How much is a '93 SE w/ ticking VTC's worth?
 

I just ran across this deal for a '93 maxima SE manual transmission and I think I can get it cheap. The guy says it has has a hydrolic lifter that is "ticking", hmm I think I know what it might be instead. The body is pretty good, little rust on below the rear door corners and maybe a few dings. Charcoal or grey in color, grey cloth interior, no sunroof. 124,000 miles. I think they said the interior is okay but the previous owner was a smoker, but was "courteous and careful with his habit" I guess meaning no burn marks. The paint is still shiney, shifts fine, etc. So, what do you guys think this car is worth? I'm going to look at it tommorrow and I don't really need another car, but if this one is decent and VTC's are the only problem, I might make a lowball offer or something. Any thoughts?

ewwww previous smoker cars = ewwwwww

I paid $1400 for mine with a bad tranny if that helps.

I'd say 2200 tops...the sunroof is really where its at.

I have a machine that will get rid of the smoke smell, and I know I can read the writeups on grounding the VTC's and do that so that's most of the problems. There is one dent on the passenger's door and like I said, a little rust. You're right though, the sunroof is where it's at and its not something I can just take off of a junkyard car and throw on there. I think I can get it for less than $1000 and I might offer him like $500 and hope he doesn't smack me.

i paid $700 for my 94 SE w/ a bad auto. It was dirty and needed some front suspension work...actually a lot. replaced balljoints, tie rods, front control arm bushings and alignment after that. LOL. But now its in pretty damn good condition now so I'm good to go

I would think a VE 5 speed in the condition you describe is probably worth what you want to pay ($500-$1000). It is fairly hard to find a 5-speed, so if you have the time and cash to work on it, I would definitely buy it.

I paid $2500 for mine and it had the VTC tick. My exterior and interior are in very good shape, though. I have had mine for over a year and no bad problems with the VTCs (cross my fingers).

Since the car has cloth interior and no sunroof, I would think it's a perfect project/race Maxima. That's probably the lightest stock combination out there, especially if it has no power seats.

Is this the car?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6400

If so, it's at $800 and the reserve hasn't been met.

Yeah, that's the one. I don't know what the reserve is, but I doubt it is going to be met. They are kind of new to ebay and I don't know if he realizes you don't get much for a car there. He put in fine print on the bottom of the review that there is a sticky lifter or something. Then when I called the manager and asked, he said that the "mechanical problem" is a bent rim or something. He wouldn't tell me anything more about the problem and wanted me to come drive it. So I'm going tonight. I'm only going to offer him money if it doesn't sell on Ebay though.

Well, I checked out the car this afternoon and I don't think I will be buying. There was alot more wrong with it than just the ticking VTC's if that's what it was. The front end needed work and the motor had some kind of miss in it, but the guy still wanted at least double of what I would have paid even if I was really interested in another maxima. I just hate to see a car with so much potential sit there and suffer :( . Another .org member is looking at it and maybe he can make a deal and salvage it still for a good price :thumbs up:

Lets try that again :thumbsup: <got it that time!

fyi, you can edit your own posts ;)

Got a 94 for $200. Apart from that VTC problem it's perfect.

Does that mean you bought one for $200, or you've got one you're selling for $200?

I paid 200, but I needed 3 injectors :D

Wow, someone did some digging to find this thread.