ineedamaxima

This is my 2nd 4th Gen. I was so excited when I got it last year as it was a Colorado car with no rust, fully loaded with 63K confirmed miles in the color I was looking for AND it was a 5sp. I didn't even haggle on the price and just gave him what the was asking for it.

I justified paying a premium by figuring that I wouldn't have to do anything but basic maintenance for years.

Couple of oil changes later it turns out the chain tensioners are trashed, and I got to say goodbye to $2K. Naturally, I'm still gonna keep it for ages so I put the money into it. Now this last week my transmission is whining in 3rd, 4th and 5th and it looks like I'm needing a transmission rebuild/replacement! Car now has 81K on it. WTF?

Also, the ride is getting hard so I need new struts and the brake pads need doing... Damn!!

The Lexus IS300 is looking real good right now, but then I'd have a car payment again :-(

What would you guys do?

***UPDATE 1***

Hey guys thanks for the great feedback.

If the transmission is gonna cost $2K then that will take me over what the IS300 costs that I've spend on the max this year (including purchasing the car) outright, and the max is totally stock. Plus, once it's fixed I'd be lucky to get $5K out of it if I sold it. So, yeah I could get the Lexus but it would be marginal financially right now, and if it needed a major repair I'd be hosed. So I've decided to keep the car and save some more money. Might have to get rid of my spare wheels/tires though! :-(

Car is at a local transmission specialist as I type this and should I have a better idea of what's going on this evening. Will post an update when they get back to me by the end of day.

ride2wheels

I am going through your same situation, just had what you said(besides the trans)to my car. Mine was original owner with 110,000 miles on it. Thought I would have a trouble free car and no luck there.

I thought about selling it, but what if I got something else and had the same type of issues? I really didn't want a car payment either. Newer cars have higher tag prices, insurance, and car payments. I felt that those would cost much more than spending the 2000 into the car to get it reliable for a few more years.

Its all in how you want to spend your money but, theres no guaranty that you won't have a 2000 bill come up on your is300. Then you have a car payment and a repair bill.

I trust you will way your options well but, I would just keep it and have the knowledge you fixed problems to keep it on the road. At least then you won't have to sell somebody a problem and that will be piece of mind for down the road when you upgrade.

eFLO

iTrader: (2)

well id say if your finances permit...definitely hop in the is300...you'll have a fresh car and most importantly...a warranty guaranteeing no big repairs for 5-6 years. sell the maxima and use the money to add as downpayment.

nelledge

iTrader: (6)

I don't think this is a valid statement. The IS300 is also a used car. What are you basing this on?
OP - I say get the car you like that fits with your budget, being as conservative as you can. This isn't the economy of 2007. You have to be prepared for the worst. A layoff with no payments you can deal with. A layoff with car payments=more burden. So you have to make some repairs on a car, so what? Every car has the potential to break down whether it's new or old. I know for a fact that the Maxima is cheaper to repair then the IS300(besides the Altezza tails I really like this car BTW).

eFLO

iTrader: (2)

^sorry i thought IS and automatically thought new IS350-really it depends on what you can afford.

dj tes

iTrader: (1)

i can't tell you what to do ebcause i don't know your financial situation, but i don't mind putting money into my max because it makes me happy (the car that is). if you would rather go for something that may be warrantied then (if it applies) go with the is300. but also i have another car so my maxima is for summer use only. if you urgently need a running car, go with the the one that will better suit you finances.

maxed_out_99

i couldn't really tell you what to do with your money but... me personally i always wanted a max and now that i got one its gonna have to rust to pieces before i get rid of it. i love it! and i have no payments except for parts. if you love it keep it. if your sick of it sell it.

nelledge

iTrader: (6)

I figured that's what you meant. But even so, an IS350 is still going to cost around 35k used. A very conservative 5 year at 5% will cost you about $7500 a year. The max would save you thousands of dollars in just one year. Even with a few large repairs.

95franklin

You said it!

gto400no1

iTrader: (5)

Just a warning, the grass always looks greener, but in the end you're gonna find yourself looking for another Maxima - Just a heads up. I know I regret getting rid of my last 4th gen.

metaverse

ALL things considered ... fix it and be done with it ... atleast you'll know the work was done - right.

My tranny is hanging in 3rd gear as well ... just had the front end swapped over from my older max. Haven't even painted the hood and bumper yet. I thought to myself "finally a max under 100k miles ... this baby will be fine for atleast a couple of years"

... NOPE. Tranny hangs ... But , ultimately , as much as I would hate to drop the 2k into a new transmission atleast I'll know it was done.

sureal00

iTrader: (2)

sounds like bad luck with the maxima.I have had 2 4th gens and they were very reliable.If you really like maxima's I am pretty sure if you get rid of it you will miss it.I will always like 4th gen's as they have been my favorite one

Ominous OP

My 00 max I just bought wound up costing me more in parts so far then I paid for the car. But I love nissan and to be fair the car had 132k on it whne purhased. I wanted to get rid of it at first out of frustration but then I realized any used car is going to need work, not to mention everything you pay for tax tittle and reg. I decided that I would convert any part I need to replace to performance (where possible) and That's what I'm doing. Made me feel better about it. Just make sure you're geting the best deals on parts that you can. Use the internet to it's fullest extent be one with it. haha I have a good web site for strust, got tokico illumina's and sportech lowering springs with a 10% discount AND free shipping, the whole set up cost me about 620. autoanything.com