Hey,

My father bought a 98 Maxima SE brand new back in 98..he Loves it. Now that I'm gonna need a car since I'm commuting to college next semester, I'm thinking a 97-99 SE would be perfect. I'm looking for one thats preferably black, dark blue, or sterling mist...leather interior, pref auto (I really want the 5-speed, but my parents arent up for the idea since neither one knows how to drive one). Do you think I should be able to find one with relatively low miles (under 60k) for around $10k-11k? Anyway...are there any differences between the 97 and 98 model years? Thanks guys. I'm dyin for a Max. Cant wait to get my hands on one...I'll be posting here all the time!

 

you might be able to get away with a 5spd for around that price.
97 most likely. but if you really want the 5spd then push as hard as you can for one. just a little advise!!!! i went through the same thing. parents could not handle the idea of me and a 5spd. pretty much the same senario as you. trust me i regret the auto ever since.

 

Oh Excelen ... If you're commuting to college, why oh why are you letting your parents decide the auto/stick question for you? They already have a Max, so I don't understand why they have to be able to drive yours? Even if there is some reason, tell them the stick gets better gas mileage, is cheaper to repair than an auto, and reduces the initial price of the car to begin with! How can your folks argue with that? I taught my girlfriend to drive my Max in 1 hour, so don't let them tell you "oh I don't know how"... ignorance is not an excuse. Expand their horizons. Would you go out and buy a more expensive TV that has no remote because you don't know how to operate a remote? NO!! You learn how!! MAN!!! I hear so many other guys wishing they had bought a 5speed instead of auto, it's so god-damn sad. Look, it comes down to this:

Whose car is this?

BTW, 97/98 should be almost identical (I think they switched to a different BOSE system and different auto climate controls that year.. anybody, CMIIW)

Justin

 

hey dude, i like that shift ****.. you know how much i can get one like that??

 

It cost me $40 at a local stereo shop (Custom Sounds in Austin, they're also in San Antonio and St. Louis if you're nearby).

But it's a Razo, so you may be able to find it online or have a local shop order it.

Justin

 

only difference i can think of between the 2 years is...

The 98 Models have a digital odometer and the fuel gauge is pointing the other way.

I don't know if you can find a 97-99 SE with 60k miles and less for 10-11k.. Maybe through a dealer auction only.. That is what I wanted as well, but when I was buying my car in August, the 97+ SEs were going for 13k +... I thought about it, and I just settled for a 98 GXE, superblack w/ 56k miles for 10.5k All i wanted was a sunroof.. and that is what I got. The spoiler is 200-300$ to add, wheels are 400-600$, I don't know what else matters a lot to you, other differences aren't that significant, white face guages, body colored door handles instead of chrome, fog lights, slightly stiffer suspension. fogs are 180$ new. white face gauges you can buy an overlay as well... so basically you save on a GXE... I'd say a GXE is definately possible to find for 10-11k 97+ year. I don't know about the SE though.... if you'd settle for hhigher milage, you can find one....

 

You'll be hard pressed to find a 97 SE for that cheap. Also, dont be stupid like me and get an auto- get a 5 speed. I rushed into buying my car and I didnt care that it was auto. Dont be silly like me- I regret my choice every time I race, even though I haven't lost yet!

 

I agree you will be hard pressed to find a low mileage 97 or 98SE in that price range. People here seem to be keeping their 97-99 Max's alot. The differences between the 97 and 98 are: 1)the reverse of the gas guage needle,2)in the automatic climate control they revised the head unit and 3)the digital odometer on the 98. Other than that they are identical.

 

Hello,

I live up here in Canada and bought a 98 maxima SE Black...also Automatic cuz I am a sales rep and sit in traffic on the phone all day.

But it has 28 000 KMS on it...hmmm conversion to mies is like 18 000 miles on it. I bought it for $27500 Canadian which is like $17 000 US.

Was this a good deal guys? My girlfriend yells at me cuz I could have got an Accord like hers for a couple of thousand more.

Anyway, just a comparison.

Kyle

 

I got my 97 GXE Auto, with C&C, sunroof, and spoiler added for $15,400 with 32k on it in the summer of 2000.

So I'd say 17k for an SE with 18k miles on it is a good deal. Of course, since my purchase was a year and a half ago, the blue-book was higher naturally.

Besides, get your girlfriend to race you, and she'll shut up about it.

IanS

 

I've got a 97 SE I'm thrilled with. I got the automatic because I am in sales, so between talking on the phone and smoking cigars I don't have any hands left to shift.

 

I paid $19k for my 99SE about a year ago.

 

You found a Maxima with only 18000 miles, thats a steal! The price could have been a couple thousand less. As far as your gf is concerned, why are you listening to her talk about an Accord? They're not quite to nice and when you speed past her slow car, she'll know why you chose the Max. Give her a spanking.