Ok I am going to drive an 87 Max tonight that is in good shape but it has 250K on....it is five speed and the guy who owns it is a nissan mechanic....does this sound like a good deal, because I have found some cheaper with less miles but I really want the five speed. Mind you I am only looking for a beater....the only thing I would do to the 87 is intake and cd player. Thanks for you imput.

Carson

I also know where a guy is selling an 87 with 139K/auto, for $500 if anyone is interested...the car is in NC.

 

Hmmm, little high on the miles, but since your not planning big things for it other than basic transportation, you probably have nothing to worry about. Just test drive it and look it over really good. Also be sure to ask how often the car gets serviced, when the last timing belt was done, so you don't get any unexpected surprises.

S

 

Yeah I am going to check with him on all of that stuff. I do know the guy and he is a nissan mechanic so I am hoping he does not try to take me, but hopefully it will work out becuase I need something. I am also looking at two other that are auto with less miles and are priced lower but I really want the five speed and I know this guy.

 

If that's the case, you may have better luck since you know him, and plus if things do go wrong, you got a mechanic!

S

 

You'll have more problems with the autos down the road than
you will with a five speed... plus the fun factor is far greater
with a five speed than an auto!

Get a good service history before you buy... a mechanics car
is sometimes in bad shape just beause after working on cars
all day long, he doesn't want to work on his own car.

Good Luck!
Scott

 

ok, I did not drive the car yesterday, but I have just talked to the guy and he is going to bring the car into town tomorrow....so I will be able to dive it on my lunch break at work.....any problem areas I should espically be looking at? Thanks.

Carson

 

Probably should look for body rust, check the exhuast system for leaks, especially the headers, look for any fluid leaks, check how the car is shifting and any play in the clutch, steering, etc. Just basically look the car down really good. Also ask if there has been any electrical problems for the car. The last thing to check is to make sure the car has had the fuel injector recall done on it. If he's not sure, you can usually run the VIN through Nissan and they can tell you.

S

S

 

thanks for your replies...on the injector recall...I was aware of this but how is it handled? I know I can check the VIN to see if it has been done. My question is, would it cost me anything if it has not been done, or does nissan cover everything. Also do you have to wait until the injectors to mess up before you can take it in or will nissan honor the recall even if the injectors have not been giving you a problem? Thanks for all the quick responses...the second gen fourm has been very helpful already

 

Well, from what I know, this should be done free of charge, if it hasn't been done on your car, nissan is required to do them because of the fact they can leak and catch fire. Most likely if the guy is a nissan mechanic, it's probably already been done. You should ask though just in case.

S

 

It's done for free, and the injectors don't have to be messed up. Mine were fine but I went it to get them changed. They also change the harness and some other small things like fuel filter. First you can call the dealer, but they told me to call 1-800-NISSAN1 to check if it's open for recall. I gave the VIN and the recall wasn't performed so I got it done.

 

ok, I have still not driven the car but once again I have set up to drive it today on my lunch break....we will see if it actually happens. The injector recall has been done on the car and he says there is no rust, and the only thing wrong is that it needs rear brake pads....I have aleady pulled the trouble code diagnostic sheets off of here, so I am going to check the ecu for any codes....hopefully it will go well, I really need something soon....let me know if you have any last minute advice. Thanks.
Carson

 

Well, it looks like you have pretty much almost everything scoped out. The only other thing you should ask is when the last time the timing belt was replaced, as well as how often the car was maintained. Brake pads are pretty easy to do (they are almost identical to the 4th gen rear discs, pretty cheap and easy to do). Other than that, sounds like your set.

S

 

just drove the car....everything felt pretty good....I did not get a chance to get the codes off the ecu because my lunch break was running out....the car did not smoke at all, and there was not H2O in the oil.....clutch felt good, had no problem spinning a wheel....anyway just need to get my money straight today and I should be the owner of a 87 SE/silver/five speed/250K...in the next few days
Thanks for everyones help.
Carson

 

How identical would that be???

Enough to be able to transfer fourth gen calipers to our cars?

Scott

 

well not that identical. Dimension maybe different, but the actually design is pretty much the same.

S

 

oh I forgot to mention...when I was driving the car it was very smooth...it really suprised me...I defintly had a different feel than my fourth gen, but it felt as if it was almost as quick!! Hopefully it got a little life left in it...cant wait to get it, I am going to buy the haynes manual for it on my lunch break today.

 

Actually, if you can, get an FSM or a chilton's manual, they are a little better. The FSM you can probably find on Ebay for cheap. Just be sure you get the 87 one though since the earlier years have some minor differences.

S

 

DUDE WHERE AT IN NC? WHAT COLOR? AUTO OR 5SPD?

 

I found it on auto trader...the guy is located in Winston Salem...I have his number somewhere if you are really interested....or just search it on autotrader...I dont know what color it is, he told me it was an automatic that had a bunch of recent work performed on it....runs great etc......he told me it had a bent door? Anyway I dont know the guy this is just what he told me on the phone.

 

Thanks my friend I will be looking for him tonight.