Narrator

Hey all,

I'm debating on whether or not to dump more money into this Max or to trade her in for what i can get and get myself into a new ride. I hope someone can shed some light as i'm on the fence.

Car: 1999 Maxima SE Cali Spec w/ 170k
Amount Owed: Approx $3500
Issues: Needs new brakes, tires, clutch and exhaust (ouch)
Amount Quoted:
- Brakes - $100 (I can do this)
- 2 New Tires - $300 installed (MXV4+ Energy)
- Exhaust $500 installed (That's just the Muffler and Mid-Pipe)
- Clutch $900 installed

So yeah. That's $2000 right there i really don't have...and would you put $2000 into a 99 w/ 170k on it? I'll be done paying it off in just over a year but will it last that long or is this just the beginning of a long list of problems? It will probably need a new starter soon, the A/C and Heat don't work. Etc. etc. etc....

I have done my best to keep this car healthy including new sparks, coil packs, brakes, rotors and front calipers at 150k. Regular maintenance including new filters, pcv, fluids, etc... New windshield 5k ago.

Ok, so if you WOULD put the money in and just ride it out, where can i get a good exhast system (he said my "front flex pipe" would need replacing soon as well. I figure if i'm going to have him do the work, might as well get the entire exhaust replaced. Keep in mind it is Cali Spec :|

If you wouldnt.. would you go dealer for the trade in or kick around here for a .org'rs Max? I want a 01-03 SE 6spd. But, doesn't everyone?

Thanks for your input .Org'rs!

tavarish

iTrader: (27)

go to other shops, they can get you a better quote on exhaust. 500 bucks is way too much, and a clutch job for 900 is robbery. 500 at the most including parts. 170k is a bit high mileage for a 99 though, but i dont understand why you would need new brakes after 20k.

Narrator

Way too much for a midpipe and muffler i agree. He said $350 for the parts and 2 hours to slap it in. I figured i might as well do the whole thing since everything looks wasted under there.

What's the best bang/buck Exhaust for a 99 Cali Spec Car? If i do decide to put money into it i'm not going to pimp it out, just get something that is halfway decent and relatively inexpensive.

I take it you would continue to put $$ into it? Dang, i was hoping for an excuse to get a new max..heh.

99se5speed

iTrader: (8)

I'm about to drop 1k into my 99 Cali spec. I have 128,xxx with a rear seal leak. I"m about to change that aswell as the clutch, bushing, motor mounts, all the belts(a/c, serpentine, idler pulley) and resurface my flywheel. This is all gonna run about 400 in labor. So you paying 900 for a clutch job....WOW RIP OFF!!!!

HallKemar

midpipe and exhaust, 500? Go buy yourself a tool set and bolt-on your new ypipe/muffler.

TurTLe*

iTrader: (11)

most shops sell complete custom catback in the 200-350$ ranges installed.

tires, try looking on the for sale section. i paid 150$ for a set of yokohama tires that were only used for 5,000 miles. and $40 to mount and balance them.

brakes you said you can do.

Clutch is the only thing i dont know about. I see a clutch taking about 3 hours to R/I and about 200$ in parts. so give or take $500 or so. Look around for prices. but thats what it should come down to.

Narrator

I just can't see putting even $1500 of work into this car when that's $1500 that could go towards a down payment on a new one. You know?

But, OK. I've called around to three shops today and told them ALL that i needed JUST a midpipe and muffler for my car. Quotes ranged from $500-700 dollars. But, my guy told me that he would do any work on my car if i provided the parts. I don't have a lift so doing the muffler is out of my realm of doable things.

1. Where can i get a good full catback system online for cheap? It's a Cali spec.

2. He was hesitant to say he would do the clutch with my parts, but he would. I've tried looking this up but i'm not sure if i need the entire clutch system or just parts of it. He didn't mention what i needed.

3. Is there other work that i can have him do while he has the transmission down? I don't want to have to pay for the time again in a couple months when something else is broken....

4. Tires - I only need 2 since i have 2 good MXV4 Energy's. I could get 4 of those Yokomo's like you were saying..that's not a bad price at all.

5. Anyone want to buy my car for a couple grand? It needs a little work as you can tell but she's a good girl...

Thanks for your help people. I guess i really just need a good place to get parts for cheap

JSMax

iTrader: (13)

1) check with budget exhaust www.lssexhaust.com With 2 ramps and a slopping driveway, you can do this yourself. You will have to be patient with the rusted bolts. Maybe even take it to a shop and have them remove the old exhaust?
2) If your opening up the tranny to do the clutch, might as well do the whole thing. Clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing and re-surface the flywheel.
3) I can't see the future, but if I could, I'd be playing the lottery! Sorry, the only way to tell it to have it opened up.
4)rotate your tires every 5000 miles. that will help the life of them. Also, have you had an alignment done at all?
5) sorry, not me.
Good luck. I'd get one of those new volkswagons. GTI. FREAKIN Fast. But insurance. FREAKIN high.

ImmaSquashYou

iTrader: (7)

well, if you're looking at a new clutch. You might think about getting a racing one since its more unlikely to crap out. Plus you'll have a new flywheel. I believe the set's around 350. But you just have to know that he's not going to cover anything as warranties. Since you bought the parts, if the parts decide to go bad, you'll prob be paying him again to take apart the clutch and put it back together. So you might want him to order the race clutch for you as you'll have a warranty with it. Just yesterday, i replaced my axle 2 times, and it was still bad. So if i were to of brough it to someone. It would of cost me a ****load of money in labor

HallKemar

If you want quality parts for a good price, go to www.ebay.com...If you have any questions whether or not the product in which you're interested in purchasing is worth the buck, post the question here or PM Me..

If your going to get a clutch make sure its a STAGE 1.
Exhaust system:Cattman or Stock

The smartest thing for you to do is provide the parts and go to a side shop to have them install them...Don't go to autozone or any of those places. The reason why Autozone charges ridicilous prices is because of their "status" and their corporation is internationally known.

SHOP AROUND, PROVIDE THE PARTS.Pay for the labor..You save alot of money doing it that way...

PS. When you provide your own parts, theres no warranty so make sure the products you get are well-built and not CHEAP!

my97maxi

iTrader: (4)

99' with 170k, thats alot, but um, as for debating to sell ur car or keep it, i would keep it. like u said, ur almost done paying it off. pay it off and fix her up

323MaximaSE

ask yourself.... do you LOVE this car? if you do THEN DUMP YOUR MONEY INTO IT! if not let the ***** go.. because it wasnt meant to be

Narrator

Thanks again for your suggestions folks. I've still not made up my mind. I'm in the process of shopping around for exhausts and am somewhere in the $4-$500 range for the entire system. Then we're talkin clutch after that. In the meantime i've been drooling over the Maximas for Sale forum and talking with my credit union about the possibility of a new car.

I figure, if i can get into an 01-03 Max SE 6Spd and still have the same payments i have now, why not? whyyyy not. More reliable, more fun, more long term payments, but the car i'm in now isn't exactly going to last much time after i'm done paying it off in a year and half anyways..so...

I'm going to the dealer this weekend. Unless i can find someone on here that's willing to work with me.

How much should i expect to get in private sale for my car?

1. $0-$1000
2. $1000-$2000
3. $2000-$3000
4. $3000+

It just needs a friggin clutch and exhaust. She's mint otherwise.



PS - Imma - That's one bad a$$ grill.