Possibly trading in the Z, have some Questions
 

So, I was in an accident in my truck last week and it is probably going to get totaled out. It was my winter beater and is probably only worth about $4k max. I also use it to haul my R6 to the track in the summer. With the snow here and track duty, I feel its pretty important for me to have a truck.

This leads me to my dilemma. In my experience its tough to buy a reliable truck for $4k, and I don't want to make payments. So I'm considering trading in the Z toward a truck. If I get a $15,000 truck or so, I can trade the Z and put the insurance cash towards it and will own it outright. This will eliminate my monthly payments for the Z and thus free up some cash for track days and possibly another bike.

I'm making a bit of an assumption that I'll get somewhere around $25k for the Z on trade in. I owe about $15k on it. It's a 2009 base + sport, 6mt with about 18k miles on it. I have a few upgrades on it including injen long tube cai, cnt hfc, cnt cbe, swift springs and h&r spacers.

I'm thinking its probably worth my time to pull the intake and exhaust pieces to put those back to stock. That way I can resell them. The springs and spacers are too time consuming though.

Now the story's over, what do you think. Am I being realistic as to how much I'll get for the Z? Am I doing the right thing by putting what I can back to stock? Am I going to hate myself for getting rid of the Z?

In my opinion, you will indeed hate yourself.

focus on your priorities. are you a biker or a z-er? if you're a biker you know wat you need to do.

if you enjoy driving your Z, then you know wat you need to do.

I'd try to get the best truck you can and keep the Z.

2009 with 18k miles for 25k??? That's tough. It really just depends what the market is like in your area. But I would think 22k will be more realistic, thought for the majority of US cities.. I would expect about 24k for a 2009 base sport auto with the same miles if I'm lucky. But the market in your area may grant you 25-27k??? You are just going to have to get it appraised at a few dealerships first.

After that all I can say is read Kenchan's post. Its the best advice on here so far?

For reference, the trade-in value on my 2009 Touring + Sport without nav, 26k miles, was $26k at the end of 2010.

I think UNKNOWN is right... you're looking at lower 20s on a trade, unless you get lucky.

You could always get winter tires and wheels, a hitch, and a light trailer to tow the bike... :stirthepot:

wats with this towing with sports car trend today? :eekdance:

Towing a sport bike to a track event in a 370Z would be badass! :tup:

You will 100% regret it. Z is a special car.

I based my trade in values off both NADA and KBB. I understand those can be inaccurate but I had to start somewhere. I appreciate everyones comments. I'm still trying to weigh my options.

I agree, if you get rid of the Z, self loathing will ensue.

In all seriousness tho, if tracking your bike(s) is really where your hearts at, then maybe getting rid of the Z for a truck makes sense, but I really have a feeling you're going to miss having a sports car.

The 370Z is pure sex! It's hot, loud and rough!

I would hate myself If I do that ... good luck !

-you're going to have a tough time getting 25k for your z, unless they are in very high demand in your area

-Pulling the mods off is going to be well worth your time

-I would take some time to evaluate your priorities. IMO, no car is going to match a bike for fun though. I also commiserate with the difficulty in finding a good, cheap, towing vehicle--I wish they were available...

Indeed! I'm glad I'm getting my point across to people! :hello:

The 370Z is pure sex! It is hot, loud, and rough!

Hahah! I was hoping you'd see that.

Keep the bike and the Z, get a $2000 beater car like 2000ish model: impala, v6 mustang, dodge neon, old civic/accord, cavalier, etc, they are around $2-3k.

Trust me, you will want to keep both. I have Z and CBR1000RR and a daily driver

Doesn't solve towing

sure it does, IF you are cossie.

:icon17:
Bikes are different than tires.

but not that much different than scooters....:rofl2:

One word, son. Toyota. :tup:

Or Nissan, I got mine for like $2.7k, lol.

you will get probably 22k for it. Maybe a tad less since its winter time and it's going to sit on their lot until march.

The blackbook is actually showing


Black Book Trade-In as of 01/16/2012
Clean Average Rough
Base $25,100 $23,400 $19,745
Options $0 $0 $0
Mileage $850 $1,100 $0
Total $25,950 $24,500 $19,745

:iagree:

In my experience the dealer will be reluctant to pay more than a $1000.00 BELOW book value.

If you do sell to a dealer pull the all the mods (a nice, low key, audio system might be OK to leave in place) that can be seen or heard and resell them. Mods are a red flag for most dealers. Mods suggest abusive driving to many potential buyers.

Don't forget the cost of changing ownership (taxes, license and assorted fees) can really cut into the cash that you can recover from the Z and then dump into a new vehicle.

The best place to sell would be private party to someone who might appreciate your mods and be willing to pay for them.

The economics suggest that you keep the Z and buy a truck when you can afford it, sometimes we just have to wait to achieve our goals.

The advice about deciding what is your first love, cars or bikes, is spot on. Only you can decide.

I've pulled 1200 pound trailers (for work, five days a week) with a 99 Camaro SS M6 and a 2004 GTO M6. Why? Because life is too short to drive boring trucks when cool cars are everywhere.

Personally, I'd go for the no debt, no payments choice.

They confirmed they are totaling out the truck today. Still have to wait until next week for them to assess the value though. I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. Its supposed to be nice this weekend so I'll spend some time in the Z. I've only driven her briefly in the last couple of months. I suspect when I wind her up a bit I'll fall in love all over again. Been looking at some cheap truck, suv and awd car options.

:iagree::tup:

What kind of truck is it? I'm thinking about selling our F150. pm me. never mind put my truck up hours after this post and sold within a few hours.

OP, Great deals are out there you just have to look hard and be patient. Don't give up your Z. ever.

That warmed my heart.

DONT DO IT !!!!!!! VVEL is almost cracked (just kidding ) really I understand .I have thought about this aswell but each time I drive her I cant let go .On some practical level I should bought 2 used speed3's (my wife and I) but I want to own this car till I am dead .I live in what i would call Subieland (Colorado ) so a two wheeled sports car is even more impractical but I wounldn't trade her for anything . In 40yrs After all the cars you own ,you will always talk about the Z . People who have owned them nevr forget them.

The dealer is actually only going to give you about $21,000 actuall cash value for what ever you buy, your really better off getting a small front wheel drive car for the winter and summer commuting, the $10,000 nissan versa is the best choice.

With the nissan versa you could then get a small open bike trailer and tow it with vesra or some other cheap towing vehicle, such as an old ford v8 , chevy caprice , buick etc. for under $1000 and just use it as a towing vehicle.

Other option is that some insurance companies will find you a truck in the same condition as yours was before it was totaled and simply replace it, that may be the best option for you.

I disagree that you can't find a used and reliable truck cheap. It just takes some time and patience. I picked up my beater/tow vehicle 2001 Durango for $3000 with 100k miles over 2 years ago. I've put close to 20k miles on it and have only spent about $150 on a couple minor repairs. I looked at a ton of vehicles and did lots of research before I settled on this one.

I love having the beater for daily/bad weather use and the Z sitting polished in the garage, just waiting for the nice weather days to stretch her legs.

I used to think that way, but I got sick of making the car payments and the giant property tax bill for it. Why am I going to pay for something I don't get to enjoy. Just drive it till you dont want it anymore. The difference between trading in a mint car and an average car is like $1500 at the most.

I stopped by the dealer today. I think I'm going to trade the Z for a new 2012 Nissan Frontier SV with tow and premium package. Its a lease for $4000 down and ~$200 / month. I should get a decent size check back due to the equity I have in my trade and the payments will be less than half what they are on the Z. This is for 15k miles / year which is plenty for me.

This is all still dependent on the trade value they give me. If they try to rob me I'll walk. I will be removing my Injen CAI, CNT HFC's and CNT exhaust in the morning. If anyone is interested they will likely be up for sale in the next week or so.

I love the Z and will miss her. But my heart belongs to motorcycles specifically on the track. And Financially this makes a lot of sense for me.

I've heard that leasing is not the way to go
your just renting from Nissan. IMO at all cost
try to keep the Z. you'll regret it. there's only
one car I'd trade for the corvette. Both cars best
in class

Hmm bikes>cars honestly more fun to me.

/\ you're making the right call then. :tup: