1995 GLE with 270,000 miles

Mods: Borbet wheels, Pioneer headunit, Pioneer 12 disc changer, Infinity speakers, Sony amp, FST, K&N filter (which I've come to loathe), Stillen exhaust, H&K springs, Tokico struts

Known problems: sunroof leaks into the cabin, rattle from ashtray, paint chipping away from rear bumper, CD changer seems to lose it's connection randomly, ever present CEL, minor oil leak which according to my mechanic is not worth fixing

I've been offered $5,000 for my car by my parents. They do not want me to drive her any more and want to donate it to a friend of theirs who does not have a car. I firmly told them NO. She was the first car I ever bought and I've had her since new. My spouse has asked me to reconsider, so I'd like your opinions.

Outside of an emotional attachment to my Maxima, she is listed as the primary vehicle, so I pay less for my other cars. I tend to drive significantly slower when in the Maxima, so I don't have to worry about tickets nearly as much. I don't have to worry as much about door dings, nicks and scratches, etc. I've always tried to maintain her well over the years. Overall, I feel really comfortable driving this car and put more miles on her than any of the other four cars I own.

On the con side, every time registration comes up, I have to wonder if she'll pass. There's been several years where I've paid up to three times the car's value for repairs. But obviously, she is worth way more to me than whatever Blue Book is, so I pay up every time.

So knowing all that, what would you do in my situation?

 

if my parents were willing to give me 5k for my car...................

yea i wd sell. Thats another max with lower miles lol

 

5000 for a 1995 with 270k miles? Is that even a question? You do that in a heartbeat. That's five times what the car is actually worth.

That would be like if someone came and offered me 30 grand for my 2003 GLE. Take the 5000 and go in the classifieds on here. You can pick up a nice 5th gen with that money.

Edit: Great example of exactly what I was talking about. Nicely modded 5th gen in good shape for 5000.

 

5000?!?!?!?! Id sell in a heartbeat..... take the 5000 go on cl or here and buy a clean 5th gen...

 

1. I've never bought a used car and don't plan on changing that.

2. More importantly, it wouldn't be MY Maxima. As a friend pointed out, there is a value to knowing where your car is coming from and I know how my car has always been treated.

3. If I lost the Maxima, I would most likely replace her with something significantly more expensive, which means greater insurance and other such costs.

 

$5000 for 270k Miles....the answer is pretty obvious my friend....with $5000 you can get another 4th gen with way lower miles and look forward for a manual trans. I understand your max is special but you shouldn't let that offer fly by IMO.

 

We're trying to help you here, man. There's nothing wrong with buying a used car. I know it's great driving a new car off the lot and being an original owner and all, but buying a new car is the WORST possible investment anyone can possibly make. You're doing nothing but throwing money away.

I'm already thinking trying to help this guy is a lost cause. He's trying to find excuses for why he shouldn't sell an old Maxima that's worth next to nothing for a small fortune.

 

My max as it is now is worth 3k. With 5k i cd get an 01 or 02. 4th gens are the best ones if u ask me tho.

 

i would in a heartbeat get yourself a lower mileage possibly newer max with that 5 grand

 

Is this a serious question?

Only a fool would turn down that offer.

 

Agreed with everything said here...I wouldn't expect more than 2 Grand for my '95 with 225K! Of course, it sounds like yours is in better shape than mine...I've got a lot of non-cosmetic rust damage and the paint job has seen better days. But 5K? Come on! I'd sell it in a second!

 

I wouldn't even take the time to blink. do it and get yourself a newer baby to raise.

 

I know how you feel man but look at it this way. My 95 has 314K right now and if I were to put it up for sale or trade, no one would dare take a second look or even a first. I understand how you feel and I am driving mine into the grave...long live 4th gens.

 

What is your parents phone number?

 

Same here. I'm going to drive mine into the grave as well.

 

I know it may sound like a no-brainer to many of you, so let me throw this out there:

If I bought another car to replace the Maxima, it will probably be somewhere between $70-$100K. My last three cars cost $65K, $76K, and $90K and right now I've got $45K in cash burning a hole in my pocket. Not buying such a new car would save much more than what I'd get selling the Maxima. In essence, I would be protecting myself from myself.

BTW, I am sometimes playing devil's advocate here as I want to keep an open mind.

 

If I could get a 1000 to 1500 for mine I would put it towards a nice 5th gen.

 

Seems like you know the answer to your own question. Good luck.

 

Actually, I've sent out emails to dealers two days ago inquiring about an XK, XKR, and GTR. Nothing is written in stone yet!

 

looks like you've made up your mind. why make thread? everyone in their right mind knows 5k for a 270k 4thgen is retarded.






Edit: Just read recent replies. If you have said cash stored up. Why do you own a maxima

 

Because the 4th Gen Maxima is a GREAT car. It won Car of the Year when I bought it back in 1995 and I think it's stood the test of time. It's the only car I own that I feel an emotional attachment to.

 

I get these same thoughts from time to time..."should I keep her, or put the money towards a newer car"...but if I could get $5k for my 96 with 95,000 miles, I'd take it.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

i dont get why mileage is playing a role, if you maintain something well it will last a long time. worst case the engine or tranny blows in a few years and you just replace either or which isnt too expensive on a 4th gen

i say keep it, it sounds like its worth more than money to you. you can always make money, but you cant always get the car back

 

Again another fail of a post.

You're not "protecting yourself from yourself" by not selling the Maxima. Do you realize it's really not THAT HARD to keep yourself from driving down to a dealership and blowing $75k on a car? I know, shocking right? All it takes is something called self-discipline. I swear, this is the need-to-buy mentality that half of America has and is one of the reasons why this country is in such financial turmoil right now.

Do yourself a favor and learn how to play the used car market. You're doing nothing but wasting money buying new cars that cost upwards of $100k. You lose a huge chunk of that value the second you drive it off the lot.

Like I've said before, you can sell that car for $5k and buy a 5th gen in nice shape from the classifieds on here.

I think I smell a huge load of BS in this thread as well. Driving a 95 Maxima with almost 300k miles but going to make the jump to a $75-100k car? Riiiiiiight. If that really is the case, than props to you. But I'm not really understanding why this thread was even made.

 

........

 

This.

 

lmao at this thread yikes 65k 76K 90K damn are you serious this makes my head hurt lol really im confused

 

Unless something special happened with or in that car besides it being your first, I'd get rid of it. And don't have such a negative opinion on used cars.

 

 

How old are you? Do you have kids?

If so; keep it until one of them is old enough to drive so they can beat the crap out of it. Mayb my that time your parents will offer them 10k since it'll basically be a classic. You guys are obviously good at saving money so by that time your kid should have at least 20 or 30k saved up and they can go buy themselves a nice new car.

If not; sell the thing.

 

my Max would be gone in a heartbeat lol. I love it, but that offer is just too good to refuse.

 

holy crap are you kidding me?
5k?
i bought my max by 1k
and you reject 5 grand?
:S i can't understand you man
with that 5k u can buy a 5th gen or some
newer

 

this thread is dumb. first you ask a obvious question, but then you've already made up your mind.

 

what i wanna know is, where are the ppl who voted to keep the car??? None of them posted

 

I was a poor student 16 years ago when I got the Maxima. Now I actually have a disposable income and can thus afford more expensive cars.

In regards to used cars. . . I have the money, so why not? I like the piece of mind, longer warranty, greater selection, picking the options I want, etc. Plus it's nice to know that I'm the only one to have ever cut one in my seat.

 

the detailers already sat their sh1tty draws and farted in those seats before you got them, sorry to break it to you

 

Perhaps you're just a kid or have reading comprehension issues.

I'm trying to keep an open mind, which is why I'm asking for different opinions. But it seems a lot of you bought your Maximas used, and so feel no qualms about switching to another used one. I wonder if it would make a difference if you've owned the same car since new for so long?

 

I've told my kid that he'll get the Maxima when he's old enough to drive. Everytime he responds with, "NOOOOOO! I should get the Porsche."

Honestly, I find it a bit insulting that my parents are trying to bribe me out of my car. They feel it's too old and dangerous to drive and I disagree with them.

 

It's clear you've come to gloat. It's kind of annoying, and quite unbecoming.