Basically, time to add a 4 door to the stable. Have gone since 1996.5 with ONLY 2 door cars, 90% of which only have 2 seats, and the wife is due with #2 any day now.

I THINK after passing up other possibilities, the 92-94 SE Max is what I want. I'd LOVE a 95/96 if it were cheap enough.

Mechanically, I can do anything. Not bragging, but nothing is out of the question. I'd love a "mechanics special" with some motor problems but lower miles and PERFECT interior. But as durable as these things must be, I don't think that's possible!

WHAT am I looking for as main problem areas? I CAN shop for a few months in hopes that I find a good deal. MAIN fear is getting a car that's been RODDED HARD often, as I know that these are QUICK and fun, and durable enough there's probably no way to tell it's been beat on. Heck, I'll probably acquire a wrecked car with spare motor/tranny to hold on to in case anything major goes down.

Unfortunately, it has to be an automatic. I love black but I think white/off white/blue would be better for us. TIA!

Any way, any input appreciated.


(EDIT) I've been thrown for a loop, odd that the motor I want is a VE30DE, all logic I could follow would have told me 92-94 DOHC SE maximas were VG30DE's. Were 95+ SE's also VE and not VG?

Just found a 130k mile Q45 that "Needs engine work" for $2000. TALK ME OUT OF IT GUYS, the world will never be the same if I finally score a Q45....

FIRST car I'd have wanted for this Niche was a Galant Vr-4. They're all manuals, good for me, bad for wife. Galant GSX, automatic NA AWD, these have been alluding me, would have turbo'd it eventually. Car #2, was looking to turbo a Subie 4 door of sorts. See a pattern here? ALWAYS on my mind have been certain bigger 4 door bimmers, was contemplating finding a clean high mileage nice looking 5 series and strapping a buick/Grand National motor in for the wife to get groceries in. Wink wink. This is STILL an option.

The Q has been on my mind all the while as well.

I HATE FWD! I HATE FWD! But the Max might be a good compromise.

You guys might see some of my thought processes here. Hint, 90% of the 2seaters I currently own are RX-7's. Is there something besides the Max I might take a look at? If I can get something to start work on for <$3000-$5500, it'd be great.

R

i just wanted to say that 1st gen q45s are the absolute ugliest things on the road. theyre big ugly boats.

They have a DIFFERENT look to them, that's for sure. They can move their butts pretty well though.

If 92/93 Lex GS300's had come down in price, I'd be ALL OVER one of those.

FWD SUCKS FWD SUCKS.

If you're looking for that inexpensive ($2000), that Q45 is hard to beat. I too work on cars, and sometimes keeping my cars running cost me quite a bit of money.

I'd suggest a 4th gen Maxima, 1995 to 1999. They run the VQ motor, not a VE or VG. It was first application of that motor, and it can now be found in everything from the Pathfinder, I30, I35, G35, 300ZX, Altima, to the QX4.

I have a 1990 SE with a VG motor and that car has 223k miles on it and still runs strong. Granted, stuff does need to be replaced to keep it happy (i.e. temp sending units are the next thing!). I also have a 1997 SE with the VQ with 146k miles and it's had almost nothing done to it except regular maintenance and O2 sensors. I have a 1993 SE-R with 157k miles that runs strong, though it's needed a head gasket and new radiator (alas, the cooling system failure cuased the need for the head gasket). I think one of the best years is the 1997 Maxima.

I like the Q45. It's fast. V8. I've been tempted to buy several before. However, maintenance costs on the vehicle scared me. Granted I do most of my own labor, the fact that parts (such as electronically controlled suspension) can be very expensive. I have a Miata with 56k miles that's very fun to drive. I love it. Cheap to operate and maintain. RWD is fun, but not as forgiving. Go into a turn too hot and lifting the throttle can rotate the rear faster than in a FWD vehicle which will push into more understeer first.

So a Maxima would be good. Expect around $5000 to $6000 min for 95/96 and around $7000 to $8000 min for a 1997.

-V

What got special in '97? Have had a bunch of people mention that that'd be the earliest year of that body style to shoot for.

Now I'm contemplating a automatic subie Legacy. With turbo power down the road...