Not a first time owner of a Maxima having been a previous owner of a 4th gen and a 6th gen. I have always wanted to come back to a 4th gen for sentimental reasons. In any event since I have been looking for another one I have run across so many price discrepancies it makes my head hurt. Low mileage meaning 40-80k mile examples I have seen anywhere from $4000-$10000 for the 40-50k mile examples supposedly clean well taken care of examples and I have seen the same prices for 60-80k mile examples. Having said that, I am looking at 98 SE one owner meticulously maintained automatic with a rare color that won't be mentioned that has 80 miles on it and the owner has it listed with a dropped price to 8750 and has a best offer in the listing. I believe ot got dropped from 9500. Any thoughts and opinions on how to deal with this? Please understand that I am new coming back to buying an old vehicle and with them being more rare than let's say a market with thousands of vehicles, it is far less easy to get an accurate price on something like this. All the help would be much appreciated.

 

Low mileage is nice, especially because the chassis has much less stress and flexing on it. And if it was truly never hit and/or painted but shines bright, that's another attractive point as well

But just remember any car 25 years old, whether driven or garaged, has MANY parts and seals that have just plain timed out! And lack of use can be worse than used but maintained.

Don't fall for the arrogant prices. In fact, start at 100K because the price will be Much lower and you can still get another 200K easy with the maintenance along the way you expect, and the maintenance you don't expect from timing out! Paying way too much and then all that pain and/or paying someone else to revive the car will be unbearable. This isn't a Coveted stupid money Classic so don't get crazy!

And that's all I'm sayin bout that!

 

I do agree for sure.
I appreciate the advice. Rubber is rubber at the end of the day. And while maintained by a "Nissan" dealership is nice, they don't always see things, miss things and just because it was maintained by one doesn't mean the owner did all of the maintenence they suggested. I was more looking for an idea of what the experts on here think if what a 98 SE auto with 80k miles on it would fairly retail for since the prices are all over the place being as it is that old of a vehicle. They all say "I know what I got" I know as well and it is an old car regardless. Thank you again for the response that was giving me some non biased no Nissan Maxima advice.

 

Me? I don't think I'd pay even $5K. Quality parts on par with OEM are getting hard to find as Aftermarket manufacturers are pulling back from the 4th Gens. And yes, I've done a LOT of replacing on my 99 to say that from an experienced point of view. Good Luck in your quest!

 

You’re looking at a 1998 Maxima with 80 (eight zero) miles on the odometer?

 

Yes, one owner and said to have been meticulously maintained.

 

Thank you for some first hand account advice. They are just getting old. I get it. I do appreciate all the mature responses where coming from ISF forums it becomes a D swinging contest or you're an idiot if you ask a legit question. Much appreciated again.

 

I'm sure he means 80K. What's to maintain if it has 80 miles on it? Other than dry rot on the tires and oil because it's OLD? Doesn't make sense.

Something also to consider is what would your insurance pay if the car got totaled? Not even $5k. Probably more like $2600. You could get Classic Car insurance, but they put something like a 3K per year mileage limit on it.

 

My point exactly Keith …

 

I have never had a claim on a vehicle that would total it out. What do insurnace companies go by? Black Book, NADA or Kelly? I would suppose it would depend on the insurer. Hell if it would he Black Book might as well not bother.