I will soon be looking to purchase a cheap daily driver and have become interested in the idea of a Nissan Maxima. (3rd or 4th Gen.)

I have an 87 300ZX Turbo as a summer toy / never ending project. I have become more familiar with Nissan since this purchase and am quite pleased.

I was thinking of ideas for what may be a cheap and reliable daily driver, yet decent to drive. A Peppy Engine would be a big bonus for me.

I checked around and used Maxima's are abundant within my price range. (LOW lol...)

I wanted to get some opinions from Maxima Owners :attention

I am 24 and fairly knowledgeable with cars. I am very mechanically inclined. Any work my cars need I do myself. (Except one AUTO Tranny Rebuild).

I am thinking of an initial Purchase of $3000. I Just started College and am not driving (thought I do have some cash banked and will be working and able to afford to drive).


Perhaps I should not have wrote a NOVEL, but I figured better too much info then not enough

Opinions on buying a $3000 Maxima? Good Choice? Are they reasonable durable (not needing frequent or pricey repairs?)

Anything specific to a Maxima to watch out for / look for when purchasing a 3rd / 4th gen?

Pro's and Cons?

Thanks in advance for the help

 

You are in Canada?

I am not sure on the difference in pricing vs. the US.

$3k will not get you a very good 4th gen. Usually just a bone stock one, although they have solid engines (VQ30DE) and all Maximas have lots of options.

Personally, for that amount, I would lean toward a 3rd gen SE. You could buy one for about $2k and use the rest of the money for maintenance and modifications.

There are two variations. 89-91 (160 hp SOHC VG30E). This would probably be the best car for you, since it has the same engine as your 300z, just not turbo. The engine is proven and reliable and these are great daily drivers. There have been many over 200k and I have seen some over 400k.

The 92-94 SE has a 190 hp engine (VE30DE DOHC), but it is different. It has a timing chain instead of a timing belt (doesn't have to be changed), a different type of ignition system (coil on plug, instead of distributor) but it has some quirks, mostly the VTCs, which make a clacking noise on about 70 percent of the cars. These cars are also built a little stronger (especially the ATs) with bigger axles and VLSD diffs. They are reliable, with several on this board over 250k miles.

 

If you want a cheap daily driver for $3k, find an old Honda. Maximas are to much trouble. The automatic on the SOHC 3rdGens tends to fail and the VTCs on the DOHC 3rdGens tends to fail as well. Unless you can find one in excellent condition, and you probably won't for $3k, I say stay away.

If you are insistent on these old, nose heavy, grocery getters I say find a VG (SOHC) 5spd. The VG will run forever and the 5spd is more reliable than the auto. Don't get to wrapped around the axle about performance. 3rdGens are pretty slow by today's standards. The only difference between them is that some 3rdGens aren't as slow as others.

 

the honda forums are thataway pal

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=510318

 

the world's best advice:
Go out and drive them, and find what you like.

 

I had my car delivered to me because I had no way of going 30 miles to get it with a broken down ford on my driveway. I just saw pictures and had it sent to me with a full commitment to buy. Just glad that I was able to test drive it back to the dealers to drop off the used auto thief. $3950 later I am happy. Thats Canadian $$, but thats the upper end for sure with taxes, just glad it was in near mint condition. Test drive one and you will know for sure.

 

VE 5spd! VE 5spd! VE 5spd!