Click Here to See the 1997 Nissan Maxima SE

First of all, how fair is the price? I will try to negotiate to around $6,500 cash.
I have quite a few other pics that the dealer rep sent me via e-mail. I will post them below.

Second of all, around this mileage or at 100k, what will I expect to maintain/replace/inspect?

Third of all, with routine maintenance approximately how much more miles will I get out of this engine?

I have read around and I plan to mod this Maxima, but not at this moment as I am about to graduate HS and hit college (Polytechnic University) so funds are VERY low. Hopefully, the fact that I was awarded a scholarship, I'll be able to get some $$$ out of my father and then some more family might give me some supplementary cash.

 

100k is still young on a VQ

make shure they check to see if that 97 is under the alternator recall and if it is then make them change that too
Id go ahead and change plugs, oil and belts ect. unless they areadly did but Id change oil anyways at least.

 

 

 

I have been reading around here, and see that many people get upto mid 200k, so hopefully I could achieve that and beyond.

Honestly, I love the body shape of the 1997, and the power is something I can definitely love. As of now, I'm driving my mom's 2003 Civic (127hp) and it really sucks.

 

is the shifter tan? it should be black?? thats really odd

 

It looks brown in one pic, maybe a light fading?
That looks very out of place.

Or grey, after being used a while? LOL

 

Look at that great 4x4 look

http://www.edmunds.com shows you the basic value of the car. Depending on the previous driver, your auto tranny might need a rebuild sooner or later and maybe the suspension might need replacing too.

When you bargain start around $6000 and work your way to $6500. Just expect a tranny rebuild sooner or later (again, it depends on the previous owner). See if you can have the car lifted up on a lift and check the axles http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/400 and exhaust (for rust). Check the ECU for the hidden knock sensor code (new one costs $90 on eBay). Test drive the car on the highway to see if it vibrates at 60+ MPH. If it does, then have them rebalance the tires before you buy. When/if you buy it, do a full tuneup YOURSELF

Get clear bumper lights and remove the orange from the tail lights and darken the tail lights and shave the rear. When your suspension blows, get new struts & springs to get rid of the 4x4 look.

 

wow. that car looks EXACTLY like the car i bought last month. Only difference: mine was a manuel trans, and is a 1998. I paid 6700, great condition except for a few dings on the hood (which I'm gonna have this autobody shop pop out for pretty cheap. I know the guy well.) Personally, I think it's a good car. go for it. Try to get him down below 7k. Check out the story on the shifter. Looks like it was replaced or something with a brown one?

 

It seems like a decent price for an SE with bose and Sunroof, at least compared to where I live if you can buy it for 6500. The 4th gen autos seem to be holding up pretty well. I think you could easily get 50-75K more miles without much trouble, maybe 100K. Of course you need to do a 100K tuneup-spark plugs, wires, coolant, automatic transmission fluid and filter, oil change. You will probably need tires and brakes over the upcoming years. May have to replace the starter and alternator, water pump, during the next 50K, as well as the coil plugs on the engine's ignition system. I think it is a great vehicle stock-If you don't have much money, I'd hold on the mods.

 

The VQ can live to well past 200k,as long as you treat her right...I got the exact same car but in green with a manual trans for $5995 with 82,378 miles on it.Mint condition everything.If you can get the price down,I'd say go for it,if not I'd keep looking,there's alot more out there.Check the Max For Sale section on the .org. Good luck! and excellent choice on car!