I've been rehabbing the Max, but I'm coming close to the point where I just don't have the time to deal anymore so I'm considering getting rid of it and getting something newer.

'97 Max SE Black with cloth and auto, 143K

The good:
Brand new KYB GR2's with new OEM bits and pieces all around
Brand new Bridgestone RE960 AS tires
New OEM front endlinks with bushings
New Brembo blanks with OEM pads up front
Brand new alternator
Brand new OEM belts
new hood struts
a front strut tower bar

I also have two calipers, two brembo blanks, new OEM pads, shims and hardware for the rear brakes, all brand new in boxes and ready to install.

All of these repairs have been done over the last few months and none of them have over 1000 miles on them yet!

The bad:
The CV boots just failed (Passenger blew, driver side is about to)
Radiator support is rusted out (I got a repair estimate from body shop of $300)
There are rust spots on the botton leading edge of the body behind every wheel and the one on the front lip of the hood
The typical evap system error code that always seems to come back no matter what I replace

The car runs perfectly and I really like driving it, especially since replacing the struts, it really is a great car. I've put a lot of work and money into it over the last few months, but I am approaching the point of just not wanting to invest more and need something my wife can use and me not worry. Between all of the above, I've recently sunk over $3,000 into the car.

What do you think a fair price would be?

 

first of all, if the issue is that your wife wants something new and less likely to have an unanticipated repair, your question belongs on a different forum.

IMHO, and with a '99 approaching 200K, I continually remind myself that the cost of buying (financing) a new car with similiar options, power and handling approaches $30k / 500 per month nut (assuming a few grand as a down payment). Is it worth it to commit to that amount for 4-5 years, along with the cost of routine maintenance, as the miles add up over that period? Not for me, not yet, but everyone has different situations to consider. But my chick doesn't drive a manual trans, so it's completely my decision, whereas you have your wife's peace of mind to consider.

It looks like you do what others here have suggested, as you make expected repairs, you upgrade the part. Exhaust goes? upgrade to stainless and never worry again. struts go? upgrade to tokikos or a good coilover system. clutch goes - get the 2kMax clutch parts. I might spend $400 on an unexpected repair one month, but that does not happen too often. then I go 6 months for free, while the new car buyer has spent $3000 on payments, and is now approaching their 30k mile service.

 

If your really hell bent on getting rid of it I say 4500 is a fair price to sell it for since you put 3000 already into it.

But thats the situation, you already put 3000 into it and Now you want to get rid of it ?? If I were you I would run it till the wheels fall off with all that money invested into it. Your in to deep why stop now ?

You gotta keep going and get her done ....with the repairs i mean.

 

It's an older car that has problems ... That's expected. But as phaedrus220 said. You may spend 500 one month and not have anything go wrong for a few months after that. Insurance is considerably cheaper on a 97 maxima than 2009-2010 anything.

Pros, IMO, outweigh the Cons ... Fix the car and keep it until it really falls apart.

 

Thanks guys. I knew it would need work and I expected problems. Just wished they had been spaced out a little more! I wasn't really concerned until the rust thing, that made me second guess myself. Throwing parts on a decaying frame would be silly, but I spoke to the body guy and he says it's no big deal, not a structural part of the car and he is going to repair it. While he's at it, he's going to inspect the entire thing and see if there's any body/frame parts that are really of concern.