I'm buying a Maxima soon, and theres a nice 96 white SE 5spd in my area. Unfortunately it has 177k on the motor.

How much would a replacement engine run me (should the engine go bad?) ?

 

Just buy a low mile VQ from www.car-part.com run about 300-500 plus installation.

Mine has 224k on it, original miles, and I've seen a Max with close to 300k.

 

It would cost exactly how much you pay a local bone yard and mechanic to buy and replace it.

 

i'd be mor concerned witht he tranny going before the engine, trust me, 177k isnt TOO much mileage, its the rest of the parts thatll go before the engine dies.

 

177K....that engine is fine. I sold my 96 with 130K to a mechanic's daughter. He found compression test was great and all cylinders were even. It never burned or leaked any oil and still got 25mpg in mixed driving. Let us know when you have 250+ and it uses more than a quart of oil in 3000 miles. and i'd say if the tranny didn't self destruct already its not going to...I am sure its noisey from gear wear and the syncro's are getting worn (unless its all highway miles), but wouldn't worry about a bearing failure.

Synthetic oil in the tranny might buy you a little time with worn syncro's.

Either case look for a used low mileage (40-80K) unit here in the classifieds, ebay or a local scrap yard/auto recycler. Either piece can probably be had for $500-800...and you old components would have some value as well to some one that needs parts.