Hi,

My fiance and I are considering letting go our 6 week old 2003 SE. Since we are in New York, we're concerned about the lights. It's crazy how we get nervous just taking the car out. So now we are thinking trade, selling it off, or whatever.

So many of you have such good opinions and recommendations, so I am hoping you have some good suggestions.

And if we do give it up, we will be considering a vehicle that is less flashy. Ours is an auto with everything except navigation. It has about 675 miles.

Let me know how much you think the value is (I know we may be losing a few grand).

All your opinions will be helpful.

Thanks!!

 

well, its going to hurt.. about 2 grand or so. also, dont forget the tax, be sure if you private sell to work out the sales tax ofset.

If you actually like the car and are only concerned about the headlights, you could buy 2k headlights for under $150 and sell yours for $700+. problem solved

In fact several of us who have done the conversion still have our lights laying around.

if you get anything with HIDs, you'll be a target. There arent really many competitors for the max on value/performance.

 

You will lose an a*ss load of money on it. The resale values on our cars suck. Not only that, but the new body style is coming out in about a week so you will have to contend with that.

I hope that you have more reasons for wanting to sell other than the possiblities of the lights getting stolen. The Max is a great car and there are very few in it's price range that offer all the features it has. If you don't like the car that is one thing, but to sell a car because you are worried that people will steal things off it is crazy in my opinon.

Understand that I am crazy paranoid too living in NY (LI - so not too much) so I never park it anywhere . I have a junker car that I use for that. The thing is what ever car you get can get stolen or broken into. The Max lights issue is one of many cars that have the same thing. If it's only the lights, perhaps you can get the regular ones from a 2001 and wait it out until all cars have HIDs standard. It's just a matter of time.

Where in NY are you? If in NYC then I would be scared too As far as value, KBB doesn't have pricing on the 2003, but for your car in a 2002 they say private sale (which is higher than trade in) is $22,535. I'm not sure what you paid, but I can imagine that number would creap up a grand or 2. Also, most people here seem to be paying in the low to mid 20's for a brand new 2003.

What ever you decide, good luck!

Oh, one other thing....can we say "Insurance Job"?

 

Hi,

Thanks for replying. The lights are a big problem, since I've known a couple of people who have had their lights taken. Your remedy of swapping the lights sounds like a pretty good idea to consider. Do you know where I could pick up a set. And would the installation be something that I could do?

Thanks!!

 

I think Dave B can help you out.

"give him a call at 1-800-251-7278..

he is at Town North Nissan here in Texas but ships parts all over and has been VERY helpful to many of us here."

TimW can confirm/deny this.

Taking out the HIDs is just 2 bolts, I'm not sure about upgrading the wires to handle the old ones (more wattage - more heat).

 

I dont see a point in swapping out your lights. Having them stolen or changing them, either way you wont have HIDs on your car anymore. Keep the max, save the money, and invest in security

 

Security wont help unless you have a pitbull tied to your bumper.. It takes less than 2 mins to steal the lights. And it's not just the lights he's gotta worry about. Most thieves aren't tidy when it comes to stealing. My neigbor had to spend around 4g's to replace his lights and fix all the damages inflicted on his car. Front bumper, hood and both fenders were all bent or
He can always get aftermarket HIDs with the 2k-2k1 lights..

I think you need to click the link on my sig..

 

hey man you trying to take my name?????? I think you should change it to hubba______ no bubba. thanks

 

I think I will follow your suggestion, and swap out my lights. I'll definitely keep them so that I can put them back in the future.

Now... If you could help me find one of those sets. And should I do this myself or have someone do this for me. And how about warranty, will swapping this out affect it?

Thanks!!

 

swapping wont affect the warranty. Just dont do a jimmy rig...

u can purchase these headlights at

http://www.courtesy-nissan.com/
and
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...D=2&siteid=722
this place is a little expensive, $154 x 2

I would recommend maybe swapping with a member here + cash.
Or just purchasing it on your own if money isnt an issue.
I would keep both. I would also get a HID kit for the 2001 headlights, so you still emit the amount of light as you are now.

I just would NEVER go back to regular bulbs. You lose so much light.

 

you can't justify getting rid of your car because your headlights MAY get stolen.

put the y2k or 2k1 lights on it, and go about your business...yes, the lights aren't as good, but people got by with them for 5+ years...or longer, so I don't think you'll have any problems. and you won't have anyone break your front end apart trying to steal them....

this option will save you the most money. Because chances are you will have your car jacked up w/HID's which will cost you big money to replace them, and to repair you car.

You will lose money on selling your Maxima, as the resale is HORRIBLE (except when compared to Ford, Kia and Chevy products, then it looks good)

Buying 2k1 Lights is relatively cheap in comparison, and you get to keep the 240-255 hp Grocery-getting BEAST!

-vq

 

What you could also do is run a clip from the positive terminal on the battery and setup some kind of finger-frying electronic pads on the hids, so when they grab them, they fry. Just kidding of course, unless someone really wants to do it, then I say GO GET EM. Stolen HIDs really isn't worth selling the whole car. Just swap out the lights, in fact, I'd be willing to trade my headlights for yours.

 

Thanks for your advice!!!

I think we will be keeping the maxima. We do love it!!

We will definitely be looking into the lights. Any of you looking to sell?!!

The most important thing is this... Is this a job that I would be able to do, or should I bring it to a mechanic, or even my dealer's service center (which would cost alot more, but may save the warranty)? And that's the final thing, will this void my warranty?

Thanks!!

 

it shouldn't void your warranty, being as it is a Nissan Part your are putting on your car. But I would get something in writing saying that it WON'T void it....ask your dealer for details on that.

 

You have to be able to do DIY projects. Its not hard at all....just a little time, patience, some thinking and prep work. Its just a matter of soldering a couple of wires OR splicing into existing wires. If you are not comfortable with this, I would not do it.

I changed my 2K1's into 2K2 and it took me a couple of hours. BUT I make sure it was done correctly and reliably. There are a couple of write ups (BigDog, Ice's) that show how to take a > 2K2 on a 2K1. So you should be able to reverse engineer it pretty reliably.

 

If it's just a matter of wires, I will have no problem in doing it myself. I'm just worried about any future surges and/or electrical problems that may lead to Nissan saying that my warranty is voided because it was someone not authorized by them messing around.

Any opinions on that?

Thanks!!

 

I have met people that used to steal hondas (they all did time). Most of the time, they'll skip the aftermarket alarmed cars because there's probably another stock one right down the street. Sure it will take little or no time to take the HIDs. I'm just saying that thieves take the easier path.

 

yupyup
get the AE ones ;-)