I'm new to the Spec V and currently considering a 2002...

JetMaxx · Mar 18th, 2004, 09:57 AM

It's a loaded 2002 Spec V with 16k miles that appears to have been meticulously kept. Since I'm relatively new to the car, is there anything in particular I should look out for or be aware of (besides the basics of buying used) prior to purchasing it? Common problems in '02, etc?

**chimmike** · Mar 18th, 2004, 10:02 AM

Stay away from the 2002...it was the most problematic, and you just don't know if it was beat on. Chances are likely that if it's a trade in Spec V, it was beat on, too. Many, many, many 2002s had multiple engine replacements, tranny replacements, ECU replacements, etc. Many were buyback lemons. Buy new, you should be able to get a 2004 Spec V for 14,500 now.

Ruben · Mar 18th, 2004, 10:10 AM

First year runs of most cars have their issues. Get a 2003 or a 2004, lots of issues solved.

JetMaxx · Mar 18th, 2004, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chimmike

Stay away from the 2002...it was the most problematic, and you just don't know if it was beat on. Chances are likely that if it's a trade in Spec V, it was beat on, too. Many, many, many 2002s had multiple engine replacements, tranny replacements, ECU replacements, etc. Many were buyback lemons. Buy new, you should be able to get a 2004 Spec V for 14,500 now.

Thanks for the info. But a new Spec V for 14,500??

tekmode · Mar 18th, 2004, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JetMaxx

Thanks for the info. But a new Spec V for 14,500??

umm yes...you can get em down that low if you know what you are doing

**chimmike** · Mar 18th, 2004, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JetMaxx

Thanks for the info. But a new Spec V for 14,500??

yup, good ole law of supply and demand

2002, there was a lot of demand, therefore, the dealers could charge what they wanted and if one person wouldn't pay it, someone else would.

now that it's 2004, Spec Vs are sitting on lots. There's more supply than demand

Blank · Mar 18th, 2004, 01:02 PM

i got my 02 for 14400, and 1.9% financing for 60 months... you can definitly get some good prices on the specs right now, depending on where u are in the country too...

Silvspec86 · Mar 18th, 2004, 06:59 PM

personally, i would suggest the '03, the '04s are just too damn ugly, i mean its just somehting i can't get over, and i wanna puke every time i see one...but thats just me.

ittamaticstatic · Mar 18th, 2004, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvspec86

personally, i would suggest the '03, the '04s are just too damn ugly, i mean its just somehting i can't get over, and i wanna puke every time i see one...but thats just me.

The 03 looks just like the 02?. Except for the Red seats in the 02.

the lost girl · Mar 18th, 2004, 10:20 PM

I think it realy depends on how much money you want to spend I just bought an '02 Spec V and so far no problems. I love the car and its got plenty of power. i bought it for 12k, while looking for this Spec V i test drove an '04. for one there kinda ugly and they don't have as much power. (5 less horse power). Also i talked to the guy and got a price of 15,500 for the 04. I doubt you'll be able to get one for much less than that depending on where you live. If you are buying it from a dealer i would definitly recomend getting an extended warranty because if you do a search on this site you'll notice they tend to have problems shifting into third gear, but every car is different

**chimmike** · Mar 18th, 2004, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the lost girl

i test drove an '04. for one there kinda ugly and they don't have as much power. (5 less horse power). Also i talked to the guy and got a price of 15,500 for the 04. I doubt you'll be able to get one for much less than that depending on where you live.

wrong and wrong.

For one thing: The 2004 Spec V still has the same hp and tq at the crank, and the 2004s have actually dynoed more than the 02s and 03s in stock form, as well as are quicker in the 1/4 according to times.

another thing: You have to haggle. There have been at least 10 2004 Spec V owners who paid 14,400 for their car brand new with less than 10 miles on the odo.

Please, if you don't know what you're talking about, don't post.

Blank · Mar 18th, 2004, 10:43 PM

ill break it down for you... invoice price on a 2002 specv was 16400... invoice on an o3 was 200 more i believe...

Nissan was offering 1000 rebates on all sentras... then you could get 500 off for buying a 1 model year old car... so now you can get this rebate on 04's cause 05's are a coming... plus nissan alway offers 500 college rebates for students/recent grads... 14400... 03 and 04... 14600... if you catch a deler at the right time a month, you can haggle "holdback" out of them... up to 300... VERY special times of the month that holdback figure is buped to 600... theoretically you could get an 04 spec for 14000 if you know what your doing + whatever financing is currently available... i believe 2.9 for 60 months right now...

this info is for the month of march in the NE region of the US... still cold and snowy, dealersahips are trying to unload inventory(specially specs) that have been sitting for a few montyhs onthe lot... this info in sunny CA may no apply...

SilverSpec175 · Apr 7th, 2004, 05:27 PM

Listen to mike.....the 02's being the first year Nissan used the QR25, the spec-v was an immediate problem. Not only does it have too many defects to mention, but the car was designed and marketed to younger drivers who wanted to do nothing more than to take their brand new car, mod it with anything they could, and beat the hell out of it, thinking they're some kind of badass. Do what everyone else says, if you really want a spec, go with an 03 or even better, and 04. I wish I could have done that but too bad, shit happens.