buying a 4th gen with problems? anyone may know whats wrong?
 

so im about to get my license, but ive owned a few cars already.

-95 nissan maxima. automatic
-00 nissan maxima. automatic
-93 nissan sentra. 5 spd.

ive worked on the 95 and 93 nissans, so i know my way around them for the most part. i like how 4th gen maximas look like subarus from behind when they are debadged. and how they handle.

anyways, ive been looking around on craigslist for either an integra gsr or another maxima. i found this 4th gen, that the guy says it has an ecu issue.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/2294446337.html

what would you guys think the problem could be? also, do you think i should buy a car like this that needs little work done to it (pretty sure if it is the ecu, i can find one for cheap), or buy one that runs with no issues. (used as daily driver)

i found this as well. http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/2216718563.html
i could use it for parts such as ecu (if that really is the problem)

or i have found a few other maximas, and only need other small things fixed like a new oxygen sensor.

so tell me guys, any suggestions?????
thanks in advance, kevin

First off, ECU's don't just go bad. The car sat for a while, big deal.
Looks like there's an intake on it, how many miles???

These cars are easy to trouble shoot. For $700 bucks you might get lucky.
Put a fresh battery in it, see what happens when you crank it. Could be a bad fuel pump, check for spark and fuel. Pull any codes that may get set while it cranks.

+1 for that. 4th gen's have an excellent design that allows for easy troubleshooting. Get yourself a code reader, multimeter, and FSM and you can fix just about any electrical problem. Some common and not-so-common 4th generation problems for one this age might be:

1. Bad Starter
2. Bad Knock Sensor
3. Bad Coil Packs
4. Dirty MAF and IACV
5. Worn CV Axle Boots
6. Stuck/Frozen rear calipers and parking cable
7. Leaky valve covers
8. Bad alternator
9. Leaking water pump
10. Bad differential (carrier) bearings

I would check these things out if you can before buying. Might help you negotiate. Good luck!

Yeah must agree. That's how I got the second 4th gen with a bad alty and oil covered engine for $950. Easy fixes man...one things for sure, the engine is good :thumbsup: unless they never got oil changes.

Even if you cant fix the $700 max, You could probley get you $$$ back by just partin out.