SikFuk

Hi, i have a 1988 Maxima. It is in great shape. Original owner was too old to drive it so i decided to buy it. Cosmetically it is in fantastic shape. There is no rust on the body. All interior is perfect. I owned the car for a little over a year. I love it but i have several cars and i need to sell at least of of them. I want to know what would be a fair price for this car. I did paint it in a custom color. Should i sell it now or should i just put it in a backyard and watch it deteriorate (to gain antique value)?

Originally i thought i would do all sorts of upgrades to the car but eventually it does cost a lot of money and time, at this moment I'm short on both.

thetorp

Transambandit should be chiming in soon. He's been looking for one.

delerium75

How many miles are on it? Does it need any work right now or shortly? Does everything work 100% and does it drive properly or is anything off? From what I've seen over the years on eBay and autotrader, etc., stock Maximas of this vintage appear to have the edge in desirability and price.

SikFuk

The car needs absolutely nothing just add fuel to drive. I was suggested that i should change the timing chain, that it needs to be changed every 50K miles or so. That's about the only thing known to me that might need to be changed. I don't know how true that though. I saw many cars that never had that changed and drove to 200K miles. Maybe in older cars its different. I have a little less than 65K right now, but i drive this car on weekends and i go far distances.

This is what I've done to it last year:

1. 1. New battery (larger than original, custom fitted)
2. 2. Repainted the entire car blue, with a silver stripe in the middle (should’ve been more creative but too late)
3. 3. New K&N air filter
4. 4. New alternator
5. 5. New starter
6. 6. New struts, mounts and boots (front and back)
7. 7. New front + back speakers (back are custom fit, because I used larger 6x9 than the stock 5 1/4)
8. 8. New receiver (with aux + usb ports in front)
9. 9. All hub bearings replaced (new)
10. 10. Changed rims to 17" Borbet LV4 with good quality brand tires (sorry don't remember the exact name)
11. 11. All new brake pads
12. 12. New spark plugs
13. 13. New Distributor Cap / Rotor / Spark Plug Wires
14. 14. New fuel filter

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

VG30E have timing belts, not chain. i havent seen 2nd gens go for more than 2 grand around here, if its due for a timing belt change you should do the water pump, thermostat, etc at the same time. usually works out to a $1000-$1500 bill with labor, i would say you could get maybe $1000-$1750 for it as is. if you do the timing belt yourself maybe $2500 for it

TransAmBandit

Personally, I feel like you're asking too much for the car. Im looking for another second gen to buy, but it must be a SE. You have a plain jane GXE with custom paint.

Everytime I go on craigslist, I see the car still listed. Its not going to move for that price. Despite all the west indians loving that car, (like myself) youre not gonna get anywhere close to the price on craigslist.

Just my personal opinion.

SikFuk

That is exactly why i decided to stop by here and listen to peoples opinions. I don't see a reason of investing another $1000+ for the timing belt which is not even going to be justified in the price. I've already spent so much money on it and if i do sell it for the price being suggested that's taking a loss of at least $1000. Not that i want to make money out of it, but i do have where to store it and selling to for a mere $1K-$2K is not going to make me any wealthier so judging by the comments being left here i will take it to a garage this weekend and leave it there for another several years, until i have the time to play around with it and make it into a great car.

Thanks for all your suggestions

SikFuk

What's the difference between the SE and GXE? I do see one parked in Brooklyn near where i go all the time. I don't think the owner ever drives that vehicle maybe he would be willing to sell it. I just don't know how to distinguish between them?

Thanks.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

i think 2nd gen SE have the same differences of 3rd gen SE, some body trim differences, stiffer springs, different rims, and maybe different gauge cluster. spoiler and fog lights are a giveaway, but some GXE have them as dealership add-ons. GXE were auto only, SE were auto or 5spd

you will rarely get back what you put into cars of this age, after the timing belt and everything you wont be making much profit. best to wait until you can fix it up

seabob4

Don't sell it, you'll never get what you think it's worth, regardless what you do to her. I bought mine in '06 for $1100, with 121K on the clock, wouldn't get rid of her for nothing.

I bought a brand new one just like her in '87, SE with everything, but an auto. My girl now has a 5-speed. Paid $24K back then, but then, back then I had money!