Well I am thinking about selling my car....and I don't really know what to do. I fiqure I could prolly get about 18k for mine. I don't think that I want a "new" car, and I was thinking along the lines of a 240. I already own a non functional '89 240 and it would take about 8k to get it into beautiful condition, with an RB20 to boot. But the problem is that I need a car that runs now. So could everyone just give me some ideas on what they think I should purchase within the 10-17k range.

 

Well, if you want advice from the general public here, we need to know a few things:
1. why are you selling the maxima?
2. what kind of car do you want (sedan, sportscar, SUV...)?
3. why are you selling the maxima?
4. why are you selling the maxima if you want to get something cheaper (and likely not as nice)?

 

I think you may trouble getting 18k for yours...IMO

 

Ok, here we go.

Clutch Issues
2 Recalls--soon to be 3
#6 coil pack failure
Wind Noise, never fixed
4 bose radios, still not fuctional
strange behavior in the cold
blown sub, when purchased car
Cracked headlight housings
Misaligned hood
......and the latest http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=280491

Honestly I really don't feel comfortable driving this car long distances, it has already almost stranded me twice. I don't feel that the latter problem will be the last, and I have been through three nissan dealers and I really am tired of dealing with the stress of this car. The reason I don't want a "new" car is because I would like to be able to modify and not have to worry about warranties and crap. This last problem was kinda the last straw. Hopefully I will find out tomorrow what is really wrong with my car.

and SEmy2k2go....why do you feel that I would have trouble getting 18 for mine. I would obvioulsy return it to stock.

 

ill take the JIC's if you decide to sell them seperately.

 

Yeah I dont blame you in that case, looks like you got a lemon.
The reason he's saying it would be hard to get 18K is because the resale value of maximas suck. Mainly due to the rental car market.

 

Sorry about the late response. I stated that you may have trouble getting 18k for your car, because I bought my car a year ago Feb for only $17.5k and you are seeing more and more guys post their 5th gens for prices anywhere from $15k on up. And I'm not sure of the mileage of your car or all the equipment, but per a few resources...an '02 SE 6spd loaded in your area with only 25k miles should realistically be selling for around 16.5 - 17k. Sucks I know, but these cars, like HitManSE stated have been used as rentals which kills the resale value of any car. Check out some of the resale values of Sebring's...same story. I hope they can get your issues resolved on your car.

 

Well, since no one else offered any choices...

Good Brand New Cars for under $20K:
1. SRT-4
2. Tiburon
3. Civic Si

Good semi-used cars for under $15K:
1. LS1 Camaro/Firebird
2. C4 Vette

Good used cars for under $10K:
1. 90-95 300zxTT
2. 92-95 Civic hatchback (just watch out for theft)

 

[q]'02 SE 6spd loaded in your area with only 25k miles should realistically be selling for around 16.5 - 17k.[/q]Sounds right. It depends on miles, but I'd not pay $18k for a 2002 unless it had no more than 10k miles, and even then I probably wouldn't. Resale on Nissans is GOD-AWFUL, which is why it's so damn easy to make a killing buying a used Maxima. Let the original ower drive it for 2 years and slash 8-10k off the price of it.

Anyway, if I were you with that funky engine issue I'd probably sell the car immediately. Still, I would personally feel guilty selling it to somebody knowing about that issue, so you should sell it to a nissan dealership - let them take care of it. Course, they'll kill you on trade in and you'll get nothing for it.

 

I'd avoid getting a used 300. You talk about problems...you'll see even more with one of those.

 

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Everything on a Z requires a stupid amount of labor. I like driving them but HATE working on a Z. Their turbos also fry at around the 100K marks.

Out of all those, id say the SRT-4. Mainly because its new, you still get a warranty and dont forget its fast as hell. With a good driver high 13's can be had stock. They are fairly easy to mod on top of that.

 

Well, since no one else offered any choices...

Good Brand New Cars for under $20K:
1. SRT-4-----Just not my style
2. Tiburon----Blahhhh
3. Civic Si----I don't think I could be a civic man

Good semi-used cars for under $15K:
1. LS1 Camaro/Firebird---Possiblity
2. C4 Vette-------------Insurance

Good used cars for under $10K:
1. 90-95 300zxTT-----Problems
2. 92-95 Civic hatchback (just watch out for theft)---same as above


Thanks for the ideas, but I am really quirky and picky about cars. Maybe a used audi would be nice, but they are expensive, right?

 

Audis are crap; Reliabilty is garbage, and resale is too high. They drive well, but who cares if it's in the shop every month. They're also slow as hell unless you buy an expensive one.

Anyone of us here could list every car on the planet, but unless you have some sort of an idea of what you want it will be impossible for anybody to give you a starting point.

 

Going on the fact that you bought a Max first time around, I would say an IS300 would be a good match. Toyota has excellent reliability and they continually top the quality surveys. Another option would be a 3.2TLS. Both are, of course, used. The reason I mention these is b/c both were alternatives to the Max when I was looking.

 

I would honestly stay away from 99-03 Acura TL's. These cars are problematic.....it's a great car but the build quality sucks. I should know I own one.

If just want a car to get you around while u rebuild your 240.....then just get a camry or a mid 90's accord.......those will get you around while you complete your project.

 

i dont really know the details in regards to the lemon law... but with all those recurring problems... wouldn't u qualify?

 

Now the IS isn't something i have thought of yet.....good choice... I will have to look into that.

and the lemon law has to be problems that are serious and of saftey hazard. and since I have an intake that will be nissans out.

 

I think the lemon law requires the same problem to occur 3 times for the car to be determined a "lemon."

 

Well, i yeah, that would be expensive.

how about a Camry or Solara?

Stratus?

 

i say def look into an IS 300 they are good cars, ive heard nothing but good things about them

 

2 door-newer Celica
4 door-older 95-99 Max.
Cheap power - used Grand Prix GTP.

 

You may want to consider a leftover 2003.5 Mazda Protege 5.

These are available for $16K or so brand new, there is a few left, discounted heavily to make room for the new Mazda3. This Protege5, in 2002 trim, won Car & Driver's best car and most fun to drive car under $20k. And it's even better in 2003.5 - has 130 hp, 4 wheel independent susp, 4 whl disc brakes, FSTB from factory, 100 watt sub in the spare wheel (ingenious!), tweeters in the A pillars, roof rack, ABS, 4 airbags, and just a hoot to drive with 5 speed, even if it is 130hp. Runs on 87 octane, made in Japan, excellent reliability, and IS NOT A FORD.

The new Mazda3 is more expensive, heavier, bigger, and not as fun. The MP5, only in production for 2 years, is starting to get murmerings of being a collectors item.

I have a 03 Maxima GLE, and a 2003.5 MP5, and love em both. The MP5 outhandles the Max easily. Just not as fast.

Def worth a test drive.

 

what about a subaru wrx or an impreza.

mods are easy to find for these cars and they can be had - heck you might even be able to find a new one for udner $20 (not the WRX, but one of the other imprezas).

what about those Corolla S or whatever.

I just throwing out ideas, but since you seem to favor sportier...

I doubt anyone of them will be as nice as the Maxima, but each of these (as well as what the other members suggested) have some advantages over the Max.

good luck

 

I am likeing hte idea of the IS300....does anyone know if they have any issues?

 

I will venture a suggestion or two:

1. With regard to your car, could you possibly invoke the so-called "lemon law" i.e. make the dealer take it back?

2. For new cars around 15-17k, I suggest you drive a Mazda 3s, which my wife just bought, pretty much loaded (no leather) with 17's and sport package for mid-16's...The car handles great, is (according to online data) almost as fast as a stock max, looks very very classy for a 16-17k car, and I have read alot of good things about the engine in it. I must stress again, the handling is probably the best I have ever felt in a stock 4d sedan....seriously, I know alot of people are biased against mazdas bc of problems with some of the rotary engines, but you really should take a drive, you may really like it. That said, i would never trade my 2k max for my wife's 3s...make sure you try the s model, not the i model (different engines). Here's a couple bad pics of carin's 3s...

 

I thought of buying a 3 back in December. They have around 160 HP right? It was decently nimble, and handled well, but it definitely felt a lot slower than my maxima, which isn't surprising considering the power to weight difference. The 3 is a nice car though. Similar in price to the other econoboxes with a good bit more horsepower (unless you buy the higher end ones).

Currently, if you wanted a spec v, nissan has good interest rates. I found though that interest on a spec v would be higher for me than on a 2002 Maxima. Those cars just beg for teenagers to get in accidents with I guess (even though I'm 26).

 

Skoorb- I think you meant insurance, not interest, right?

I agree with you about the 3 - although on paper it is supposedly almost as fast as the max, my wife's 3s feels slower than my max (w/frankencar)....they are both stick shifts...then again, now that I daily drive the max, I am not used to finding the power band when shifting a 4-cyl!

The 3s is 165hp stock, I think. The 3i is 125 (??)
Car doesn't feel "fast", but feels "quick" if you can understand that distinction.......

 

How about a 4th gen for the time being, relativley easy to come by and reliable if you take care of it
As for the Audi's are crap statment, comon...not EVERY audi is the same. They may have some small problems but then again all cars have their things.