niknyc

I am 23 years old and i am looking for a first car. Before when i was doing research few months ago i decided that my ultimate choice for my budget which is 4k will be 5.5 gen or 2000-2003 nissan maxima Automatic Trans. SE or GLE with 3.5 engine. However i started digging little deeper and found 2000-2003 Titanium Edition which i didn't find full explanation about that edition, however it took my attention. Now i decided to look in to nissan maxima 1999 SE with 3.0 engine and it cost about 1K less then 5th gen^.

I am itching to buy this car. The lowest person said can go is 3100 here are the pictures please tell me if i should get it ?

http://s1163.photobucket.com/albums/q542/Fifosales/

Need help ASAP waiting for reply ! Thank you all in advance !

clintb3astwood

iTrader: (10)

Car looks nice, but you should get a 5.5 6 speed!

VisciousMo

iTrader: (4)

5.5 for sure. wish I did for the 3.5 and 6 speed. I prefer my car's aesthetics though.

niknyc

This car looks so mint ))) i want it like a babi some one help . Btw 6 speed manual is it ??? I only want automatic for now... hm... Another plus to this car is that repairs would be cheaper and also that it is 3.0 engine which will eat less gass then 3.5

J&J98MAX

iTrader: (1)

Clean car, I'd buy it. Paid 3k for my GXE. 4th gen is better looking imo and a 3.5 swap and 6mt can always come later.

Fatboy98maxima

i would go with a 4th gen 3.5 engine oh my god they can hummmmmm pretty good

2brosgixxer

How many miles on the 4th gen? What's the location of the car...rust issues like the lower radiator support (which is a common rust spot for some)? It looks like a good deal for 3100 as long as there are no known problems and depending on the mileage.

niknyc

Thanks for looking in to this, it is 125000 Miles, clean title, 2nd owner. The location of the car is in queens new york city.

2brosgixxer

IMO if u can get it for 3100 you are getting a good deal as long as there is no rust. I paid 3000 for my 97 se with 137000 on it in Maine and it does not have leather so that should give you some reference point.

sergofast

iTrader: (22)

Best of both worlds...4th gen and swap in a 3.5 engine.

niknyc

any more opinions ?

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

I have a 97 and a 2000, both automatics. The 97 is the cheapo GXE model and the 2000 is the luxury GLE model. Both have good points over the other. The 2000 has better seats, making it more comfortable but that is probably because of the leather seats standard on the GLE model. I feel the 97 has better performance and is more responsive even though they share the same engine. They are both pretty reliable, but the 2000 has more things go wrong with it, little annoying things.

You'll be in good shape either way. If you really like the 99, do it.

Tyutyunnik

iTrader: (1)

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

I have a 99 auto and I love it! Spent 2700 on it with 140K

just cuz you HAVE over 4k to spend, doesn't mean you should drop all of it on buying the car. It's best IMO to keep at least a grand in reserve for upgrades and stuff it needs (tires, fluid changes, suspension...?)

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

With this being your first car I'd suggest a 4th Gen over a 5th or 5.5th Gen cause it's too much power for a first time car owner! I would recommend you owning a 4 cly first truthfully.....a 6 cyl is a little harder to perform maintenance on than a 4 cylinder vehicle!

VQMagic

iTrader: (1)

lmao Strong troll! This isn't a sportbike scenario as far as starting off small goes. And 5.5th gen has too much power? You must have never owned or driven an actual fast car before As far as maintenance goes, some jobs can be tricky but basic fluid changes, and plugs etc are pretty straight forward.


OP I'd look for a 5.5 gen and DO NOT get an automatic! They are troublesome with the 4speed transmission. Ask me how I know..... Learning to be smooth with a manual takes practice but after a week of driving you'll be hooked if you actually enjoy feeling connected to your car. Good luck and post pics of whatever car you decide on.

xtremepb0

iTrader: (2)

could not have said it better myself!

AoD11

You could get that thing for a lil cheaper ibet.

niknyc

I like manual, i ve driven it in Ukraine but there was no trafic lol however i kind a like an automatic too, instead of holding your hand on the gear changer you put your hand on the girls leg. Thank you guys. I am actually thinking to pass now since i do not know how long i will stick with this car and finding a 1999 engine with low miles or transmission might be a problem later on.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

Nissan engines will go over 250k miles and still be strong. Any manufacturer's automatic transmission will be more likely to fail before the engine does. That 99 with 125K miles still has a lot of life in it.

2brosgixxer

+1 OP, before you completely shy away from the 4th gen, if you haven't already, do some searching on the mileage people are getting out of their 4th gens. I have 154000 on my 97 5 speed and its showing no signs of stopping. Shifts smooth as butter, no knocks or ticks from the engine. Take care of it and they are virtually indestructible. But ultimately, its your choice. But don't count the 99 out just cause you think you may not be able to find an engine down the road. Just my .02

MAXIMA_STYLE

iTrader: (21)

An engine on a 99 is easy to come by... and more affordable than a 3.5 engine also... 3.5 have oil burning issues if you get tue wrong one...no way of telling right off the bat... 3.0 is veryyyy reliable.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Due to your response and statement it's pretty obvious to me that your age isn't much higher than your shoe size....start small you youngsters can't figure out a 4 cylinder, let alone a VG, VE nor VQ...that's why this Org is always riddled with S.A.Q. day in and day out....I've got 3 Maxima(s) and you?

No you can't say it at all! The 4th Gen is a damn good reliable car but you younger guys that have never owned a car before it's is a bit much for you to figure out why the foglights won't work let alone something on the powertrain! You young ****'s should've started in some freakin Sentras!

Ignorance is bliss! 4th Gen is a battletank mine has over 200K and it's an A/T!

Yeah I have a 03 5.5th gen that is starting to burn a little bit of oil @ 135K it's an A/T and it's really been a good car but too much power for a newbie! Start small first....I would love to give my 20 yr old daughter my 3rd or 4th gen, but they're but modded and too fast for the inexperienced! She'll start in a 4 cyl Altima, Sentra, Versa, or Corolla! I would never forgive myself if she was hurt or killed driving one of my Modded Maxima faster than her skill level!

D I R T Y I 3 0

Boo, get a manual

infinimax96

4th gen + Manual = win IMO.

Just to give you a heads up on the 4th gens. : I have 2 of them, 1 5speed and 1 auto. The auto has over 225,000 miles and the manual has over 255,000. Both run incredibly strong. Other then routine maintenance and replacing parts that wear (alternator, starter, belts etc) these cars run a long long time if they are well maintained.

I love the VQ35 and the power but the best thing about the 4th gen is you can swap in a VQ35 into a smaller and lighter weight car giving you the edge over the 5.5gen Maxima.

Auto is nice for laid back driving, but there isn't a day that goes by that I ever catch myself saying "gee I really wish I had an Auto right now" while I'm driving my manual through the canyon.

Me[kk]A

iTrader: (4)

I've owned both an auto and manual 4th gen. Trust me, go with a manual, it is a night and day difference.

Sure the A/T is convenient, aka hand on gf's leg etc, (lol) You stated you drove a manual prior, so just know that the 4th gen auto trannies are sluggish top end useless.

IMO, a manual 95-99 should do you just fine.

As per the comments above of 5.5's being too much car for newbies, sole discretion is the mitigating factor on the car owner to learn about the car they own, regardless of platform.

AoD11

Most manual trannies will outlast the autos. But it was more likely beaten before you bougjt it compared to an auto. (Going by the cars ive seen that my friends bought) but you never know. Could get a lemon!

niknyc

so interesting to read every ones opinions. gota <3 the forums ))

deezo

iTrader: (3)

Most Manual trannies will not out last autos and we've seen this over the years. Both transmissions are pretty weak stock and I'll tell ya, my auto has gone 305k before needing a rebuild and that's because the diff bearing just wore out. I've tracked my car and all and this auto has held it's own with the driving that I do.

It really depends on the abuse on the tranny but I've seen thread after thread about manuals needing rebuilds well before a lot of the auto trannies.

To the OP, the 4th Gens are the most reliable.

99MaxLoaded

I would say 4th gen, as bias as it is because i own one :P

But here are the reasons:
100k Miles, no problems
Stylizing of the body
and...well that's about it hahah

VQMagic

iTrader: (1)

Uhm no. I've been working on and driving cars since I was 12 and I'm now turning 24. Have rebuilt motors, installed 1 off turbo kits that were reliable etc. First was an 02 gti chipped, tbe, wheels etc. That car was faster than your Maxima's period. Didn't crash, and sold for more than I paid. Had a brand new 07 STi for about year until cylinder # 4 went out due to a crap stock tune. I was going to rebuild it but even rebuilt 07+ motors were going out making 350 awhp so sold it for a loss. Than I had an Evo 8 with kelford 272's, full bolt ons plus a evo 9 turbo for almost two years. Car came into my lane on a two lane road around a curve when the road was damp and I hit a tree, Totaled. Had an Evo 9 for about a year and a half and sold it to lessen my expenses. Made over $8,000 selling it than I bought it for. Currently have an 06 cbr f4i and my DD Altima both of which are faster than your Maxima's, again. This isn't the 80's where corvettes running 16's was considered fast. Almost all family sedans are close to 300 hp crank nowadays and run low 14's or 13's. All depends on the driver of course but still a 110 HP 4 banger would be more dangerous driving on highways (merging) than a freaking Maxima, camry, accord all v6 would be.

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

We can't really tell you which one you will like better. Drive them. We also can't physically check out the cars you want to buy. There could be issues with them, so to say 4th > 5th or vice versa is moot.

When you find a car you like look it over with a fine toothed comb. Have a mechanic you trust check it out.

I can tell you what I prefer and look for. First off, no GXE for me no matter what. The more options the better! For 4th gens its 98's. They have the 97-99 updated look, without the 99 emissions BS and 99 immobilizer. 97's are OK, but there are some nice updates to the 98.

For 5th gens that's a tough one. Screw 00. 01 AE is a nice sportier looking version, but good luck finding one. In 02 came the face lift and 3.5. The 03 has the TE or ME which add some nice touches.

As for 3.0 vs 3.5? I'd rather drive a clean 01 than a beat 02. As for transmission? I'm pretty sick of driving a stick.

Shift_A32B

iTrader: (14)

As a 4th gen owner I can say that its easy to maintain. VQ30 are pretty much flawless compared to the oil burners (no arguments intended). For a V6 its very fuel economical (if well maintained). My 4th gen is 224k with original engine and original A/T. I have replaced stuff that normally wear out in every make/model. No engine problems. Get a 97 or 98, avoid a 99 (couple of things have been mentioned about the 99's in the previous posts). That white gen looks nice minus the taillights. Make sure to take someone who is mechanically experienced to check it out. Good luck.

MrWilson44

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

Dude, you speak my language! I think the 98s are the best 4th gen as well, exactly for the reasons you stated.

Awwwwwwwww

niknyc, look at this thread for to fully understand the lower radiator support problem;

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ment-pics.html



DW

deezo

iTrader: (3)

I'd beg to differ on the 97 being ok. My 97 has been great. I bought the car bare bones and did what I wanted to it.

AlexxSCM

iTrader: (2)

03 6speed ftw

But like its been said.... 4th gen imo looks better...

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

I dont mean its bad, I mean the 98 has better options and features in comparison.

AlexxSCM

iTrader: (2)

Ecu on 98 is gay. You need a piggyback to tune and jwt wont support you

deezo

iTrader: (3)

Same for the 97 and the 99.