Guys (and gals...)

My '89 SE died on me, so I'm looking to join the ranks of the 5th Gen crowd and am seeking advice on a 2k2 SE that I saw yesterday. Gray with charcoal/black leather interior, automatic, moonroof, new tires, Bose audio w/cassette & CD and very clean with 57,800 miles on it. Dealer is asking $15,250 for it. Drove very nice, but I noticed the TSBs and recalls for this model and was wondering if I should/can use the recalls as a bargaining device. The car was also dead when we went to vice it/test drive it, and the dealership had to jump it. I checked under the hood, and it looked very clean, but I'm obviously concerned with the battery/electrical system. It was raining, so I wasn't able to check the power moonroof's functionality, but everything else seemed very well put together, especially that 3.5L V-6... I've already fell in love with that engine and understand why you guys are so big on it.

I'm usually on the 3rd Gen forum, but as my situation has drastically changed, I'm looking for some good advice. If this doesn't work out, I'll be looking for a 5th Gen in any case, so if you have any advice on what to watch out for, please let a brotha know!!!

Thanks in advance for your comments and advice & Happy New Year!

 

I would make sure the TSBs and recalls were done, especially the crank sensor one and the BOSE audio system. Also, HID theft is big on this car so make sure that is not a problem in your area. The price sounds fair, I would start from 14500. Good luck.

 

@Nismo3point5...

Thanks for the advice. I'll see about the TSBs and recalls. I must have missed the crank sensor one and the BOSE audio one. What's the deal with the BOSE? I'd likely wind up ripping it out anyway since I had installed the system in my '89 and plan to transfer it to my next vehicle, but I figured that I'd get as much use out of the stock audio system until I decide to go tinkering with it myself. I did notice the recall on the accelerator pedal and the suspension, though. There aren't a lot of Maximas where I live, so I don't think there will be much for me to worry about as far as the theft of the headlights go. I heard about that problem with the 5th Gen headlights, but I wonder where it comes from? Do these headlights fit other cars or something?

 

The lights fit 2000 & 2001 Maximas. They get stolen fairly frequently.

I just bought my '02 maxima some months ago and have been very happy with it so far. I did research and it is one of the highly recommended used cars to buy. Mine had 53K miles and I paid 13,500. I think you have some room to bargain. Definitely run a carfax on it and have a dealer run the VIN to see what service has already been done to it. (mine hadn't had the crank angle sensor yet).

Also rememeber that the drive train warranty ends at 60K miles...

 

@Nissan SE-R...

Thanks for the advice on the drivetrain warranty. I was unaware that it expires @ 60K miles. Because I may be purchasing this car from a Chevy dealership, they can't warranty the car as fully as if I purchased it from a Nissan dealership - I was told because of the mileage or something to that effect. I believe that you guys got better deals on your cars because you're not in Southern California, where we pay considerably more for just about eveything.

Oh, so the 200-01 Maxima owners are stealing the Xenon projectors from the '02 & '03s... So much for comraderie among car owners. I noticed that the aftermarket projectors only cost about $200 or so for a pair of the angel-eye models on eBay. Has anyone come up with a way to prevent/deter this kind of theft from happening?

Thanks again!

 

Not necessarily the 00-01 owners, mostly ricer boys who cant afford the real thing. They steal them for the igniter and ballasts, then go on ebay and try to sell the housing with a broken bracket.

They have some data dot or some other sort of device, but they still get stolen.

And i also believe the 60k warranty covers even if the vehicle was not purchased at a Nissan dealership.

And you can also purchase different extended warranties.

 

@NmexMAX...

Interesting. So the ricer-boys are just snatching them for the guts of the lights, and not the lights themselves...

As far as the 60K warranty is concerned, should I go to a Nissan dealership and have them service the car while it's still under warranty in the event that I wind up purchasing this car from the Chevy dealer, just to be sure that the drivetrain is up to snuff? How much will warranty work cost me to have done?

I think I'm going to like this 5th Gen forum - regardless of when I get one

LONG LIVE MAXIMA.ORG!!!

 

As fatr as going to the dealership to perform maintenance that wont work because the 60k warranty is not bumper to bumper, just powertrain i.e. engine + tranny.



For the 2.5k that's left on it, it's best either to find a lower mileage car, or purchase an extended warranty .

 

The HU on the BOSE system sucks. When playing CD's, it will sometimes cut out on the left or right speakers. If this begins to happen, the HU needs to be replaced. Some people have had their HU's replaced 4 or more times because of this defect. Mine has started doing it recently.

 

Nice Find! I went from my 93 SE to my 02 SE and have had tons of service done under the factory warranty. Solid car once all the update have been made. I don't know anything about the bose since mine didn't have bose Start around $14k Good luck!

 

Hey man, I am seriously thinking about selling my Maxima. I have a 2k2 sterling mist SE 6speed , Helical limited slip differential, sport pedals, frost leather interior, Bose 6 disc combo, auto dimming mirror, heated seats, heated steering wheel, memory seats, both seats are power, cruise, steering wheel audio controls, digital climate control, sunroof, foglights, sunroof deflector, cargo net. The car is bone stock and has 57k on her right now.

 

Pit5Bull,

Pretty much the advice that the org member made is dead on. Before you
purchase the car make sure everything on it works!!! Test everything out.
Make sure all the recall and/or any warranty stuff taken care of. Make sure
all the fluids get change (ie, oil change, transmission flush, breaks fluids, and
coolant) with that mileage. Basically be somewhat difficult. Once you take
possession of the car the dealership don't care about you anymore. Good
luck!!

Mike

 

I see you have a five speed right now. Getting 5.5gen is great move but you should consider if you can live with the auto tranny in that particular one. I have a 2K3 GLE with and auto but so wish I had the 6 speed with limited slip differential. I have a CAI/UDP/CAT back and the transmission is the weak performance link. Also, I would rip that sound sytem from your '89 SE and put into the 5.5!!
IMO the 5.5 SE w/6speed LSD with leather/sunroof and the titantium package is the ultimate!

 

HOW MUCH????

 

Probably will be looking to get $14k for her. The price is firm though.

 

wow thats a good price...is there anything wrong w/ it (ie: scratches, worn tires, mechanical)? thats about 3 grand less than i got my 02 6 speed for, and it didnt have all those options...although it did only have 30k miles...

 

It has 4 new Nitto NT450's on it and it has the typical scratches in the front, on the hood from highway driving and one small dent on the passenger front fender that would be quite easy to have repaired. It is mechanically excellent and and is very fast. The interior is great, no cuts, burns or cracks in the leather. The HU will need to be repaired because i am just starting to hear signs of the cutting in and out issue. I have always used Mobil1 5w30 synthetic and is taken care of by ASE certified technician(I work in the parts department of a Toyota dealership).

 

Your post is so very eerie. I lost my 94, 3rd Gen, and I decided to stay with the Max after I almost bought a 2002 Acura TL and then got on their forums and saw the massive transmission problems. When I went to look at a 2002 SE the car wouldn't start either. Bad battery. I made them replace it and I ended up buying the car. The cd player didn't work either, the car was 2-3 years old and the cd player broke, non-bose. I had them replace that as well. All their cost, make sure you test everything and then demand they fix it. They most likely will but if they don't then walk, which I doubt they would let you leave. I was apprehensive about my car at first, but after I had it a couple of months and started to mod it, I fell deeply in love. I have had my car 6.5 months now. I am not disappointed. Just do a thorough look-over and a common-sense check. You should be fine.

 

I'm a new 2K2 owner, how can you check to see if all of the TSB's have been done.

 

Go to a Nissan delearship service department and give them the VIN number. They can enter it into their system and check what's been done to it.

 

OR you can go to NHTSA website and find it for yourself. Here's the URL for it: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ Good luck

Mike