Well, I am new to the Maxima world. I bought a 1995 Maxima about 3 weeks ago for $1000. I knew it needed some work .... but during my time driving it and starting to fix this nightmare of a hack job these people did .... the motor started knocking and died. As it sits now, it needs rear motor mount, shifter, drivers window motor, gas tank door, e-brakes, and it does not pass emissions. It probably needs more that I have not come across yet .... so I am not sure.

Now .... I went a bought a 1998 Maxima se tonight for $500. This has passed emissions last year, has the bose system and leather interior. It has 144,000 miles and runs great .... but it has been in a front end collision. It still has a clean title but is missing everything from the front. It needs the front frame rails and radiator support replaced, and ovbiously radiator, bumper, hood, fenders, and lights .... and windshield and air bags need to be replaced.

So I would like your input on wether I should just swap the engine and exhaust into my 95 and keep fixing that .......... or should I go to a shop I used to work at and have them change the front end off the 95 and put it on the 98 ??? (obviously I am leaning on fixing the 98 right now .... seems like a better car anyway)

Thanks in advance for any advice ....

 

I know how you feel,

I bought a 96 for 2500 and I've put well over 1000 into it in the first 3 and a half months of owning it

damn the previous owners

I would fix the 98

 

me to, i was in the same boat as well but not with engine problems just with suspension problems. The person i bought it from had 20 chrom rims on with blown struts.

 

How bad is the front end of the 98?

The 95 sounds more complete. Could potentially use the 98 as a parts car.

S

 

The 98 is a solid car and its only gonna cost me about $500 for my old boss to change the front clip. It has an IMMACULATE black leather interior and the bose system in it.

The 95 is rotting out in the rear wheel wells and under the passenger floor .... the suspension seems to be weak ... I hit a bump and you feel it in the floor .... the seats have burn marks and so do the door panels ... they hacked all the speaker wiring and the alarm system as well ....

So I think I am going with fixing the 98 .....

I am going to get before and after pictures to post on here ,,,,

 

putting a 95 front end on a 98 is FTL................

 

 

i would do a motor swap to the 95 and stay with that then convert the front to a 97

 

FTL= FOR THE LOSS
If its only going to cost you $500 dollars for the front clip sounds like a no brainer. I would fix the 98 and use the 95 for parts or sell it for the money for the front clip.
95 max $1000
98 max $500 + $500 for the front clip same price

 

Aye, keep the 98 with a 95 parts car. Didn't realize you were getting a deal on the front clip.

S

 

With all the money I have put into my Max, it could have been bought twice over now. Go for the 1998.

 

get a new motor and do a swap,no conversion.

 

Man, where do I get some deals like that? Actually, I kind of did. I paid 1500.00 for mine with the right doors smashed in. I would fix the '98 for sure. Sounds like a nice car. Paul

 

Yeah the front clip[ is coming off the 95 and going onto the 98 ... so for $500 I am not going to complain .... especially since the 95 floors are starting to rot out ....

So hopefully the shop will sqeeze my car in sometime about the 15th and take about 3 days to fix it .... so hopefully ..... by the 25th I should be driving it ...

Now its time to go take the before pictures .....