test driving a 94 Maxima GXE, what to look for?
06-12-2003, 11:53 PM
#1
Junior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 28
test driving a 94 Maxima GXE, what to look for?
On saturday I will be looking at a 94 Maxima GXE with 128k. Its the SOHC, automatic. He just had all the belts done, has service records, and records when oil was changed. He puts synthetic in it too. I thought that was kinda odd. He is asking 4300obo. Looks like a nice car, in good shape. Just wish it was black or maybe something else instead of gold. But, if all goes well, it will probably be mine.
06-13-2003, 03:09 AM
#2
Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 63
Not a major concern... but you may want to check the bose speakers out if it has them. The amps blow out alot, and a factory replacement amp alone is $120 at best.
Only things I had a problem with when i bought mine 4 years was the bearing in the gear shifter (automatic) which caused it to pop out of gear, and the clock was burnt out. Make sure you find out when the last time the timing belt was changed on the car. That's a big deal with this engine. If it hasn't been changed expect to drop a few hundred on that immediately. Hood struts go out around now too sometimes. Break calipers like to stick. Those are the only problems i've ever run into. Fuel injectors too I guess, but that's easy to tell. The engine will idle hard at low speeds until the pistons get moving.
I'm not an expert, but just some ideas.
Only things I had a problem with when i bought mine 4 years was the bearing in the gear shifter (automatic) which caused it to pop out of gear, and the clock was burnt out. Make sure you find out when the last time the timing belt was changed on the car. That's a big deal with this engine. If it hasn't been changed expect to drop a few hundred on that immediately. Hood struts go out around now too sometimes. Break calipers like to stick. Those are the only problems i've ever run into. Fuel injectors too I guess, but that's easy to tell. The engine will idle hard at low speeds until the pistons get moving.
I'm not an expert, but just some ideas.
06-13-2003, 06:07 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tampa Bay, Fl
Posts: 605
Make sure the engine doesn't tick or sound like it has an exhaust leak... The VG engine is notorious for cheap manifold studs and can be around $500 to fix if you go to a decent shop. Also, make sure all the electronics work properly... That's really the only big issues I've had with mine, well besides me being a dumbass and not checking tranny fluid after driving it for 50k miles, but that's my own fault.
Other then that, it's a nice car, I bought my 93 GXE with 97k miles on it, and I just hit 150k and never had any major issues that I didn't cause myself... I actually have 2 GXE's, a 94 and a 93, and I love'em
Other then that, it's a nice car, I bought my 93 GXE with 97k miles on it, and I just hit 150k and never had any major issues that I didn't cause myself... I actually have 2 GXE's, a 94 and a 93, and I love'em
06-13-2003, 06:36 AM
#4
window regulators, antenna, tranny...
also ask to see any maintenance records...looks like it was due for a timing belt. if it was done make sure the water pump, thermostat, tensioner etc were changed as well
also ask to see any maintenance records...looks like it was due for a timing belt. if it was done make sure the water pump, thermostat, tensioner etc were changed as well
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