whats up i dont really post in this thread i usually post in the 5th generation thread because thats what i own a 2003 Nissan Maxima GLE anyway i been thinking about buying a 3rd gen to play around with i want a 5 speed iam going to do very little modifactions to it. i eventually want to get a 5.5 gen 6 speed but then i had though's about the 300zx TT and the new Skyline after it comes out that wont be for a while before i get the skyline if i do decide to go that route in the future. anyway if you guys can give me any tips and if you think this is a good car to learn stick on give me some suggestions ok thanks.

 

...............lost my sig.

 

there's one for sale on business route one for 2500 its an se 130,000 and change on the frame, just had a fresh motor put in i'll post up more info if your interested other than go for it

 

Definitely get a VE

 

they sell like mad here in new mexico for 800 to 1200 in great condition.

 

Learn stick on a rental?

 

3rd gens are great... a really fun car I think... I drove an auto 5th gen the other day (VQ30DE-K) and it had nice pep, but I don't know, just something lacked. I like the feel of my 3rd much better. And VE-5's are

Can't wait until I get my 5-speed swapped in

 

I think it's a good car to pick up if you want to learn a manual tranny. If it's a 92-94 SE, just try to listen for the VTCs clacking (kind of sounds like a diesel) especially when the car is cold and/or first started up.

The 89-91 SEs drive nice, too, but don't have nearly as much power. The pricing on both versions is usually similar, so it just depends on what you want and what you find at what price.

If you are considering buying a 300zx, 350z or the new Skyline when it comes out, you might want to try and find something rear wheel drive to practice on, such as a 240sx or an older Supra. Driving a front wheel drive is a lot different, especially when you push the car.

 

Get you a SE model if you do. GXE if you want to do front end jumping jacks at a dead stop.

 

What are talking about?

 

never heard of that um.... analogy?

 

Your struts are bad....

~Alex

 

He said he wants a manual transmission, so that rules out any GXE, unless he finds one that has been swapped or gets a 4th gen.

 

I want a 3rd gen as well. I have one already, but it has 190k, 2nd gear is getting slippery sometimes, it's an a/t, and between the VTCs and my muffler, it sounds like a turbo diesel (actually kinda neat ). I've been watching the newspaper and craigslist for the past three months, and no luck. I'm looking for a SE 5sp (pref 92-94, but at this point I think I'd consider the VG), fully loaded, low miles. I can find a 5spd or I can find one fully loaded or I can find one with low miles. I suppose that's not entirely true though, I have seen two available with what I'm looking for, but they were listed for $1,500 and $2k over blue book.

Does anyone know how I can find this and not have to pay out my butt? I am SO ready to move on to a stick shift, and I miss having a sunroof.

 

I've seen several at the 1500 - 2k price point including a gorgeous blue one. (I think it was stick)
though one of our local dealers want 4k for the vE they have

 

Yeah, a Lexus dealership pretty close to my house just put out a listing for a '93 with 130k for $4980. XD

I was completely disregarding the idea of buying one anywhere but in the Denver area (maybe make the drive to Ft. Collins or Co. Springs if it was a really good deal and looked true), or a couple places in New Mexico (I'll be traveling there on business next week and could check stuff out, but the plans changed and I won't be driving myself so it would have to be in town), but no luck, like I said. However, I was just talking with my dad about it today, and he mentioned that there are people who work looking for a car for someone to buy, and supposedly do it at a reasonable price. I've been looking for a reason to take a road trip (until gas jumped $.60 in 6 weeks).

Expensive though it would be, with a nice "brand new" Max that kind of trip would be awesome as hell. It seems like a bad idea with how many things could go terribly terribly wrong though. Damn, researching that is going to be hard until I figure out what that service is even called. lol

 

Try edmunds.com or cars.com, both have a pretty good list. Also, the POWER or CARMAX network might be able to help. I looked around online too and even hit the paper and yahoo autos with no luck. I got extremely fortunate when I found my SE auto for sale by owner on his street, and he wasnt advertising anywhere. Aside from a hanging roof liner in the back from the aftermarket sunroof, it was in pristine condition, and original owner. So theyre out there.. sellin their rigs. I've found a few good ones on Ebay Auto.

I also believe some ORG members were selling their rides, complete with loads of gear and performance upgrades. They cant ask too much above bluebook and they know it, but help them out and get them some of their investment back. 60-70% back seems to be a good rule.

 

When the car jumps up when you tap the gas in short bursts. My VE cant do it. Yea my struts were probably shot. But a mustang couldnt do that at the red light.

I would think most GXEs you buy used would have shot struts/suspension.

 

3rd Gens are probaly one of the best looking gens if not the best. If you can find one that fits your needs and if you can do work yourself buying a 3rd gen is great....but...the more i see it... if you arent a do it yourself mechanic/car savvy you may be spending alot on repairing an unmaintained high mileage car that...in the long run isnt too worth it. JUST my opinion ($.02)

 

been there repaired that

 

I basically decided to keep mine. I have a lot of time and $$ into it and I know I won't get that back. Plus, I have some work things that require road trips and the Maxima is one of the best road trip cars I have ever owned for comfort, power and mpg.

I thought the price I offered to sell it was fair, but most people don't have the money for all of the mods. I think Jason ran into the same thing and sold his pristine 3rd gen for a fair amount less than he was initially hoping.

A lot of the cars selling through the .org are usually better maintained and at least have some add-ons, like a y-pipe or are lowered. A very small percentage of those outside of this site have things like that.

 

No doubt about it, the 3rd gen is one of the best looking cars out there, and tops the list of ones I could afford to buy and maintain. Plus I know if I don't get a nice 3rd gen to start fresh with now, I'll never find one. I know pretty much nothing about cars, however. I looked over the courses available at a mechanic/trade school associated with the school I was going to until last semester, but they were all for mechanics in training. Even if I can find a nice 3rd gen soon, I'd still keep my a/t for a while to learn some stuff on it. That's why I'm really trying to find one under 120k.

I honestly don't think I'd want to pay for all the mods someone else had put into their Max either, so I can see how they wouldn't sell well. If they were within driving distance I could check it out and maybe be wowed enough that I would be willing to spend that much money. I'm sure I'd be plenty happy with just a new y-pipe and/or exaust and some reasonably fresh performance suspension parts. I've been rolling on a stock, bare-bones Max and I still love it to death.

I'm not really interested in spending more than $4k on a 3rd gen, but I guess I could consider up to $5k. Beyond that I'd be looking into a late 4th gen, a Supra, an LS 400, or maybe a newer Camry, Max, or the Legacy GT Spec B. I don't want to spend the money for one of those if I could have a super awesome 3rd gen though.

Jon, thanks, I'll check those too. I've been checking other places online, but not as fervently as craigslist.

 

its a good one to start with

190k
Dark Blue, mostly clean exterior, front drivers fender got bumped above the headlight, and the antenna is stuck.

Interior is clean..Cloth seats,
it has the tick but its only 1,100 bucks

southern, NH