Hello all,

It's been a while since I visited. Long story short, I found a 97 SE that I'm considering purchasing (tonight, maybe). It has 91K on it. I'm just wondering about when such things as the timing chain needs to be changed or what else to consider at this mileage.

Any replies would be greatly appreciated! Hurry!

Thanks,

Trevor

 

Well, a few things to take note of on the car:

What state is it from? Does it have rust under the hood?
Does the seller have receipts for all work done to it?
If you have test driven it, does it rattle alot / squeaky struts?

At 97k, you should be fine. I have 126k on my 95 and it's run perfectly for me since Ive had it (8 months)

How much do they want for it?

 

I've got a 2K right now, so I'm pretty sure I'll be ok in checking the car out mechanically (if something is wrong at the moment). I was more interested in what items might need to be replaced in the near future. Does anyone know about the timing chain life expectancy?

It's in MO and it's a 5 speed. They want 5900 for it.

Trevor

 

damn you thief~
wow~

 

That is...assuming the car is in good shape. Going to look at it now. Wish me luck boyz!

Trevor

 

5900 for a 97 5speed with 91k on it... thats a low price... I couldnt help but think something has to be wrong with it.

 

The clutch spring was abnormally stiff on it. I've driven a couple other 4th gen's and they were no where near this stiff. And, of course, my 2K is a very easy clutch too. Leads me to think that the clutch is binding or something else is wrong with it. Everything else looked ok on the car.

Trevor

 

Timing chain is designed to last the life of the engine.

Do a 60k mile tuneup.

http://web.archive.org/web/200111091...k_service.html

 

I just bought a 97 SE 5spd loaded with 100k miles for $7.5k. 5900 sounds like a great deal. Is it fully loaded? I got him down from 8200 but there really wasnt much to negotiate on. The paint is near perfect no scratches, almost no swirls (very very faint), and all maintenance records.

 

do me a favor and check out the timing chain and double check it...

I bought a 95 SE AUTO about 3 weeks ago and im looking at 800-900 to fix the TIMING BELT, its making a clunk clunk noise and I need to replace it... Sucks huh? Not a nice thing to happen right after you buy the car... It has 103K miles on it...

 

Yeah my mom's clutch on her 96 is stiff too... and she needs a new clutch... but if thats yer only problem, you should be ok.

 

5spd?? well... you could be looking at 1.5k in tranny rebuild (or u can get hookup somewhere or do it yourself). That's IF the tranny is screwy... listen closely with the windows up for some whining in 1st/2nd gear. Check the drive axel seal too... feel it for oil.

 

low prices, i recommend getting it.

 

I have a '99 SE Sterling Mist with 53K on it, and my Transmission screwed up on me....5 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT!!! So now my car has been at the Service dept. of my stealership for longer than I've driven it. Thank God for warranties... and nissan sentra loaner cars

Good luck with your Maxima though, getting a car and having it break right after you got it SUCKS!

 

you dont have a timing belt on your maxima buddy. you have a timing chain. And why dont you tell us who said this, and what exactly they said wrong. When you car goes klunk klunk, that has nothing to do with your timing CHAIN. If it does, u'd be the first. Talk to us here before you drop a lot of money that doesnt need to be.

 

Well, excuse my ignorance on this one..But I think the only problem with the car is the stiff clutch. Everything else sounds/feels fine. So, assuming I do need a new clutch, if I went with a regular clutch replacement (as opposed to a beefed up aftermarket one), approx what kind of cost am I looking at?

Thanks in advance!

Trevor