I have been putting a little bit of money into my 98 Maxi. Basically simple mods which have been more unsuccessful than successful. My question is... Should I continue fixing it up and dumping a lot of money into it or get another 4th gen in better condition or possibly a 5th gen.

Here is my reasoning: This is my first car. I fell in love with it and chose this over a bmw 325i with an m3 engine and tranny. Only problem is that the paint is chipped all over the hood and various spots around the car, dents on the back right above the wheel, and leather is faded and interior has a couple tears. All these things are fixable, sure. I would like to to get my Maxi looking clean but I'm starting to think looking for another one in better condition.

I know this is a personal choice and not something others can choose for me but I'd like to get some input. Also keep in mind that I am 18 still in high school and just got laid off from my job. So no more money being spent for now.
What would you guys recommend? it still runs alright and it's usually in need of repairs but give me some input or ideas to help me make a decission.

 

Hello. I am new to this site and this is only my second post. However, I am a bit older than 18 (unfortunately) and like you, I am not exactly in the money right now.

I am also a fellow 4th gen Maxima owner. I have a '96 Maxima that is in fairly
good condition but has gotten a little beaten up over the years. It runs great
and is very dependable at almost 140,000 miles. It has not exactly been cheap getting it to that point but I enjoy driving this car and it does get me where I want to go. my kids have nicknamed it 'Rocket"-hence the origin of my username
on Maxima.org.

You mentioned that you are still in high school and just lost your job. Lucky for you that in this economy you don't have to worry about basic living expenses. I am assuming, of course, that you live at home with your parents, as would be prudent for someone your age still in high school. You also mentioned that you have no money to spend but were trying to decide whether to keep your '98 Maxi or buy a newer one.

I can certainly relate to the first statement about having no money but not to the second statement about getting a newer-possibly a 5th Gen-Maxima. Why would you want to spend money on a newer car when you don't even have an income right now? Even if you sold your '98, considering the condition you described it as being in, you would still have to spend some money for a newer, and more expensive, car. As to what you should do, I would first consult your parents for advice, but for what it is worth, I would say to hang on to your '98 for now and do just enough to keep it on the road for now.

Your first priority for now should be to finish high school. Your next priority should be to find a job and/or go to college, if college is something you are considering. I would also avoid any unnecessary modifications to your car for now-just keep it running for now. These cars are extremely durable and reliable but you need to stay on top of your routine maintenance, especially as they get older. My priority for my '96 has been to keep it in running order. Modifications are in the future but for now they are on hold.

Personally, I like the 4th Gen Maximas over the newer generations. I really think Nissan did its best work on the '95-'99 (4th Gen) models. they lost something starting in 2000. There's nothing quite as beautiful as a completely restored like-new 4th Gen Maxima. I have an image in my head of what I want my '96 to look like-if only had the money to make that dream come true.

Sorry if this is a bit wordy and lengthy-blame it on my ADHD-but I hope it helps.
Take care for now, and happy driving!!!

 

Thanks for the post and welcome to the .org! I was a little unclear about little details. I am definitely keeping the 98 as of now and I am in the same mind set as you: Keeping it in running condition. I am bringing this subject up now so when I find a job and get settled with college, I'll know what to do with my extra money. I do not want to spend all my money on more mods and then later decide I don't want to spend the money on almost a whole new interior and paint job.

I agree with you 100% about the 4th gen Maxi's. I like their body style over any other generation. The 5th isn't too too bad but might be better to have a younger car. I wouldn't be opposed to getting another 4th gen either as long as it's in a lot better condition than what mine is in haha

I just don't want to waste time and money if it would be better to just go look for a 4th gen in better condition or a 5th gen. I won't be spending the money on either until I get a job and can afford the new car if that's the route I want to go. Again thanks for the reply

 

You're welcome. And good luck with school and work. Once you get those little details settled and you have some money coming in then you'll be a better position to either fix up your Maxi or trade it on a newer one or one in better shape.

I can relate to this since I am in a similar position with my '96 Maxi. It doesn't help to have peope like th wife and the mother-in-law saying 'Sell it' while your heart -and kids-are saying 'keep it'. It's a tough decision when you don't know what the future holds. Will the car keep running or will it break down and now you have to spend more money to fix it or unload it at a loss.

In my case this particular Maxi has been in the family for a while. My mother originally bought in when it was new back in 1996 and my dad took it and drove it after my mother decided to buy a Cadillac instead. She still has the Caddy but
it's been a real problem for her-a real money pit. I think I'd rather have my '96 Maxi than that '97 Caddy any day. Anyway, at least I know who has owned it and driven it so I have a pretty good idea of what to expect down the road.

In the end, you will also follow your heart on this. You did say you really love the car and no two cars are ever the same, even if they are the same model and look alike. the Maxi you have is your Maxi and it has your personality engrained in it. And that's something you can't get in a trade.

Let me know what you decide to do and how your decision turns out when the time comes. Talk to your later.

 

pics of your 4th gen? Sounds kind of like mine, 150xxx miles leather is ripping on rear seat and a very very minor scratch on back bumper. Runs great though. I've been in the same situation like you the past few weeks deciding on whether or not to get a new car or just work on the max

 

Thanks again for the advice and I'll definitely stay in touch. I have that connection between me and my Maxima especially being my first car and spending 3k which was just about all I made that year at my old old job haha the other 1k went to a new drum set I think for now I'll keep her running strong and when the time comes and I have the money to decide, that's when I'll be ready to make the decision.
I have a few pics but they were all cleverly taken so no cosmetic flaws could be noticed haha I'll take a bunch tomorrow of all the things that are banged up and that I have broken...

 

Pics as requested:


^Beat up rear bumper, scratch on trunk, and faded gold Nisaan Burger Maxima badges.

^Dents above passenger side back wheel.

^ Scuffed and tiny bump in bumper from rear ending my buddy's 99 Altima. Broke an amber amber turn signal but just threw these clears on.

^My biggest mistake EVER. First painted this crap blue, then a dash kit, then wrapped myself... I want my stock dash pieces back.

^ Rips in arm rest. You can also see the tear in the e-brake boot in the bottom right corner.

^Faded leather. Weird yellowish lines in the cracks.

^ Cracked fogs. Both look almost identical haha cracks have the same pattern.

^You can kind of see the chips in the paint and scratches but they're all over the hood. They are a lot more visible in person the camera just had trouble picking it up with the sky reflection.

So yeah those are the basic problems cosmetic wise.

 

KEEP THE MAX!! btw were did you get that maxima sticker on the odometer cluster?? its nice

 

I got them from custommaxima.com and I have a bigger one on the passenger side between the air bag and glove compartment. They're like a buck each and the big one is 5 bucks

here's the link if you're interested: http://www.custommaxima.com/product/...m/Default.aspx

 

so if you dont have money or a job how do you expect to get a new car ? I was 18 once a long time ago and let me tell you money is important. If you have a functioning car keep it. I have a little money to play wtih now and can get a new ride if i want to but i live my 99 se 5spd. im doing a motor swap as we speak i blew up the original

 

I'd wait till I got a job and save up for the new car instead of putting more into the Max I have now. I'm just trying to get some advice on what others would do in my situation. I'd be putting a lot of money into a new paint job and redo practically the entire interior.
My Maxi is an auto I'd die for a 5spd! The only problem is that I have searched around and there aren't many 5spds around where I live.
Also what motor are you putting in? I have also thought about if I were to keep my 98 id either do the 3.5 or de-k swap.