MaximA VlaD

iTrader: (7)

I am looking at a green 98 SE with 202K mi. The guy is a first owner, car looks decent for a 98 with minor dents and blemishes. I am looking for an opinion of what to inspect to make sure I am not getting a car with some expensive problem.

It starts fine, no noises. But I only sat in it for a minute. I am going back to look at it again, so any advice will be appreciated.

There is a problem with the Bose stereo - the tape player is clicking about 10 times everytime ignition is turned on. Anyone know how much those bose stock cd/tape stereos run for used?

Here is a pic I took of the car earlier today, notice some wetness on the top intake manifold. Could that be a sign of a leak through the gasket? Perhaps a fuel line that is right there? He said the car did have one of the coils replaced in the past.



Thanks for advice.

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

how much is he asking for the car?
how are the tires?

if it was a fuel leak you would most definitely be smelling it.
how does the car idle once its warmed? what rpm does it sit at? does it fluctuate?


next time you turn the car on, let it sit RUNNING for like 20 minutes. most clacks and other random noises dont really become apparent until the car is fully warmed.

check all seams/body panels/body bolts to see if they line up and/or have been tampered with.
have you CARFAXed the VIN yet?


and I have a barely used OEM bose headunit (from a 97 GLE) for sale in the 4th gen classifieds for $70 shipped - but thats the high end. ive seen them for as cheap as $50.

MaximA VlaD

iTrader: (7)

He is asking $3200,

The tires are fairly new - 85% left.

I did not smell fuel in the engine compartment, but will check again next time.

The idle did appear to be fine after only a few minutes of running, but it was not fully warmed up. ~ 900RPM. Will check.

The body looks straight, no evidence of accidents/tampering yet.

I did not CARFAX the VIN yet... Will do.

Thanks for your response.

fat_kid

iTrader: (13)

202k for 3200, i wouldn't do it. i bought mine with 115k for that price.

get it checked by a mechanic first and see if anything needs to be replaced

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

yea i agree that $3200 is too high for a 98 with 200k.

there are going to be lots of things failing in the near future that are going to cost 100 here and 100 there.

id try to get him down around $2500 or so. and, in case you dont know, always negotiate face to face and with cash-in-hand. never on the phone.

Accord4tehloss!

Also if you do get it. instead of replaceing the bose with another bose from a maxima you could get one from I believe a 05 pathfinder. Will give you a 6 disk changer and be able to play mp3 cds. When I find a 4th gen thats what I am going to do.
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...disc-bose.html

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Your nuts to buy a Maxima with 202K miles on it for 3200 bucks.
You can pick up a Mercedes with similar miles for about the same $$.

criative

Yea, 3200 would be a no go with that many miles, 2200-2500 sounds more reasonable

ChubbieBoi

iTrader: (27)

too much... i would keep looking for another maxima..

Accord4tehloss!

Although it really depends on where you are I have been looking for 4 months now. every 5 speed I can find has 180k + and they want 4-5k for them

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

then you need to come down to FL

when i was in the market there were quite a few 5 spds with aprx 120k miles for around 4k

nsnrider

iTrader: (59)

just make sure you get it checked by your mechanic if you're not to mechanically inclined. I would stay away from a car with that many miles, but thats just my opinion. good luck.

crash_landing

iTrader: (1)

figure with those miles you are gonna probably need injectors and coil packs in the near future. also expect a few random sensors to go as well, like crankshaft position, knock sensor, maybe 02 sensors. thats best case. all this adds up and can be more then the difference of a car with lower miles.

however, one owner can be great, if he has any kinda of service docs thats a plus. my car was a one owner and the guy followed scheduled maintenence with reciepts to prove, and never raced the thing. car has been awesome. 95se 96k... 4 thou.

just drive the thing and try and knock it down in price.

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

Bose headunits suck...an upgraded Panasonic Pathfinder (Bose) 6CD headunit will run you around $200 on ebay.

The residue on the upper intake manifold is just oil residue I believe, and it is not uncommon for 4th gens with miles to have that.

However for $3200 and as everyone else said above, you can do better, or offer him a more reasonable price.

ZaxWhite97Max

iTrader: (4)

Try and get it for like....... 700 less. buy a 3.0 from a salvage yard I got mine for 400 dollars and it had 25k registered miles im sure you can find one with less than 200k for cheap swap it in (this assuming you know how) and then get da 00vi

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

heres one with half the mileage for $600 more than his asking price.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...4&rdpage=thumb

and another, 120k for $3500

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...7&rdpage=thumb



i found mine last year on Craigslist - $4400 for a one-owner 97 GLE with 41,480 original miles.

Snypa

iTrader: (35)

^^best deal yet........to me.