so i sold my maxima years ago and dont really ever look at the site anymore. recently i came across a deal that i dont think i can pass up, and tho im way passed working on my car and prefer to lease these days, this is a rare one. so, what would you pay for a 96 5spd with only 20k original miles?? its only about $2500 in kbb but whats it really worth? i have no need for a second car but may get it just to avoid monthly payments, current lease is up at end of year and was considering the new Q50. i used to love these maximas and now seriously thinking about picking this one up.

 

i would pay 5k but im sure others would pay alot more i just dont see myself paying alot of money for a car with low miles if i can get a car with decent miles and swap a newer motor. i would only consider if i wanted to boost a 4th gen on a vq30 very cool tho

 

That's what it's worth, it's a Maxima, not a collectors car. There's no value per say.

 

I 16 year old car with 20k miles may have alot of carbon or sludge from short trips and no highway runs. Buyer beware.
I would rather have a 5 year old car with 100 k.

 

Can't the effects carbon and sludge be reversed? Flush out the carbon with regular use of TC-W3. Sludge should be able to be cleared out by using synthetic oil with its different detergents.

Then you'd have a 20K miles VQ clean as a whistle.

I would jump on that 96 5-speed.

 

I think if you put syn oil through that it would spring about 5 leaks. I would take a chance on it but no way would I pay more than KBB

 

why? and how do i check to make sure there isnt a ton of sludge? in familiar with the car and its issues but donno what to check on a 17 year old car.

 

i wouldnt pay more than 2500 for it honestly... with only 20k that means it spent most of its life sitting which in turn dry rots gaskets all over the engine the lubricants can be changed but you might as well rip it apart and replace gasket for gasket as well as look for rot considering it sat untouched... and i would also check the carfax on it for proof....my buddy bought a low mileage civic and the motor went 1 month in and he rana carfax while it was at the shop being replaced and come to find out last reported mileage was 286k......so be safe and do research and look over EVERY inch of the car... and if you do buy it post pics...

 

believe it or not, a car that has been sitting might actually be worse off. I got mine off my uncle with 72k miles. He got it off lease with 10k miles in 98, and maintained it well (synth. oil changes, premium gas, etc...). But before I got it off him, the car sat for about 3-5 years.
When I started using the car about 150-300 miles per week, everything had to be replaced. Struts went bad, wheel bearings, bushings, and as others have stated above, leaks started to spring up out of nowhere.

With that said, $2500 max is what I'd pay, but I'd try to negotiate for a lower price

 

yea... i didnt know all this, anyway the car i found is listed on autotrader for sale in NJ if anyone is interested. the guy wants 6500 which is clearly a bit much. i think ill prob go with a new car.

 

oh heeellllll no

 

Who cares about a few gaskets?? they're easy to change and most likely fine for a while...

inside and body is like-new. Definately worth 2500. I paid that for my car with 100k km.