Looking at a used 04 Titan & have questions

[johnqpubluc]

Hi, I have been thinking about getting a Titan for a while now and happened upon a used one today. It is an 04 with 20,800 mi on the clock. It is a 4x4 SE red brawn King cab with the towing package, utility bed, captians chairs, 6 disc changer, and a factory tonneau cover. It does not appear to have had the brake upgrade, as there is some brake dust and the pedal felt a little spongy, but no "judder". This dealer also owns a Nissan dealership, and I plan on making them do the mod before I make the deal...if I decide to make it.

The price is $27,995, which I think is a bit high, but they are giving me about $2500 more than I expected on my trade (01 Stratus R/T), so I think it kinda equals out.

One question that I have is even though it has the off road pkg, it has the 18" wheels. Was that available in 04 or has somebody either added the off road stickers or changed the wheels?

Second question: It dosen't have the finned rear end cover. I seem to recall reading about a problem there, but don't really recall...was it a leaking problem?

Anything else I should look out for? Any feedback is welcome. Thanks!!!

[bottomfeeder]

I'm looking at an 04 CC LE with 32K for $27 out the door. Sounds high for an SE. I would print out all the SE's and LE's that you can find on the internet at the price you want and show the dealer.

[NorCal 4x4]

Originally Posted by johnqpubluc

Hi, I have been thinking about getting a Titan for a while now and happened upon a used one today. It is an 04 with 20,800 mi on the clock. It is a 4x4 SE red brawn King cab with the towing package, utility bed, captians chairs, 6 disc changer, and a factory tonneau cover. It does not appear to have had the brake upgrade, as there is some brake dust and the pedal felt a little spongy, but no "judder". This dealer also owns a Nissan dealership, and I plan on making them do the mod before I make the deal...if I decide to make it.

The price is $27,995, which I think is a bit high, but they are giving me about $2500 more than I expected on my trade (01 Stratus R/T), so I think it kinda equals out.

One question that I have is even though it has the off road pkg, it has the 18" wheels. Was that available in 04 or has somebody either added the off road stickers or changed the wheels?

Second question: It dosen't have the finned rear end cover. I seem to recall reading about a problem there, but don't really recall...was it a leaking problem?

Anything else I should look out for? Any feedback is welcome. Thanks!!!

You're right. It should have 17" alloy wheels for the off road pkg. Something is not right here. Also make sure it has a locker for the rear differential. It would be the first switch in the row of three toggle switches that are between the DC power plugs in front of the shift. If it doesn't have this, it is a early build off road pkg. since they started including the locker around May of '04, [if it is really an off road pkg. since like you say the 18" wheel thing is suspicious]. Not all early build Titans have issues, but Nissan did have QC problems with some of the early builds.

BTW, that price is crazy too. Brand new mine was around only $4200 more than that a year ago.

If the one you're looking at was a brand new left-over, that might be a fair price to pay, but with + twenty thousand miles - no way.

If you go to kbb.com and edmunds.com you can get a good idea on what a fair price to pay based upon the options and mileage.

'04 did not have the finned covers. Some were low on diff. fluid from the factory and many get hot enough to peel the paint. A few member have had them go out and Nissan replaced them and the whole rear axle in some cases. Most are fine.

[johnqpubluc]

Thanks for the tips and keep them coming.

The values for this truck that edmunds gives me is $25,183, and kbb is at $27,560. From the beginning, I was thinking that $25,000 was about right.

How close is Edmunds on their TMV for new Titans? If they are correct, it tells me that a new Titan that this dealership has on another lot could be had for $28,089 ($32,930 sticker). The new one is white, which I do not like, but for comparison purposes, its less than $100 more than the used one!

[gchu]

Originally Posted by johnqpubluc

Hi, I have been thinking about getting a Titan for a while now and happened upon a used one today. It is an 04 with 20,800 mi on the clock. It is a 4x4 SE red brawn King cab with the towing package, utility bed, captians chairs, 6 disc changer, and a factory tonneau cover. It does not appear to have had the brake upgrade, as there is some brake dust and the pedal felt a little spongy, but no "judder". This dealer also owns a Nissan dealership, and I plan on making them do the mod before I make the deal...if I decide to make it.

The price is $27,995, which I think is a bit high, but they are giving me about $2500 more than I expected on my trade (01 Stratus R/T), so I think it kinda equals out.

One question that I have is even though it has the off road pkg, it has the 18" wheels. Was that available in 04 or has somebody either added the off road stickers or changed the wheels?

Second question: It dosen't have the finned rear end cover. I seem to recall reading about a problem there, but don't really recall...was it a leaking problem?

Anything else I should look out for? Any feedback is welcome. Thanks!!!

That price is way too high - I just bought my 05 Titan KC SE 4x4 with all those options (except the tow - which is a $400 option) brand new (it had only 11 miles) for under $25K (that was the sell price - not counting my trade) and I got the full KBB Good Trade In Value for my trade (it was questionable if it was in Good condition).

If I was looking at a used 04 with about 20K miles, I would be expecting to pay under $20K.

[johnqpubluc]

Originally Posted by gchu

That price is way too high - I just bought my 05 Titan KC SE 4x4 with all those options (except the tow - which is a $400 option) brand new (it had only 11 miles) for under $25K (that was the sell price - not counting my trade) and I got the full KBB Good Trade In Value for my trade (it was questionable if it was in Good condition).

If I was looking at a used 04 with about 20K miles, I would be expecting to pay under $20K.

What was the name of the dealer? Might be some good ammo.

[rmiller_ny]

(I'll also post this on the buy/sell, but...)
If anyone is interested, I have the following '04 KC 4x4 LE with the following options/extras:

1) Color: Grey
2) Mileage: 7,250 (could actually be less...but around there)
3) Truxedo Lo Profile Bed Cover
4) Sliding bed divider
5) Sliding bed tray w/cargo net
6) Tie-down cleats
7) AVS smoke window vents
8) AVS smoke bug shield
9) Remote Starter - factory-installed
10) Big Tow package
11) 4X4
12) Xtreme Catch-all black floor mats - 2 in front, 1 long one in back
13) Utili-track bed tie-down system
14) LE Package: Rockford Fosgate 6-CD in-dash, heated leather seats, Steering wheel radio/CD controls, power driver/passenger seats, programmable memory seats, adjustible pedals (I'm not sure if all of these are part of the LE package, so I'm mentioning anyway)
15) Brake system recall was done by Nissan (with all replacement components associated) at 6,500

...new baby arrival in 2 weeks forces me to sell....and possibly have to go to a damn Armada instead...SIGH

Asking price: $25,000

I can provide photos upon request. The car is in mint shape and I hardly drive it as it is.

[grunge311]

I bought my 04 silver LE KC for 23500 two months ago. It had 10000 miles.

[the head]

Originally Posted by johnqpubluc

The price is $27,995, which I think is a bit high,

That is way high. Keep looking around.

[Red_Bull]

Titan SE

Originally Posted by abmobil

Just thought Id share that one of my good friends who was really loooking into the avalanche decided to give the titan a look after I kept talking about it.
Well the other day he was just shoping around not intending to buy but comes home with a 04 SE with big tow, the spray in liner and utiltrac for 19k!
This truck has 13k on it and is a king cab. I didnt check the build date but I drove it breifly for about 5 miles and it felt very solid and the brakes felt great although I dont think it has the new upgraded parts.
I didnt hear any squeaks or rattles.
The rear end cover has a little rust on it but I told him we need to change the gear oil to the 75w140 syn asap.
This is a huge upgrade as his car before this which he still has is a 69 lincoln continental with the suicide doors!!
Oh yeah its canteen. That about it but ill keep you guys updated.
Hopfully it wont have any problms or ill get blamed for convincing him to get one!

[dareed02]

I bought my left over '04 LE KC with 400 miles on it for 25K. It has everything but the offroad and big tow. My friend is buying one today that is a brand new '05 SE KC w/big tow and flowmaster exhaust, and chrome rims for 28K. I would keep looking around. They mark those used vehicles WAY up.

[johnqpubluc]

Thanks guys for all the good info so far. Based on what you are telling me, I may even look at new. Sounds like I should be able to get down near invoice minus the rebate???

[crash813]

If you look around enough, you should be able to get a new one for invoice - rebate. The late model '05s have alot of fixes and overall quality seems a little better than most '04s. Its close enough, I'd just go for an '05, even skip on a couple of the options if you have to.

BTW - what part of the country are you?

[johnqpubluc]

Originally Posted by crash813

If you look around enough, you should be able to get a new one for invoice - rebate. The late model '05s have alot of fixes and overall quality seems a little better than most '04s. Its close enough, I'd just go for an '05, even skip on a couple of the options if you have to.

BTW - what part of the country are you?

Thats kinda what I'm leaning towards now, because I don't think I'm going to get this dealer to drop the price of the used one by 8 grand (to where it should be). If he does I will be shocked, plus the reliability aspect....

I live in the NY/PA/OH area. Cities within a 3 hour drive of me include Buffalo, NY, Rochester, NY, Binghamton, NY, Erie, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Cleveland/Canton/Akron, OH.

Anyone have any dealer reccomendations for one of these areas??

Thanks.

[johnqpubluc]

No one can reccomend a dealer in this area, huh??