Question regarding a used FX35 from a newbie

[kCire]

[FONT=&quot]Hi!
I am a new member and I've been asking myself whether I want to trade in my 06 Pilot for an FX. After months of debating, I decided to go with the trade-in. In fact, I already sold my Pilot and found the FX that fits my wants at a small local dealer.

It is an IVORY (with wheat interior) 2006 FX35 with Tech Package, Sport Package, Touring Package, and Hands-Free Package. It has 28,581 miles with one owner. The CarFax is clean. The dealer is asking a final price of $27,500 for this car.

I visited and test drove this car several times and felt like the ride was in perfect shape (no excessive engine noise, smooth gear change, no transmission grinding, etc).

Now, here are my questions:[/FONT]

1. [FONT=&quot]The well of the left rear wheel is bent (pmanliu will post the pictures below). However, there isn't any other visible external damages to the vehicle. Should I be concerned?[/FONT]
2. [FONT=&quot]The rear bumper is slightly darker (yellower) than the body. Is this normal? [/FONT]
3. [FONT=&quot]The dealer says that they replaced the two rear brake pads and all four tires. Is this normal?[/FONT]
4. [FONT=&quot]I called a local Infiniti dealer with the VIN. They said that it has only been in to the dealer ONCE (other than the visit for the Re-Calls) for a regular maintenance. Should I be concerned?[/FONT]
5. [FONT=&quot]Is this a decent price for this FX? The dealer seemed to be pretty firm on the price.[/FONT]
6. [FONT=&quot]Should I be worried/concerned about anything else?[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I know these are a lot of questions but I need to drive this car for another good 7 years so I want to make sure that I am buying a nice car.

I am planning on [/FONT][FONT=&quot]taking [/FONT][FONT=&quot]this car to a local Infiniti Stealership(?) for a pre-purchase inspection[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. If everything goes well, I will purchase this vehicle tomorrow.
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I am looking forward to becoming an active member of the Scene![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thanks in advance.
[/FONT]​

 

[pmanliu]

welcome to iS Eric!

here are the pictures to be included with OP's original post:

 

[Dr.2K]

Welcome to the Scene!
I would get a carfax. Sounds like it might have been in a accident from your description.

 

[PELON]

Too much money, unless you meen by final price tax lic. incl.

 

[theMerchant]

I agree, too much money. you could find one for allot less (around $25k)

I would get a independent mechanic o check the car out or ask the dealer if you can have the car check out at the dealer.

good luck, but once you get one you will be very pleased.

 

[kCire]

Welcome to the Scene!
I would get a carfax. Sounds like it might have been in a accident from your description.

Thanks! I'm glad to be a part of it!
And the CarFax was clean. No accidents or anything. Maybe the previous owner backed into something and damaged the bumper so they had to replace the bumper but didn't bother to fix this part???

I agree, too much money. you could find one for allot less (around $25k)

I would get a independent mechanic o check the car out or ask the dealer if you can have the car check out at the dealer.

good luck, but once you get one you will be very pleased.

I live in Northern Virginia area and with the mileage (28,000) and the options that this car has (handsfree, Technology, and Sports), I thought this was a decent price (but I guess not). Oh and there is a huge price difference between 05s and older and the 06 and up (?).
And I was planning on taking it to the local Infiniti dealer and get the Pre-Purchase Inspection tomorrow. Hopefully they can tell me of any frame damages or any other damages. And yes, I am already very excited!!!

How much would you all consider a "good deal"?

(Edited)

 

[StuLax18]

Welcome to iS! Because it's an '06, I would think they could drop the price a couple thousand. The Infiniti inspection should tell you alot.

 

[kCire]

Welcome to iS! Because it's an '06, I would think they could drop the price a couple thousand. The Infiniti inspection should tell you alot.

Thanks, I found another one Blk/Blk, 2006 FX35 with 33,000 miles for $28,300 from a dealer close by. I have not driven nor seen this car in person so I guess I should stop by this dealer tomorrow and see if I can get around $25,000 - 26,000 for this car first then tell the older one to beat the price? Then take it in for the inspection?

 

[jbaker1121]

^sounds good.

 

[KNFX]

fwiw, when I offered similar prices on a CPO 2006 Touring/Sport/Tech with similar miles, one dealer totally shot me down and another never even responded. So the price may not be that bad if this is indeed a clean vehicle.

 

[kCire]

fwiw, when I offered similar prices on a CPO 2006 Touring/Sport/Tech with similar miles, one dealer totally shot me down and another never even responded. So the price may not be that bad if this is indeed a clean vehicle.

Yes, I guess the only difference is that yours was a CPO and this one is not. But the dealer did seem pretty firm on it's price (I've gone back twice for price negotiations). I will try to lower the price even just a little bit after the Pre-Purchase Inspection (if the car is clean). Hopefully I'll be an owner of an FX by tonight!

 

[PELON]

This month only has few days left. I would make offer and wait it out, they will want to do this before month closes.

 

[kCire]

So I brought it to the Infiniti dealer for a "Used Vehicle Inspection" and they found that

• Rear bumper has been painted (rear ended?)
• Left rear of vehicle has scrapes in it (body shop)
• Front radiator support has been replaced (meaning it was probably involved in a frontal accident)
• Damage to Adaptive Cruise Control module
• Front bumper crash support has been damaged

So I returned the vehicle to the untrustworthy dealer (Maximum Deals in Mannassas Park, VA) and came back home. I found another FX35 at a local Infiniti dealer. It is a Silver exterior/Black interior FX that has 34,000 miles with Tech and Sport and was on a lease but the owner brought it to the Infiniti dealer for all of it's "recommended" services (I think there were a lot of them). The dealer is firm on the price at $28,450 plus tax and processing fee but I feel like this is the most reliable vehicle that I can find in my area (that has Sports and Tech).The dealer said that it passed the 117 point inspection and it is covered by the Title Guard. Also, I can buy the Certified Pre-Owned Warranty for $900 (6 yr, 100,000 Miles warranty). They seem pretty confident about the quality of this vehicle.

My question is,

• the "Detailed History" part of the CarFax report stops at Date 08/15/2006 at 47 miles; "Title or registration issued, First owner reported, Registered as lease vehicle". There is no other records whatsoever (not even "vehicle is sold" entry). But the Infiniti dealer DID have a detailed service record with the dates and services performed for this vehicle. What should I do now?

 

[jbaker1121]

wait until after the month ends. then you will be able to trim down the price

 

[theMerchant]

the $900 for the extended warranty is a great deal...

 

[kCire]

Yea, I am planning on getting that warranty.

Now my only concern that the CarFax shows the "last reported mileage" of 47 miles (this car has 35,000 miles on it). And there is no entry for "Vehicle sold at auction" or anything. But Infiniti claims that it has all the service records for this vehicle so I guess I can trust them?

 

[jbaker1121]

ask to see the service records...

 

[kCire]

They did show it to me but they just flipped through it. I will go in today and make sure that they're legit service records. If everything goes well (crossed fingers), I'll bring back this FX home today!

 

[jbaker1121]

They did show it to me but they just flipped through it. I will go in today and make sure that they're legit service records. If everything goes well (crossed fingers), I'll bring back this FX home today!

yeah dude ask if you can read over them and make sure you do it, because if there was ever anything wrong it will show they had to fix it.

 

[tmnjfx35]

Sounds like you're doing your due diligence on the buy- as for the carfax they are always a matter of interpretation- questions
-could it have been a trade-in?
-are dealers in VA required to take title to their cars?
-does VA due inspections periodically?
-what state was it registered in?

As far as the price - sounds alittle steep for an 06 but it all depends on whats available in your area. could be a fair price. Navi will alwys add 1k to the price. Sometimes you can steal the Sport pkg cause alot of people don't want the harsher ride.

Be careful with the wty the $900 certified one is for drivetrain only and remember it will overlap your 6/70 drivetrain already on the car- you are much better off buying an Elite bumper to bumper wty.

Good luck