Hey all,
Noob on this forum, but have always wanted a Max. I have looked at many, but have never owned one. Recently I found a Sterling 2001 SE with a 5 spd, leather, with 26k one owner miles for $11500. The lady wont budge on the cars price, over the phone, and I have not looked at it or driven it. She says its just like new, with no blemishes and kept in the garage. This was her summer/fun car as she drove her Subaru to haul her dog and drive all winter.
What should I look for, and exactly what color is Sterling? She doesnt have pictures, as I think she is older and not very pc/digicam savvy. Is the price right? Let me know what you guys think!


thanks,
Jeff

I'd go check it out. Low mile cars are hard to find in that year range.

To be honest man, before my 01 was taken from me (RIP) It has 68k, 5speed, cloth, black with tinted windows. I paid 11,000 for it at a dealer. The outside was perfect, but the interior was rough to say the least. It is a hard thing to find a SE 5-speed in good shape, for me anyway. I would say buy it, if the car truly is in the shape they say it is.
Take a look and see how worn the clutch pedal and acc pedal are. That has told me a lot about the driving habits of the previous owner.

But, you could end up finding a steal, like I did. I went into a dealer to take a look at another 01 they had in the paper for $9900, and when I pulled into the lot there was an 02 6-speed, leather, and absolutely mint interior and exterior for 12500. It wasnt even advertised lol. I now have an 02 6speed cherry for $11250. Those people didnt know what they had, they just knew it booked for 14k but couldnt find anyone who wanted a 6speed lol. Maybe if they just advertised it........

damn 26k miles.. crazy low!

Thats a steal if it is in really good shape.

blackfriday already? cuz that is cheaaaap

yeaaa; u know the 01 motors definitely have no problem like the 02 or 03
ask if it has heated/winter package

404: problems not found.

thats a steal, i would go check it out..

the 01s are pretty hawt; especially if it's the 20th AE with all the trimmings. go take a good look at it.

404: engine oil not found.

i got my 03 6speed 42k miles for 11grand


so i guess urs is a goood buy for the miles....

^^^^^^^ Now thats funnny!

I think u should check it out and if you are happy go for it. Good deal, 2K1 maximas are good, not many problems, it will keep u contended for a very long time!!!

Good luck.

Hey all, if I check out the car and decide not to get it, I will post up the contact info on here. I am hoping its as nice as she says it is...

Well., similar thing happened to me BUT double the miles. I found a PERFECT condition 01 5spd Sterling Mist w/ 50k (nissans version of Silver). I sometimes think I overpaid but know I got a GREAT deal.

01's are great and I believe the one with the least problems of the 5th Gen Family. I paid 11.5k exactly one year ago. It came with a set of winter tires on steelies which i later sold for 300. Plus, the guy gave me a HUGE tax break.

Go look at it... THE PRICE is right for a car in that condition.

I'd jump on it if the condition is as she says it is. Fully loaded with that mileage is a great deal, not to mention if everything is perfect. I have the AE and love it, auto tho and its a great car with minor problems (wonderful Nissan suspension). Goodluck.

Good deal man, i got myne for 11,750 with only 57,000 but check the peddals and its a good deal

wow that sounds like a seal all the way. with only 26K its got years ahead of it.

tell me where it is so I can buy it....

Problems found:
Re: 200,000 miles on a 2003 SE:

1) replaced motor due to oil consumption
2) replaced cat due to oil consumption
3) replaced autotragic tranny
4) replaced evap purge valve and canister
5) replaced (2) O2 sensors
6) replaced warped front rotors
7) replaced interior fan motor
8) replaced alternator
9) replaced driver's window motor and sensors
10) repalced (3) sets of fog lights
11) replaced pre-cats (with new engine since they were already on it otherwise would have gone header route).
12) replaced all speakers
13) replaced idler tension pulley
14) replaced speed sensor


Do I need to continue? If I had it to do over again I would have bought a 2001 and S/C'd it. The 3.0 is a more reliable engine and most of the parts that they redid in 2002 aren't as sturdy as the ones from previous years. The 2002+ models were built cheaper IMO.

That makes me feel very good about buying my 02 gle a couple weeks ago lol.

So with 58k miles on it for 9250 a decent deal? The car is in immaculant shape and I paid an extra 2400 to have a bumper to bumper warranty till 106k....

I think u got a lemon! There are plenty of people who have never had that many problems on it! Sucks tho, sorry to hear

He got a lemon, dont worry about it. Go to any forum on any car, including Lexus, you are going to find posts like this. It happens. (I question if all that was even necessary)

I have 165k on my Sterling Mist 00 5-speed, with no major problems. Just the usual stuff, maf (my fault), coils. Replaced the clutch, brakes, shocks, all once. Oh, and I waxed for the first time last weekend.

If you got your car from Nemith I would expect something very similar to this...

seem like a good price!

Eddie

I dont think he came all the way from DC to go to Nemith though lol. I hear ya though

a) all the parts I replaced were completely necessary.
b) you have a 3.0, I have a 3.5. The 3.0's are a MUCH better engine.
c) I baby my car and still had all these problems. The major stuff didn't start, conviently, until just after my warranty ran out.

Granted, I've had more problems than anyone else here, but I also have more miles than ANYONE with a 5.5 gen here.

Nope, just a lot more miles than everyone else. Just wait, you'll get to experience Nissan's build quality if you keep your car long enough...

That remains to be seen... Though this is my first 3.5, my 93's motor was un-matched in terms of quality. The suspension was beat though.... I dont think it was the car, it was the driver who I got it from....

So who knows? Now I hope you got a lemon! I dont want to spend money on OEM just so I can drive lol,
that is high mileage for a 2k3 though.

Nope. Been around long enough to know it's seen all right...

Well, 200k miles, things ARE going to break. How much oil consumption warranted a replacement engine? I have been burning 1.5 quarts (sometimes 2 in the summer) every 4000 miles for 165k miles. And my car is faster at 165k than it was at 20k.

By the way, tell me that is not EVH in your avatar?

It was burning a quart every fill up. I had thought the engine blew, but actually the precats disintegrated and clogged up the main cat. Already had the new engine when I found that out (found one for $1,200 with 22k on it).

Don't be rippin' on my man!

I have 165k on my Sterling Mist 00 5-speed, with no major problems. Just the usual stuff, maf (my fault), coils. Replaced the clutch, brakes, shocks, all once. Oh, and I waxed for the first time last weekend.

[/QUOTE]

Just out of curiosity...about when did you replace your shocks? I've got 110K on my 2000 and am wondering if it may be time for me to do it.

Did you get the Brazilian? Had to say it lol

GBAUER and his car always scare the crap out of me. 200K miles??? where the hell do you drive man?? You'd think you lived in the car or something

I aint ripping, he was my hero, my now fallen hero, but a hero just the same!!!

I think at about 80k. Probably ready for another new set soon. I drive hard, in Chicago mind you, over some nasty roads. And I don't slow down for bumps and potholes. And actually, they are struts, not shocks. My bad.

Foreign Auto Sales in Troy, don't ever buy a car from there either.

edit: but yea I'm looking at getting an 03 and GBAUER is making me second guess myself now.

How'd the post go from a guy trying to get car buying advice to who's maxima is the biggest piece of crap to nasty ****** in chicago?

I didn't even get a response from the 1st page if I got a deal or not!