I picked up my 99 SE Auto last April with 7,000 miles on it. Not that I would have chosen a Maxima at the time, but I needed a car and the Leather, bose, sunroof, all the extras, etc.. were too good a deal to pass up. The biggest problem was the automatic transmition. Regardles, I bought the car. 13k miles later and I'm just starting to modify it. My question is how labor intensive and financially weighted would it be to change an automatic to a manual? I hate driving auto, and I don't want any mods I make to go to waste becuase I can't get what I want from them.

 

"it's not worth it for the $$$" or "take the money and buy a manual." But I made the same mistake when I bought my car too. As soon as my tranny starts to go, its getting swapped to a manual. The shop I take my car to said it would cost roughly $2000-2500 (not sure if this is a good price or not). The more I think about this though, I can't help but worry about the reliability of the new tranny.

 

Possible? Yes. Practical? No.

Price it out. You will faint when you find out how expensive this is.
Don't imagine this is just a trans-for-trans swap. You will need a
flywheel, clutch, throwout bearing, clutch pedal, clutch
hydraulics, shifter, etc. etc.

If you are absolutely in love with the idea of converting to 5-speed, look
for a wrecked car (an organ donor) that you can buy for low money. That
way you get everything you need in one package.

The best course of action is to find a clean 5-speed, buy it, and sell your present car.
Who knows, you might even find a guy who is willing to trade because he just got married, his wife can't drive a stick, etc. etc.