AltySE-R

Hey guys, I'm looking to sell my Altima SE-R and pick up a used C32 in its place. I was just curious as to what I could get with a 22-27k price range. What kinds of options does it have? What are the best years? What should I look out for? (I've heard of 2002 recall issues with the IC pumps and tranny jerks). Any information at all that could help? Thanks in advance. I look forward to becoming part of the MB family!

OPALW208

if you can bump up your spending limit to 30-32K, you will be able to pick up a 2005 C55.

Slater126

27k would get an excellent '03 or maybe even an '04 if you looked. You could definitely get a mint low mileage '02 in that range. The general rule is to get one as new and as low mileage as you can afford.

There isn't much difference between the years. They all have the same suspensions, brakes and powertrain. The differences are minor. The '03 got different heater buttons and clear Xeons. The '04 got the metal pedals. That's about it as far as I know.

The big advantage to the '03-04 is you can still get them as a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) with the all-important warranty. I got a CPO '02 in March with 29k on it for 25k but that's not common. I didn't see any '02 CPOs other than that one. This isn't a car I'd recommend buying without a warranty, as it unfortunately has some issues that are costly to fix. Mine's already had the rear suspension bushings and bearings, power steering rack, interior air flap stepper motor, Xeon headlamp ignitor, passenger front power window switch, and bottom seat heaters replaced. This would have all cost a few grand if not for the warranty.

Overall a great car though despite the problems. Good luck!

hobbittcar2

I'm trying to sell my C32 (in NH).
It's a 2003 with 32k miles on it, and 1.5 years of extended warranty left. It fits right into your price range as well.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ag=1&cardist=4

Drop me a message if you're interested.

-- Dave

edtv82

or you could buy my 2002 C32 for 22500... get an aftermarket warrenty with the extra cash you'll have on hand... and maybe even do some work to get EXTRA HP

its just a thought though...

Fifth Ring

Unless you get a warranty with the C32, you should carefully consider the cost of ownership (maintenance and repair). I have to assume your Nissan is under full warranty, so on that side of the ledger you're going to pay nothing for repair and relatively little for maintenance.

If you do maintenance and light repairs yourself, you'll be fine. If you can get a good warranty, you'll be fine. Next is to make sure you have a good shop to do maintenance and repairs (making sure that shop will accept whatever warranty company you have).

I hate to see someone buy a $25,000 used Mercedes thinking that it will cost the same to own as a $25,000 new Nissan.

Slater126

He, no kidding. I remember when "Bimmer" magazine was doing these articles a few years ago about how an old E30 3-Series BMW was so much cheaper and enjoyable than a new car. I remember laughing about that because I owned an '87 325is at the time. It racked up over 10k in maintenance costs and parts replacements in like a year. When I calculated the total ownership cost after I sold it, it showed I could have leased a new Audi S4 for pretty much the same money, or paid for about 2/3 of a new Focus SVT. Granted, I was autocrossing it so I probably did a lot more than a standard owner would but still. There's more than meets the eye to the low prices of used German performance cars.

Fifth Ring

Sometimes I wonder why an out-of-warranty European car has ANY value at all! You're buying a rolling container of present and future liabilities. (I just bought a 19 year old Porsche 944 and I fully expect to pay more for maintenance and repair each year than I did for the car!)

Slater126

An '80s 944?!?! Good God man! We'll find your skelton on the side of the road, picked clean to the white shiny bone.

ScottW911

Right. Good luck finding a legitimate after-market warranty company willing to cover the C32. I've talked with all of them and it seems they all dropped the C32 back around the first of the year. Even the scummy, fly-by-night companies have dropped it.

So, it's CPO or you're on your own.

HLG600

For that price range, why not look into a CLK55? Not to take anything away from the C32, but the M113 would require less engine maintenance and offer a nice extra chunk of torque.

Fifth Ring

Oh, she's a gem! Only 65K miles. Only $2,500 in repairs so far. At this rate, it works out to no more than $130,000 per year in repairs. Maybe less if I do it myself.

amgmark

Maybe you should have gotten a GT3.. LOL

AltySE-R

I dropped you a PM hobbittcar2.

AltySE-R

Also, I am definetely going to buy a C32 with the warranty, but thanks for your concern lol.

Slater126

She sounds like a real peach. Lucky you! You're right, you may be able to drop that down to 110k if you're handy. Let us know when she's all done, or when you become frustrated and blow her up with 5 pounds of C4.