I'm looking for some advice on where to proceed with my car and its little quirks. Here's what all is wrong.

I have a 91 Maxima SE with about 140,000 miles on it. The speedometer(with the odometer) recently went out on it slowly. Now neither ever really works. The shocks are pretty much shot, and its developed the trademarked maxima "saggy ***." Also, its recently begun shifting fairly roughly into 2nd and somewhat roughly into 4th. The tranny fluid was changed within the last 4000 miles, so that should not be the cause. Also, it idles somewhat roughly as well. Is this all worth fixing up? What's that going to cost me in the end. I'm a poor college student who can't really afford to keep putting money into a car, I'm starting to think maybe I should sell this to someone that's more of an enthusiast than I and could baby it better than I can afford to and just get a new bare-bones pickup to get me through the next few years. What do you guys think? What is my car worth in its current state if I were to do that, or what will it cost me to make things right with it again?

Thanks a million

Joe

 

all those are regular items that need attention on these cars..
the sloppy shifting means the tranny is showing it's age.. be ready for a rebuild in the next year or so ($1200 - 3000, depending on how bad the shop screws you)..

worn struts are regular wear. $350.

speedo not working is mostly caused by the speed sensor going out. $60.

rough idle could be one of many things, but is usually because of old plug wires. another $50-120.


so it's up to you to keep it.. everything wrong is regular stuff that would happen to any car by this time in it's life.

 

Question for you on a couple things then... The struts are $350, but how much to have them put on? I can't find anyone that will put a set on for less than $500 plus the $350 for the struts.

Is there a way to test the speed sensor? I've been to two dealers and a shop and neither one wants to test it, they claim they just have to replace it and if that doesn't help I'm out the $60 on it...not cool in my book.

Thanks a lot

Joe

 

oh sh*t..$500..

The front struts you can do yourself with a good jack, jackstand, spring compressor, and socket set. If you never worked on a car before, don't bother to start with struts, you'll face the wrath of a compressed spring. If you have rear drums, you're best option is to have someone install it for you, it's alot more work.

I got quoted at $50 per strut, that was even too much for me.

 

socket set? haha good luck kid

 

Look on your Chevy-Owner buddies face when you total up the bill: $20 'cuz he lost the bet.

Look on the same buddies face when you blow him away after the repairs: Priceless