1997 GA16DE

iTrader: (3)

It's a '96 GLE with leather and Bose. I'm not yet ready to post it up for sale, which is why I didn't start a classifieds ad yet. My mom purchased it brand new, she's been the only owner. I learned to drive on it, I've kept it running well for the last 20 years, I even have two OTHER VQ-powered vehicles. I personally want to keep it for myself, but unfortunately, she wants money in exchange, which is not something I really can do, already owning 3 cars. The Maxima hasn't even reached 70,000mi, and it runs well.

She ended up getting a newer car and I brought this one back to my house to clean it up and ready it to sell. Cosmetically, it has 3 issues. It has a long (intentional) scratch on the side from someone's key, it was backed into this year, leaving a dent in the passenger door, and the factory tint finally gave out. Otherwise, it's CLEAN inside, wood and tan leather.

Enginewise, it has a new water pump as of last year, fluids, filters and whatnot. There is a problem with the idle dipping for no reason at a stoplight, I thought it was an ignition issue, but I'm thinking it may be the IACV, so I'm going to replace that. It also recently developed some chain noise at idle, so I'm not going to chance it, I'm going to grab a new chain tensioner.

I did a little cosmetic upgrade in the headlight region with Cefiero one-piece and the head unit has been bypassed with an Aux-in running directly to the Bose amps.

So that's a rundown. Is it even worth selling? What would I even ask for it?


BTW, I thought I had more pictures, I'll have to get fresh ones.

Half Assed

I was going to say take it to mudfest and beat the **** out of it, but that one looks too nice for that. You could probably get $1500 for it.

Justaguy

wow, I have the same car..green with tan seats and this week, my brake line rusted out, the left axle boot tore, and the rear stuts gave way. Theses are great cars and it it's not rusted underneath (engine mount) I say keep it!

I also have a problem with the idling at a stop light..the IACV was cleaned a while back ago...maybe I'm due for another one
Would be curious if you replace it, if it solves your problem.

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

You won't get much for it, unfortunately. You're best bet is to keep it in the family somehow.

bumpypickle

iTrader: (1)

With under 70k you can get at least 2000 for it. I would say just sell it. There are plenty of maximas on the street for cheap if you choose to get another later on in a few years.

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

You should be able to get some decent money for it if you sell because the mileage is so low

The IACV is probably fine. You either have ground issues or your whole intake system needs a good cleaning from all the carbon. Since the motor has only 70K miles I would lean towards ground issue. Clean all your electrical contacts in the engine bay. Any wire attaching to the engine or body is a ground point. Simply unscrewing and screwing back in again has a small cleaning effect.

1997 GA16DE

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the advice. I'll check all the connectors, probably spray in some di-electric grease. I could probably remove the I.M. and piping, too, and give it a good blast of throttle body cleaner.

Finkle

I'm also thinking you should get a good price for it. The body looks in great shape and the mileage is so low, someone will pick it up. It might take a little bit, many people wont want to buy anything that old no matter how well it was taken care of. The only issue I see is the idle But thats a small one at that, even if the iacv needs to be replaced, they are plentiful and cheap at the local junkyard. Around here, with the idle fixed, I see at least 1500 all day long.

1997 GA16DE

iTrader: (3)

Just an update. I ended up keeping the car for myself. Just too good of a car not to have, especially since we've had the car since new. Much better mileage than my Frontier.

The chain noise went away with an oil change, the old oil was long overdue (over a year, apparently). About to get some fresh tinting and flush the coolant and should be good. After a nice wash and wax, the car looks almost new, inside and out. Cleanest stock '96 out there (ok, stock except the headlights):

carguy96

Does your Bose system still work? I'm at 46k miles on mine and my bose radio is intermittent. I think it's a bad ground.

1997 GA16DE

iTrader: (3)

The head unit stopped powering on about a year ago, it was intermittent and would sometimes work when I hit the side of the center console. Could be a bad wire, but I was also noticing a battery drain that stopped when I disconnected the head unit completely.

The Bose system uses a dead head, the speakers are individually amplified, which also means that the speaker wires are line level.

I jumped the ign wire to the amp power, so the amps power on with the car. I then wired the speakers directly to a stereo jack for my phone. The phone sends music directly to the speakers. The only thing 8 may add is an equalizer to get the most out of the Bose speakers.

1997 GA16DE

iTrader: (3)

Cleaned up the fleet.

maxprivate

iTrader: (12)

Looks really good and sounds like some tender love and care was long over due.
Glad you're keeping it in the family. Ive also owned my 97 since new so I feel you on that.. so hard to let go.

litch

iTrader: (2)

dude... sounds like that car can go one of two ways:

1: Leave it alone and stock ride the crap out of it forever.

2: It may be in rare company as an unmolested low mileage 96... the things you could do to it knowing that its never been abused???!!?!?! dude... taking a clean car and modifying it is WAAAAAAAY easier and more fun than taking a dirty car, and cleaning it, then modifying it... gah... you are fortunate to find yourself in this position my friend.

JoshG

Get rid of those ugly honeycomb rims and lower it, i remember those days...no regrets getting rims and lowering it, made it look 100x better

vqmaxman

This is a rare almost perfect condition maxima with low mileage. I would keep it because the new cars are not as good as these maxima and you have extremely low mileage car. Lot's of life left here in this car. The nowadays newer cars look almost all a likes.

maxprivate

iTrader: (12)

That Maxima is the sexiest car there.

LJay

Agreed! But is that the V10 M5? That's one sexy a** car there also lol

moNYtx

Glad you kept it. I am in a battle right now with my uncle to get the car back. It was given to him three years ago during a hard time for him. He hasn't kept it in the same condition I gave it to him, but I'm more than happy to get it back and keep it all to myself. Such a great car to let go. You have kept it very clean.