Hey all how are you? I'm ok this is my first time posting here and I've read and seen a lot of pages real nice cars you guys have . Listen this post is rather rare and I'm sure many of you will laugh or think something stupid after reading it. But I swear I really mean it and am just trying to retrieve some help. Let me start off by saying that I'm 17 years old turning 18 Jan. 10 and I get my license real soon. My parents also live with me (ofcourse lol) and they got good jobs with average salaries but you see they can't really afford a car right now. We had an old car a 1989 Corolla DX but then the transmission got busted and we couldn't afford to get it fixed. I'm just asking you all how you guys financed your cars what it costs you to maintain them etc. I never owned a car never driven many except for my moms Corolla so don't know much bout' the real facts. I research alot on the net and all and prices are kinda high even invoice prices. Hopefully my mom and I will pursue our Maxima purchase this Feb. or March if financial matters permit do you guys have any suggestions. This is really the first time we're formally buying a car and all so I don't want to make it a bad experience. I'm sorry for also making this such a long post but just trying to get some opinions. Cars are something I love so much I remember growing up playing with matchbox cars, going out always naming every car telling my mom or dad about the engine displacement, BHP, etc, etc and unfortunately I'm not one of the lucky ones who can afford a car. But hopefully things will be better in Feb. or March so what do you guys say about the approaches of purchasing one? Thanks a lot!

 

First I would recommend you break that freakin hugh a$$ paragraph into a few little ones, so it'll be easier on your maxima buddies to read.

 

I'm also 17, and I bought my 95 Maxima 2 days before my 16th birthday. I did all my research to find out what car suited me the best, and it was the Maxima. I found a nice cheap black Maxima for sale, so rushed out and bought it. Let me just say that even though I bought the car real cheap, all the extra money went into repairing it. I did a Carfax report, but AFTER I bought the car. I don't know what I was thinking.
Anyways, my main tips for you are to get a Carfax report on the car, and make sure everything checks out, and to take the car to get checked out by multiple mechanics. (I did this, but it didn't reveall all my problems). A Maxima is a good place to start since they are so reliable, so thats a good thing. When buying, always try to bargain down the price- you've got nothing to lose. Oh, and just because you see the car you really want, don't immediately buy it. Make sure everything checks out OK. The used car market is pretty large right now, and Maxima prices are always pretty cheap. Good luck. Oh, and you will find the best deals from private sellers (obviously).

Always look around for about a month to gague what a good price is too.

 

First of all, I am going to flame you on that quote from your paragraph above " Let me start off by saying that I'm 17 years old turning 18 Jan. 10 and I get my license real soon. My parents also live with me (ofcourse lol)".. How the heck do you explain your parents live with you? Dont you live with them? . Anywayz, let me tell you that the org is a place to avoid like the plague if you dont have $$ to spend. Since I began visiting the org I can barely keep my savings account above minimum requirement (exagerating of course). I'll warn you that you'll be spending $ like crazy. Ask anyone? Back to your question: The maxima is a fancy car and it cost to maintain it. I'd recommend starting with a sentra or altima according to your budget. I'll experience out first with one of those cars and later upgrade to a maxima. And, get out of the .org while you can. This place makes buying a maxima the only choice...And I like that

 

Well first, welcome to the org!! If I were you (man, I wish I was 17 again!) I'd look for a used vehicle. You should be able to find some in your area. Figure out how much you can afford and go from there. Don't be afraid to walk if the dealer won't come down, just leave your phone # and what you're willing to pay...many times they'll call back.

For sure get it checked by a mechanic..it's worth the expense and subtract any repairs from your price. Looks like you've got some time to shop before you're ready to buy and that's good. Take your time and I'm sure you'll find a 'keeper'.

 

Let me first start off by saying Welcome!

It didn't seem that people really responded to your original question of how they are financing them. I'm sure no one wants to give away their income (you'll understand that when you are older) here is an example of my financing:

Total Cost = $26,200 + Tax & DMV
Down Payment = $4000
Interest Rate = 4.9%
Term = 5 years
Monthly Payment = $461

I have no idea what your parents’ situation is, but understand there is a lot more to affording something than simply being able to pay for it. I don't know if this is just your parents buying the car, you buying the car, or all of you buying it (that would be interesting).

In any case, remember that you have to add insurance into that monthly nut (and if your 17 year old butt is on that, it'll cost you). The advantage of a new car is that you are pretty much paying for the security of knowing that if anything goes wrong with the car the dealer will fix it for free. That comes with a price.

Now, you can buy a used car and take your chance. If you end up spending say $15,000 on a used car there is no guarantee that the car won't give you tons of mechanical problems. All you can do to gauge that is look at the previous reliability (Consumer Reports is great for that).

Personally (assuming that you are looking to buy a car on your own), I would get a new car that is cheaper (sentra, tercel, civic, etc.). However, if you are going to make the monthly payments you should be 1000% sure that you are getting the car that you want. Just remember, no matter what car you get you will lose money on it when you sell it..however you are only 17 once in your life so it would be nice to enjoy a cool car and get chicks because of it



ps: I took this amortization spread sheet and customized it so you can add your local tax rate, down payment, etc. and it gives you to the penny what your monthly payment will be. If you want it, PM me or give me your e-mail. I found it helpful to run different scenarios of buying the car ($26,000; $28,000; $30,000; etc) to get a real world number of what it would cost me per month.

Good luck!

 

Agreed. After the #'s SPTA broke down, if your financial situation permits, take the time to look over all options you may want. If it doesn't permit, a later 5th gen (00-01) or 4th gen (99-95) might be the alternative. As mentioned, take your time and you'll find that "keeper."


Good Luck!

 

wow...u guys are real helpful..

well...what's important is choosing carefully before making a purchase of a car. Cars depreciate and break down. so a thorough research and listening to other people who have the same cars is quite helpful. Maxima is a good car. i don't think it cost the least to maintain it(since it's a V6), but generally it's problem free. hope that helps.

 

Very reliable car. Actually repairs are nil to never, it's mostly general upkeep, that is the beauty of the Max.

I would like to have Irvine's

 

Welcome. Like the guys said up there, we are pretty biased to the maxima, even though it IS a pretty good car. Thing is as with every car, they are the worst investment you can ever make and you have to be aware of that before you even start shopping for a car. I would recommend a used car WITH a warranty that covers at least the drivetrain. Costs that werent included above are insurance and registration and inspection and all that which bumps the monthly price relatively high. Sentras / civics are pretty good first cars to get, relatively light and spritely and easily maintainable. goodluck.

 

*he's askin about maximas! not english class!*
*isnt the org about helping people not flaming them?*

what koolgy not in this one??!! HAHAHAHAHA


ok...now that that is out of the way...welcome to the org...some of the people here are really really nice and are looking out for your best intrest!!! some people...are just here! i started with the org about 2 months ago...didnt get to great of a welcoming so dont worry about it


the qusetion you asked was about payments and finical situations on the maxima... i cant really answer that question for you but this is what i can do...advise on what type of car...


the maxima is a great car some minor details still have to be worked out but all in all its a great car! timing chain instead of timing belt is a huge plus!!! in any model of the maxima you are getting to recieve... power, reliblity, dependablity, convienice, comfort and many many more! i am very pleased with the maxima...(sorry for spelling mistakes )


personally, i bought mine 2nd hand (used)...i have had no major problems with it...actually none. yes the price is kinda high but you do get alot...try to find somthing where the miles and the year of the car even out...what do i mean by that...if the car is a 99 then it should have about 40k-50k miles on it(to current date)...look around on the web for a good deal...somtimes the dealers dont tell the truth so you would have to do you homework...def. do a lemon check and a car fax report isnt a bad idea either....thats what i did for my used 2k1...i bought it at a GXE model and i converted it to a SE model...when i bought my car i worked in my little mods to the cost of my car...i sat down and decided what is the first mod i would like...after that i chilled a little on modding... i did what m,y pocket and gut told me to do...if i didnt have the money i didnt buy anything...

ie: no need to buy a system when you can afford the payment on your car!

when you buy a car you dont need to "hook-it-up" having a maxima is a thrill by itself..it will be fun...trust me on that!


if you do decide to get a maxima then let us know!


n e way welcome to the org and i hope you dont get discouraged by everyone!!! they only mean good!!! hahha as well as i do!

good luck!!!

 

Welcome bro! If you can afford to, the maxima is great car to have. They are really reliable so long as it has been taken care of, (if its used) Do a carfax report on any car you're tempted to buy.

If you end up with a 3rd gen maxima, 89-94, they are great cars also. My first car was an 89 maxima and I had over 200,000 miles on it with very little trouble at all. No engine or tranny problems whatsoever.

Do your research and find out what you can afford. The max is a great car and I would reccomend it completely. Good luck with your purchase!

 

stop spinning...ur making me dizzy...damn calder..

 

If your heart is really set on a Maxima then do all the great advice everyone has given you. When I was eighteen I was driving a $hitty '84 Mazda 626. Oh the memories.

Work hard, save your money, and you'll be driving a Max in no time

 

Well, I joined the military and the money i got from basic training (not a sign bonus, I didn't get one 3 years ago) I used to buy my 1994 maxima. I then recently got hired full time fixing computers, so I was able to afford my 2k2 fully loaded maxima. I love it.


Advice would be buy used...I agree with getting a Sentra or an Altima, or something small, good on gas, and can basically run themselves. I also agree that the org will make you spend money on your max to make it that much better than the next (where's that DVD system, kloogy!?!? ).. hehe. Thank god I haven't dropped a lot of money into my 2k2 max, however my 1994 maxima is another story.

Just buy used. I'd go as old as 95... not too much older, if money permits. If you have to go older, who cares? Don't break the bank, you're going to want some extra cash because don't forget about tax, registration, etc., plus gas money..

Good luck

 

ditto