I have been interested in buying a Crossfire for a while now and have been checking ebay, craigslist, Autotrader, etc almost daily. So I see a wide range of prices and conditions which don't always correlate to "reality"

Background first.
I would only drive the car 3-5k per year. I generally keep a car for 10 plus years (my 300zx Turbo for over 14 years). I do most of my own repairs and maintenance. I'm leaning towards a Limited with an automatic trans.

My question.
Do I buy a buy a Crossfire Limited for $11 - $13k with 50 - 70k miles or pocket the $3 - $4k difference and buy a clean car for $8 - 9k that has 90 - 120k miles?

The pricing is based on what I see in eastern North Carolina.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

Keep looking. I found an '04 with 30k miles on ebay two months ago for $13k. Near perfect condition, Alabaster white, 6-speed.

Look for the low mileage cars - they are out there.

 

First UC, welcome to the forum.
Since I don't know how far you are willing to travel for the right car my advice may not work out for you. But I would suggest that you wait until winter sets in here in the North Eastern states for some of the best prices on Crossfires. During January and February Dealers usually bend over backwards just to sell anything, Especially a sports car.
If you're looking for a roadster, the prices should start coming down very soon.
Since this is going to be a pleasure vehicle, I figured time wasn't a critical factor for your purchase.
I purchased a 300ZX brand new when they came out, actually I owned 5 ZX's over the years. I have a 1977 "California" 280Z with a rust free body parked in my garage right now. They were great cars, and I enjoyed everyone I had. But I never grew attached to any of them like I have my Crossfire.
Since you had a TurboZ, you may want to consider an SRT6. But if you're not into drag racing, then a Limited should be fine.
Good Luck with your search.

 

Thanks for both of your input. I like the idea and do agree that the seasons have a big effect on the pricing of a sports car. Waiting could save me some big bucks...

My first preference is a low mileage car, but if I find a deal ($7-8k) on a car with 90 - 100k should I jump on it? My biggest concern and maybe my real question is, how likely that a car with that kind of mileage could end up needing $2-3k in repairs and my great deal "nets" to what I would have paid for a low mileage unit with a lower likelyhood of repairs? I know Crossfires have excellent relability but does my thinking have any merit in one direction or another? When do other owners start to see their repair bill increase? Thanks!

 

Finding one for 7K - 8K is going to be hard, unless its in very poor shape. Then how much will you spend on bringing it up to just good condition.

 

First is doesn't sound like either price is out of reach for you. If you are buying for a pleasure car to keep it nice and for some time, I would go with the low mileage myself. But be warned that low mileage doesn't always mean it was well cared for.

If it were to be a daily driver, I would go with the cheapest and since you can do the repairs, drive the wheels off of it.

I personally would pay a bit more to get one well taken care of. Mileage is a factor, but not always the decision maker.

And after owning a Crossfire for 4 years, I would travel to great lengths to get exactly the one I want when I am in the market again. You will see some here will travel half way across the country to get what they want. I would do the same now.

Good luck with your purchase. James

 

I looked at an 2005 Limited with 91k. The car was a super clean inside and out (Blaze Red) but needed tire$. The Carfax looked great with regular service history. The dealer is asking $9500 but I may be able to convince him to take $8000 - $8500. The miles concern me some but maybe it shouldn't?

 

Patience is the secret. I liked having very low miles. I was looking for the roadster. and one day (Locally) I found the 2007 roadster with only 7200 mile 2007 and $800 below Kelly Blu book. It had the new car smell and I bought it Imeditally. Now 4 months late my wife wanted one and I bought hers (2008 only 6200 miles) for $400 below kelly blue book . Both are still like new and we love both. So cintunie to look around and you will find them.

 

I bought my 05 roadster in the spring and I have noticed asking prices have risen since. But I am not seeing many sales. This may indicate that there is a large delta between asking and getting. Might be the time to make lower offers than one might normally.

Personally, I would be more concerned with condition and service history than 20 to 30k miles although condition is often the inverse of mileage. /

 

"show me the Carfax!"

 

After 6-7 years these cars are settling into permanent homes, have been totalled, or are getting beat up. It's more rare to find a low mileage, babied XF for sale but they are still out there. I would not be as concerned with a higher mileage vehicle if I could verify it was mostly highway and all maintenance was performed. There are a number of XFs on the forum with more than 150k on them and they are still running fine. The problem with lots of miles is that curb rash, door dings, and pockmarks on the front are almost unavoidable.

 

I just bought my 2004 coupe in june with 50,000 miles on it, for $9000, and it has been babied from the begining. One owner, oil change every 5000 miles, the works. Perfect condition. The trick is to be okay with waiting and searching for a very VERY long time. I probably looked at over 500 crossfires, and i called at least 40 with serious interest. and i was only interested in a 6-speed limited coupe, silver/blue/black. If you're open to several options, and you're persistent and patient, you can find the perfect car at a VERY reasonable price. As everyone else has said, patience is key.

 

Yes, patience is key. I looked online at many XFs for a little over a year and was ONLY looking for an '05 pearl blue and eventually found one with low miles (2,850), clean Car Fax, and only a 2-hour drive away. I bought it on April 9, 2009, and currently have only 9,300 miles on it. It's a weekend car, stored in the winter and has never seen snow or rain while in my care....

Monty

 

After searching autotrader.com for almost a year, I found my 2005 coupe limited for $15,000 with 16,000 miles. I knew I wanted a sapphire silver blue coupe with low mileage and good price. I live in eastern N.C. and was lucky to find it one hour away. Saw it online on Thursday night and drove it home Friday night!! That was 3 years ago and I'm still in love. It's my 2nd car and I average about 5,000 miles a year. (Hwy miles) Still get compliments all the time. Love it!! Love !!! Good luck to you!!

Ann (new around here)

 

There's a 2 owner XF LTD Roadster with 20km in Kansas for $14K on autotrader.

I'ld already have a down pymt on it except its grey. I'll consider any color but grey.

You have to actually call the owners. Some will drastically reduce the price off what they've listed.
Good luck.

 

I got my Graphite with 45,000 miles on it for $12,000 last December - and it's a Roadster. Seems like you should be able to find a Coupe with 30,000 or so on it....


The Cross is a nice car at 120,000 miles, but don't buy one iwth miles unless the price is right. (I drove a 120,000 mile 6 speed Roadster last fall that shifted better than any Cross I've seen - some things about mileage are a good thing. But replacing water pump, alternator, etc. can run into money - and those items start to fail soon after 100,000 in my experience.)

 

Gee When I got mine this year (2007) it had 7200 mile and I just broke the 12000 mark, but I love to drive it. From Boise to Seattle twice, once to Eugene OR, and I really take care of it. being the Roadster I do not drive it much in the Rain, and snow...I don't know yet? I just LOVE IT! I want to drive it alot and since I am getting to the retirement age, the value of the car will go to one of the grand kids....(???) face it maybe in 20 years it will become valuable! I saw 2 recently with low miles and great prices. (RED, both) Remember I loved it so much the wife has one now! Take your time...and you will find a great deal.