sed

iTrader: (1)

I hope to be a new Maxima Owner soon but need some help. Found a beautiful 2K2 SE 6 spd, VERY clean w/8250 mi. Dealer asking 21K. Do you think a purchase price of 17-18K is beyond hope? Also, after reading some forum posts, noticed a lot of mentions of RSB and F?SB. I assume they reference rear sway bar and something else. Am I correct? Do they really add to the handling and at what cost? Thanks!

Newman

iTrader: (3)

17-18k is doable but it wont come easy.

as for the rear sway bar and the front strut tower bar, they will tighen up your handling. nothing exceptional but you will notice a difference. the RSB helps more than the FSTB. RSB costs about $150-ish i think and FSTBs can range from $30 to $150 depending on how pretty you want it.

check places like www.stillen.com and www.custommaxima.com and www.courtesynissan.com or even the Group Deals forum on this website for actual prices.

guapsnaman

As a matter of fact, try asking for 16k as well. A used 2003 should go for more than 18k at this time, I purchased a new one for around 21k before taxes.

The rear sway bar you mention does in fact improve handling but stiffing up the rear.

The FTSB is the front strut tower brace that also improves handleing by stiffing up front.

Many claim that the RSB shows more improvment in handling alone than with the FTSB.

Purchasing this aloing with some new springs and stuts for better handleing should run you from 600-900 depending on what brands you get.

jay beede

after reading this .org are you sure that you really want a maxima?
-paint chips
-rattles
-crazy power windows
-MAF
-lame a/c
-questionable handling
-transmission TSB
-hood shudder
-Bose stereo hassles

Prodigy

My only problem is paint chips, other than that I love my car.

Newman

iTrader: (3)

and every other car is perfect? no paint chips for me, my power windows are fine, my MAF is fine, my AC is fine, its a 4 door sedan so its not supposed to have amazing handling and, TSB for my transmission, and my hood doesnt shudder. for every 1 complain you see there are dozens of happy owners.

jay beede

Newman,
I'm glad that your maxima has been a good choice for you. My '03 SE is a decent car and a pretty choice for me, especially when you consider that I was lucky enough to find what I wanted during the mid-year $6000 off period. The car truly was a bargain. For $10,000 less than a comparably equipped Audi A4 the choice was easy for me at the time. Had my homework included this .org the decision may have been harder. I've owned Audi/VW since 1984 and never really had to deal with paint, rattles, handling, etc. Audi has other troubles of course (electrical, cost of parts/repairs, etc.). If you've owned Japanese cars before maybe you are accustomed to the kinds of issues that crop up on maximas. In any case I didn't say to not buy, I merely asked "are you sure".