had a beautiful 96 GLE until about a month ago. got wrecked in a hit and run with a roofing flatbed.

since then ive been relentlessly hunting every single used maxima in a 100 mile radius. i think ive decided on another white 96 GLE, but in far worse shape than the one i had. my only other real choice is a 97 SE in perfect shape for 5500. 120k on it, 03SE rims, black/black with leather. but too much money. this is a better deal i think

COSMETIC

-several dings in the rear and front fender, nothing deep, just paint
-paint is also chipping by drivers window
-drivers side-view mirror has been replaced with one from another maxima
-cd display doesnt work but it plays cds and the radio works, just cant see it

MECHANICAL

-rotors and pads on all wheels are done, rotors are warped bad on the front
-CEL is on, throwing two of the 4 O2 sensors
-car is a northern car, some rust damage on the undercarrage

PERKS
-only 110k on it. car i just wrecked was 142k and i paid 3750 (it was in perfect condition though)
-tires are new, suspension is good
-leather is in good condition, sunroof, ac works well
-thing is $3100 ! ! ! !
-i could put $1000 into the car and still be under bluebook.

.........so my questions

how much should brake pads/rotors cost. parts and labor included?

how much should each o2 sensor be to replace? parts and labor? is that easy to do myself?

is there a good way to touch up that paint?
becuase the car is so cheap, i was thinking abotu just gettin a paintjob. how much should i be spending on that?

is there a quick fix for that CD display not working?


i would have no problem investing another 1500 into it. i just wanna know what i should be lookin for as far as prices go. input please.

 

Not sure on the other stuff, but paint jobs depend on how much youre willing to spend.

I got one a Maaco, and id say you get what you pay for.
I paid $750, it comes with a two year warranty i think.
It looks fine, but if you look up close in certain areas, its not a great job.

Its alright for the price though, most places cost around $2gs for a good one iirc

They didnt mask everything off properly, and i had overspray in my wheel wells and springs, and there was a bit of overspray on one of the rubber gaskets around my rear windshield.

Overall though, you wouldnt be able to tell unless you really looked hard.

 

What?

 

immona = i'm gonna = i'm going to

 

you'll probably spend about 500 on brakes. a good paint job (no color change) will run a couple k. not positive on the o2 sensors. if you have the money i would seriously consider buying less of a fixer-upper.

 

well thats the thing. i have about 5000 total. this guy wants 5500 for his babied 97 SE so that would be a stretch right there. plus i would have to do small things (tint in rear is coming off). its just too much money for a car with 120k. not when i can get a beater with 110k for almost 2 grand less.

 

Paint is a bizznatch....if possible I would spend the $ to get a car that doesnt need paint.

 

Your going to regret it...

 

We have a local guy, WPB actually selling his for $4k no issues.. with a 3.5-5spd swap. runs great

 

I have my 98 3.5 5spd still for sale...needs a little bit of work to be in excellent condition. Paint is in great shape, just needs a few maintenance items.

www.sounddomain.com/id/goaliekeg

It has mostly been de-modded, but still has the coilovers and the 3.5 5spd.

 

have you checked the .org classifides? i think you can do better without spending 5k.

 

yea man. im on the classifieds here, plus craigslist 10 times a day, plus i have a SEARCH ALERT on autotrader. and i check cars.com like twice a day. i have about 5 days to make this decision (rental car is due for return) so im trying to see as much as i can before then.

 

i dont think i want a manual down here. too much stop and go. plus i never learned how to drive one. its not a good idea. if you are lookin to get rid of your 4th gen and you are in florida (or know someone in florida) that is like 125 miles away or less (to boca raton) please PM me.

 

ok people. gettin down to crunch time here. this car just came in craigslist in the past day. pretty much exactly what i wanted, but no sunroof, and 160,000 miles on the odo.
asking 3900. i could probably get it for 3500 if i use the miles as leverage. looks like it was well maintained though.

here it is.

http://westpalmbeach.craigslist.org/car/436135366.html

 

I CANNOT any longer run carfaxes, my account has expried.

 

i appreaciate it man. thank you.
what do you think about this?
160,000 miles for a 99SE in good condition (i havent seen it yet tho, its about an hour from where i am) ??
or 110,000 on a beatup 96 GLE ??

i wouldnt pay more than 3500 for either of these (the 110k beater is 3100 dollasr)

 

Go see the 99 and wave $3500 cash in his face if you have any intentions of buying it. He is obviously selling below blue book already, so I doubt he will go much lower unless you have the cash right there. $3900 for a 99 with 160K is a much better deal than a 96 that needs work with 110K for $3100. The 99 seems to be taken care of more. Either wave the cash in his face or bring $ for a deposit then come back and report your findings to us.

 

"report your findings to us" what are you the car god now?

 

If you make one more post about buying a new car, immona ban you.

 

i would never buy that car. Why would you pay 3g for a car thats needs all that work?

 

If your going to buy a car with no problems to miniumum problems you should try considering the 97-99 models even though they have put some more miles but that's fine.The maintance should be good on those and you should just negatate for them to bring the price down. The bottom line is you need a car no matter the miles these cars are know to run good. good luck.

 

thanks.
and sorry for the whoring.

 

whatever you do test drive the max on some very crappy roads. Good suspension does not cheap.

 

I would rather get a 120k car that has been taken care of than any low mileage car that has been beat. Especially a northern car.

 

$500.00 on brakes?!?!?!?!! I am definately charging WAY too less!

I'll replace all four rotors, and all pads for like $200-$250 including parts! F-THAT NOW!

 

yea my mechanic crackhead carl said 150-200 for two front rotors and two front ceramic pads.

 

ha do the damn job yourself. A few hours of you time and a few hundred dollars cheaper.

 

hey Rockart check your pms i've got an 1999 SE-L auto 117k on it, with s-techs on illumnas, custom 2.5 exhaust, hawk hps, stillen slotted rotors, new bf goodrich gforce sports, new cv axles, drive belts, etc..... starting at 5400... and i'm in Tampa, FL

 

[QUOTE=

I'll replace all four rotors, and all pads for like $200-$250 including parts! F-THAT NOW![/QUOTE]


How about the hoses, calipers, and hardwear kit?..... It's a northern car.

 

so what if its a nothern car? My car has been driven in the snow for 10 years and I havn't had to replace hoses, calipers, or any other hardware. Just cause the mechanic says to do it doesn't mean it all needs replacement.

 

yeah, i don't use autozone parts. to me anything that needs to be replaced gets upgraded. brembo blanks and axxis metal masters every time. probably was on the high side still, but that way nobodies suprised.

 

you don't need to spend that much money to be not surprised. How com that a32shop has no products listed for any category?

 

well you figure you're going to spend a lil over $300 for quality parts, then theres labor. whats left over is just change. like i said, just a little high.

a32shop.com is a buisness i'm starting. similar to what custommaxima.com and southwestautoworks.com were when i got in it. i set up the website categories based on the products i felt were of high quality. i did not antecipate how difficult it was to actually become a dealer (and in some cases simply contact) for some of the major companies. when i was selling wheels it was easy, not true in this case.

 

I see.

 

yeah quality parts can cost a lot but not always. Also don't think anyone should pay $200 for someone to put brakes on their car but that's my personal opinion.

 

You know you could probably talk the guy down on the SE.. people generally price their cars slightly higher, anticipating that everyone wants to talk them down and get a good deal.

 

yea well ive seen this car on craigslist for a couple of weeks now. he was originally asking 4350, but recently dropped it to 3900. immona offer him like 3300 and see where he goes from there.

 

well. drove to southern miami today. over an hour away to see this 160k 99 SE... i originally asked this fck on the phone if the check engine light is on or off or on when you start the car and then turns off. he said AND I QUOTE "what are you kidding?". of course i get there, see the car, take the key, put it in pos 2 and the motherfcking CEL is no where to be found. after ten minutes of being verbally expressive, i ended up gettin 20 bux for gas....

\


fcking snakes everywhere

 

So he pulled the light for the CEL?

 

or it burned out - regardless if he asked the owner, he should have walked to the car and checked

dont worry man, you'll find the right max for you in no time, there are plenty of them around