So the time has come for me to part with my SRT-6. I simply need a larger car that can carry cargo and people and, while I could go get something cheap and high mileage and a 2nd car, I wouldn't want to drive it. I'm trading it in for a red '09 Infiniti G37x-S sedan.
A problem has arisen, however, while attempting to trade it in. While the car has a clean CarFax and has not had any significant damage while I have owned it. The problem is that it appears the driver side of the car has been repainted and the taping looks like it was totally half-assed. The clearcoat is starting to come up in a couple spots; around the mirror, around the door handle, around the rear-side window. I took a closer look after coming back from the dealership and can feel the line where it was taped. I also spotted some overspray in the engine compartment (a minute amount, but still).
To have it fixed would require a sand-down and repaint of that side of the car at a cost of about $1600. Because of this I'm only getting offers of $13,000 to $13,500 on the trade-in value (and still owe 2k more than that). It sucks because otherwise the car is in perfect condition, 17,800 miles, wire mesh grille, bumper to bumper for another 3.5 years up to 62,000 miles, tire-wheel-dent warranty with roadside assist for another 3.5 years.
3 dealerships have all made almost identical offers, although only one took the time to explain and demonstrate the paint issue to me. Private sale is an option, but I couldn't sell that to someone without disclosing that issue and who is going to buy a car requiring a re-paint on 1/3 of it.
I gotta say, I LOVED this car until I've had to try to get rid of it. I can't believe how much the value has dropped in the 18 months I've owned it and how utterly disinterested buyers are in it. Just a disappointing way to end the ownership of a car.
I sincerely thank everyone on this forum that has helped me with my Crossfire. This is an invaluable resource full of great people. I'll still be checking in. After all, someone has to occasionally challenge Franc on the political forums
