Now I am definitely in the market for a 4th gen. I found a 98 SE Black on black 5 speed with 140000 miles original owner. He lives one hour from me. He said cars in great condition and he would take $3200. What do you think? He was asking $4000 but I told him I didnt have that much to spend. I will put up some pics soon

 

that sounds not bad, get it checked out first

 

Agreed

 

Yea I already have a shop lined up in his hometown. He is even willing to split the bill with me

 

go for it... maximas are have plenty of life left at those miles... this will be your DD right?

 

Make sure you set aside enough $$ for a rebuild on the 5spd. With 140k on the clock, the diff and IPS bearings are sure to have pleanty of wear and tear. Rebuild (if you do it yourself) would cost you ~400 or so (if a shop does it, you're looking closer to ~800 - 1,200). Just a heads up.

 

If the person took care of it and babied it, you should be good.

 

Even if they did baby the car, I would wonder about the shimming from Nissan ... ???

 

Dont forget to get that VIN for a carfax check.

 

this is the very first thing I hope the OP already did...especially considering how many threads the OP has about getting a 4g.

And take someone that knows a lot about 4g Maximas with you, if possible in addition to having the mechanic check it out.

 

JTZ my damn 5MT self destructed man.

 

I get the feeling you are trying to imply that this is somehow my fault? lol Sorry to hear that mate .... order a bearing / seal kit and get at it, wtf?

 

nah i wasnt blaming you i hust remembered you were the 5mt rebuild king and wanted to see if you had an opinion. where is the best place to get a kit???

 

Its official boys. 98 Maxima SE Black on Black leather with a 5 speed. 140,000 miles for $3000. Car is clean as hell. Few small door dings but I will have them taken care of....

 

Congrats!! Nice pickup. Compared to your nice I30, the aftermarket support for the 4g is more plentiful. Let the modding begin.

 

Exactly why I went with one. Plus the I30 is just too old looking in the front if ya know what I mean. I love the way the 4th gens look lowered, with wheels, new lights, and stillen lip kit

 

huh? the chassis is identical.
only extra is a CF hood/trunk, which you can probably find for the I30 if you go overseas. I saw a replacement center piece for the I30 (A32) that moves the plate up there.

the I30 was available with a VLSD, and nicer touches than the maxima was.

 

Different headlight/tailight options, bodykits etc. Shall I go on??

All the nice touches the I30 has can be added/swapped over to the Maxima.

Therefore, Maxima>I30

and

My quaife owns the VLSD.

 

Yes, because all you have so far are ricer parts.

 

Sweet, one less person to own a VLSD as I continue my quest to let my car eat all the VLSD trans I can find for it.

 

if you search you can find the same options for the I30s.
you just need to remember that it is a cefiro when hunting for accessories.
it's possible to swap everything over but why? I know john is in the process of doing it to his. we'll see if he swaps over the dash pad or not.
the I30 feels better than the maxima does to me.
FWIW my points of reference are:
96 I30 150-200k (actual mileage unknown)
96 GXE 150k
98 I30t 183k

Both I30s felt better to me than the max. I think John also said my I30 felt better than his max (95 293k 5 speed)

 

Felt better? You mean softer?

 

actually my GXE was softer. the whole car just felt more solid, more refined.

 

Mmmmmm...Yummy. Me luvs me rice long time. LOL