Ready to buy...just not sure what to buy.

Tenoldmen · 06-13-2005, 08:27 PM

Hi everybody,

I'm a lurker and have been lurking for almost a year now.

I'm ready to buy a Titan, but not quite sure which was is the better way to go, so I'd like some opinions.

Options #1:

2005 SE Crew Cab, 4x4, Deepwater
SE popular package/ captain's chairs
Utility Bed
Floor Mats
MSRP $33,560
No dealer offer yet.

The dealer for this one is a 45 minute drive away.

Option #2:

2004 LE Crew Cab 4x4, Deepwater
DVD system
Off Road Package
Side Airbag Package
Splash Guards
Floor Mats
Utili-track sliding bed extender
MSRP $38,190
Dealer offered to sell for $31,758 in first email reply. I haven't haggled him yet. I think he can do better. Dealer says invoice is 34,408.

This dealer is a 2 hour drive away.

Now, the 2005 is the bare bones of what I want. The 2004 has a bunch of extra stuff I don't need, but if I can get a really good price, I figure it would be the better deal and I would end up with more bang for my buck. But like I said, I don't really need a DVD player and didn't want the offroad package, but after reading posts about the pros of having the different suspension, it sounds like it might be worth sacraficing the 18'' wheels, which I like better than the 17''. I don't plan to do any off road stuff, but if it means a less bouncy ride on the street and over crappy roads, then that sounds good to me.

Another thing that bugs me is that according to most people, the 2005 build quality is better than the 2004. I *think* I read on here that Nissan even fixed the brake issues on the 2005's that alot of the 2004's had. I don't want to end up with a squeaky, noisy truck that is falling apart and can't stop.

So what do you guys think? I figure since we are only a short time from the 2006's coming out, I can probably get a really good deal on a 2004 leftover. Money is definitley an object and I would like to get the most and the best for my money.

I wouldn't be heart broken or kicking myself later if I didn't have leather seats or a dvd player, but I would be mad if the 2004 build quality is really as bad as its sometimes made out to be.

Also, what do you guys think is a good price to offer the dealer on the 2004? After he emailed me back with the $31,758 price, I emailed him back and told him that even if he were to come down more in price, it will probably still end up being more than I am willing to spend. He replied back saying that if I am really serious about the truck, to come to the dealership and he "will do whatever he has to do make me happy and sell me the truck." That, of course, might very well be a bunch of BS.

So let me know what you guys think about all this and what kind of offer I should make.

P.S. Rebate on a 2004 Crew Cab is $3000.

Thanks,
Brian

Clancy · 06-13-2005, 08:40 PM

Is the $31,758 BEFORE the $3000 rebate? If so, then that would be my choice. The two things I wish my 04 had, that the 05 now have are - bigger brakes (maybe? - lord knows what Nissan is really doing w/Brakes) and the finned rear diff. cover.

Perhaps you can add that to the deal - tell the dealer you want the new bigger brake fix now and the new rear diff cover.

Some of the bells and whistles on the 04 LE may be on the 05 SE (adjustable pedals, rear sonar - they weren't on 04 SE's)

Clancy · 06-13-2005, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenoldmen

<snip>

He replied back saying that if I am really serious about the truck, to come to the dealership and he "will do whatever he has to do make me happy and sell me the truck." That, of course, might very well be a bunch of BS.
<snip>

A friend of mine did this when buying his last two cars: He called the dealership on his cell phone and said he was coming in to buy a certain car (told them what he wanted) and that he was willing to pay X. Then he asked if he should keep driving, or turn around. (of course he did all his research first and knew what he wanted and what he was offering...)

buzzkillwill · 06-13-2005, 08:49 PM

And remember, the bad things you read on here happen. But so do lots of good things, people just tend to not write so much about them.

I have an '04 and I'm about to hit the 10K mark. Other than the brake issue, and one TSB, not a problem yet. I love it!!

A lot depends on your dealer too, and how much they're willing to do without a fight. And it sounds like yours is pretty far away, so keep that in mind. But I don't think there's that much difference in the 04' vs. '05 in build quality. But it comes down to what your comfortable with buying and paying for.

Good luck with whichever you chose!

aggiesarge · 06-13-2005, 09:29 PM

See my thread on a long term review of an '04. The only thing the '05's have that I REALLY wish my '04 had is the power rear window....

Nismom · 06-13-2005, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenoldmen

The 2004 has a bunch of extra stuff I don't need, but if I can get a really good price, I figure it would be the better deal and I would end up with more bang for my buck.
Brian

I got a similar deal on mine; lots of things I didn't really need/want and I had a budget but they wanted the sale so bad I got it all for my price.

Anything you don't think you'd want/use you can always sell off the truck, or keep it and get more trade-in value IF that should ever happen.

mtbendo · 06-14-2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aggiesarge

The only thing the '05's have that I REALLY wish my '04 had is the power rear window....

Ditto that. Maybe the tailgate assist as well. Any idea of the build date of the 04? Do you really want side air bags? It's one of the things that you can't add later...

Tenoldmen · 06-14-2005, 10:24 PM

Hey,

Thanks for the replys so far.

I emailed the dealer about whether or not the $31,758 for the 2004 LE Crew was before or after the $3000 rebate. Still waiting on his response though. He better hurry up...I told him if it was before the rebate, we are very close to a deal. Maybe that's why he didn't email back yet. I told him I am very serious about the truck, but that I was also dealing with a couple other dealers.

For the 2005 SE Crew, the dealer emailed me back with a selling price of $28,500 (MSRP $33,560). This seems like a pretty good deal to me since it is almost a $1000 cheaper than the carsdirect price.

What do you guys think? I like the 2005, but if I can get the 2004 LE for about the same price, then its a very easy decision.

I'm not sure about the build date of the 2004. I will ask...if he ever emails me back.

Thanks,
Brian

Nismom · 06-15-2005, 08:44 AM

^ I think maybe you can find better than $28 for the SE Crew; my friend bought his SE Crew last year for $24...?

Don't know where you are located but, if you're willing to travel for the truck, there are internet deals you can find like new-nissans.com(?) and they sell everything at $500 under invoice but I think they're in WA...I used carsdirect.com and they find local dealers to you.

Nvr*lost · 06-25-2005, 02:23 PM

I would look for a 2005 rather than a 2004. Too many problems with those 2004s!

37L1 · 06-25-2005, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nvr*lost

I would look for a 2005 rather than a 2004. Too many problems with those 2004s!

That may be your impression but it has not been my personal experience. Almost 16K owned since December 2003, no problems at all, not even the brakes (knock, knock on wood!).

The Engineer · 06-25-2005, 05:24 PM

they should cut you a heckuva deal on the 2004 since the 2006's are only 3 months away. Realize that as soon as you title that 2004 the value will be down about 25% from the sticker.

ptgarcia · 06-25-2005, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aggiesarge

See my thread on a long term review of an '04. The only thing the '05's have that I REALLY wish my '04 had is the power rear window....

Same here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clancy

Is the $31,758 BEFORE the $3000 rebate? If so, then that would be my choice. The two things I wish my 04 had, that the 05 now have are - bigger brakes (maybe? - lord knows what Nissan is really doing w/Brakes) and the finned rear diff. cover.

Perhaps you can add that to the deal - tell the dealer you want the new bigger brake fix now and the new rear diff cover.

Some of the bells and whistles on the 04 LE may be on the 05 SE (adjustable pedals, rear sonar - they weren't on 04 SE's)

My 2004 has the adjustable pedals. Don't worry about the brakes because as soon as you need them Nissan will put the new ones on anyway. I have the stock 04 diff. cover and all is well, even pulling my 8000-lb travel trailer.