My Max: bone stock GXE with no options, 211,000 miles, needs front suspension, passenger side rear fender, trunk, bumper, drivers seat, alternator.

Infiniti: 98 I30t with just about every option, 82,000 miles, needs some minor body work on the passenger side front and rear fenders.

What should I do?

 

buy the i30 no question in my mind. The luxury options are very nice to have.

 

buy the i30. less work to fix and you cant beat the luxury combined with the drivetrain

 

buy the i30 and put the vlsd in the maxi....=P

 

go with the I30, is it stick?

 

If it's stick definately the I30. They have an LSD. Plus, I'd take 82k miles over 211 anyday (Even though maxs have been known to hit 300-350), especially if you intend to keep the car for a while.

 

The I30t's are very nice. However one thing I never did like was the perforated leather seats, I'm assuming since you mentioned it's a t model that it has those. Also, I noticed that someone else mentioned that if it's the manual then it will have the VLSD. I may be wrong on this but I thought all I30t's manual or auto have VLSD. I know my 99 I30t automatic came with this. I have been quite happy with mine, although parts can be expensive, but then you already own a Maxima, so you already know that. Good luck with your decision. Also, another possibility why don't you keep the Max, and buy the I30t, with as many miles as you have on the Max, I don't imagine you could get much out of it if you sell it. I hate to say it, but may be you could use it as a beater car. Never hurts to have a 2nd car around.

Brent

 

Do you have a friend in the autobody business (or are you in it?)? Just wondering why you are dealing with vehicles that need body work.

I dunno what your budget is, but I'd for one forget the Maxima. Then, if it were me, I would not look for a replacement that needs work, I'd want a turnkey solution. You can get a brand-new car for as little as 10-12 grand today (Chevy, Hyundai, Kia, etc.), which yes is a lot more than a 1998 Maxima which is 4500. But, for that 10-12 grand you're gonna get at least 100,000 trouble-free miles which you're not gonna get with a 1998 car.

 

i would go for the i30... less miles and less work to do, its always a good thing....

 

Yeah, but it will also take you twice as long to get everywhere, and then there is the loss of respect from co-workers, and seriously, can you look pimp trying to pick up chics in a Kia?!??!

 

if your kia was on pimp my ride hell yea! LOL sorry man but 211k miles? no car is worth that much work its time to move on

 

130s rule that aint even a question to me!

 

$5800 for the i30t from a guy in brooklyn? i was gonna look into that before getting a 98 GLE

 

Sell & forget.

 

No, the I30 is an automagic. No, I'm not in or know anyone in the auto body business(that would have solved a lot of problems). My Max is that way because of a trucker on the SI Expressway and the I30t is a good deal IMO, even with the damage. One quick question, I thought the I30t's were the equivalent of the Max SE and came with the black on white gauges. Am I wrong? Didn't know about the VLSD, though. That right there sealed the deal for me.

 

I would do a double check on the VLSD, just to make sure that it comes that way. In my above post I said I believe that all I30t's have VLSD, but I'm not absolutely positive. I have been very happy with mine, auto, or manual, I believe they are one of the best cars out there. Best of luck if you decide to get it.

Brent

 

I love maximams...but I have a feeling u'll get a little bit more life outta the I30 at this point.

 

eh if its not worth the aggravation to fix then dont do it man, you gotta figure the car has 211,000 miles, in most cases, its all downhill from there. i would fix the max (if its worth fixing), then sell it and buy the I30

 

Well, here's what happened. I bought the Infiniti and the car is AWESOME! It rides, drives, handles WAY better than My Max when I first bought it. But, because of forces beyond my control, I had to junk My Max. I really wish I could have gave it to someone to repair, because My Max did'nt deserve that. It served me well for the past 5 years and could have done so for someone else. Before the tow truck came and got it, I put a booster pack on it because I needed to get some things out of the trunk(the key hasn't worked in 2 years, and with no juice the power trunk would'nt operate). Just to check, I tried starting the car. It only took about 6 seconds to get it running(I was expecting it to take a lot longer because the car had been sitting for the past 2 1/2 weeks). That showed the quality of the car, and I will miss it. R.I.P. friend.