max_effect

Came across a 92 Max SE 5 spd with 86,000 original miles. Car is in great (I would say almost excellent) shape inside and out. From my research I am thinking its worth the asking price of $1750 but wanted some more opinions.

MaxFiyah

sounds expensive just cause the car is mad old but if u really wanted a 1992 maxima and thats the car you were looking for its a good price for a excellent low mile car and will be hard as hell to find another just remember u may have trouble making your money back tho unless u find a maxima enthusiast

max_effect

That's what I'm somewhat worried about is the age. I wasn't specifically looking for a max but instead a commuter car I can tinker with when I came across the 92. Seems like the majority that have owned a 3rd gen loved them and thought they were ahead of their time. From my research this is one of the more sought after 3rd gen maxima?

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

if theres no rust and no VTC clack, i would say a low mileage VE 5spd is worth about $3500

MaxFiyah

i dont know much about the 3rd gen maximas but my dad told me when he was a like 25 years old he drove a maxima that had 300k miles on it and it was soo smooth idk what year it was but it def wasnt a 92 cause he is 50 years old now lol but i hear good thing about 3rd gens ussually people boast about the sportiness in the 4th gen and it was lost after that. i like my 2003 tho i wanted to buy this 1992 maxima with new paint 10gs in the sound system and ncie chrome wheels for 2800 but i didnt just cause i know id probably have trouble regaining my money it had 130k miles

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

5 speed/VE/86k original miles/$1750....

buy it...

T_Behr904

Agreed... that's a really good deal.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

That is absolutely the most sought after 3rd gen. $1750 is a great price IMO assuming the car is in great condition (as it should be with only 86k miles).

If you can get it for less then more power to ya but I wouldn't say you should "expect" to get less. If the seller won't budge I'd still scoop it up. Got any pics?

londonflu

Buy it if it good & everything works. Do a vin check to check if it's actual mileage; I was at a salvage yard and guy was pulling a instrument cluster, he said he "I got low miles now!" Grimy stuff going on. Mine has 194,000 miles which is less than average for a 1994. I just went all out replacing the injectors, gaskets, coil packs, spark plugs, hoses; but to me is was worth it. Now it runs like new after about $1000, it was worth it to me. That was just on the engine dept. Next is suspension & brakes. Then come the mods.

mythic540

Sounds like an awesome deal. i got my 91 se 5 spd for 1200 with 173k miles, so as long as its legit I say that's not bad at all, I wish mine was just that one year younger so I could have that ve engine instead of my weaker vg

max_effect

Just got done looking at it. Interior is mint, exterior is good for the most part with no rust just a faded spot on hood. Question on the VTC Clack. Is it harmful to the engine when you have clack or mainly just a annoying sound? At idle the engine had what he thought were lifter's but from reading on here it sounds like the dreaded vtc clack. There at low rpm, goes away at high rpm. Really like the car otherwise.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

Just annoying/embarrassing. Don't let it deter you. Most people who aren't particularly familiar with VE's almost universally believe VTC tick to be "lifters", so that doesn't surprise me.

I have seen one extremely high mileage VE with clacking VTC's actually destroy itself when the VTC cap fatigued and broke, but that is extremely rare. Once you ground the VTC's there's no movement so a grounded VTC would be almost impossible to explode, though I suppose technically anything is possible.

Take a short piece of wire and tie it into the yellow wire on either VTC assembly, then ground that wire to the engine. VTC clack instantly solved

VQ'rInWLA

iTrader: (83)

Use this to help gauge your next counter offer.

http://www.kbb.com/nissan/maxima/199...=private-party

Cliff Clavin

iTrader: (11)

That is a very good deal on a VE 5-speed with low miles.

Being a Wheeler Dealer myself, I would say you can tell him how much you like the car, then complain about having to fix the "lifters" and then offer $1500 in cash.

If he accepts, you have to say "hold out your hand...I just bought myself a Maxima!"

max_effect

I bought the car. Now for a couple gremlins I have questions about.

First off on the VTC Clack it has. I have noticed that this isn't a all the time, everytime deal. I read on here about certain oil/filters or procedures that could possible get rid of this? Or is grounding it the only way to go?

Secondly, I have a couple of gremlins in the electrical that I didn't notice before buying. The first one is the in dash clock is always advancing itself by one minute. If I push the H/M/Reset button I sometimes can get this to stop. Also my high beams are screwy somewhere. Low beams work fine, but when I go to high beams sometimes I get no lights, sometimes only the right or left one and sometimes they work fine. Anyone have any ideas.

max_effect

After thinking about it more I think it is probably the switch/contacts in the turn signal and headlight arm going bad? Not so sure about the clock issue though.

londonflu

Take it to autozone & have the battery/alternator check to make sure your getting the correct voltage. There are some issues I've read on the VG electrical systems; but not our VE's. And don't assume it's the VTC Clack; check coils & injectors; maybe even knock sensor. I've mine for a month & this was the first thing I did to get it running right. replaced coils, injectors, spark plugs, & knock sensor, all fuel & air hoses that had any cracks; upper & lower IM gaskets, throttle body seal. She runs like new now & has coming u[p on 194,000.

Found a busted CV/Axle yesterday so that's next.

da night ryder

iTrader: (2)

Glad you bought it but can we see some pics of the car?

MaxFiyah

congrats on your new car!

shiloh51933

iTrader: (5)

That's a rare find with low milaege and if it's immaculate in/out lus mechanically sound then it's a good buy. Have her looked at professionally if your unqualified and make sure they check everything.

max_effect

Sure can....come tomorrow. It's a little dusty on outside from storage so want to get it washed up first.

Zach-R

iTrader: (3)

Bought one about 5 years ago 92 120k and mint for $2k. Couldn't resist buying it for that price. Hope everything works out for you. Good luck.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

This is most likely your culprit yes. I've had a few headlight switches go bad on me.

As far as the VTC clack you can mess around with filters and oil but those generally only offer somewhat inconsistent and temporary relief from the symptoms. Though cant hurt to try.

Grounding them is soooo quick and easy, though. Really no reason not to.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

I love Wheeler Dealers but he really irritates me with the "hold out your hand" bit constantly, though I realize it's probably a bit of a put-on for the show. But man it really annoys me lol. He's always standing way too close to people too. I don't know if I could put up with somebody acting like that trying to buy something from me. I think my irritation would overshadow my desire to want to sell something especially at his lowball offers.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

There's no way any of those could make a noise anywhere near VTC clack.

shiloh51933

iTrader: (5)

Pics.

londonflu

no pics here?

Use this:

http://forums.maxima.org/3rd-generat...step-here.html

Cliff Clavin

iTrader: (11)

You can go to Toyota and buy the filter for like a 2003 Corolla. I don't have the part number handy. It might help a little, but one your VTCs are clacking, they are going to continue until you rebuild or replace them.

If you ground them, you will lose a bit of power, but unless you race the thing, you won't really notice much.

Back in the day, MrGone put his VTC ground on a switch. That way he could drive it with the VTCs and when the clacking started to annoy him, he could flip a switch and ground them. It was a pretty good idea, I thought.

Mine clack, especially when I first start it up and sometimes at a stop light. I have just learned to ignore it. My original engine had it really bad and I had a JDM engine installed. After a couple of years, it started clacking, too, even though I have used the Toyota filter since it was installed.

Cliff Clavin

iTrader: (11)

Mike is rather annoying. I like Edd. I have actually learned quite a bit from watching the show. I wish I had his patience. I don't know how he does some of those jobs. Plus, they always talk about their "profit" and they leave out quite a bit. I saw one episode where they bought a car with four bald mismatched tires and when they were done it had brand new ones that weren't listed on their expense sheet. The new ones were cheapies, too. I think they were Fusion or Sumitomos.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

Napa should have VE filters still, ive worked on VE 3rd gens at work and used Napa filters

max_effect

Here are a few pictures I have of it. Sorry about the small size I can't seem to get them re-sized right and they show up either really big or really small. It has its minor flaws but overall is really clean for a 92.




th_54A8E6E3-4C35-4D24-9430-A61A44B3AFBD-14222-00002072B0815838.jpg?t=1352161683
th_EAACEBB0-D473-47E2-9D63-5AD1805A2EA0-14222-00002072AA1F0C1F.jpg?t=1352161707
th_01BE1A50-B451-4D19-B1E0-5F00A1DF2DC5-14222-00002072A33EBF48.jpg?t=1352161728

londonflu

BLACK Max! SUH-WEET! OR IS IT GREY?

da night ryder

iTrader: (2)

Wow, she looks nice and clean. Real nice pick up!

DMad8724

iTrader: (4)

Pictures are pretty small but is that Autumn Brown??? Probably Charcoal Pearl

max_effect

Wish it was black, but it is in fact grey. I will work on getting some better sized pictures.

TheWoodsman

Id buy it - old cars with low mileage are my favorite - especially when they've been cared for or owned by older folks.....they tend to pay to maintain the vehicles. I bought my 89 max with 67k on it for 800 bux ( a steal) and it has lasted me 5 years with little or no problems until recently ( note my posts about the repair project I'm doing). Point is, these cars are fantastic and they really do last a long *** time compared to other vehicles made in the same time period. Be warned though, you may fall in love with it like me and not want to part ways once it needs repairs !! I think we all have a soft spot for maxima's on this forum

L_U_D_I_AMaxima

iTrader: (3)

you stole it.... for that price what other car can you buy that has less than 100K ad its actually a car and not a plastic box with wheels on it....??? do a search and you will see... nice buy... I would have paid up to $2500 for something that nice and clean...

maximo018

iTrader: (6)

DAMN! Now I must finish 3rd gen and stop procrastinating. Even though its hard to stop playing with my new 4th gen. Lol