I have someone who wants to purchase my 93 SE. I am sick of these damn VTC's, so I wanted to upgrade into the 4 Generation.

What is the best year to get? I have seen some 96-98 SE's with 60-90k going for a decent price ramge $6000 - $9500..

What's a good range on price? And what breaks the most on these years? I know all about the issues of the 3rd generation, but what about the 4th? When I go look at these cars, I want to know the most common signs of the known "issues" of these cars.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

i got my 96 se 5spd for 5k plus ttt (tax, tag, title). cloth seats, EXCELENT cond. 75k miles

 

What are your plans with the car? Are you modding it? If so, are you primarily into performance or looks?

pretty similar but there are some subtle differences:
95 and 96 are a tad lighter and have the OBDI ECU (so you can have it upgraded) but NOBODY is making the red-clear tails anymore for the 95-96... yeah this is a sore spot for me but obviously not THAT big of a deal.

97-99 are cleaner looking IMO and have the OBDII ECU that can use most any kind of data-logger unit made today...

Also, I believe the 99s (or is it just the 99.5s?) all have the Cali-spec exhaust like the 5th gens. So, a y-pipe would not remove both pre-cats like fed-spec 95-98. But you can still get an aftermarket y-pipe


couple other points:

5spd trannies have a problem point at around 100K miles. The main bearings tend to wear excessively causing the need to rebuild.

The knock sensor is another item to go somewhere around the same time but isn't a big deal to replace.

That's all I can think of. Anyone, please jump in and correct me if you disagree with any of my points.

 

95-96 have the most potential.

 

Wrong, 96 is OBD2 just like every single other car in the us made in 96 or later. Since the 95 is OBD1, your emissions testing means you need to run the exhaust test. With a y-pipe and such you might not pass...

 

As far as mods, 95-96s can utilize the ECU/MEVI combo to its fullest. Thats pretty much where their advantage stops.

Also, 97-98s can still use the 95-96 ECU, though you will have a permanent CEL. 99s CANNOT use the ECU at all, they have a different ECU and harness (same as 2k-up). Also, as for 95-96s being lighter, cmon now...A new front a rear bumper, whats that? ~30pounds IF that?!?!? No real weight advantage. At least not what everyone makes it out to be.

Also, its only the Cali spec 99s, or the 99.5 SE-Ls that cannot get rid of the two pre-cats. Mine is a 99 non-cali spec.


Eric

 

97 and 98 are definatly the best IMO, eventhough i have a 96, but i didn't buy it so its all good

 

99 need love too!!!!!



Eric

 

but they got all that extra smog shizzle dont they, that u have to deal w/ when doin y pipe or something? correct?

 

Thanks for the corrections guys...

Relax, I said "tad lighter". No big deal for most... but where I come from, it makes a difference. Trust me, it would not make me choose a 96 over a 97.

 

my trans has 104k miles on it and it runs strong no need for a rebuild anytime soon, as far as the bearing problems there were some max's made with the wrong differential bearings in them, and those are the ones that tend to need a rebuild or replacement, and its pretty much luck of the draw when u get the car, u can drive it and make sure of no leaks by the cv joint and listen to the trans to hear any noise WHILE in gear in any gear above 1st, sequentially..... I.E.) listen for whining noise in second gear, and if u hear it there listen for it in third and so on, just cover your bases in that area and you should be alright

 

your price range will depend on the milage and maintance of the car. make sure u run a carfax before you do anythin, THEN jump on the options and trim model etc...

 

look at the "faq thread" page 2 post #12...it gives u a rundown on each year model and trims. But i'd say don't get 95-96...imho 97-99 front and back bumpers make the car look a lot better.

 

My vote is '97 - but I'm biased. I bought a '97 new in '97 (duhh).
It was just when I was in the market for a new car but I have to say that I think I lucked out.
I think the 4th gen looks better than the 3rd or the 5th and I think the '97 was the best of the 4th gens.
I am speaking in terms of looks only here not "mod-ability", weight, mechanical problems etc.
I've been pretty happy with it. Needed a new clutch, but it was my first new car and I beat the crap out of it - especially at first. Got about 55,000 on it now and will need new rotors and pads soon - surprised I haven't need them sooner. Muffler is rusting and a hanger or two gone so it rattles. Going to get that fixed when I bring it in for the brakes.

 

no, ONLY cali-spec OR cali-spec 99.5 SE-Ls have that. My 99 is like any other max, fed spec, none of that emmisions crap. Thus i have a regular Y-pipe with no pre-cats




Eric

 

97-99 is the best looking max.

 

So do a conversion, big deal. The rear bumper difference is very slight and a fron bumper with painting can be installed for>$200...

 

yeah but y go through the hassle and pay extra money to do that when you can get it with the car?

 

A 97-99 SE looks the best and for safety and a 95 for modability, the 96 is in the middle. The 97-99SE's and the 02/03 SE's are the best looking and most sporty looking of the Maxima clan IMO.

 

How is it more expensive? You get a 96 for a grand or 2 less than a 97+, then spend $200 and you have the conversion...

 

BEST 4th generation to get for speed is 95-96. best looking is 97-99! and go for SE if u can. i would get a 97+SE if i were u, without a doubt!

 

and where can u get both bumpers painted with all the lights and everything for $200? even a junkyard isnt that stupid

 

I will disagree with some of the people here on the looks. I like my 96 super black gxe better than the 97 and up. I do not like the chrome thing that goes across the middle of the grille horizontally, and I think that the back of my 96 looks better than the later years. Since my Max is black and I do not have the fog lights, it gives it kind of a more aggresive look to it, a solid black front. I once thought of maybe converting the front, but that's when I realized that I liked the look that the car came with better.