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Help on Maxima Purchase Decision...

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Old Oct 3, 2001 | 08:41 PM
  #1  
BeatJunky's Avatar
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From: Fredericksburg VA
Help on Maxima Purchase Decision...

I was wondering what to do?

I'll be having some good cash in the following weeks. Enough to get me into this maxima. It is a 1992 SE Automagik with 140,000 miles. It's basically loaded except for no power seats or leather. They're asking $4,000 for it. Body is sweet except for a small 1" circle of rust under the spoiler on the passenger side and the spoiler is kinda loose on the driver side. As far as it's mechanical condition and driving feel, I'll be able to actually drive it tomorrow cuz the guy that I was gonna go see wasn't there today.

The 1992 Maxima SE @ $4,000


Other than this car, I have two other options so far. I can buy a 1994 GXE for $4,500 with 108k AutoMagik from fellow board member PrinzII, should he finally be able to sell it, or I can fix mine up and wait a while. Mine needs $2,000 in repairs and I know that I still wont be happy with it until I blow an extra $3,000 in body work/rims after the $2,000 in repairs.

I'm trying to sell mine for like $3,000 and have only one possible buyer thus far.

What's your opinion?
Old Oct 3, 2001 | 08:43 PM
  #2  
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DO IT! Dump the VG and dont look back.
Old Oct 3, 2001 | 08:45 PM
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From: Fredericksburg VA
Im concerned about the mileage however...

Would it be wise to invest in a car with 140,000 miles?

What are the warning signs of a bad 3rd gen. maxima?
Old Oct 3, 2001 | 10:46 PM
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93 SE's Avatar
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Originally posted by dmontzmax
DO IT! Dump the VG and dont look back.
true,is that a charcoal max i see,the only thing i would really do is listen for a tick ,make sure tranny is shifting good,and the visual checks of everything,is that a dealer,maybe you could swap cars
Old Oct 3, 2001 | 11:14 PM
  #5  
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From: Fredericksburg VA
It is a dealer...

I really doubt that they would do a full swap. I e-mailed the guy and described my car to the button and told him I wanted $2,000 for it. He replied with a "we will give you your trade-in" so I went to look at this one. Therefore, if he's giving me the trade-in amount that I want, this new maxima will cost me like $2,500 including the taxes and stuff... Which is kinda cool.

So I should go for it? Even with the 140,000 miles?
Old Oct 4, 2001 | 05:57 AM
  #6  
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Pic of the SE looks exactly like mine but there is a pin stripe on my car.
I have 143,000 and running stronger than ever.
Replaced the tranny around 100,000, clutch at the same time. (new not rebuilt, 5 speed)
A few months ago I replaced the front exhaust, the flexable piece.
Not cheap so you will want to check that out.
Might be worth spending a few bucks to have a mechanic or auto critic to look at it.
I have had NO VTC problems but did have to replace both rear window regulators.
I'm thinking of selling my car in the nearish future and that's about what I would like to get for mine. (no mods)
5 speed is the way to go.
I'm in Pittsburgh...if we were closer I would let you check mine out.
Good luck with the VE...you will love the power!!
Old Oct 4, 2001 | 09:35 AM
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Keep looking man, you should be able to find one with less mileage. I know the VE will go over 200K, but IMO look for less......
Old Oct 4, 2001 | 08:16 PM
  #8  
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From: Fredericksburg VA
That SE is no good...

I went to test it and soon as I turned it on, the car shook more than a California quake. It reeked of gas fumes as well. I looked at the guy and said... you owe me lost time. No lie...

Screw em... I'll keep looking.
Old Oct 4, 2001 | 08:19 PM
  #9  
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Old Oct 4, 2001 | 08:26 PM
  #10  
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From: Fredericksburg VA
I guess im just confused man...

I can keep mine and fix it... It'll most likely be running like a champ after the repairs, or I can get myself into another surprise on wheels.

And after these idiots just broke into my car last night, Im wondering if I should get anything else at all... for now.
Old Oct 4, 2001 | 09:15 PM
  #11  
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Originally posted by BeatJunky
That SE is no good...

I went to test it and soon as I turned it on, the car shook more than a California quake. It reeked of gas fumes as well. I looked at the guy and said... you owe me lost time. No lie...

Screw em... I'll keep looking.
Yeah, keep looking and wait for one that's in good shape. I know how you feel. I called up this dealer and asked him about this car he had and he was saying it's in good condtion, really "clean" and was well-maintained. Well when I got there the thing needed major paint work and had numerous other little things wrong with it. Only nice thing was the condition of the seats. I applaud your response to the guy though.
Old Oct 4, 2001 | 09:48 PM
  #12  
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dude, i am thinkin about selling mine. it's already got some mods. black 92 SE, 116k miles, black leather, 5spd, should be into the 14's with my current mods. haven't gotten a chance to run in a while. new brakes, CV joints, VTC replaced, only thing that is ghetto is my exhuast, but i'm doin that pretty soon anyway. anywho, it's got ST springs, ftsb, pop charger, shortshifter, pedals, lebra, fogs, heated mirrors, bose, sunroof, sunroof deflector, interior is in good shape, steering wheel is a little torn up on top, not too bad, i want around 5 for it, but it's already been started so you'd have less to do. plus alot less miles. let me know if you're interested.
Old Oct 4, 2001 | 09:51 PM
  #13  
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Dude... omg, I'd buy it right away. Especially coming from someone who knows his car. Only problem is (and flame me if you will) is that I dont know how to drive stick.

I can learn...

Whats the scoop on 5spd to Auto conversions?
Old Oct 4, 2001 | 10:29 PM
  #14  
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Originally posted by BeatJunky
Whats the scoop on 5spd to Auto conversions?
I got two words for that man: IN-SANE! There are people out there DYING to do the swap the other way around! Either way I think it'd be difficult and/or expensive. The popular opinion is that it's far better to just wait for a car that came that way. (Aren't VE autos relatively plentiful? I've seen lots of them.)

Oh, and another thing. Maybe give driving a stick a shot for a little while. I swore I'd drive nothing but auto until I got behind the wheel of a slick-shifting import. Learn to drive it and you might learn to love it. Worked for me
Old Oct 4, 2001 | 10:36 PM
  #15  
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lol, most people love the 5spd.
Old Oct 4, 2001 | 11:14 PM
  #16  
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...and because I knew that you folks were gonna reply in that manner, I allowed you to flame me. LOL!

flyry, how serious are you being as far as selling this car for $5,000? Don't make me go learning how to drive stick now and then not sell your car at all....

I've tried to learn and I've done it fairly well, but I've yet to get used to it.
Old Oct 5, 2001 | 05:43 AM
  #17  
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I couldn't see driving my VE without a 5 speed.
Old Oct 5, 2001 | 01:34 PM
  #18  
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I'll keep a lookout for you myself. Since I do a lot of running around, I'll buzz you and let you know if I run into anything out south (which I probably will).

In the meantime, you might want to take a look at the site I bought mine from. www.wwwwheels.com.
Old Oct 7, 2001 | 10:35 PM
  #19  
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From: Fredericksburg VA
Ahh... thankz prinz!

How are things coming along for you?
Old Oct 7, 2001 | 10:48 PM
  #20  
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Really, IMHO the Auto isn't worth the trouble. The ONLY reason I got an auto is because my step father knew the original owner of the car and I got a GREAT deal on the car. I would prefer a 5spd... Beatjunky- go learn to drive a 5spd, don't waste your time with another auto... you'll be glad you did. I'm wishing mine was a 5spd, and not just because of the better performance... 5spd cars just drive SO MUCH better than automatics. After about a week of not driving my RX-7 (5spd) I start to get angry/frusterated/confused and I HAVE to drive the RX-7 just so I can shift gears. The automatic is just not natural. I do realize opinions may vary on this topic, this is just my $0.02. :-)

Take care,
Old Oct 8, 2001 | 01:44 AM
  #21  
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One thing about automatics though, is that they're the king of the rush hour commute, IMHO. Not only is it one less thing that you have do/think about while you're dragging yourself to work every morning, but it lets you creep really slowly and just mash the gas suddenly if you see an opening. So far for me the commute isn't that bad yet.
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