I PICKED MY 92 SE 5 SPD UP FOR 1800 BUX. ONLY 80K MI. IT WAS A REBUILT BUT SURE RAN EXCELLENT TIL IT GOT TOTALED. nOW IM MAXIMALESS. BUT IM STILL A NISSAN FAN. EVEN GOTTA 04 FRONTIER CREW CAB 4X4 NOW.

 

as for the red VE, I am looking for something in a bit better condition.

 

aw c'mon, buy cheap and then mod everything to taste!

 

My $100 offer still stands I'll drive down to pick it up!!

I'll give you 200 if you de-nasty the interior and glue the wing down.

 

 

Hey, I'm not the one trying to unload a pile of red scrap-metal with mismatched wheels and a toasted interior

I saw Maximas at the pick n pull in better shape than that (but missing wheels!)

 

yeah, but this is vE 5 spd without the VTC noise

 

Ah, so it'll start making the noise in about 5 minutes then?

PS: Any word on the speaker-y things?

 

never know on the noise, and my car is up in the air axleless at the moment so I can't check it

 

Doh! I thought you had pulled them out already?

 

So I am probably going to buy this 91 5speed. Just wnat to know what to look listen for because you are the experts on these 3rd gens, all I know it the 4th gens.

here is the link again so you can see the exact model. Any info is appreciated!!!

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...cardist=93#top

 

DONT DO IT!!!

Hold out for a VE 5 Speed, you will love it 20x more. The entire time you have the VG you will think about how much you wished it was a VE.

 

Is the 160 hp engine the only real reason? Or are there more things that make this car worse than the VE?

 

yup the only difference is the 160 VG to the 190 VE

 

Yes, it is because of the 160hp. If you are like me, you will just be eaten up inside wondering what the cars full potential would be like with the VE. Basically, the way I look at my VQ and my VE is they are VERY similar cars. My VE DOES have more top end and my VQ DOES have more low end, they even out in the mid, the VE MIGHT even get the nudge in the mid. My VE handles better in ANY kind of ruff stuff, the VQ handles better on anything flat. And thats the bottom line...They are close but different if that makes sense.

 

That makes alot of sense! Thanks for the feedback. I guess in my heart I really want a VE (since my 4th gen had 190 hp as well) but I think I would be happy with a nicely modded VG. On a more technical note, are there any major problems concerning the VG motor? I have heard that some 3rd gens have engine noises etc. Also does it have a direct coul ignition, timing chain, or any of those other nissan goodies? Variable valves?

 

The only real VG problem is breaking exhaust manifold studs. Listen for clicking/clattering.

 

VGs are basic. Timing Belts, Distributor ignition, No Variable valving timing. It does have a dual plenum intake though. VE's have chains, coil on plug, variable valve timing, variable intake manifold. There aren't many problems on the VG, but it does cost a pretty penny to replace the timing belt if you don't know how to do it yourself. You can expect to pay for some maintenance as it is an older car with higher milage.

Yes get the VE, its a nice engine. I swapped the front tires of my dads 91 since he is out of the country for awhile. It has such wonderful traction in his car, but when I put them on my car, it struggles for traction

 

Only on the VE 5spd.

 

So are you really looking to spend $4000 on a car? If I had that much to spend on a maxima I'd definitely go with a decent fourth gen with low miles. That's just my opinion though and you can take it or leave it. The fourth gen has more aftermarket parts (including a turbo and supercharger kit, coilovers, etc.) more torque, less inexpensive engine to replace ($300 vs. $700), weighs at least 100 lbs. less, and is more reliable than a VE third gen. I know I'll be flamed by the third gen guys on this but I've had a 92SE 5spd and a 95SE 5 spd within the last year and I'm really enjoying the 4th gen alot more. Again that's just my 2 cents but there's no way that I'd spend $4,000 or more on a stock 3rd gen. Here's at least one decent deal that went on ebay recently for a 4th gen:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...520975162&rd=1

Let the flaming begin

 

man 5k is cheap compared to what I paid. I bought mine for 6k in 2002 with 90k miles on it. The owner was an old man. He was one of those types who would only take it to the dealer. No matter what the problem. Its still a lot but I wanted it bad!

-Larry

 

Yep, forgot to add that.

One thing about VG's that I can appreciate is that the engine is alot quieter outside. The VE's valvetrain is loud, you can here every injector tick, valve click, induction hiss, timing chain clack.

 

VG's have timing belts, and they are expensive to get replaced. VE's have timing chains

 

Oh yeah, and VG's have distributor, and VE's have direct ignition via coilpacks.

 

The fourth gen has more aftermarket parts, true...but you can do most of the same stuff to the VE. Less expensive engine to replace? that varies so much, I got my VE engine for $250, try to find a VQ for $300 it is not THAT easy. Also are you leaving out the IRS on the 3rd gen? dont get me started...

 

Donald, you know very well you can't get a decent VE for $250. A jdm one costs more like $800. But you can find low miler VQ30s for less than $400 all day, every day in multiple places.

 

This is totally off topic but, which engine do you(dmontzsta) think sounds better with an intake (ve or vq)?

I could have easily bought a 4th gen when I got my ve but, I really liked the classic 3rd gen body lines alot better. Also 4th gens are everywhere.

 

from my experience, the VQ cant touch the VE (we used to have a 2000 SE 5spd) (I've scurred a few people with mine, and that was just with the mid-pipe and Stillen filter)

 

I have, but I think they're in the trunk

 

I've driven a couple of VE Maximas...I still think the VG makes the better noize *R04r!*

 

So do you think my 4th gen stillen cone filter is a direct fit to a VG engine?

 

Like a civic, all bark no bite.

 

also wondering if the 4th gen stillen exhaust could be retrofitted onto the 3rd gen

 

No, every part is different, the only thing that would work is the muffler.

 

so the flange on the 4th gen exhaust would fit? Or are you talking about just cutting the muffler's pipe to attach to a VG exhaust?

 

No it would not fit and yes cutting the muffler and attatching it to the new car.

 

so what would you reccomend, taking the exhaust to a good muffler shop and having them fabricate something?

 

It's pretty much a fact that you can get a VQ for half the price of a VE. I do see the advantages of a third gen such as IRS and the VLSD but the the 4th gens seem much more refined, are 100lbs. lighter, and have a better motor than the VE or VG, the VQ is lighter, stronger, faster. In my experience the VQ seems like it has much more power than the VE, and thats comparing my 92 SE 5spd w/ fidanza, Y-pipe, High flow CAT, CAI, 17' rims to my 95 SE 5spd w/ Y-pipe, pop-charger, test-pipe, and stock 15's. MrGone did the 2000 that you drove have the stock 17's or any mods? I think the wheels make the 5th gens seem very slow.

Eric, I just don't think you'de be happy going from a 4th gen to a 3rd gen, especially a VG. I'd recommend test driving a VE 5 spd and a VG 5spd before going out and buying one, and read this if you havn't already:
https://maxima.org/modules.php?name=30_comparisons

And here's a few Maxima's on ebay that sold within your price range, I'm sure you could find a similar deal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...520975162&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...521349058&rd=1

Good luck with your car shopping, 3rd gens and 4th gens are both great cars, it's just a matter of finding the right deal.

 

It was my Dad's car. Had an InJen CAI on it and stock 17"s

I put them on my car one weekend and it didn't really feel much different, I doubt it is the wheels.

With the VIAS disabled, the car is about as much fun as a VG :-/

 

www.warpspeedperformance.com