Possibly ridiculous question...
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 304
Possibly ridiculous question...
Hello all....this question is just from my own cRaZy mind and is just out of curiousity...
Well as you all may or may not know, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!!! my 91 Maxima...even tho she gives me a headache here and there i LOVE her!
Anyhow...let me put it like this: If it ever came down to it
(which I dont think its happening anytime soon, but..) if it ever came to the point where I thought Maxine was on her deathbed I would honestly rather re-build that shyt from the ground up then buy a new car.
So, on that note...I was just wondering around how much would it cost to replace the engine, an automatic tranny, and get some minor body work done (like take out a ding in the rear left quarter panel) and get a nice black shiny paint job. Nothing spectacular...we'll say just an estimate on what it would be like to bring the car back up to stock-grade showroom floor material. BTW its a 1991 Nissan SE with I believe all options (tweed seats instead of leather tho..which the interior wouldnt need any work done to it since it is MINT)
Cause honestly...I'd be willing to pay $10,000 if I had to, to re-build that car as opposed to pay $50,000 or more for a POS. Now my car aint dyin anytime soon...but I just was curious....
P.S. Feel free to laugh, anytime!
Well as you all may or may not know, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!!! my 91 Maxima...even tho she gives me a headache here and there i LOVE her!
Anyhow...let me put it like this: If it ever came down to it
(which I dont think its happening anytime soon, but..) if it ever came to the point where I thought Maxine was on her deathbed I would honestly rather re-build that shyt from the ground up then buy a new car.
So, on that note...I was just wondering around how much would it cost to replace the engine, an automatic tranny, and get some minor body work done (like take out a ding in the rear left quarter panel) and get a nice black shiny paint job. Nothing spectacular...we'll say just an estimate on what it would be like to bring the car back up to stock-grade showroom floor material. BTW its a 1991 Nissan SE with I believe all options (tweed seats instead of leather tho..which the interior wouldnt need any work done to it since it is MINT)
Cause honestly...I'd be willing to pay $10,000 if I had to, to re-build that car as opposed to pay $50,000 or more for a POS. Now my car aint dyin anytime soon...but I just was curious....
P.S. Feel free to laugh, anytime!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,193
From: BFE, UT
Hey we all won't laugh. The only way I'd have to part with my Max is if it was completely totaled. I mean I'm missing a chunk of the car and the engine is laying on the ground. I've already passed up once on trading it in.
As for prices, that's a good question. You can probably get some stuff off www.mypartout.com at a good price. But who knows how long that will all stay on there
As for prices, that's a good question. You can probably get some stuff off www.mypartout.com at a good price. But who knows how long that will all stay on there
Power Dorifto Extraordinaire!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 142
engine swap? if you are going to take it to a shop, who knows, if you do it yourself, and have all the tools and lifts you would need, maybe $400 or so, you would have to buy new hoses and belts (it would be smart, anyway.) but there really is no telling, since the sky is the limit. if i had my engine out, i would dump $5K worth of stuff on/in it before i installed it again. it all costs money you know.
but don't take my word for it.
i have 3 3rd gens, and an extra junk VE engine i want to hop up and drop in my 90 SE, but i need to do more research.
(i have helped swapping several engines before, but i never had to pay for it as they were not my cars)
but don't take my word for it.
i have 3 3rd gens, and an extra junk VE engine i want to hop up and drop in my 90 SE, but i need to do more research.
(i have helped swapping several engines before, but i never had to pay for it as they were not my cars)
there is no way you're going to get a BRAND NEW engine...maybe a reman or a rebuilt...but if i was in your position i would just get a lower mileage motor with a rebuilt tranny (guy that knows wtf he's doing).
(prices include labor)
that alone should run you close to the $3500-$4000 area.
add additional rubber seals around the car, paint, hardware....that would run another $2000-$2500 for a decent paint job...i'm not talking any 3 stage paint here..but it's not a maaco special.
so now u have a newer motor and trans w/ new paint....now the other stuff....suspension and various bushing $500-$800...exhaust and other rusting stuff under the car...$400-$500
so you're about $7000-$8500 into the car...should drive like a dream and look it.
question is do you want to dump that into your 3rd gen?
(prices include labor)
that alone should run you close to the $3500-$4000 area.
add additional rubber seals around the car, paint, hardware....that would run another $2000-$2500 for a decent paint job...i'm not talking any 3 stage paint here..but it's not a maaco special.
so now u have a newer motor and trans w/ new paint....now the other stuff....suspension and various bushing $500-$800...exhaust and other rusting stuff under the car...$400-$500
so you're about $7000-$8500 into the car...should drive like a dream and look it.
question is do you want to dump that into your 3rd gen?
I don't know why people sweat so hard over a car, especially one with a VG and an auto tranny. It isn't too hard to find a decent one for probably 1/2 of what you are willing to pay for all of that work.
If something goes wrong (like a tranny) I could see spending a $1k or $1500 to have it rebuilt. That crap just happens.
However, if you like the body style so much and want to fix all the stuff wrong with it, sell the car and buy a similar one with a VE and a 5-speed, or even a VE with an AT. The difference is considerable. My only exception would be if you did all of the work to make your car a turbo and still had all of the equipment for that.
Even if you have lots of mods, I would do what DMad did and strip down the VG and find a VE. Ask him which car he would rather have -- his old one or his new one.
I paid Jeff (he gave me a good deal, too -- thanks!) to put in a JDM VE engine for me when mine got messed up. Since my car's body and interior are in excellent condition (car has been garaged most of it's life) I thought it was worth a few grand for this. I definitely would have sold what was left and bought something else if it was going to cost me $8k or some ungodly amount like that.
I guess it's your money and the car has some kind of sentimental value to you, but it's not like you have an irreplaceable car.
If something goes wrong (like a tranny) I could see spending a $1k or $1500 to have it rebuilt. That crap just happens.
However, if you like the body style so much and want to fix all the stuff wrong with it, sell the car and buy a similar one with a VE and a 5-speed, or even a VE with an AT. The difference is considerable. My only exception would be if you did all of the work to make your car a turbo and still had all of the equipment for that.
Even if you have lots of mods, I would do what DMad did and strip down the VG and find a VE. Ask him which car he would rather have -- his old one or his new one.
I paid Jeff (he gave me a good deal, too -- thanks!) to put in a JDM VE engine for me when mine got messed up. Since my car's body and interior are in excellent condition (car has been garaged most of it's life) I thought it was worth a few grand for this. I definitely would have sold what was left and bought something else if it was going to cost me $8k or some ungodly amount like that.
I guess it's your money and the car has some kind of sentimental value to you, but it's not like you have an irreplaceable car.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 439
My question, is are you going to charge all the work and parts to accomplish this? If you want to dump $10k in for example, it could likely end up costing you $12-13k in the long run when you factor in interest. A nice savings would obviously help here.
BTW, can you buy an aftermarket 6-speed from ZF or Getrag or whoever and bolt it on? I wonder if 3rd party trannies would be an option. Probably not for FWD...?
BTW, can you buy an aftermarket 6-speed from ZF or Getrag or whoever and bolt it on? I wonder if 3rd party trannies would be an option. Probably not for FWD...?
I had a Pebble Beige VE 5-speed (black leather, moonroof) and I liked it a lot. It had a lot of sentimental value but I needed something that got better gas mileage, so I traded it in on a 95 200sx.
Since I liked the Maxima so much, a few years later I bought my Aztec Red VE 5-speed (black leather, moonroof) and it has an equal sentimental value because, well, it's the same car -- only it's red. Except for the few mods I have done, nothing is different. Drives the same, has the same seats, the same shift feel, the same characteristics.
If you like your car a lot and someone steals it/it's totaled/etc, you can get the same car, same model year, same options and it is essentially the same car.
Since I liked the Maxima so much, a few years later I bought my Aztec Red VE 5-speed (black leather, moonroof) and it has an equal sentimental value because, well, it's the same car -- only it's red. Except for the few mods I have done, nothing is different. Drives the same, has the same seats, the same shift feel, the same characteristics.
If you like your car a lot and someone steals it/it's totaled/etc, you can get the same car, same model year, same options and it is essentially the same car.
Originally Posted by Red92MaxSE
I had a Pebble Beige VE 5-speed (black leather, moonroof) and I liked it a lot. It had a lot of sentimental value but I needed something that got better gas mileage, so I traded it in on a 95 200sx.
Since I liked the Maxima so much, a few years later I bought my Aztec Red VE 5-speed (black leather, moonroof) and it has an equal sentimental value because, well, it's the same car -- only it's red. Except for the few mods I have done, nothing is different. Drives the same, has the same seats, the same shift feel, the same characteristics.
If you like your car a lot and someone steals it/it's totaled/etc, you can get the same car, same model year, same options and it is essentially the same car.
Since I liked the Maxima so much, a few years later I bought my Aztec Red VE 5-speed (black leather, moonroof) and it has an equal sentimental value because, well, it's the same car -- only it's red. Except for the few mods I have done, nothing is different. Drives the same, has the same seats, the same shift feel, the same characteristics.
If you like your car a lot and someone steals it/it's totaled/etc, you can get the same car, same model year, same options and it is essentially the same car.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 522
From: Kirksville, Missouri
Personally, i'd spend 50 grand on rebuilding the SAME car i have (whether it be my Riviera, my truck, or my max) than spend whatever fraction of that on one thats just like it, because its NOT the same car...its an impersonator that lacks the little flaws and such that made the first one unique..
If I were to rebuild my max, I'd have the motor and trans *built*..VE or VG wouldn't matter that much, whichever would be easiest to build ("build" including finding the parts for it), a built auto for a daily driver, a built 5 spd if it were a weekend car. I'd shave the rear door handles and leave the front with the keypad keyless entry, metalflake black paint, body kit, 16" rims, bags, black leather, and possibly chrome fender trim....the firewall and fenderwells would keep the pebble beige color, with the screws from my body grounds, the scratches in the paint, and the other little things that give it personality intact.
If I were to rebuild my max, I'd have the motor and trans *built*..VE or VG wouldn't matter that much, whichever would be easiest to build ("build" including finding the parts for it), a built auto for a daily driver, a built 5 spd if it were a weekend car. I'd shave the rear door handles and leave the front with the keypad keyless entry, metalflake black paint, body kit, 16" rims, bags, black leather, and possibly chrome fender trim....the firewall and fenderwells would keep the pebble beige color, with the screws from my body grounds, the scratches in the paint, and the other little things that give it personality intact.
Obviously, you don't have $50k, because if you did, I know you wouldn't spend it making your $2k Maxima look like an $8k Maxima.
If you have a collectible car (old Camaro, Cuda, 57 Chev, etc) sure, that's a reasonable plan, especially if most of the money is your own sweat equity. But a Maxima? ha ha ha
If someone offered you, say $10k for your "beloved" Maxima, you would be a fool not to take it, buy another Maxima for $3k and spend the rest of the money on something useful like a down payment on a house. Maybe even throw in a few mods. Crap, I would sell my car for a lot less than $10k and not shed a tear.
Look at what happens on the show "Pimp my Ride." These fools act like their car is everything to them and they love it so much. Two months later, the ride shows up on ebay.
If you have a collectible car (old Camaro, Cuda, 57 Chev, etc) sure, that's a reasonable plan, especially if most of the money is your own sweat equity. But a Maxima? ha ha ha
If someone offered you, say $10k for your "beloved" Maxima, you would be a fool not to take it, buy another Maxima for $3k and spend the rest of the money on something useful like a down payment on a house. Maybe even throw in a few mods. Crap, I would sell my car for a lot less than $10k and not shed a tear.
Look at what happens on the show "Pimp my Ride." These fools act like their car is everything to them and they love it so much. Two months later, the ride shows up on ebay.
I have to say I dont plan on getting rid of my maxima anytime soon and it is also nice that I can do all my own work to it.. But to be honest if someone offered to trade me my car for a 300zx i woudl trade without even thinking about it....... its a 300zx 
I don't think I would sell it since how much in reality are you going to get for it? it is stilla 92 no matter how good it looks or what is done to it. Not old enouhg to be a collecters item and to old to be worrth anything
Saying that I guess I don't care if I ever sold it unless it got total'd or something major happened causing it not worth being fixed (say if the whole rear suspension rusted off?) But then I would sell it on here in pieces and make more then it is worth whole probably.
Also I do care about my car but if pimp my ride got a hold of it I would have to ebay the stupid looking body kit,ugly paint and buncha stupid gadget mobile.
BJ white
I don't think I would sell it since how much in reality are you going to get for it? it is stilla 92 no matter how good it looks or what is done to it. Not old enouhg to be a collecters item and to old to be worrth anything
Saying that I guess I don't care if I ever sold it unless it got total'd or something major happened causing it not worth being fixed (say if the whole rear suspension rusted off?) But then I would sell it on here in pieces and make more then it is worth whole probably.
Also I do care about my car but if pimp my ride got a hold of it I would have to ebay the stupid looking body kit,ugly paint and buncha stupid gadget mobile.
BJ white
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,193
From: BFE, UT
Originally Posted by Red92MaxSE
Obviously, you don't have $50k, because if you did, I know you wouldn't spend it making your $2k Maxima look like an $8k Maxima.
Originally Posted by Red92MaxSE
If someone offered you, say $10k for your "beloved" Maxima, you would be a fool not to take it, buy another Maxima for $3k and spend the rest of the money on something useful like a down payment on a house. Maybe even throw in a few mods. Crap, I would sell my car for a lot less than $10k and not shed a tear.
I know for a fact I wouldn't sell my Max... because there's a stronger force behind keeping it... It's called my wife kicking my ***. 
Originally Posted by Red92MaxSE
Look at what happens on the show "Pimp my Ride." These fools act like their car is everything to them and they love it so much. Two months later, the ride shows up on ebay.
just to let those guys touch your ride. I never liked any of the audio products they put in the cars. And some of the stuff they do is just so 
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,193
From: BFE, UT
Hmm I'm not sure which one to bet on... Neither one has brought up my old VQ35 swap idea... which I still plan on... whenever my engine decides to blow sky high. I'll probably rebuild a new VG before doing a swap like that... but the idea is burning in my mind.
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Originally Posted by Red92MaxSE
Look at what happens on the show "Pimp my Ride." These fools act like their car is everything to them and they love it so much. Two months later, the ride shows up on ebay.
~Alex
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 304
[QUOTE=Golden Ice]Personally, i'd spend 50 grand on rebuilding the SAME car i have (whether it be my Riviera, my truck, or my max) than spend whatever fraction of that on one thats just like it, because its NOT the same car...
Thank you for posting that, cause thats exactly how I see it...
You can get the same car but it really isnt the same car...same make/model maybe, but definitely not the same car. Especially 3rd generations...come on now, theyre like 15 yrs old! Just think in 15 yrs how many potential drivers came behind the wheel of any random 3rd generation Maxima (yes, there are a few who have had only 1 maybe 2 owners...but the majority probably have 4-5 owners or more!)....Just think of all the different driving techniques were used on an engine...and transmission (the car could have been beat by 3 different drivers...3 different ways...but then again it could have been very well taken care of too, but its just the point that YOU DONT KNOW and im not a mechanice so that is a BIG concern of mine)...and then theres all the little things that can go wrong with the car that quickly add up (which is beginning to happen to my Max...just stupid little things are going).
I'd rather stick with my 3rd generation that I have complete maintenance records on from previous owners (I'm the 4th) and that I myself have owned for 2 and a half years and put in more maintenance, then buy another 3rd genner that 5 people have owned in the last 15yrs and probably dont even know when the last time they changed their oil was! (except you .orgers...but there doesnt seem to be to many in my area to buy a car from)
BTW, it sounds like some of you didnt read my original post clearly. I'm NOT in the process of swapping anything. I just was curious as to how much I would be looking at paying in order to bring my Max back new a "new" state...or as new as I can get her that is. Because in the case that my car ever dies or is near end (which by indication is NOT anytime soon) I, personally would probably rather make her as close to new as I can get then actually buy a new car. **Especially the new Maximas.....ogod theyre soooo U-G-L-Y*** (No offense anyone...thats just my opinion)
Thank you for posting that, cause thats exactly how I see it...
You can get the same car but it really isnt the same car...same make/model maybe, but definitely not the same car. Especially 3rd generations...come on now, theyre like 15 yrs old! Just think in 15 yrs how many potential drivers came behind the wheel of any random 3rd generation Maxima (yes, there are a few who have had only 1 maybe 2 owners...but the majority probably have 4-5 owners or more!)....Just think of all the different driving techniques were used on an engine...and transmission (the car could have been beat by 3 different drivers...3 different ways...but then again it could have been very well taken care of too, but its just the point that YOU DONT KNOW and im not a mechanice so that is a BIG concern of mine)...and then theres all the little things that can go wrong with the car that quickly add up (which is beginning to happen to my Max...just stupid little things are going).
I'd rather stick with my 3rd generation that I have complete maintenance records on from previous owners (I'm the 4th) and that I myself have owned for 2 and a half years and put in more maintenance, then buy another 3rd genner that 5 people have owned in the last 15yrs and probably dont even know when the last time they changed their oil was! (except you .orgers...but there doesnt seem to be to many in my area to buy a car from)
BTW, it sounds like some of you didnt read my original post clearly. I'm NOT in the process of swapping anything. I just was curious as to how much I would be looking at paying in order to bring my Max back new a "new" state...or as new as I can get her that is. Because in the case that my car ever dies or is near end (which by indication is NOT anytime soon) I, personally would probably rather make her as close to new as I can get then actually buy a new car. **Especially the new Maximas.....ogod theyre soooo U-G-L-Y*** (No offense anyone...thats just my opinion)
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 304
Originally Posted by DanNY
i myself sees what you're talking about 100%...but i'm just trying to see it from her point of view.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 304
Originally Posted by DanNY
there is no way you're going to get a BRAND NEW engine...maybe a reman or a rebuilt...but if i was in your position i would just get a lower mileage motor with a rebuilt tranny (guy that knows wtf he's doing).
(prices include labor)
that alone should run you close to the $3500-$4000 area.
add additional rubber seals around the car, paint, hardware....that would run another $2000-$2500 for a decent paint job...i'm not talking any 3 stage paint here..but it's not a maaco special.
so now u have a newer motor and trans w/ new paint....now the other stuff....suspension and various bushing $500-$800...exhaust and other rusting stuff under the car...$400-$500
so you're about $7000-$8500 into the car...should drive like a dream and look it.
question is do you want to dump that into your 3rd gen?
(prices include labor)
that alone should run you close to the $3500-$4000 area.
add additional rubber seals around the car, paint, hardware....that would run another $2000-$2500 for a decent paint job...i'm not talking any 3 stage paint here..but it's not a maaco special.
so now u have a newer motor and trans w/ new paint....now the other stuff....suspension and various bushing $500-$800...exhaust and other rusting stuff under the car...$400-$500
so you're about $7000-$8500 into the car...should drive like a dream and look it.
question is do you want to dump that into your 3rd gen?
I dont need any exhaust work or interior work. Right now I dont need an engine or tranny..(but was just asking for future reference) and all I wanted was for it to drive/look like a dream...and for UNDER 10,000$ That would be AWESOME!!!!
I doubt I would actually do it anytime soon...I'd at least have to wait til my Max is somewhere near dying...but from the feel of it, I think she prob got another 100,000miles to go (give/take)...Shes at 129,000 right now.Anyone know a good shop in southern CT/ NY area?!?! lol
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 522
From: Kirksville, Missouri
No house payments here..*ever*...if I can't drop the cash or write the check, its not gonna happen...the ONLY reason I'd even get a credit card is because of the number of online stores that only take credit cards..
I'm nasty and spiteful. Nothing I own is for sale at any price, unless I just don't like it.
I'm nasty and spiteful. Nothing I own is for sale at any price, unless I just don't like it.
LMarie, you should see page 1 of my CarDomain page.
I won't get in to too much detail here, but I've had my VG for 9 years now. In its 5th year it took the brunt of a 45mph hit head-on. And I said damn - if it's safe to do so we must rebuild it captain. This tank stepped up to the plate when it mattered, so I had to return the favor.
I am the 2nd owner and I intend to be its last. I have absolutely no reason to dump it in favor of a new car. I know all of its quirks (well almost), and even if I put a few grand into it for a proper paint job, some nicer rims, etc... I know I'll still be saving money 3 years from now.
New tranny and motor? Well I did the tranny 7 years ago and it's still strong as a ****. I'm more concerned about the miles of electrical wiring that is nearly impossible to get at and may be poking through its protective shielding soon.
But having owned the car this long, I'm definitely sentimental about it and want to continue to maintain it with pride. Of course, to a reasonable point $$ wise.
$10k... I'm not so sure. But a few grand - sure.
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/745162
I won't get in to too much detail here, but I've had my VG for 9 years now. In its 5th year it took the brunt of a 45mph hit head-on. And I said damn - if it's safe to do so we must rebuild it captain. This tank stepped up to the plate when it mattered, so I had to return the favor.
I am the 2nd owner and I intend to be its last. I have absolutely no reason to dump it in favor of a new car. I know all of its quirks (well almost), and even if I put a few grand into it for a proper paint job, some nicer rims, etc... I know I'll still be saving money 3 years from now.
New tranny and motor? Well I did the tranny 7 years ago and it's still strong as a ****. I'm more concerned about the miles of electrical wiring that is nearly impossible to get at and may be poking through its protective shielding soon.
But having owned the car this long, I'm definitely sentimental about it and want to continue to maintain it with pride. Of course, to a reasonable point $$ wise.
$10k... I'm not so sure. But a few grand - sure.
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/745162
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Hadman- Im in the same boat. Im the 3ed owner, my neibhor the first, my mom the 2ed...and me. They babied the car and now its in GREAT shape. Of course untill last month, when i had a 30mph head on collsion. Man there was alot to replace, what did you have to replace? Im going to fix it too. Ive got plans for this car...
~Alex
~Alex
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 187
Originally Posted by DanNY
there is no way you're going to get a BRAND NEW engine...maybe a reman or a rebuilt...
-Sean