MJ23FE

I just recently got into a car accident, and i am looking into buying a car, and since i am on a sub $5,000 budget i dont have a huge amount to choose from. I found a '97 Maxima GXE in the paper for $6,200 and when i called up i spoke to the lady's daughter. Today the lady called us back and she said she would sell it for $5,000 and we had not even discussed the price yet!!! So without even negotiating the price was dropped $1,200!!! Now when my father went to check it out while i was at work, he told me that the car was in great condition and that the outside was very clean, except for a few scratches but nothing huge, and the interior was in good condition. He test drove it, and he told me that the engine was not great, more so in average condition by how smoothly it ran. He also said that he felt a grinding when he let the car coast a little, and even when he was just cruising along. He did not drive for more than like 5 minutes. Since he felt that grinding, him and myself were thinking there HAS to be something wrong with the car for them to drop the price so dramatically. The lady just bought a brand new Maxima to replace her old one. We are going to take it to a Nissan Dealership here by my house tomorrow morning and let a mechanic here inspect it. Do any of you know or have any assumptions to what the sound could be? Also, whats the going price for a Maxima GXE with 95,000 miles on it? Any help would be soo greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!!
-Jalal

Magikone69

iTrader: (2)

I bought my 95 gxe 2 years ago for 5500 and it had 91000 miles on it. IMO the price she gave you sounds about right for a 97 mabey add 8-900 bucks. Ive seen 1997' maximas in my area around 6 grand. Make sure you inspect it, that "grinding" could be a sign of some trouble down the road. Ask if they have any records of repairs, maintainance. Good luck and try lookin around also.
P.S what year maxima did the lady buy.
The previous owner of my car upgraded to a PT Cruiser, if you call it upgrading

MJ23FE

The lady bought a brand new 2003 Maxima if i am not mistaken. I used to drive a 1990 Accord EX sedan, so getting the Maxima would definately be an upgrade.
When my father told me about the grinding i immediately smirked at the thought and did not like it at all. Tomorrow we will take it to the Nissan dealership, hopefully they have time, and we will get the car inspected. We will see. Thanks!
-Jalal

_DRU_

A few months ago, i sold my 97 GXE with 87k miles (i think) for $5000 with all mods in my sig. It was kinda hard to market it since there were so many in the paper at the time.

Weasel

iTrader: (2)

This thread is making me cry... I had no idea it was that bad.

Bgohan

Look around your area and see if you can find another similar car for less. That will tell you if it is a good deal or not. But $5K is a good deal if the car is mechanically sound. It also depends somewhat on the options on the car. A sunroof, leather, bose stereo, and convienience package added close to $4k to a new Max in 97.
What other used car would you want to buy for $5,000?

Jatan

iTrader: (3)

I don't know what the features for the car are, but for an automatic with "average" condition (since its grinding), the price is:
-----
Prices are: Trade-In | Private Party | Dealer Retail

Mileage Adjustment:
97,000 miles $-860 $-860 $-860

Condition Adjustment:
Average $-976 $-1,124 $-1,290

Trade-In: $4,289
Private Party: $5,215
Dealer Retail: $6,398
-----
Go to USED CARS section at edmunds.com (don't use KBB b/c they value it at a higher price and dealers use this so they can get more money from people *cough* CarMax *cough*) and see the value for yourself. You can change the condition to CLEAN for the value of it to go up.

IF the condition is "average" then I would try to get it down to around $4,500 and then with taxes and stuff, it'll around $5,000. If you're lucky, you won't have to do any repairs on it right now.

IF the condition is "clean" then I would buy it for $4,800.

For a used car, I usually buy it a little bit over the TRADE-IN value since the economy is down =P. The 95 Max GLE I just got was valued at about $5,400 and I got it for about $5,500 (my dad told them $6k with all the taxes). The car is great so far - I only problem I found was that the boots were broken. Going to repair that in a few weeks.

- Jatan

MJ23FE

WE BOUGHT THE MAXIMA!!!
1997 Maxima GXE
Automatic Transmission, Grey Cloth interior, pretty much standard. I do not think there are any other options. Its the normal stereo not Bose, no sunroof, it has power drivers seat. The car did not grind, my dad was mistaken, it had a squeak to it from the front struts. We are going to get it registered, and get it on the insurance on monday, so hopefully that all goes over smoothly. I did not really get a chance to drive it, just move it into the driveway. I am going to have to get used to the throttle considering its alot more sensitive than a Honda's throttle. I am going to get some new tires for it as well. Probably Dunlop SP 5000's for some good all-season reliability. I also was looking at the Budget Y-Pipe with resonator, Budget B-Pipe, 5th Generation Muffler.
Yeah, but thats it for now, who knows what else. I just got the car and i need to DRIVE IT first lol. Thanks for the help guys.
-Jalal

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

Sensitive? No, I think the word you're looking for is powerful

DW

MJ23FE

HELL YEAH!!! I know its powerful. I just cant wait to drive it!!!
-Jalal

henock

lol. sneak out. you'll go nuts the first time you floor it! then sooner or later you'll want an intake

sandman1098

Yeah, you will enjoy your Maxima..... It has alot of power and you can mod the engine to get more power..... But I would suggest getting used to driving it first..... When I first got my Max, I got on the interstate to take it home, and when I got on the on ramp, I floored it and was in pure heaven.... lol....

MJ23FE

I cannot wait to start modding it. I am thinking Injen CAI, Budget F-Pipe, Carsound Cat, Apex'i World Sport Exhaust. I am really big on Honda so i know alot about them, but its the first time i have ever looked into Nissan, so i do not know the products available for it. Anyone else want to let me know whats out there???
-Jalal

sandman1098

One of the first mods I would do is a Budget Y-pipe..... I would also look into a Cold air intake.... and also dont forget about Turbo and Superchargers.... There is also an Underdrive Pulley, and all kinds of suspension mods too......