Ok guys....I own a 91 SE that I absolutely love, which is why I am now torn. 2 weeks ago someone broke in to my car, tried to steal my radio and ended up destroying it, took my amp,etc.
Anyway - I got a quote on what that will cost me to replace along with a new alarm system...around $600.00 (give or take) p.s. I'm not into the LOUD base and all that...thats why Im not spending $1000 on a new system...so I belive thats a pretty fair price considering.
BUT I've had a slight exhaust leak for a lil while now, that over the last week or so has gotten worse (or so it seems). The hiss or tick-tick-tick sound has gotten louder, and I'm beginning to think that its starting to make my car lose some power upon accleration. Since I JUST had part of my exhaust replaced almost a year ago (everything from the catalytic converter back, but not including the cat) someone here from the org had suggested that it probably is my exhaust manifold studs (if that is a part - lol). They also went on to say that depending on which one is broken, it can cost me anywheres between $200-$700 to replace (because the labor is so hard).

So...my car as previously stated is a 1991 SE A/T 3.0L v6, that i LOVE....she has 131,000m and is in relatively good condition (except for as stated above). Back in April of 2003 - I paid $2700 for it and have since invested another $1000.00 on misc work. I just want some of your opinions....if you were in my shoes, would this car be worth it to you to invest another $1000.00 or so? Thanks guys!

 

I'm pretty much the same boat as you. I just bought this car, but now it needs several things replaced. What I originally though was valves tapping I now believe to be the broken manifold stud thing. She also needs new struts and a fair amount of maintenance work...none of which I can do b/c I don't have the space to work on my own car. So, I'm looking so spend much more money than i paid for the car to get it in satisfactory condition. But, the way I'm looking at (and I think you should look at it too) once you have all this stuff fixed, the cars are so reliable that it won't (hopefully) need anything major performed on it for a long while. I have about the same amount of mileage as you as well, and from what I've seen here 130k miles is nothing for these cars. I'm sticking with mine.

 

you guys make sure your timing belt has been done,

if that has not been done your in for a big problem done the road,

and make sure these parts have been replace also,

master brake cylinder, o2 sensor, fuel injector, if strut needs work then lower control arm, i think there more but that all i can think off my head,

 

can you afford another car? (new)
can you afford another car? (used)
if used...can you afford to drop another 1K into the car just in case something happens?
you know your financial position better than us.

the car broken into...you have to admit that it's not for car's fault if you didn't lock up your car. otherwise are there anything else wrong w/ the car (driveability wise) that's moving you to dump it?

 

Can I afford a new car?? Yes probably, but definitely do not want to have to make payments and all that right now in my life. Cause if even half the shyt that I went through with this car happened to a brand new one, I'd puke after spending all that cash. (meaning..minor accidents, getting robbed etc)

Can I afford a used car? Yes - and I thought (and am still thinking)about this option BUT the one thing that stops me is just that - the fact that its used. Cause then theres a chance that I'l be in this same exact boat not too long from now, so I almost would rather stay with my Maxine. At least I have more knowledge on this cars history then any other right now

The thing thats moving me to possibly dump it is the fact that every f*ckin time I fix something in this car, something else goes wrong (luckily so far it has all been relatively minor shyt BUT i know eventually it will be something much bigger which is why im questioning is it worth it to invest money now on this shyt) It would make me so dam sick to my stomach if I dropped in another $1000.00 right now and then like in a few months my transmission or something else goes...I'm only asking your guys' (girls') opinions on what YOU would do, because afterall - in comparison to me, you're the experts you know what needs to be known about these cars and how long their life expectancy and what not is.

P.S. - Why would I act like its my car's fault for getting robbed? In no way did I convey that in my post, so I just plain dont understand that comment. I already admitted in my original post that it was probably my fault for leaving the dam malfunctioning locks open - or I could have saved myself from more damage because that way they didnt have to break the windows...who knows? not me and hopefully not you
And no...nothing else besides this dam exhaust leak and lack of radio seems to be amiss right now.

 

See.....thats probably over another $1000.00 worth of work right there...uuuggghh dumping cash gets old real fast

 

your max is 15 YEARS OLD ofcourse its going to need "generall scheduled mantainace" if you cant perform any of it yourself its going to cost a small fortune to take care of so your best bet would be to buy a car with a LONG WARRENTY

 

Hi,

first off all his max is just 14 years old,

my max is 15 years old,

second all things do not last that long,

if things last then we would not need to replace anything,

that all said

 

just trade it in on something with a nice warranty. youll be paying monthly but with the warranty you wont be paying 1G up front like you would if you fix this thing.

oh and the exhaust manifold studs..yes thats a part. they hold the manifold on, lol

 

This is kind of a game/dillema that is faced by a lot of car owners.

you have

1) Own an older car with over 100k and pay say $500-$1000 every six months to a year to fix things.

2) Make payments of $200-$400/month on a new or nearly new car with a warranty and don't worry about the headache of fixing anything.

Either way, you are out a thousand a year, minimum. Buying a used car is a gamble. If you get dealt a good hand, maybe you can go 3, 4 or 5 years with no problems. If not, you might need a new engine in 6 months when the T-belt goes. A lot of people take the used car gamble.

Maximas are pretty reliable. However, like subs said, these things are "general maintenance" except for the stereo. If you buy any car with a timing belt, you should expect to pay every 60k to replace it, if it's a Maxima, Honda, Toyota or whatever. The manifold studs are a weakness, but still it's something that usually only has to be done once (if done right).

 

Just wanted to point out that on #2 in your list.....its not true that just because you buy a brand new car means that you won't have the headache of fixing anything. Especially with the way they make cars now-a-days!!!
Plus its a waste of money to buy a BRAND NEW car - you lose money (approximately $5,000 if not more) the very second you drive that 10th of a mile it takes to get the car off the lot...

Other than that...u have really good, valid points.Thanks for your time!

I would really love to get a new maxima, but ugghh the 2004, 2005 models make me sick....theyre so ugly they're fugly! I hate their look. The altima looks more like a max then the maxima does...
I bet they drive real nice tho...

 

I knew it was a part...but i wasnt sure if i called it by the correct name, but thanks for clarifying that for me.

 

Actually, the first guy was right when you think about it....my car is 15 years old and yours is 16.

They didnt make the 91's in 91, they were made and sold in 1990.
same goes for the 90's being made/sold in 89. Thats just how cars work i guess...

Watch, definitely by november you will see 2006 models driving around already, meanwhile its still 2005.

 

oh yea, no need to be so rude when im just asking for an opinion on what YOU would do.....i didnt say that my car is never going to need maintenance, or course it will. I'm just basically asking when do you all think enough's enough!!! geez u guys are bein mean today

 

Hi,

you are wrong,

my car was first sold in 91, not 89

it production date was 8/90 not 8/89

 

Doens't matter when it was sold. For age, it matters when it was produced.

 

I remember when I was faced with maxima issues. Two trannies , struts, springs, two accidents (by my brother not me), Distributor were replaced all within the past year/ year in a half.

To DO list is:
Manifold studs
Belts (All)
A friggin motor mount that noone can find busted but there is still a bad wheel hop during 1-2 shift.

My solution:
Buy an RX-7 within the next two/three weeks then fix the maxima.

 

You might have a bit of a "headache" but the car will be under warranty and you won't be out anymore money, unless you have to rent a car.

Mostly I was talking about buying a car a few years old. I generally by my cars 2-4 years old. I have had several in the last 10 years (I even bought my first 92 Maxima in 95, recently I bought a 2001 Infiniti QX4) and have had very few problems. It is pretty rare for a 2-3 year-old car that has 20-50k miles on it have anything major go wrong during the 5 years of a loan. This is especially if you have a Nissan, Toyota or Honda.

 

Fix it, man. A year and a half ago I payed 4 grand w/o tax, title, etc. for my max. Within that next year I replaced, timing belt, front struts, steering rack, 2 tires, hvac unit, tranny leak, gas filler leak, dealt with my interior lights fuse blowing, a window regulator.
So far this year I have replaced the starter and done the mods listed below. Now she runs better than when I got her and I have no regrets. Once you get your ride running right it will last!

 

i agree.

also if you want to save money, i would go for a used reliable japanese car.
you waste alot more money with new cars IMO. but, if you really wanna enjoy yourself with a modern ride, and all it has to offer as far as reliability, comfort, warrenty, etc. go for something new. but you will pay more

 

Well, sorry about that then, my car was made in 7/90 and is a 1991 model. I'm not sure when it was sold for the first time, but I can tell you that some cars that are say 2006 will be sold sometime this year, before it is actually 2006. Thats the point i was trying to make. Again, I apologize.

 

according to current law, the manufacturers can't build/sell a car earlier than march of the preceeding year

 

That still leaves 9 months to do so.

 

yup, that is my point.
it used to be that a manufacturer wouldn't change over until august or september, but that is ancient history makes my life that much harder