I am looking at buying a 89 SE maxima 5 speed. (my '85 SE got totalled 2 weeks ago) and I am wondering if anyone has an inspection checklist for those cars. I want to have someone check it out before I buy it and would like to know the problem areas. Thanks,

Andrew

 

One thing you can take off the list is the auto tranny.

Exhaust studs
VTC's (1992-1994 SE's)
Window Regulators
Automatic transmission
Timing belt, check to see when it was last changed

It would be better to have this in the 3rd gen forum, good luck in finding a nice Max. How many miles did your 85 have on it? Did they have VG's in the 85's?

 

yes they had the VG30E engine in them. My max had 92,000 miles and was nearly perfect (I was working on a slight hesitation problem at the time). Hopefully i can use some of the same parts from my old car for the new one if i get it.

My other question is, how can I tell if it is an SE or a different model? It has white gage faces and leather interior.

BTW, I thought this was the 3rd gen forum--am I mistaken?

 

you're on the right forum. SE's have black mirrors, 4 wheel disc brakes, white gauges, spoiler, black trim around the windows. Not all SE's have leather. Look for a 5-speed not an auto. Cars not matching the above description are the GXE model. DO A SEARCH for more details.

 

also only 3rd gen maximas that came from the factory with a 5-speed was an SE.

 

I was under the impression that the only difference in options between the SE and the GXE was the keyless entry. I am pretty sure that I have seen GXE's with manuals, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

You are

 

for the differences between GXE and SE, check my page in the how-to section
I have some differences listed with pics and also Bryan91se has this on his page too (his page is in the 3rd gen FAQ post at the top of this forum)

 

Fogs also only came on the SE and the SE's have body colored grilles. Sorry this is the right forum I thought I was in the general forum.

 

4th gen gxe's come standard with a 5 speed, but 3rd gen gxe's were all autos.

 

really...

 

yep...