Hi guys I was thinking about buying this clean 3rd gen máx, its a 93 automatic sohc. Its got only 140,000 miles and very clean looking from the pictures Ive seen. I used to own a 3rd gen til it got totaled in an accident, so i kno pretty much alot about these cars. This seems like a good deal, but the seller says it wont go into reverse, or she cant get it to go in reverse. Other wise I havent seen the car in person just pictures of it, and it was driven By an elderly Lady, looks clean inside and out. They are asking $800 obo because it May have lost reverse, should I consider buying or leave it alone. I have 2 other cars to Drive, so it wont be an everyday driver just maybe a project / weekend car.

 

Worst case scenario is that the transmission is junk and needs to be totally re-built or replaced, both of which are expensive options.

Best case scenario is that a shift solenoid has died, making the repairs under a thousand.

Personally, I would not even go near that car.

 

VG auto trans are known to blow up early, that specific transmission was meant for 4 cylinder engines. VG30E produce so much torque that most of those transmissions failed early, thats why junkyards are littered with GXE that have only 200,000km on them

you can check the trans fluid level, if its low the trans will lock you out of reverse. i would say 95% chance that youre gonna need to end up swapping out the gearbox or doing a VE 5spd swap

 

tell then you'll give them $100 bucks to take it off their hands. no one in their right mind would pay more than a few hundred for a 3rd gen with a busted transmission.

if you don't know how to work on these cars then it's going to be a money pit where you end up spending more money into the car than what it's worth.

 

Thanks for the replies guys and yes the vg trannys do fail early, mine died at 225,000 miles. But if I do decide to get it I will make sure everything is good to go with it and prob offer them about $300 or $400 for it.

 

I got my 93 back in September 17th 2005 with 143,319 (yes I remember EXACT date and mileage lol) for $550 and it was a running car. Body was intact for the exception of minor paint bubbles on the rear wheel wells.

Just wanted to give you an idea.... I did get it for a good deal I'd like to say. Especially since it still drives my mom around 8 years later

 

Don't do it, IMHO. There are so many used 3rd gen maxis out there for under five hundred bucks that don't have that issue.