mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

Hi Guys,

I was afraid I wouldn't be an active part of the .org anymore since I had to give up my '89 GXE last year, but now I just can't stand not having a good sporty sedan (the old '92 Previa Minivan is great, but it just ain't a Maxima or a sports car and plus its always cluttered with tools and stuff for work). So, I've looked at other cars, some more sporty than our 20yr old +/- Maximas, but none seem to have the style, reliability, room, power, or ease of working on, or value than our 3rd gen Maximas do.

I've found a nice example of a '92 VE-5 for sale with approximately 153K miles on it, white on tan color, and am wondering what the .org thinks is a good price for it. It seems to be in good shape interior and exterior with some work needed, including speed sensor needed (speedo sometimes goes out), Bose system not working, and VTC/Valve tick on occassion.

The seller is asking $1400, but honestly I would like to pay $1000 or less. Edmund's says ~$500 and KBB says ~$1195. I know I can haggle with him, but another VE5 very similar with just a few more miles on it just sold around here for $1000 within a couple days and I couldn't even get that guy to call me or return my emails, so I don't want to miss this chance. Please let me know your educated opinions. Thanks!

-Mrkanda

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

Honestly, 1400 is a fair price. I paid 1400 for my "new" black VE 5 a year or two ago with ~160k on it when I bought it. I tried to go lower but the guy wouldn't budge.

If you can get it for a grand fantastic, but if not nothing at all wrong with the 1400 IMO

mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

What are the quoted prices of repair for a speed sensor and VTC rebuild? I'm thinking that I may be able to talk him down a little if those prices are substantial enough.

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

speed sensor= dirt cheap, get it used...

vtc's.....eh, if you rebuild them your self, the price is pretty cheap...it you have it done by a shop(if you can even find a shop that will fool with it)...bend the hell over...probably close to a grand in labor...

mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

Is the speed sensor hard to get to? I saw a new one for sale on eBay for $131.

elusivemax93

back top of transmission simple as that. dont low ball a good car like that i paid more for a VE5 with more miles and alot of repairs needed.

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

shut up man...let the man do his own dealings....if he can get the car for less, who cares..it isnt your car he's buying anyway....

on another subject...if i see one more crap remark posted by you about the VG engine..you are out of here for good..i've had enough of your bs posts...

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

it's simple to get to...it's kinda on top of the transmission, toward the back by the firewall....just be sure to get the right sensor..IIRC the VE manual sensor is a different from the VG auto sensor...

mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

Thanks All for the info. But, seriously, no conflict needed on my behalf. I just want to haggle the price, because honestly I hardly have any money right now and every dollar counts!

But, yah, I had a VG for 10 years and would still have it if the car I was working on for a lady didn't get messed up and then had to give her the Max to stay out of court. Live and learn....!

Anyway, I always wanted the manual trans w/ LSD and more power, so a VE5 seems the way to go. I could always turbo a VG, but why not have as much N/A performance as possible then do FI in the future if time and budget allow?

Augustus Maximus

iTrader: (6)

I got one sitting in the VE tranny I replaced a month or so ago. Let me check if my boys got rid of the tranny.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

Exactly

Augustus Maximus

iTrader: (6)

Went and got it.... I was getting a black VE from the original ower with 116k, rust free in perfect shape for 2150 and I changed my mind. Already have a fully restored one that once needs a paint job why not use that money and get it done.

VEvolution

depends how much you love the VE5's.. cause 1400 is a bit much for a car like that. as you can see hes trying to make some cash off it. he should just be happy someone is willing to give him around 1k for it. i would probably ask for 1300 though and do it only cause im a VE freak. if he wont budge, he can kiss ur ***

BklynsmoeVE

iTrader: (1)

i say go for it def can never make a mistake buying a ve5 with lsd in that condition even if its goin for 2k, even tho i honestly honestly think these cars are priceless ( ve5+lsd) lol thats me tho

Augustus Maximus

iTrader: (6)

My next one will be a S13 prolly with a VQ35 thrown in .

VEvolution

hey man, thats vlsd* to you
v for viscous

u wouldnt rather take an RB26?

maximagician

weak man,thats terrible......
do you think this could this happen to any of us that work on cars for friends etc.
or are we ok as long as its just a few small jobs a year?
no shop or ads etc.?

Augustus Maximus

iTrader: (6)

Too expensive...a VH45de seems like an even better option to me. Keeping an eye out for a rust free S13 shell, that's reasonably priced.

mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

Well, I'm still considering the car. It is still available and I have a lot more clean hi-res pics from the owner. He said he has a little wiggle room on the price, but he also said if I don't get it he's going to take it to the auction next Wednesday. I emailed him to ask him his best cash price, but problem is I'm still waiting for some tax money to come back to me before I can buy it. He may hold it for a deposit.

The other issue is that I have been eying the classic BMWs for a long time (535i and 635csi) and there is a nice '86 white 535i 5-spd locally for $1500 that drives well and needs minimal restoration. So, I'm not sure if I should stick with the VE5 or go for the Bimmer.

Here's some pics of the car for you guys to see. If I end up going for the Bimmer maybe someone else would be interested. There aren't that many clean examples of the VE5 still available it seems.

http://cid-d5d96930ade4dc36.skydrive...144Im7sioQI%24

Augustus Maximus

iTrader: (6)

wOw...I like it.

mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

So what do you guys think? Should I go for the VE or for the '86 5spd BMW 535i?

Maxkiller

Maximas are great cars and so are some beamers but at the end of the day, if you need parts on a beamer there is going to be bum tax thusly costing you major dollars, whereas you know Maximas and whilst not every part is cheap, they are a far sight cheaper than the former, and still a nice drive.

Augustus Maximus

iTrader: (6)

Certainly I would choose the VE, to me it's a much more splendid animal than a bimmer.

mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

I guess it's the whole RWD vs. FWD and the Bimmer performance upgrade potential that has me thinking about the BMW. Otherwise the VE5 seems like the perfect car. I even still have some upgrades to put on the Maxima. I'm leaning towards getting the VE, especially since it feels so comfortable to me, being a bigger guy, and then saving up for a classic 635csi in the future. Thanks Guys for your input so far.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

Personally I would vote for the Maxima. I would expect parts and repair costs to be quite a bit higher for an old BMW, not to mention the fact you have to have a guy named Hans on speed dial to figure out some of the common problems. but that's just my opinion.

not really my business, but how much cash do you have on hand? If it's not a total insult to the asking price, I'd put that on the table and tell him that's all you've got this month. You want the car, but that's it on cash. If he takes it to auction, he's goign to get a few hundred at most for it. just not much money in a 20 yr old car at auction.

If he says no, be willing to negotiate a bit with him on a post-dated check or a down payment/hold fee for the car since you're waiting on tax return and see where it'll go. If he says he's negotiable at 1400, then he'll easily take 1200 for it. If you throw 1000 cash at him and plant the possible auction sale price, he'd be smart to take the 1000 and call it a day.

(Last truck I sold, I asked 1200 on CL for it expecting to be haggled down to 1000 and I'd have taken 850 cash just to get it gone. the thing was sold in under 24 hours and the first buyer brought 1200 cash and didn't bother trying to negotiate. woohoo!)

VEvolution

I dont know about the old Bimmers, but the mods and many parts on my 03' are very pricey. You have to search around, and sometimes end up getting aftermarket cause you just cant pay the dealer fees. Some prices on the other hand for coolant hoses and PCV/intake pipes are reasonable. Especially if you have a shop discount. I'd imagine for the old Bimmer it would be similar. They aren't hard to work on if you know what your doing. Many things believe it or not on my 03' are alot more pleasing to do then even the well put together VE. And the forum community is great too. But again, the mods are VERY expensive.

KenBob

iTrader: (1)

I hate to get a little off topic, but what is the true definition of a VE-5? Is it a SE with a 5 speed? or are there other aspects to the name?

BenStoked

iTrader: (7)

VE5: 1992-1994 =Maxima SE, has VE30DE motor, and a 5-speed trans

mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

Well, I never got a reply back from the guy as to whether that particular VE5 is still available. I sent him an email a couple weeks ago. I've been waiting for this darn Volvo to sell so I can have the money to buy another car. If you guys know anyone who wants a good condition 1998 Volvo V70 XC AWD turbo silver on charcoal Automatic, let me know. It's on CL in Gainesville, FL.

Anyway, I have a couple more leads on VE5s. One is $500 but says it's misfiring. Not much more info or pics yet. The other one belongs to a friend who hasn't been very forthright in getting back to me as whether he is willing to sell or not. It seems he wants to hold on to it, although it needs work and he's not using it. I'm also considering a 90-92 Infiniti M30, preferably convertible, since we're in the sunshine state. It would be nice to go to the beach in, although I would have to figure out how to rig a third seatbelt in the middle for the littlest one.

Thanks for the helpful input so far. I WILL GET ANOTHER CAR! Minivans are not supposed to be for one guy!....

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

That sounds like a bargain. Couple injectors and/or coil packs and you should be up and running great for well under a grand

KenBob

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the clarification!

On that note I must add that I paid $800 for my VE5 and it has been the most enjoyable car I have ever driven. With 184k miles Ive only put a radiator in and done regular maintenance and it still runs like a champ!

IMO a 1993 VE5 with only a misfire for $500 would be a great investment. New plugs, coils, or possibly injectors, you have a fun, low cost, reliable ride.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

Ahh, fresh VE5 blood. Good to see some fresh meat since us VE5 guys are dying off here left and right

In for pics!

KenBob

iTrader: (1)

Coming soon! Shes seen better days. But shes a work in progress.

mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

Does anyone on here have an Infiniti M30? If so, what are they like?

04vqmaxsl

Geez these VE-5's are cheap now. I sold my 92 VE-5 in April of 02 for $4300...