Chen127

Hey guys, I've found a used 98' Maxima GXE at my local Nissan dealership. It's has black exterior, black cloth interior, and sunroof, that about it for the options. It is an automatic( I know I want a 5 speed too, but that's not practical for what I need the car for), and it currently has 36K miles. They showed me the carfax, and everyhthing showed up clean. It was purhased in Texas as a lease vehicle, then was sold to someone near NYC, then it was sold at an auction and now it's at the dealer here near Philadelphia. I'm a little worried because the car was a lease and has had two owners already. I test drove the car and looked it top to bottom, it drove strong and everything looked good. I've finally got them down to $14,000+tax title and tags, so about $15G's all said and done. So assuming the car is in tip top shape, do you guys think it's worth it? I know there are better deals out there, but I feel a bit safer buying it from a Nissan dealer because it has been checked over and they certified it. But there is no warranty, just like some 60 day 2,000 thing that goes for all cars or soemthing, and i get and free inspections for 3 years, roadside assistance, and some other BS. I plan to add a 3 or 4 year warranty through my insurance company later. What you guys think,and what else should i specifically check for on the vehicle? Thanks for the help!

Asian_N02

take it to a mechanic you trust and have him look over the car...make sure the car hasn't been in a wreck...a certified mechanic can tell you that...for the mileage on the car...i think it's a pretty good deal...but again...it doesnt' hurt to have somebody else look over it with you...top to bottom...inside and out...good luck!

Ben4bamaMax

Heres the NADA figures for your car.
trade: 12525 + 600 for sunroof = 13125 + around $450 for low mileage = 13575 trade value. So $14k is a good deal.
I bought a 98SE with 82k mi last month for 10,800 at an auction. The mileage deduction was $2k. Therefore if my car had your miles it would have been about 13,250. Mine too was a leased vehicle (commercially ) with 2 titles. Never wrecked and in great shape. Mine had every option but ABS. I was told it was an exceptional deal since I got it a grand below loan value. To be honest, all I was looking for was an SE with sunroof (like yours). I think that $14k from a dealer sounds about right since I was looking at a 98SE from a dealer, same color and all options, and was prepared to give him $15k for it with low mileage too. Go for it...it is practically only 2 years old.

Jason96GLE

Ben,

Thats sounds fair for a dealer. My personal opinion is to buy from a private individual beacuse you can get a better idea of how the car was maintained as well as a much better price. Here in New York, I see 98 GXEs w/asking prices of 13-14K privatley. You could probably pick one up for 2K under that amount. Maximas are very common, especially GXEs, therefore the price goes down very quickly so keep in mind resale value. However, a 98 with 36K is tempting, I would be a liitle uneasy with such low miles. Ask the Nissan dealer to search his computer and see if and warranty repairs were made. Nissan logs all warranty repairs. Carfax is a good tool but no always the best. Good luck.

Jason96GLE

I screwed up, sorry. My reply was for Chen and not Ben.

NYCe MaXiMa

iTrader: (9)

Personally, I think that's too much!
I got my 98 GXE w/ 57k miles, Superblack exterior, tan cloth interior ( ) sunroof, power drivers seat. The auction price I got it for was 10,400$, when it's all said and done (auction fees, dealer fees etc..) I paid over 11 grand. I understand the car has lower miles but still, I got my car in NJ BTW..
I see 97 SEs loaded going for less than that w/ slightly higher milage, maybe 50-60k. So with that $, I'd aim for a fully loaded SE. BTW, "NYC GXE" has a 97 SE superblack, w/ tan leather, BOSE, everything, and it's 5-speed. for sale in NYC. Georgia car, like 57k miles I think.... Car is beautiful, I am not trying to jock him, just letting you know. He wants less then 13 grand for it. And that is a fair, even LOW price. I say look around private party ads, people have some good deals out there..