What's a fair price for a used '95 Maxima 5-speed complete transmission? I may need one in the indefinite future and thought I'd start looking around at junk yards to save money. It has 90,000 miles, but is supposed to be in very good condition. What types of things do I need to find out about it to know if it's in good shape? Also, is there any difference in a GXE and a SE transmission in terms of function or fit? Thanks for your help.

Unless your car's tranny is completely destroyed the economical course of action is to repair rather than replace it.

You can't make a judgement unless you
- drive the car
- open the transaxle case and inspect the condition of the bearings and synchronizers.
When buying a used transmission you are really buying "a pig in a poke". It's a gamble.

No difference. However there is one difference which might interest you. Most (possibly all) 5-speeds sold in the US market are model RS5F50A. Most (possibly all) 5-speeds sold in the Canadian market are model RS5F50V. The difference is that the 50V transaxle has Limited Slip Differential. The 5-speed tranny has an identification plate on the top of the housing, roughly under the starter motor (when in the vehicle).

Thanks...by repair, I'm assuming you mean rebuild. My Nissan dealer gave me an estimate of $2000 to rebuild and $2500 to replace. That didn't seem like that much difference. And I'm not wanting to pay either, should I need it down the road. I was hoping to get this used one for a few hundred and have it installed for a few hundred more, but if you think someone could rebuild it for about the same, I'll probably just go that route. Is $2000 way too high for this? I know it is expensive, but extraordinarily so? Thanks for all your help.

thats way too expensive i think Keven got his VSLD Tranny for $800 .. call a junk yard.. those prices are way too high

Thanks; I'll keep looking. I don't NEED it yet, but I want to have it for when I do so I won't be out of a car without being forced to pay dealer prices. One more question. I'm guessing any 4th gen transmission would work fine? 'Cause if I find one from a wrecked '99 or something, that's nearly new. Anybody know if they changed at all from '95 thru '99?

i picked up a used VLSD tranny including driveaxles for $875. a used non LSD tranny ive seen for 600 and under. Seems cheap but when you compare them to Honda motors that can be had for $300+ motor and tranny our parts arent that cheap.

same vq tranny...