Hi,

Would like to sell a 1997 Maxima SE 189,000 miles that needs a lot of work. Is their a market for those cars or scrap yard only. Car runs and starts right up. Has rust on the body engine light on and abs light. Needs an exhaust system. Has an oil leak and cracked windshield.

 

I’d advise to post in the classifieds to see.

 

Perhaps a 500 dollar car where I live.

 

There is a market for just about anything. What you'll get will depend on your location in addition to condition. In CA, the scrap yard would give you $25, no joke. Private party you might get $250. If you have the time and patience, part it out to get the most money out of it.

 

The car is a good running car just get it fixed, the needed things on the car and go from there. If the vehicle had minor rust and damage and if you get all of your problems fixed you can and should get and anywhere from $1000-2000

 

Based on your description and without any pictures, and not knowing why the CEL and ABS light is on, I’d say it’s anywhere between 500-1000.

 

Thanks, I would hate to scrap it. Car has been good to me.

 

Try your best to save it, if it means that much to you. Do a little bit at a time.

 

Our cars are not worth much money anymore.
Especially if they have about 200k on it and also need work.

Seems that you still like your car. So go ahead and fix it. You might be able to enjoy it for several more years.

 

Every time I take it to the shop for something and outside my experience they say it's not worth the expense to fix. But $2k in repairs beats a car payment all day. Just this morning I saw a 1970 era car with a rag top still rolling. I have resolved to keeping the Maxima up and running as long as possible, they are solid wheels with good performance still.

 

Put it up on offer up for 800$ if you hit buy another with less problems

 

After three weeks I managed to sell mine for $600 Canadian, and that's with no check engine, and a decent amount of rust. Worth about $300 Cad in scrap.
315000km on the clock

 

Well I use my free 4th Gen Maxima to go to work and drive all over Texas fixing helicopters it's a 1998 Maxima with 450K on it. I love this car, It's a car that now and then you have to do a little work like all cars, but I've driven this car from H-town to Marble Falls back to Galveston in one day. I've driven this car From H-town to San Antonio then to Lafayette, La with a couple days as well. She's my beater and she's sexy, fast, comfortable, reliable, and did I mention she was Free? Been driving her since 2011...

....

 

CMax,

Your car and mine are in very good condition.
They have a low value should we sell them.

Their utility value to ourselves is still quite high.

They are perfectly useful for daily use. They are also actually fun to drive.

It makes sense to keep them on the road.

it also makes some sense to buy and install more parts than the car is supposedly worth.

 

Agree 110% with you both. Have my 96 for 20+ years (second owner) and still can't and won't give it up.

 

Lucky bastards with your salt free roads

 

What's preventing you from owning a rust free Maxima or car of your dreams?

Have you considered flying to southern or west coast states, then drive a rust free car back home?

Look up cars on Craigslist in those areas.

Notice that they are rust free, plentiful, and reasonably priced.

Think outside the box.

Expand your horizons.

Enjoy a long road trip.

 

I have a feeling you and me have vastly different budgets. Flights and gas aren't cheap! Especially when I'm in the northernmost state of Canuckstan, so I'm also looking at importation and I wouldn't buy any car sight unseen.
Also not a road trip person.

 

I'm not familiar with the northernmost state of Canada. Do you mean Yukon? Or are you somewhere in eastern Canada? Just curious.

British Columbia also has the perfect climate for rust free cars. No import problems.

I didn't know where you live.

 

It's a joke about Canada being the northernmost American State.
While I love Maxima's I cant justify the the premium a rust free example holds here.

 

That's also true of the US Rust Belt states.

which is why I mentioned the concept of a flight and a road trip. Sure, that does cost money.
The benifits are a "free" vacation, a new experience in a different part of the country, and a road trip which many people enjoy.

It all comes down to individual wants and circumstances.

Where abouts do you live in Canada?

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Calgary AB
It is a an individual thing. Im not much for road trips. Love travelling, dont love hours of straight highways.
If I think of it as a vacation with a bonus car, it's not a free vacation.
If I think of it as a car with bonus car, it's not great deal on a car.
Although I did just find a find a mint 98' SE not 5 minutes away for 750 CAD (about 500US), although it is an auto.
I'd be lying if I didn't say it's tempting.

 

Perhaps I've introduced you to a new concept.

Vancouver BC doesn't seem that far away.
Rust free cars are there.
Perhaps they might be tempting some day.

Ideally someone from there will bring a rust free car to Calgary, then sell it. An opportunity.

Best wishes.

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