I'd just like to start by saying that I'm a newer Maxima owner, I bought mine last December when I was still in the Navy, and I have a few questions.
Keep in mind also that I'm a computer tech, not an auto mechanic, so a lot of the terms may have to be explained to me, or at least pounded into my head with claw hammer
I have a '93 GXE, and the previous owner did not take very good car of it. Which is why I am slowly learning how cars work, my brother won't fix it unless I help, so the way I figure, by the time the car finally says "Screw you, buddy!" I'll have my mechanics license, just to take care of it
But, as things have been breaking, I've been trying to replace them with "performance" parts, for two reasons: 1) I like fast cars, and 2) I figure it would help it last longer with the way I drive
I say "performance" and not performance, because I've generally been getting them from AutoZone
And the only mod I've made to it was a "custom" exhaust I paid $500 for, and the only thing the guy did was put wider pipes on it, and broke 2 of the studs that hold the manifold on...

1) What's the difference between GXE and SE?
2) At 130k miles, of which I only put 30k on (And kept very good care of) is a turbo a feasible option in your opinion?
3) Are there some decent low-cost mods I can make while I save money for bigger things? (about $500 or less?)
4) There are some parts out here that I can only order from the dealer (I just ordered a $175 heater core yesterday, and TODAY I find this site... Go ahead and laugh... My bro did!) are there any mail-order or 'net places to shop for them?
5) Err, are all Maximas the "uni-body" type? It's just my luck I'd hit a deer and dent my front fender a bit... Enough to require some elbow grease to replace my parking/headlight cases... I don't think the packing tape I have on it will last too long.
6) When I get the studs fixed on my exhaust, I want to get a real performance exhaust put on, any suggestions?

As more things break down that I need to replace, I'm sure I"ll have more questions... But as for now, I think I've wasted everyone's time enough.
And if you feel like smacking me around sometimes, let me know, because if I bug you, it prolly means my bro has already beat the hell outta me :)

 

diff between SE and GXE - check my site in the how-to section
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gte671n/mymax.html
lots of other stuff there too

online parts - www.courtesyparts.com is a good site with usually close to the lowest prices

also, use the search feature on here to help answer many of your other questions, you'd be amazed what kind of info is on here if you take your time to find it
also, if you plan on doing a lot of work on your car like you mentioned, I would definitely suggest getting a Factory Service Manual (FSM). I got mine from ebay but you can get them from most dealers.

good luck and welcome to the site

 

I take it a Haynes manual doesn't quite cut it, eh?
Thanx for the response, I'm looking back thru all the articles, and check things out.

 

I have haynes, chiltons and the FSM

Haynes and/or chiltons will do for fairly general stuff but the FSM really does a much better job and doesn't leave ANYTHING out. Just reading through parts of it is a great way to learn about your car and can be really helpful.

 

Most passenger cars are unibody construction. About the only common car I can think of that's not is the Corvette (there are some others; I'm just not alert enough right now to think of any).

In any case, if it's just the fender that's messed up, then you're okay. The front fender is usually not a big structural component to most cars. In your case, it doesn't even sound like an alignment check may be needed.

 

Take a look at the links.

http://www.warpspeedperformance.com/nissan.htm

http://www.courtesyparts.com/secondtier_j30.html

 

[Insert what Craig said]

Be forewarned about the FSM though that it's geared more towards mechanics and assumes some basic mechanical knowledge/procedures. Haynes or Chiltons is more user-friendly (and cheaper) and are enough if you don't think you'll do particularly complex work on the car. The FSM is however, full of info like he said.

All Maximas (and 98% of all passenger cars these days) have unibody construction. This doesn't mean it's inherently flimsier though, since the days of boilerplate-like sheetmetal are gone. As far as I know, the only cars that are still traditional body-on-frame are the Corvette (taking Schmoo's word on this ) and the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis (same cars). Not too sure about any European cars (Rolls? MB?). Any of these will crumple up front just like any other car when they strike a deer, elk, bear, frantically waving flagman, etc.

Remember, SEARCH is your friend, and welcome.

 

Hehe, ya that damage from hitting the deer was minimal, it just bent the fender enough to annoy the hell out of me when I tried to replace my parking light and dented the hood a bit, I had a buddy of mine straighten it enough so I can open and close it.
It's on my list of "things to fix when I get 'round to it"
I've already pretty much come to the decision that instead of buying a newer car, I'll just fix up my Max, I love that car, and after hitting that deer at 50 MPH and hte only real damage is my brake light staying on constantly from slamming on the brakes, I think it did pretty damn good
I bought the Haynes manual for it because I have to change the heater core on it... Ugh, it looks like a weekend project for that. It's one of those things I won't even delve into without someone without at least SOME idea of how things work with me, just about anything else, if I have directions and mebbe some pictures, I can pretend enough to get the job done.