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370Z prices


wesmin

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It has been a difficult year for the Zed’s, and I have posted something similar to this on other threads.

 

I think the problems started some time ago now with the petrol prices and road tax escalations.

However the more immediate issue surround residual values began with the Japanese tsunami earlier this year.

Everything went onto high alert as there was real concern that the manufactures would have to halt production of all cars until the problems surrounding the county where resolved including parts to the rest of the world, and the manufacturing of cars in Japan.

However Nissan did a great job avoiding this, unlike most other car manufactures. There where no austerity measures and things generally where unaffected. The one model of concern was the 370, as it was made in Japan. As such the launch of the 2011 MY car was delayed, as they thought a specialist car like the 370 might last a bit longer. Within a couple of months it was apparent this was not the case, and the 2011 car was ready to go. The problem was there was a lot of 2010 cars hanging around, kept back just in case, as it where.

To move the 2010 cars along, NMGB offered the dealer group’s packs of these cars with an additional £4800 support as well as the guaranteed 7% margin.

The answer was to distress sell these cars quickly to get the 2011 car out ASAP.

All of a sudden you have some very cheap cars on the market, new, but at used car prices. This has a knock on effect and drives the prices of the older 370Z down and then the 350’s look too dear so they go down too.

We are now in a situation where most of the cheap 370’s have gone, but there are a few hanging around.

This where it gets interesting…

So as a dealer, you have a customer who comes in to buy a car off you but is saying that you are now too expensive, as the guy down the road has one of these cheap cars on the lot, what do you do? Pay more for the part exchange and get the deal done, but these cars will now be more expensive, but now on the forecourt with presumably a smaller profit margin.

This would be a massive problem if we where talking about a Corsa for example, but the Zed’s are a specialist car, and quite rare, so you could get away with a bit more nationally.

IMHO when all the 2010 cars have been sold there will be more stability in the marques, and therefore more consistency in the values.

Nothing is ever that straightforward is it??!! :wacko:

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I like your optimism on prices. :) But from my complete arm chair point of view...judging by how 350 prices went, I can't see them going anywhere but South...

 

I seem to recall when the 350 was new, a 3 year example was still worth a considerable amount. Then round about err, 2007? Along with all the economy malarky the price of Z's dropped a few grand, and since then the trend hasn't seem to have stopped. I bought my 350 for an average price of 15k in November 2009. It was a 56plate facelift GT with Nav. So 3 years old, and halved in value :)

 

What I'm saying is, this perceived massive drop on 370's isn't so much of anomaly as you may suggest, or people are finding (though your stock anecdote is VERY interesting EH). As I don't see much reason for the 370 to end up much different in 3 years, and looking at 2009 prices now, it seems to be on the right track, no?

 

Unless there's some specific reason the 370 will hold it's value a lot better than later 350's, consdering the state of the market now...??

 

Speaking of new models etc. When are Nissan going to release a facelift? Breathing on the suspension is not what I'd call dramatic. Though having a real facelift would only crush used prices even more!

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Nissan dealers are currently advertising brand new unregistered 370 roadsters in GT spec with metallic paint for less than £25K. If I had the money I would be very tempted! Perhaps they are trying to move them on before the winter weather really sets in.

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...judging by how 350 prices went, I can't see them going anywhere but South...

 

I'm not sure exactly what you're expecting when you purchase a car. Surely 99 out of every 100 cars sold today will drop in value, more likely 999 out of 1,000, in fact. It's always going to be a depreciating asset. All you can hope for is that your purchase drops at a lower rate and your neighbour.

 

I always try to buy as wisely as possible to attempt to help with the depreciation curve but it still always get me.

 

There are many factors as to why the 370 isn't a more common sight, and Toby has highlighted very good insider reasons for this, but I reckon one of the main reasons is the same was why Tesco has reported a drop in their profits (worst in 20 years) - people are simply being more sensible with their cash - not so many nutters like us lot still happy to spunk their hard earned on fuel & tax ;) .

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not so many nutters like us lot still happy to spunk their hard earned on fuel & tax ;) .

 

This^^^

 

We are all crazy Pistonheads, but only up to a point. There is a point where we all have to yield. We would all love to drive 300bhp+ motors but in the last three years a fill up has gone from £70 to £110. So, £280 a month is now £440, combined with people losing jobs/taking paycuts plus increased tax, mean that only the dedicated remain. I still hanker over my Gallardo until I think that the old £90 fill ups would now be £135 for 180 miles........ :headhurt:

 

I read the PH thread on the 370z and someone made a very poignant comment along the lines of "The 370z is a great car, just in the wrong decade", which is so true. When I had my zeds people readily paid big money just to upgrade to a facelift car or limited edition, petrol was cheap, tax low and jobs safe. Now, with everything so restricted, the jump from an £8k 350z to a £25k 370z is almost unbridgeable, hence the slow sales figures, imo.

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not so many nutters like us lot still happy to spunk their hard earned on fuel & tax ;) .

 

This^^^

 

We are all crazy Pistonheads, but only up to a point. There is a point where we all have to yield. We would all love to drive 300bhp+ motors but in the last three years a fill up has gone from £70 to £110. So, £280 a month is now £440, combined with people losing jobs/taking paycuts plus increased tax, mean that only the dedicated remain. I still hanker over my Gallardo until I think that the old £90 fill ups would now be £135 for 180 miles........ :headhurt:

 

I read the PH thread on the 370z and someone made a very poignant comment along the lines of "The 370z is a great car, just in the wrong decade", which is so true. When I had my zeds people readily paid big money just to upgrade to a facelift car or limited edition, petrol was cheap, tax low and jobs safe. Now, with everything so restricted, the jump from an £8k 350z to a £25k 370z is almost unbridgeable, hence the slow sales figures, imo.

 

Totally agree.

Im am currently looking at a 370 GT Edition, but tbh, I am really struggling to justify it.

I mean, i can get a 350 for £8k, and spent the other £20k on a bloody house (or TT kit and build! :lol: )

 

Think is, Im just not quite ready to give up on the Petrolhead dream yet. So I'll pay for a 370, and pay the monthly costs, and curse the goverment to hell and back. :lol:

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Im am currently looking at a 370 GT Edition, but tbh, I am really struggling to justify it.

I mean, i can get a 350 for £8k, and spent the other £20k on a bloody house (or TT kit and build! :lol: )

 

Think is, Im just not quite ready to give up on the Petrolhead dream yet. So I'll pay for a 370, and pay the monthly costs, and curse the goverment to hell and back. :lol:

Sure you can get an 8k 350z, but remember just how old that will be. The 370z will be box fresh, tight handling and far better interior. People will say I was mad to chop in my 350z (which would have gone on a forecourt for about £8-9k), but for me it was the best decision. I am fortunate in my poisition as being able to do so when the economy is as it is, but I wouldnt change it for the world. You'll be over the moon with it Al, and so will the missus - she'll be a lot happier in that than the 350z - just ask my missus and she'll tell you theres no contest.

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The biggest issue for me is the fuel economy. I can live with the high road tax, the servicing costs and the increase in insurance. My current diesel daily driver gets around 50 mpg, sometimes as high as 53mpg on a run. The drop to say 25mpg using super unleaded will mean spending £318 a month on fuel compared with £155.

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The biggest issue for me is the fuel economy. I can live with the high road tax, the servicing costs and the increase in insurance. My current diesel daily driver gets around 50 mpg, sometimes as high as 53mpg on a run. The drop to say 25mpg using super unleaded will mean spending £318 a month on fuel compared with £155.

 

Then a 370 is not for you, especially if it is to became your daily driver and high mileage - the experience will be spoilt worrying about the fuel costs, outweighing the :D factor :shrug:

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The biggest issue for me is the fuel economy. I can live with the high road tax, the servicing costs and the increase in insurance. My current diesel daily driver gets around 50 mpg, sometimes as high as 53mpg on a run. The drop to say 25mpg using super unleaded will mean spending £318 a month on fuel compared with £155.

 

I'd be happy to spend an extra £163 a month to NOT be driving a depressing diesel soot chucker.......and be in a 340 bhp GT sports car..........no brainer.

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not so many nutters like us lot still happy to spunk their hard earned on fuel & tax ;) .

 

This^^^

 

We are all crazy Pistonheads, but only up to a point. There is a point where we all have to yield. We would all love to drive 300bhp+ motors but in the last three years a fill up has gone from £70 to £110. So, £280 a month is now £440, combined with people losing jobs/taking paycuts plus increased tax, mean that only the dedicated remain. I still hanker over my Gallardo until I think that the old £90 fill ups would now be £135 for 180 miles........ :headhurt:

 

I read the PH thread on the 370z and someone made a very poignant comment along the lines of "The 370z is a great car, just in the wrong decade", which is so true. When I had my zeds people readily paid big money just to upgrade to a facelift car or limited edition, petrol was cheap, tax low and jobs safe. Now, with everything so restricted, the jump from an £8k 350z to a £25k 370z is almost unbridgeable, hence the slow sales figures, imo.

 

Totally agree.

Im am currently looking at a 370 GT Edition, but tbh, I am really struggling to justify it.

I mean, i can get a 350 for £8k, and spent the other £20k on a bloody house (or TT kit and build! :lol: )

 

Think is, Im just not quite ready to give up on the Petrolhead dream yet. So I'll pay for a 370, and pay the monthly costs, and curse the goverment to hell and back. :lol:

 

Agree, most of the guys you see driving 370's and it's not very many are of similar age to me, who no longer need to worry about mortgages and job security or running costs.

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The biggest issue for me is the fuel economy. I can live with the high road tax, the servicing costs and the increase in insurance. My current diesel daily driver gets around 50 mpg, sometimes as high as 53mpg on a run. The drop to say 25mpg using super unleaded will mean spending £318 a month on fuel compared with £155.

 

I'd be happy to spend an extra £163 a month to NOT be driving a depressing diesel soot chucker.......and be in a 340 bhp GT sports car..........no brainer.

Best of both worlds, get a lift with the missus in the DERV during the week, saving the pennies for me to spend on petrol and nice drives at the weekend :drive1

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We are all crazy Pistonheads, but only up to a point. There is a point where we all have to yield. We would all love to drive 300bhp+ motors but in the last three years a fill up has gone from £70 to £110. So, £280 a month is now £440, combined with people losing jobs/taking paycuts plus increased tax, mean that only the dedicated remain. I still hanker over my Gallardo until I think that the old £90 fill ups would now be £135 for 180 miles........ :headhurt:

and then:

 

I'd be happy to spend an extra £163 a month to NOT be driving a depressing diesel soot chucker.......and be in a 340 bhp GT sports car..........no brainer.

 

You only live once, and if the £163 is there to run 340bhp rather than an oil burner now, why settle for half measures in the meantime :shrug: If I had been a position to that at your tender age and having been a petrolhead all my life, 340 horses would not be waiting to be fed ;)

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All depends what depresses you more really...

 

Pouring money into your petrol tank or driving around in a boring car, work out which you can put up with more, as said above no point driving a nice car like a granny because your scared to fill it up, but then no point saving cash on a diesel car and making yourself miserable....

 

Life is all about choices, maybe think yourself lucky you actually HAVE a choice :thumbs:

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I can see people bulking at the mpg if they do high mileage. I've only put 2,000 on mine since 20th April when I got it (I'm not that sad, I got it on my Birthday, so can remember the date ;) ) so the fuel really isn't an issue to me; unless things change of course.

 

Most people get very hung up on the high road tax, but come on, it's only a couple of hundred quid more than the majority of other decent cars which works out at about £15 per month. Yes, still highly frustrating (as it goes to the money grabbing Gov.), but not a huge price to pay in the great scheme of things.

 

Servicing is bugger all in comparison to the stream of Beemers I've had so doesn't hurt at all.

 

People often compare the 370Z against the Boxster/Caymen/Z4 etc. but these cars are all common as muck where I live, plus, I'd be driving a Porka that was a number of years old, and cost a fortune each time it visited a dealer. I very very very nearly got a Z4M Coupe instead of the 370Z but it would have been 4 years old, 40k on the clock, and an old design (potentially a classic in the making) but I decided I'd go for uniqueness, 3 years warranty, and the Zed factor that has always been unflappable in my experience.

 

I don't want every bugger to drive a Zed, it's OUR marque, let the sheep but the Audi/BMW/Porsche equivalent. It would be nice however for it to still be worth something in the future :doh: .

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The biggest issue for me is the fuel economy. I can live with the high road tax, the servicing costs and the increase in insurance. My current diesel daily driver gets around 50 mpg, sometimes as high as 53mpg on a run. The drop to say 25mpg using super unleaded will mean spending £318 a month on fuel compared with £155.

 

I'd be happy to spend an extra £163 a month to NOT be driving a depressing diesel soot chucker.......and be in a 340 bhp GT sports car..........no brainer.

 

I may be able to afford it but can I justify it? The overall difference in cost per month including the increases in servicing costs, insurance, fuel, and road tax is probably around £300 a month. I did think about keeping the mondeo and also buying a 370 but that doesn't make any sense as I also have a Caterham seven in the garage that won't be sold. The Z is a great car but I can't justify owning three cars.

 

The other option is to sell the mondeo, buy a 370 and also buy a cheap motorbike that does at least 60mpg. I've had my bike license for 12 years although haven't owned a bike in the last 4.

 

All the best.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Isn't all this stuff about petrol prices / mpg / tax a bit of a red herring for most of us? I know we'd all like to pay less but isn't the truth that we just take it on the chin because we want to drive such a great car?

 

+1 :thumbs: Makes no financial sense in the real world but gives an awful lot of these :D when behind the wheel.

 

So get on and buy one and give up trying to tick every box :lol::lol:

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