It's kinda like a drug...

When I bought the car 3 weeks ago, I didn't plan on doing this much work or put so much money into it. Whenever I got done with one thing, I come up with something else that the car needs.

So far I've put $1300 into it replacing the entire suspension, brakes & rotors, tires, and a long list of miscellaneous things. In 3 weeks of ownership

Going at this rate, I'm going to go broke

I told myself that once I got the tires replaced, I'm done. But now that the tires are coming in tomorrow, I created a list of things I wanted to do to the car.

Here's my new laundry list. In order to keep cost under control, do you think a budget of $150 should do the trick? I swear this will be it for the car and then I'm done! lol.

- Change the oil
- Replace oil pressure switch
- Replace alternator belt
- Air filter
- Fuel filter
- PCV valve
- Spark Plugs
- Transmission fluid
- Coolant change
- Power Steering fluid

 

Cutting it close, but you can probably get all that done for around that...provided you do all the work yourself again.

 

thats all on maint? wait till the mod bug bites you. one day you'll wake up and realize that with all the money you spent on mods, you could've paid off a brand new max.

 

Most of that can be done very inexpensively and still be done with good stuff. The trans fluid and coolant are two things I'd spend money on though. Amsoil ATF and Toyota LL coolant are worth the extra coin IMO.

 

Why toyota coolant? why not nissan?

 

Toyota long life coolant is generally regarded as one of the best coolants available. Don't let the Toyota thing throw you...totally compatible.


edit: totally IMO info. (no test data)

 

http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubr...look-like.html

 

Dont think $150 will cover it. Plugs alone is prob $60
Amsoil aint cheap if i remember too.

 

+1.

U looking at least $300 bro. Plugs and fluids will run prolly 150.

New filters and other tune up/oil change another 150.

Change the ECTS too. Its 25 bucks and takes a few min to replace. Bad ECTS can cause hard starts.

EDIT:

My bad, i was a lil OT.

Yo man, u NEVER stop spending even when u stop spending. That mod bug is a ****!!!

 

What's wrong with NGK coppers?

 

If he runs iridium plugs ya. Otherwise the gpower plugs will be $18. For tranny fluid though I say use nissan d-matic. Original stuff, just my opinion though.

 

The spending will NEVER stop.

 

Go OEM, NGK Platinum, not Double Platinum, Platinum

They shouldn't be more than $18 at autozone.

 

why spend 60 bux on plugs? are you planning to drive your car for another 100k? if not then its pointless. specially since plug swap is a 30 minute job on 3.0's...get coppers for $20. thats what i run

i've done everything you want to do to my AE and it costs right about 150 for parts

 

always going to find something to work on

 

Ehh 150 is cutting it a little close, you should be able to do all that with 180 no problem. Unless you start buying all the "performance" aftermarket stuff then I would double that figure.

Oil change- $30
Belt- $23 per Nissan
Coolant- $20 give or take a couple per Nissan or you can use generic Prestone for half that lol
Plugs- $18 Per Autozone/Advanced/Napa
Oil pressure switch- around $13
Air filter- $23 per Nissan
PCV- like $5 at a parts store
Fuel filter-$10
Trans fluid- IDK what the price would be on factory stuff or at a parts store I have always used Royal Purple ($75) the last time I bought it which was in like 09 maybe.
Power steering- $10 max for fluid

 

I replaced the air filter today and it cost $10. The old one was in pretty bad shape hehe.
As someone mentioned I should change the ECTS or whatever it is, well, what is it and wha does it do? Where is it located?

 

If he is talking about the same ECTS I am then its the Engine Coolant Temp. Sensor. Located on the drivers side of the motor, follow the upper radiator hose until it reaches the aluminum coolant log and both temp sensors are located about an inch further down the pipe (no homo).

 

I here ya. I went through the same thing when I bought my early 99 powerstroke. Almost $3000 in parts I finally got a good running truck. I just hope I didn't make the same mistake with the "new" maxima.

I know it needs struts at all four corners, exhuast flex pipe, etc.

 

Don't forget lower control arms, tie rod ends, and sway bar endlinks & bushings while you're down there.

 

+1.

i did a quick parts lookup online at autozone. Dark man is pretty spot on.

THe tranny fluid is gonna run some cash and put u over the 150 mark def. Syn is like 100 bucks man.

I got a tranny drain and fill at valvoline instant oil change for 120. They use syn.

 

Be happy you don't have rust to fix too...

 

get used to it, the 4th gens are getting older and not many people that sell them take care of them like they should. its all startup costs but when your done it will last forever.

 

I'd say if you do the stuff yourself you would be more on track with that price, but still it would be close but likely to be more than that.