I have found an add for a 92 SE for sale for what I think is a really good price. But there is some info missing from the add that I would like to know. Where the 92SE's VE's? Do they have the famous VTC (I think that is what it is called) problem? Its got 190K...I am guessing that is not a problem, but if you could let me know anything to look for with this mileage. The car is 5 speed with leather...so I believe the guy that its an SE I am really wondering what motor that brought. And how much would you guys pay for this with minor cosmetic damage (assuming thats the only problem)? Thanks for your help.

-Carson

 

kbb it and find out yourself how much its worth. its got the VE which is 190hp and yes the famous VTC's with it. if taken care of it wont tick. u are the only one who can tell what its worth after test driving it. id say it it ticks low ball him with a price. how much is this person asking for it? 190k is alot and usually takes down the value of a car, but the nissan motors are strong.

good luck with it.

 

Leather is no proof of being an SE, but the 5-speed might be. White guages? Even in really good shape with no ticking a 92 with 190k should be less than 2 grand.

 

Value is relative to what YOU think the car is worth.
to me it may only be worth $1k to someone else it's worth $4k.
anything is only worth what someone will pay for it.

 

I'd be sorry wary of any VE30DE maxima with 190k. There is a good chance that if it's 5 sp, it's an se. As there were no manual GXE versions. But you have to consider the worst case here. If it needs/will need a new motor, domestic availablity is rare and a JDM will cost at least $800.

 

ok I have done a little more research. I know that it comes with the VE now. Also please ignore the worth question...I thought you guys just may throw out some numbers what they usually go for....and yes I know about KBB and edmunds....its less than either of those. For someone who is not on the org would they be aware that the VTC need to be repaired...I have never owned a 3rd gen so this problem is new to me (though I have heard about it). How long do these engines usually last? As long as VGs? The guy claims to have documented repair records for the past five years....but like I said I have not heard back from him yet. If I do go see the car where should I listen for the VTC's ticking?

 

The VEs are strong engions, but the VGs tend to last longer. Like any car with high milage the oli changes are first priorty, every 3000 or less. A friend of mine has a VG with about 230k on it and it still runs strong, however he babys it. You are gona wana check see when was the last time he changed his air , oil, and fuel filter, Belts, and PVC valve. That is basicly a full tune up for a do-it-yourselfer. As far as the VTC, mine was rebuilt so i have never actually heard a tick, but i hear it starts out just in nutruel but can get worse and eventually always click, id just run threw all the gears and listen. Also, look for body rott around the wheel wells, and if its bad u can bring the price down. I bought my 92 VE Automatic with 141k and a rebuilt vtc for 2200, which was a good deal, work from that

 

I don't quite understand how you can say the VGs last longer. There are alot more them made but the VE and VG share the same block. Only the heads/valvetrain are different mechanically.

Cardan. How long the engines last are more of a function how how it was taken care of vs what type of motor it is.

 

yeah, I know...I am really looking for trends, for example: ford 3.8's pop head gaskets, so do Neon DOHC's stuff like that...I am pretty good at all the tune up stuff and moding for that matter...I am just looking for commom problems with the engine, I am not asking if I can run it with never changing the oil or the belts.

And I have a VG currently (87SE) that is not babied, and it still runs fine. Infact it will probably see track time next week.

If a private owner had the VTC's serviced at a dealer would it come as part of a service package or should they have a recipt saying something about the VTC's being serviced?

 

VE problems (and some are common to VGs also)

VTCs of course. They should tick when you test drive them. If they don't, you are pretty lucky. Fix = $1500 or so. It's not a scheduled maintainance item, so if they claim they are done, they should have detailed receipts.

Manifold studs

Usuall car stuff

 

if the manifold studs are broken what would be a tell tell sign? Hissing from that area? Stumbling on acceleration? And when you say tick, is it rythmic, is it audible at idle? The reason I am asking so much is because I don't want to drive 2-3hrs to look at something if I do not know what I am getting into.

 

When cold they make some odd "chirping" noises or "fluttering" noises. Depends. They can be broken and not make any noises. Front ones, you just stick your end in there and look at the manifold. "Tick" is just like a sticky lifter noise. If it's bad, it will be a rattling noise.

I'm not too sure as to the specific reason why you want this car, but it had better be like $500 or less. I own a VE and I wouldn't drive 2-3 hrs for one.

 

dang, i have a VE and this is the most fun ive ever had in car (even more fun than my dad's 69 camaro SS) and i drove 2 hours to get mine. But the car had all aftermarket suspension/bars, and a few other things but still...

 

hey ill drive to yo mama's city and buy your VE off of you for $500.

 

Sure come on over......

 

well i cant now, my ballz hurt!!!

 

well its not less than 500 but you are not too far off. I am always like the look of third gen SE's, thats the reason I am thinking of it.

 

ditto that! I went to my bank looking for a loan, and they presented an option of getting a secured loan by using my car as a collateral. After asking me everything about the car and typing it into their valuation program, guess what market value she came up with? $6,500! To that, I say:

and also,