Is there a trick to finding 6MT sedans?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
My only request is that you link me to the baby eating from a spoon stock image you'd throw around the Maxima forums all the time. I've repeatedly tried to find the same one, to no avail.
they are out there. I spent 7 months looking for one. found a 2009 with 46k on it Jan 2016. bought it immediately. it was silver. less than 2 months later a white one popped up that was a 2013 with 26k miles. I liked the options and color better so I traded up. the same dealer has had 2 others in the last year. My local car club has 3 moonlight white 6MT sedans right now and we have only 150 members. There are 2-3 others 6MT sedans too. Just be patient and look every day.
I bought my cars from 2 different dealers and they both said the cars either sit on the lot for a long time or are snapped up immediately because some enthusiasts require a manual but most won't accept one.
I bought my cars from 2 different dealers and they both said the cars either sit on the lot for a long time or are snapped up immediately because some enthusiasts require a manual but most won't accept one.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
What I'm finding, after talking to some of the sellers, is that all the second owners bought their car on a huge 5+ year note and have decided, 1-2 years into ownership, that they don't like the fuel economy or shifting their own gears. So now they still owe $22-$28(!)K for a car that the market has declared worth only $16-$20K.
They won't accept the dealer's offer of $14K and can't accept the private party's offer of $18K, so their listings languish for months... Asking a $6000 premium to bail them out of their own poor choices.
I really liked the low-mile '09 I test drove at Carmax here in San Diego a few weeks ago, but I'm not willing to spend 30% extra on these cars. Heck, banks won't even offer a loan for cars like that, because book value is how collateral works--not hopes and dreams.
So I'm waiting for a one-owner car who has decent/all equity in his vehicle to understand that, sorry man, your car just isn't worth $28K anymore and sell it to me for a fair price.
They won't accept the dealer's offer of $14K and can't accept the private party's offer of $18K, so their listings languish for months... Asking a $6000 premium to bail them out of their own poor choices.
I really liked the low-mile '09 I test drove at Carmax here in San Diego a few weeks ago, but I'm not willing to spend 30% extra on these cars. Heck, banks won't even offer a loan for cars like that, because book value is how collateral works--not hopes and dreams.
So I'm waiting for a one-owner car who has decent/all equity in his vehicle to understand that, sorry man, your car just isn't worth $28K anymore and sell it to me for a fair price.
Last edited by Eirksmal; Apr 12, 2017 at 06:00 PM. Reason: type-yo
Registered Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 228
Likes: 38
From: Trinity, FL
Here's one in FL
Cars for Sale: Used 2012 INFINITI G37 Sport for sale in Rockledge, FL 32955: Sedan Details - 439238440 - Autotrader
or one closer to you in New Orleans
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...modelCode1=G37
Cars for Sale: Used 2012 INFINITI G37 Sport for sale in Rockledge, FL 32955: Sedan Details - 439238440 - Autotrader
or one closer to you in New Orleans
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...modelCode1=G37
Last edited by QuinnDEskimo; Apr 12, 2017 at 08:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Most of them have shenanigans like this. Dealer price on KBB of $22K, but owner wants you to pay for his ugly wheels "worth more than $6000" and then... who knows what else you're financing.
If you come up with your car's value by doing math like:
1. Bought new 4/5 years ago for $40K
2. Car expected to last 150K miles
3. Therefore, my low-ish mileage car has 90% life remaining
4. Therefore, my car is worth 90% of $40K!
...you won't sell your car.
I hope whoever bought the 6MT sedan I test drove two weeks ago is happy--it was a pretty clean car, I just couldn't stomach Carmax's $19K price for an 8-year-old car with 44K miles.
If you come up with your car's value by doing math like:
1. Bought new 4/5 years ago for $40K
2. Car expected to last 150K miles
3. Therefore, my low-ish mileage car has 90% life remaining
4. Therefore, my car is worth 90% of $40K!
...you won't sell your car.
I hope whoever bought the 6MT sedan I test drove two weeks ago is happy--it was a pretty clean car, I just couldn't stomach Carmax's $19K price for an 8-year-old car with 44K miles.
Registered Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 228
Likes: 38
From: Trinity, FL
7400 miles is pretty damn low mileage. I like the "price is firm" in the seller comments at $37,500 but it's now listed at $34,500. 
And yes those rims are hideous on that car. For the supposed $6000 he spent on them, I could've found MUCH better mods to buy. We'll be seeing that listing on autotrader for a while.
And yes those rims are hideous on that car. For the supposed $6000 he spent on them, I could've found MUCH better mods to buy. We'll be seeing that listing on autotrader for a while.
Registered Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 458
From: US
Not only tricky car to find, tricky to sell as well.
Admittedly had seriously considering moving on to an S4, but struggled with what I could realistically get for my car. 2013 bought new at 22k mi has a blue book value at sub-$20K. Would have a hard time selling for that low, but ultimately market sets the price. Original owners of 6MT sedans probably overvalue their cars across the board...
Glad I'm over that phase and now basking in the glory of not having a monthly car note
OP: I get where you're coming from and I'd probably think the same way you are, but you've targeted a niche car that's owned by enthusiasts, a secondary market, and that'll be reflected on the secondary market. If any consolation, dealerships pulled the same $hit with CPO 6MT sedans a few years ago, basically leveraging the fact that 1) the car was rare and 2) if you found one, you spent time doing so and you're likely to pay extra for it
Admittedly had seriously considering moving on to an S4, but struggled with what I could realistically get for my car. 2013 bought new at 22k mi has a blue book value at sub-$20K. Would have a hard time selling for that low, but ultimately market sets the price. Original owners of 6MT sedans probably overvalue their cars across the board...
Glad I'm over that phase and now basking in the glory of not having a monthly car note
OP: I get where you're coming from and I'd probably think the same way you are, but you've targeted a niche car that's owned by enthusiasts, a secondary market, and that'll be reflected on the secondary market. If any consolation, dealerships pulled the same $hit with CPO 6MT sedans a few years ago, basically leveraging the fact that 1) the car was rare and 2) if you found one, you spent time doing so and you're likely to pay extra for it
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
STown: I wish that would work out in my favor when I sell my worthless 2005 Maxima with a 6MT. There are fewer Maxima 6MTs than G37 6MTs and there are probably fewer than 500 Maximas ever made with a 6MT that only have 4 seats, like mine does. But... the market cares not for 4 heated leather buckets. I'd love to get $4500 for it, but will be elated to get $3K. Carmax's offer was $700 because it goes straight to auction. 
Hahahahahaha 
I paid $32k for mine. The car was 9 months old and 3,900 miles on the clock.
Those wheels... LOL, never.
(inside joke 
)
I paid $32k for mine. The car was 9 months old and 3,900 miles on the clock.
Those wheels... LOL, never.
)Last edited by Rochester; Apr 13, 2017 at 08:49 AM.
Registered Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 161
From: NJ
I live in San Diego, so I figured it'd be super easy to pick up a clean sedan 6MT here, maybe having to drive to the greater LA area, at worst. Uh, not so much. There's hardly anything out there, and the whopping 5-10 cars for sale in the past two weeks either have 10K miles and are asking 1.5-2x trade in prices, or they've got 80-100K miles on a 2012 and are still ballsy enough to ask for $18K+.
Where are all the 6MT sedans? Were they that rare? Are they disappearing into auctions after 3 and 4 year leases expire?
How am I supposed to find one? Do you guys know some secret club I'm supposed to be a member of to have G37s magically pop up on Craigslist?
I thought my 2005 Maxima 6MT was rare, but there hardly seem to be more manual G35/37 sedans, percentage wise, than there are late-model Maximas. (Final year of manual transmission Maximas was 2006, the 6th, and final, generation of Maxima to offer a row-your-own option)
PS: The cardboard timing cover gasket thing really sucks on the VQ37, but Nissan pulled a similar stunt in the 2004-200X FWD VQ35s and used plastic timing chain guides on the tensioners that fail around 120K miles. Not a cheap repair, since the FWD motor is a real blast to work on in the car. Most people's writeups on it start with "Step 1: Drop the engine"
Where are all the 6MT sedans? Were they that rare? Are they disappearing into auctions after 3 and 4 year leases expire?
How am I supposed to find one? Do you guys know some secret club I'm supposed to be a member of to have G37s magically pop up on Craigslist?
I thought my 2005 Maxima 6MT was rare, but there hardly seem to be more manual G35/37 sedans, percentage wise, than there are late-model Maximas. (Final year of manual transmission Maximas was 2006, the 6th, and final, generation of Maxima to offer a row-your-own option)
PS: The cardboard timing cover gasket thing really sucks on the VQ37, but Nissan pulled a similar stunt in the 2004-200X FWD VQ35s and used plastic timing chain guides on the tensioners that fail around 120K miles. Not a cheap repair, since the FWD motor is a real blast to work on in the car. Most people's writeups on it start with "Step 1: Drop the engine"
I don't know where you are but my 6sp manual 2012 sedan may become available within another year or so. Currently has 84k miles, 22 oil changes all done at the dealer, original clutch, brake pads. At the last oil change the dealer told me that both my front brake pads still had 10mm left and both rear pads had 8mm left. I do a lot of downshifting to brake the vehicle. On my previous 06 G35 it still had the original clutch when I traded it in at 171796 miles. Been driving stick shifts all my life but my current 2012 will most likely be the last one. (May look at a Genesis)
It is quite likely eventually when my G needs $$$ brakes, tires, and whatever, I'll start looking for another vehicle.
I don't think I've ever seen my tach over 5k RPM.
With a car seat in the rear for the grand-kids I no longer drive like I used to years ago.
Telcoman