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

 

Not you too!!? Everyone is leaving..... LoL, good luck man.

 

That sucks.....would think trade-in value would be higher especially with the low miles. I owe 13k on mine with 42k on the clock.... The G37x is a very nice choice!! Been pulling teeth on trading mine lately!!! Grats on purchase and good luck with getting rid of the 6.

 

but some of us have come back.

 

This is true! And we always welcome them back!

 

Honestly, I think you should keep the 6, especially since they are offering nothing for it......I had the same issue as you. Needed a bigger car cause I play hockey, golf, race etc.....So instead of getting rid of my baby, I wen't out and found a deal on a 98 Chevy Tahoe. I LOVE the thing!! Bought it for $3800 with 155k (178k on it now) on it and it runs great! I had to put about 1000 more into it eventually, but it's worth it. You can find some great deals on old SUV's like that......

 

Philly, did you have body work done on the car, or is this from a previous owner? The reason I ask is because if you had the work done, the body shop should fix it under warranty.

In any case, good luck with your new ride. And give Franc hell....

 

FP, I did not have the body work done. The only thing I had done was to have the grille and front Chrysler wing replaced after hitting a deer. Luckily I hit it as I stopped so the hood was only slightly dimpled at the end, but it was nothing that required any painting. A local body shop took care of it while I waited.

I bought it from CarSense, who sources a lot of their cars from dealer auctions. Its possible that the auction house took a damaged car, surreptitiously made the repairs on the cheap, then put it up for auction as a "like new" 2,800 mile car. The only reason I suspect CarSense was ignorant of this is that they're known for their customer service and I've never heard a bad thing about them.

My next step is to take it into them for a trade and see what they say. If they point it out I'll just say, "Oh, really! Because that's how I bought it." We'll see how much they stand behind their cars.

 

Hate to see ya go Philly ... come back and tell us how much you miss your Crossfire in about a month !
Good luck man !

 

I understand had to do the same thing a couple weeks ago traded mine with 37,000 for a 2010 dodge ram (ya its got a hemi) they gave me $14,000 but I owed $18,000 so I feel your pain...but the rebates made up for the negative. i'm happy but I miss my baby and its sucks because I see it everyday sitting on the lot......

 

Ouch....right in the heart.

 

Is the repaint really that bad, or is it bad now that slight flaws have been pointed out? Obviously you loved your little rocket, didn't you notice them before?

As far as that being the reason for the low offers, it is just an excuse. The dealerships usually make much more on a used car than a new one. Buy low, sell high.

Also, this is not the time to sell (or buy) a nice 2 seater in the North East. The car will sit on the lot or even be wholesaled out. You might do better in the Spring or Summer.

Just about the only time you will get a good/great trade is if the dealer is not discounting the car you are trading for and the new car is a high buck item. Charging full price allows them to "offer" you more in trade. If they discount the new car, your trade is going to be low balled.

Good luck on whatever decision you make.

 

It does show that there are ways around reporting things on carfax
No insurance claim, no report to the state as to damage...Clean carafe.

Have wondered what you have been up to, you have been real quiet for some time now.
Hate to see members move on, but it is what it is.

You will be missed. Good luck with whatever you do.

 

Quote: "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".

You should disclose it, but even so, there may be some folks out there that would not care to have it re-painted. Even if they had to repair it, I would not think it unreasonable to ask for $16k for a private sale. $16K + $1600 for a paint job, would put the price at $17,600 which is not outstanding , but reasonable.

 

Put it on Ebay; disclose everything; and I'll bet you'll get what you need

 

I've been looking for a yr until I finally pulled the trigger and bought another one. They are going at auctions in the 12-13k range...dealers were going by KBB...listing them in the 19-20K bracket for some time...finally with 2010 cars being released, those prices started to drop. I was able to pick one up for under 16...w/ 22K miles on it...it is spotless...so, you are competing with dealers who can offer financing, warranty and such...I think I would wait until summer philly, and put her up for 16k....its your ride, but right now there are some nice cars on the car lots in the 15.8-16k range...good luck, hate to see you go, I like you challenging Franc, but of course, I have to stick up for Franc...my old buddy....lol

 

I'm really supprised no one has wanted to buy parts off of it yet.

 

philly's???? it isn't like he wrecked it...lol

 

I had a similar discovery with my SRT6. I bought it with a damaged door handle (someone tried to pry it off with a small crowbar and damaged the skin), but factored that into my lowball offer. When I took it to my body shop, they showed me where the door had been clearcoated but not properly. Rather than just fix the door for my expected $500, I had the clear removed and the whole side repaired correctly ($1200). There was no sign of any dents or body damage so we have no idea why it was clear coated. Since I plan to keep the car "forever", it was worth doing right the first time.

 

Hey Philly- really sorry to see you go bro. I don't know if you remember but I was eyeing up the same car (the one you bought) from Carsense. I ended up buying a similar car (same color) from a dealership in Moorestown NJ (near Cherry Hill).

I can't lie by saying the thought crossed my mind about trading the SRT6 in. After all my track record in the past 10 years hasn't been very good for keeping a car more than a year or two. However what keeps putting me back in perspective is the sheer performance/price. I'm not sure what you paid for yours (I paid 19k with 12k on the odo) and that is a huge performance bargain. There is simply nothing else out there that touches it.

Granted, due to the fact that my SRT6 IS a daily driver (wife drives the Flex) there are some days I wish I had a hatchback version of the STi. Another thing I really miss is a sports car with manual transmission. I'm surprised less people mention that- that's one of the biggest things I miss.

I know this won't help if you have your heart set on a new vehicle (trust me I know from experience) but the best course of action would be to keep the SRT6 and pick up a beater. Heck for the money you'll be putting out in negative equity you could buy a Chrysler PT GT. I know it doesn't look very good but they are good for an easy mid 14 (ie spank most hondas with folger's can mufflers) and only cost you like 5k to own (plus it has 4 doors and tons of storage).

PS Dude if this was like 8-9 months ago I would consider buying your car for 13k privately with the paint problems and all. Speaking of which, your car probably had existing damage (if not lot damage). Dealers are scumbags- they hire cheap on-site guys to come and "touch up" stuff like that. I know because I had an S2000 with paint problems caused from this. It was a nightmare getting it sorted out. By the time I traded the car it still wasn't satisfactory to me (the panels didn't quite match perfectly- apparently that shade of yellow was difficult to match to OEM).