Im in the market for a dependable used car for my wife's daily 30 mile commute to her job...Im willing to give another Maxima a try since our 97 wasn't to kind on us and we was force to sell it.
Ran into this craigslist ad now I'm taking a 40 mile trip to massachusetts tomorrow to check it out.

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/ctd/1562320969.html

Let me know what U guys think and what I should look for as I'm not familiar with these 3rd generation maximas

 

looks good, sick paint color too.

that thing needs a drop badly though, to me it looks higher than stock?

 

first its not an SE cause of rims/no spoiler/tach is black not white and etc.
that is a basic model GXE.
other than that thats alot for a 3rd gen even if it got low miles.($2500) tops with the SE VE motor.

 

It's not an SE, it is a GXE.

miles are low, but the GXE auto tranny has been known to be somewhat unreliable.

It has a VG30E engine, which is 160 hp and uses a Timing Belt instead of a chain like all Maximas after that.

You might want to ask if the T-belt has been changed ever or recently. That could be a big expense. Inspect it for rust, especially in the area around where you put the gas in. Open the door and look for signs of it.

 

not worth $3500.
maybe $2000 (maybe)
kbb is waaaaaaaay overpriced.
and since the owner has no clue what he has, it makes me even more nervous ($1500, tops, if he has good game)

 

Paint looks real good. I would stick with the height. Mine is lowered and I tell you I can't go over much without bottoming out. One inch makes a big difference...

 

eh... VG auto with 66k miles.. doesn't sound bad mileage-wise BUT is the fluid in there 15 years old?

paint/interior color combo is my favorite on 3rd gens.. I would have liked to have gotten mine painted that color and with that interior had i kept it.

not NEARLY worth the money tho. It's a base model in every way that i can see.. my '90 GXE was $3000 in 2006 with 143k miles but that was a ripoff imo

not all SE had the VE. only the 2nd half of the generation had it in the SE's.

 

This car is clearly overly exagerated regarding condition. To me, I see signs the car has been painted...I cannot be certain in the images whether it was directly due to an accident or paint fading/peeling. There is also indication of rust issues, again I cannot be certain of the extent...of course one would expect some rust on this age of a car. But, there is indication at least the front passenger hinge(s) are bad as indicated by the scuff marks on the rear door pillar (look closely). Also, this is a non-Bose unit (and as indicated a GXE...no doubt given grille, side mirrors, and guage cluster, chrome trim, etc), speakers likely blown and I anticipate the deck has problems such as the tape player not working, I doubt is has CD. The power antenna looks like it is either busted or perhaps bent and is not retracting properly (that sort of thing annoys me!). Also, tires look to be in great need of replacing and I suspect there are many other "maintenance" issues to be done right off the back....timing belt is likely one and has already been mentioned. Low mileage, assuming gauge cluster has not been replaced or tampered with (and they can on these models...easily!) then I would not give over $2k if timing belt is done and rust is minimal to none and car starts and runs out great. If those are not done and other maintenance is needed, I just subtract from $2k = tires, oil, plugs, wires, distributor....$1300 to $1500. This is just IMO of course!

Things to check for when driving is that the car shifts smoothly, take some corners to make sure the ball joints and lower control arm bushings are still good. Listen for poping noises which indicate axle issues.

You also need to look for rust in the front door jams, and especially underneath the car such as the front floor board area. Check spare tire well for water and rust.

BTW, the ride height looks perfectly fine for a stock Maxima this year. Most these guys I think forget what one looks like at stock height!

Don't forget to check for indication of leaks around the power steering pressure hose on the back side/passenger side of the engine bay. Also check color of brake and ps fluid as well as indications of oil in coolant or coolant in oil.

If nothing else, please go look at it. I'd like to know how accurate or way off base I am in my assessment of the condition. I about the expect the carpet is rough too...covered by floor matts. I also wonder if the triangle vents on the dash aren't cracked.

 

timing belt??? now is that for that specific year cuz my 89 SE with the VG30E i was told is a timing chain? now i could be mistaken cuz if im correct when caped cadaver and i did the motor swap i couldve swore i bought a damn belt lol!

 

I'm not sure you understand what you just wrote. Or maybe I just don't. You did a motor swap of a VG to a VG. Yes, a VG has a belt.

All 3rd gen GXE's had a VG. (Belt)
All 3rd gen SE's from 89 to 91 had VG. (Belt)
All 3rd gen SE's from 92 to 94 had VE. (Chained timing)

It's late, I think those years are right. My vision's blurry g'night!

 

great feedback guys thank you...I might just pass on this and search elsewhere.

 

You're a bad man!!!

 

mines got stock springs and the stock wheels and the gap isnt that bad, i really need some coilovers or eibach springs badly though, and i mean bad

 

if you figure out how to put coilovers on a 3rd gen rear, post it up.

 

is it hard to put coil overs on a maxima?..

 

Not if you're not stoopid.

but if you're not stoopid, you're also smart enough NOT to put coilovers on a Maxima.
the front struts are too short to support a coilover. you'll blow struts right and left.

 

well that kinda sucks lol. Eibachs it is.

 

Eibachs & Koni is the best performance + comfort combo I've had in a Maxima.
I put coilovers on mine about 8 years ago and wish I could go back. but no OE strut housings or springs, so I'm skrood.

 

yeah i had no idea coilovers wouldnt be good

 

okay hold on.. let me get this straight.. if u put coilovers on a maxima struts will break.. wat are the struts? the place where the top of the suspension goes?
i know... noob question.. but. i rele wanna know..

 

kinda alright diagram. and not all Maximas cant have coilovers, 5th gens and 4th gens seem to be alright with them

 

would u be breaking the strut mounts or wat?
beacause i thought that when u put coil overs on a car u replace the whole spring and shock absorber assembly with.. the coil over.. lol..

 

To the original poster... Be careful of the mileage on this vehicle. It is unrealistic for the age, damn near impossible. I'd trust a car more that had been driven 200k miles and had service records to back up maintenance.

This car is worth $1000 tops. For $3500 you would be looking at a 5th gen max with higher miles. Or a newer model vehicle altogether. I put money on the seller being a dealer and no way to substantiate the "low miles".

Ask if this was the original owner and ask for service records, emission statements, oil change receipts with mileage over the years, etc.

 

No company makes coilovers for 3rd gen maximas fullstop.

 

yeah thats a problem too lol. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gens are tough for aftermarket, which is good because you dont get rice like with Civic aftermarket but Eibach never even made springs for 2nd gens lol

i'll most likely be worrying about lowering it after i go turbo though

 

i relize this but i just wanna know wat would happen if u do..

 

is there a car that has a suspension close to the 3rd gen that u could fab sumthin up with?..
maybe ill have to be beast and sumhow fab sum **** up if i want a hella flush 3rd genn

 

SE springs are stiffer than GXE because GXE are the luxury version hence softer springs so you can do that swap, but 82Max used something like Z31 springs and Mercedes springs on his 1st gen and he got some good flushness so i would imagine its doable, i just want less body roll and a little bit of a drop so i'll probably just get some Eibachs or K-Sports

 

ohh okay.. ill have to think about that when i decide to undertake this project sumtime down the road.. o atleast gotta graduate highschool first. haha

 

very nice condition and miles for the year, but in my opinion they ask too much....
love the color

 

yeah gotta do that first lol. highschool was a bish for me since only one of my buddies appreciated my Max

just dont write one of your Diplomas hungover like someone during my Math Diploma