting mad at myself for having gone to the Mazda dealer, got tempted by the tan leather seats, Bose system, the easily retractable roof and convertible, the awesom 6 speed but still, given that I mostly do long distance diving, my 370Z interior was much roomier, the power so much greater. I got ready or the 4 hour drive to Atlanta, called the seller, and let him know that Ai was on my way, had the car title would need his full name for the cashiers check and that I expected the car to be pristine and the title available for me before the exchange. He then told me that the title was with his finance company and would not be available till the end of the month. While I pretended disappointment I smiled. I called EBay and they said he should never have put up the car for sale without a ready title in his hand and that it would not reflect on me if I did not go through with it. Whew!!! Almost divorced my 370z!! Just took it for a drive to fall in love with it again!! zmanelite, MagmaRed370z and breitwbo like this.

11-18-2016, 07:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,971 Drives: 14 PW 370Z S/T MT Rep Power: 243722	I hope she forgives you. ChaseZ and Sumo like this. __________________ Member of kenchan's "photoshopped mods" and "proper offsets" gang.

11-18-2016, 07:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Z-Girl 12 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 4,105 Drives: Spirited Rep Power: 11716	Don't let it happen again... TreeSemdyZee, cooltoy and ChaseZ like this. __________________ 2012 Z-SOLD 2014 Nismo #565 Fast Intentions CBE/HFC/Swift/SPC/RJM/H&R-15/20mm/Z1 CAI/Headers/Intake Manifold w/Uprev Tune 328.31whp/263.64tq

11-18-2016, 07:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
alcheng A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 28,894 Drives: 2011 ZR PW w/Clutch Rep Power: 418353	lucky you, otherwise we gonna see a used 2016 Mazda Miata Grand Touring with 5k+ miles up for auction on ebay in two weeks. DYNAZOR and MagmaRed370z like this.

11-18-2016, 08:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
gbhrps Base Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 213 Drives: 2016 RDSTR TS 6spd Rep Power: 7996	Zeebabar, If you are tall like me (6'3") you just about made the biggest mistake of your life. When I sold my 3 antique cars this September, I wanted to replace the three of them with a modern 2 seat convertible, one that not everybody drove. The candidates were the Bimmer Z4, the Porsche Boxster, the 2016 MX5 and the 370z Roadster. My wife would not set foot in either the Z4 or theBoxster, because they just "reeked of snob appeal" and she wanted no part of the image. That left the other two. After much research and test drives in each, we discovered that neither of us would fit the Miata for anything longer than a drive across town. I absolutely loved the looks of the car and how it drove (5.5 seconds to 60 mph versus the 370z's 5.1 is not a lot of difference), but my wife's short stature found the floor hump on the passenger side kept her left leg airborne, while I couldn't get the seat back far enough back, and I did not fit on the passenger side at all. The car is simply made for the standard sized person from Japan. The 370z just had all kinds of room. Okay, so the gas mileage is dismal compared to the Miata's 41 mpg on hightest, but if you don't fit the car, .... what's the point in owning it? Trust me, ... you made the right choice in keeping the 370z. Gene breitwbo likes this.

11-19-2016, 11:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	Crazy story!!! I could NEVER think of giving up my Z for a miata or toyobaru twin. Lol TreeSemdyZee, 370zBoyz, breitwbo and 1 others like this. __________________ Favorite Quote. "I'm not gonna kill you... I'm just gonna Bash Your Face In" Jack Nicholson-"The Shining". 1980

11-19-2016, 01:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ventruck Track Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: California Posts: 785 Drives: '13 Sport+Touring M6 Rep Power: 22898	Really wanted to say "whoa OP that was mad stupid" but new-gen Miatas look really good. Had it not been raining I would've been test driving one right now at the auto show. The RF would probably end me. Of course I'd be going in with the intention of FI asap.

11-20-2016, 10:45 AM	#12 (permalink)
OldGuyFla A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Indian Lake Estates Fl Posts: 1,049 Drives: 14 370Z TS Roadster Rep Power: 19127	I would never buy any car sight unseen, no matter what it looked like in a picture. __________________

11-21-2016, 10:31 AM	#15 (permalink)
TexasChuck Track Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SE Texas Posts: 556 Drives: 2014 Black Cherry Co Rep Power: 14	Sales Taxes Would be for the full amount w/o trade.

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