Well the damage to mine was worse than i thought... i found out yesterday that is was totalled... already looking at a 1993 max se. heres the autotrader site

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...or=&cardist=23

Let me know what you think

thx

 

not a very good price for an auto with 143k miles on it.
I paid less than that over two years ago for mine with 145k.

 

I'm thinking not going any higher than 3000 for it

 

as long as the mechanicals are in good condition, then 3000 is the highest I'd offer them. but for them to drop that kinda price, you're going to have to show them a wad of cash when you say it. not even "I'll write you a check" or "I'll head to the bank and be back in a bit."
you'd better show them cash and be willing to walk away if they say no.

 

Thats what i am going to tell them... I'll give you $3000 right now for it...

Going to go down today, we will see what happens

 

cool... but if you say you're gonna give 'em 3k, then have it... CASH on hand. small dealers work like that. big ones don't give a damn whether it's cash or check, but the smaller ones will jump at the sight of cash.

 

Ok well thank you Matt for your help... i'll update you later on if i'm another max owner again

 

Good stuff!

 

From my extensive car-hunting experience, they won't sell it under 3k+tax.

 

Found this on craigslist....might be worth taking a look at: http://boston.craigslist.org/car/18456902.html

I go to school in Somerville so I could take an initial look at it for you and see what the body is like, VTC noise, etc.

 

I'd get the 5-speed Mizeree found before I'd even look at the auto.

BTW, when you have cash (don't have to finance) you usually get screwed at a car lot. Actually, I think you ALWAYS get screwed at a car lot! I would try to find a private party seller, you will probably save about $1000.

I paid $2500 for mine and it had about 140k. Plus, I got a set of studded snow tires mounted on wheels in the deal.

Just my $.02

 

Not necessarily. as long as you have a full contract on the car, there's no problem. they'll support you the same cash or loan after the sale (well they SHOULD, and you can insist on it)...

I've just found that when buying cheap cars (anything under $5k for a car is cheap. don't argue. ), if you hand them cash they usually sell for less since they dont' have to deal with loan paperwork and everything else.

They can also show on the bill of sale a lower price (say $2000 here) and pocket some of the cash, without Big Brother seeing it. not something you see every day, but I've seen it done. then the seller writes a "personal receipt" for the rest of the amount so if there was a problem, all the money is accounted for.. but the dealership only has to show $2000 as the income from the car and pay less income tax at the end of the year. That's also another $75 or so in sales tax they save.

legal? no. good idea? no. does it happen at small shops? yes.

 

Cash is king. Some places I went would reduce the price up to 2k once I offered them cash. I wasn't really interested but I just tested their psychology. The lower the price, naturally they have less room to play, i.e. for a $2300 car you'll probably get maximum $300 off. They will however reduce a 6k financing car to 4k if you wave the money in their face.

 

***OK UPDATE***


Went down there looked at it... inside is clean outside has a good amount of scratches... (not real bad though) stock wing on back is starting to come off on left side, pulls to the right alittle when driving, and i'm not farmiliar with the VE engine... i'm used to the VG... but when running there was a faint ticking noise comming from front right end of engine comparment (near where the belts are)

Also.. they replaced the exhaust where the metal is threaded on it.


Offered 3k cash... he said they can't go lower than $3300.. i'm gonna call him tomorrow tell him i'll either bring him 3k cash this morning or i'm not driving all the way out there again and i'm gonna look for another max.

 

Hey Pat, what happened to your Max? Got pics? Well you're better off with an SE anyway. Goodluck! Have you talked to Jbar lately?
ttyl
Jeff

 

It sounds like the VTCs are starting to go. It's not that big of a deal yet, just irritating. I would still say look around a little more before you jump on that one. At that price (and the fact that they won't go down much), I don't imagine it is going anywhere fast.

 

Just remember, you get what you pay for.
I bought a cheapo POS VE because it was cheap, and I wound up with a POS...

 

that stinks i just got my vtc's back today all fresh and rebuilt. ill be putting them in on sunday...

 

Jeff I got hit on Elm street in Manchester by some chick who failed to Yield, her car was totalled as well as mine although hers was 10 times worse.

So i'm on the market for a new one. Jeff is you see any 3rd gens for sale let me know.. Since we live relatively close.

Thanks

 

So you guys actually go into the lots with a few grand? I was wondering about that.

I bought both of my cars private party, I paid for the maxima with a cashiers check, and I paid for the mustang with a personal check (I paid my Dad for the Mustang as I was a minor at the time).

 

***NEW UPDATE***

Just got a carfax report..... Car has never been in a accident.
And it was in Florida for most of its life.
So thats why it looks so good on the underbody (no salt)

Having my mechanic look at before i make a final decision

Also the dealer will give me a 2 year powertrain warranty on the car for $600... is that worth it? and anyone know what exactly it covers?

 

Every Policy is different on the warranty stuff. they should give you some paperwork on it before you buy it to make sure it covers everything.

if you decide to buy it, make sure it covers alternator and power steering equipment also. not exactly powertrain, but sometimes is covered... and both very common problems to go out.
as well as the VTCs, tranny, clutch, etc etc.

But for $600, you'd have to replace a lot of small stuff to cover that one (getting the VTCs rebuilt would easily make up for it though!)

 

Be very careful of the ext waranty. I heard of one that considered injectors a normal wear item but on the whole I liked the one I got on my van. boy did they pay for selling me that plan!
Also make sure you find one that let's you take it to any shop. because they won't pay you for your own labor. You may want to find a garage that will "work" with you too

 

BTW would just to thank all you guys for your help and input
Maxima.org kicks ***

 

Also make sure that for the $600 warranty they don't have a dollar limit on repairs.

I know the wynns warranty I bought on our Caravan a few years ago covered the drivetrain but had a lifetime limit of $1300.

That was our first tranny.........

 

I'm on my 2nd rebuilt frickin dodge FWD od trans.
Good thing I had the waranty and full coverage insurance
2nd motor now too. 10k later my warranty and insurance cos wish they never heard of me

 

It seem that on all Dodge Caravan's the auto trans are the weak link. I have heard A LOT of people that have them replaced. Although if you have the trans fluid flushed often it helps.

Be real careful on non-OEM manuf. warranty's. They have a bunch of fine print. Plus if they do not authorize the work before it's started, they will not pay. Also most have a deductible, and typically that deductible applies to each warranty issue. Meanine VTC's one ded. Trans, there's another ded.

Just be careful.

 

The problem with Caravans is mostly in the 3.3 with electronic overdrive tranny, Dodge knew they were a piece of crap and changed name although made no major design changes to tranny in 92 or 94.

If you have multiple tranny replacements in this combo more than likely the shop has not replaced the torque converter when they replace the tranny.