When buying a used 4th gen what all should I look out for mechanically to make sure it is in good shape? Also would you guys buy a salvaged car if it has been make like new again for a break on the price of a car?

 

Others will chime in, but:
*Take a small flat-head screwdriver and get the codes from the ecu. (Print a list of codes to take with you)
*OIL LEAKS esp. from the chain cover, which will require an engine-out job to fix.
*Is it running on all cylinders, misfires? (faulty coil or injector)
*Check exhaust, any excessive smoke, if so what colour?
*Check coolant for sludge, signs of oil contamination.
*Do a brief stall speed test if it is an auto. If manual, select a steep hill and floor it in second, check for clutch slip.
*Take a small pocket magnet and use it to check for areas of poly filler on the body. (Magnet won't stick)
*Jack up front end, shake the wheels to check for bad bearings, ball joints, rack play. Jack up rear, test wheel bearings are OK.
*How does the fluid look, if it's an auto?
*Check all lights work properly, incl. indicators and brakes. Check horn. Check wipers. Check brakes operate properly and the car stops in a straight line. Check heating and a/c controls function properly.
Frankly, in the US, if I were in your situation, and especially with a salvage car, I would definitely call lemonbusters. Here in Mexico I take a good local mechanic with me and we both check the car at the same time. No lemonbusters here! Maybe I should start one.

 

if its a 5spd, listen for bad bearings or check for syncros going out

 

It's kind of risky going with a salvaged car, you don't know when it will crap out on you.

 

I've worked at a car dealership for 3 years and as far as buying a salvage car goes...you need to really check things out on the car. Make sure there's no cheap aftermarket parts on the car. For example if it was in a front end collision check the radiator, headlights, etc etc...You could maybe take it to some body shop to have it checked out for frame damage that might cause problems w alignments and wear later on.

 

Here is the description of the car, it looks ok in the picture and I know it has been in a front end collision before, tell me if any of this grabs your attention in a negative way. The car is a 97 with 122000 miles with a manual and he wants $5700 for it.

Pristine with show room quality white/blue pearl paint! Car surfaces double as a mirror! New Tires with 60k warranty on 16" chrome Pacer aluminium wheels! New tires, clutch, slave cylinder, wheel bearings, lower ball joints, shocks, brakes, belts, axles, e-brake cables, pwr antenna, high performance insulated y-pipe, insulated exhaust headers, stainless steel Greddy catback exhaust, k&n style air intake, 500 watt amp with 10" sealed subwoofer, kicker speakers rear speakers and Pioneer front speakers. The Maxima runs and drives like new. Kept in the garage mechanic owned! We now own three cars and need to sell the Maxima We are sad to see it go.

Anti-Lock Brakes; Air Conditioning; Alloy Wheels; Cruise Control; Compact Disc Player; Rear Window Defroster; Power Seats; AM/FM Stereo Cassette; Leather Seats; Power Door Locks; Power Mirrors; Power Windows; Power Steering; Sunroof/Moonroof; Tilt Wheel;

 

id offer him 4500. its still a 97 with 122k

 

Well there quite a few problems that could have occured with the front end collision. Airbags have they been popped before? The motor could have been pushed into the firewall. Do you know how hard of an impact it was?

5700 quite a bit for a car that has a salvaged title. You can find a better car without a salvage title with about the same mileage for cheaper

 

I am having a hard time trying to find a manual 4th gen in my area. I have checked autotrader and cars.com. Oh yea the airbags did pop and are no longer there. The more I think about it the more I am not so interested in this car. Everytime I look for a good 4th gen either they are crappy in some way or overpriced, where is a good place to find one of these cars?

 

If the airbags are popped, that sounds like a pretty severe collision.

 

Too much. Walk.

 

Before you buy a 4th gen with a manual trans. make sure you check for gear oil leaks at the axles. Make sure the driver side axle sits tight in the transmission with no play in it. 4th gen manual trannies have problems with the differential carrier bearings failing. Sometimes it will make a whining sound while driving too.
Wait a while and check the classifieds and you can find a better deal than the 97 you are looking at now.

 

Have you checked the for sale section on this forum?

 

I have been all over it for the past week. I recently posted there looking for a manual 4th gen but have not heard anything yet, although I just posted it earlier today. I am hoping someone steps up I would really like to buy a 4th gen. I need to move fast too because I will be getting an offer for my totalled car soon and won't have a rental for too much longer.

 

As far as the salvage goes, thats a really tough call. I have seen cars salvaged simply because the interior was stolen. Easy fix right? Well then there is also the possibility that the car sat under water during hurricane Katrina. You never really know what happened so it really is a gamble.

 

^^^ I have a totally different outlook after Katrina.