theore

Ive been looking at this 1997 Maxima GLE
and Im almost certain that Im going to
purchase it today. I read the faq for
this board and I tried a search before
asking this question and didn't come up
with the answer that Im looking for.

My question is what are the general
differences between the 1997 model and
and 1998/1999?

What are some basic things that I should
out for when buying this car?

The car has about 42,000 miles on it, and
its for sale at a cadilac dealership.
We settled on a price of 14,500 out the
door off the lot tax, license, etc, included.
Is that a bad deal? I also ran a carfax report
and the car comes up fairly clean. Im just
a lil nervous about buying another used car, but
I cant afford to pay over 14,500 for any car.
I currently own a 1990 GXE and plan on keeping that
and bringing it back up to good running condition.


Anyway, thanks for any help and information that I
might receive on this one.


TheorY

Asian_N02

i'm not sure about the difference between a 97 and 98-99 model, but from what it looks like to me...you're getting a pretty good deal. How much is the buying price? Around $13k?

theore

The asking price online thru autotrader.com is 13998,
when I went to test drive the car it has/had a sticker
price of 16998. Im thinking I probably could have gotten
it a tad bit cheaper if I didn't reveal my hand, buy
showing them how much my pre-approved loan amount. I was
also adamant about not paying for anything out of my
pocket overthe loan amount. I let them see my paper work,
they kinda felt sorry for my interest rate and said I
could drive off the lot for 14.5, my full loan amount.

Im just a lil nervous thats all, Im on a tight budget, with bad credit. I dont have many choices but the choices that I have, I want to fully explore them. Im being patient and dont want to end up with a problematic car (maxima that is, because its the only car I will purchase)



again, thanks for any input.









heres a link to the car...i hope i dont get in trouble here for posting it:
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...&ac_afflt=none

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

the 97's have analog ODO.. the 98-99 have digital..

and i think that is the major difference apart from price..

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

Don't forget the red gauge needles that started in '98.

Isn't the automatic climate control front face "better" on the 98 and 99s?

The automatic shifter is cheaper. The O/D button is a nice click on/click off on the 97s, but just a pushbutton (and cheaper) on the 98 and 99 models.

Side impact air bags were made available beginning in '98

Sterling Mist and *gag* Lakeshore Blue were added colors in '98.....I think Sage Mist Green was as well.











I'm so glad I know nothing about Maximas.....

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

yes your knowledge of minimas astound me

vteckilla

HEY thats casa de cadilac,I think lol.That dealer is great if
it is my grandparents buy all their cars there an even know some
sales an service reps personally.

theore

Thanks for all input guys. I feel a lot more confident about getting this car now. I dont know Maximas like I know old vw bugs yet, so I didnt really know what Id be missing out on or getting extra by going with a 97 compared to 98-99. I am now waiting on the dealer to call me back to let me know when she is ready to be picked up (its being detailed).


Whats the first thing I should do if I get her? Tune up? Change the oil?
I just want to take much better care of this one then I did my 1990 GXE. My 1990 sounds like a pocket full of change when Im driving down the street! (ive learned my lesson now I think)


Thanks again.

TheorY

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....threadid=45742

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....threadid=51607

shane

You should ask the salesperson what they have done to the car oil change etc good luck

kmax

iTrader: (1)

What does "fairly clean" mean as you say about the Carfax report.
What wasn't right? how many owners? Was it leased? The mileage is low, was it clocked? The original tires should be on it.

Have you brought it to your personal mechanic?

The price is ok if its truly clean.
Sorry to ask the tough questions but you said money was tight and there's other Max's around.

blizz20oma

iTrader: (1)

Sounds good. If it passes your scrutinizing eye, visually, with that kind of mileage, I'd think that was an OK price. It seems its too late, but I might have taken it to an independent mechanic, especially since you have an older maxi and might know someone that works on Nissans already (I *still* haven't found anyone that specializes on Nissans here, and I'm getting close to 90k, bought the car 2 mos ago...)

Although if it was me, I wouldn't want the old-womans version of the maxi that is the GLE, but hey, it's better than an automatic GXE
(but that's just my opinion).

Hope the buying process works out OK and as headache-free as possible!

Maury

iTrader: (1)

hey watch your mouth, i have a gle and i'm not an old woman
but seriously - it's funny, in my parents' neighborhood last month i noticed a 2000 maxima se - beautiful car. i would pass it every few days and always wonder who owned it. i found out yesterday while driving behind her ... yes, HER! this lady looked like that "golden girl" with the white hair - the stupid one. i couldn't beleive my eyes!!! that must have been a funny scene- the salesman talking this 75-year old granny into an SE with all the trimmings

Anachronism

I might be a little late to help you, but I asked about this a couple months ago --- http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....threadid=57596

Looks like only minor differences between the 97-99 anyway, the digital odometer and availability of side airbags see to be the biggest differences.

max7

I onced raced a car on the street and took him out. He told me at the next light to return my car back to grandma. I think he was just mad that I whooped him. Well, anyway it's not an old women car, and thumbs up for that salesman. Maybe we can talk her into joining the forum, and gettin some mods. Hey what do you think her first mod should be. I think she should get the s/c first than maybe some NOS. Hehe, the money left over from the last bingo winning she could probably jump on some group buys.

ericdwong

Actually you are misinformed on some of the things~
I have a 97 and I have red needles. What I think you meant, is that in 98 the fuel gauge is reversed.

And Sage Mist Green exists in 97 cause mine is sage mist green and a 97.

You are correct about the climate control however. I think the speaker pod in the rear deck also changed. Instead of the 97s black BOSE grille, on the newer ones they are smaller, more flush and color coherent.

Also, I believe the alarm functions a bit differently. Upon unlocking the 98s will flash the brake lights, where the 97 does not.

In addition, the 97's have a glaze on their SE rims, where as the newer SE's do not have this glze.

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

Sorry. 97 SE models did have them. To cut costs and justify the red ones, Nissan put them in all trims for 98 and 99.



I thought it was for 99, but I searched (gasp) and discovered it was for 98. And I did fail to mention that.



Correct. I couldn't remember if that was 97 or 98.



Good knowledge.

That is correct. 97 SE rims had the clearcoat. The 98s did not and look kinda stupid in person. But I was under the impression the 99s had the clearcoat on them again.......

Infiniti

that's a bad deal. there was a 99 GLE in LA. selling for 15k. but too bad my brother already bought his 99 GXE for 12k.

drew01182

maximaracer28

hey theore dont feel bad, back in the day i restored a 71 super beetle and got rid of it, then got into maximas...at first i was so aware of the bugs and parts for them and didnt know anything about maxi's..now i have some knowledge gained...

Bmm0324

i just baught a 97 max tax title ext. warranty everything out the door for 13900, but they did give us a pretty good deal, maybe try and get the price to about 14500.