I am guessing not, especially since I got mine in May only. How much do you think I would have to shell out? It's a GLE with sunroof, and I was thinking of just getting a GXE 2k2 or something.

 

If you get a good trade in value, and can afford it, then I would definatly do it.

 

Sell your max to a private party, nissan will kill you on a trade.

My guess is you will need at least 9K plus trade if you go to nissan. Last time someone tried to trade dealer offered somthing like 11K for a '00.

 

Well, that's what my impression of dealers' prices are, but someone on the board said he got like close to 22k for his w/ 13800 miles (guessing about a year old) while mine is a lot newer, perhaps close to 22k? Then it would be like 3-5k for a GXE, which isn't bad...?

 

Ive got the 2k1 seae and my dealer(bought 2 max's off him) said 4500-5000 for the 2k2se 6spd. Thats canadian dollars. Keep in mind we pay less to start with than the U.S. Bottom line, im trading in/up.

 

Dang, I think the AE was like 30k here in the US, so trading it in plus 5k is like 35k for the 6 speed!!! Man...I guess I am keeping mine and waiting for better rear suspension. =)

 

Not worth it, same car. At least wait and see what they are doing for the next model.

 

If you like the new engine, the 6 speed, and other touches that Nissan has changed, then go for it if you can take the hit. Maybe wait the the HLSD. It is tempting I know. I think that the 2K2 may be the fastest of all Maxima's if Nissan significantly increases the weight of the 6th gen without increasing the power much.

 

You trading down from a GLE to s GXE? You will be kicking your self after a few weeks! Trust me! Then when the come out w/ the new max you be so upside down that you won't be able to out of it until the late year of payments! Same car, don't waste the money!

 

Yeah, you guys are right. I'll just keep this baby for like 5 years or so and then get a new one...and mod it like crazy during these 5 years? I haven't done anything yet!

 

Watch out with mods. You might void your warranty.

 

Hey Hawk,

I just traded in my 2k1 SE Loaded/all options / 13500 miles / 11 months old ; the dealer gave me $21650.00 . I paid $500 under invoice for my 2k1....I paid invoice for my 2k2 SE. I also got the 5.9% financing; my 2k1 was financed at 7.9% so I saved a little bit on interest.

I absolutely LOVE my 2k2 ; I only liked my 2k1 .

So I am absolutely happy I did it !!!!


Tjz

 

The real problem, as I see it, is that the 2k2 will have the lowest resale value of any Maxima. Why?? You have an Altima SE with all the bells and whistles for approximately 4 grand under the Maxima. Failure to move product, and moving most units at invoice will provide a spiral, downward. Kelly Blue Book and Nada both use sales figures as comparables when applying resale and loan values. The only thing that one has going currently is low financing rates and a 255hp engine . Don't miss the issue, I would not trade my 2K1 AE .....but until the 6 gens are released we are in marked targets.

It should also be said that I do not like the Altima as much, but mass market will look at a newer product, with a lower cost, and go that route unless Nissan discounts the Maxima and hence we lower residual and resale values! Mod them all.......

 

Yeah, I was referring to your post when I said "if I can get like 21k" =) So how much more do you have to pay after financing and everything? I thought you pay the interest first and then pay the principle afterwards...

But I was driving my car today and thought to myself "This is a nice car." And it is, so I probably won't get rid of it. I mean, it's nice enough for a college kid right? It's good enough to get me through my first couple jobs I think.

 

None noted that GXE is no longer offered with manual tranny as of 2k2 model year, and the invoice is $22.8K for a bare-bones car. Why do you want to upgrade, do you want the new engine & 6spd combo? Otherwise stick to your loaded car man. Just think of it...you'
ll no longer have Bose, leather, climate control, sunroof, power options. Let us know whatcha gonna do.

 

I am pretty sure I won't trade now. The main reasons I wanted to trade was the 255 hp, the HIDs, and well, there are a few dings on my car that I don't like (but I'll probably get them on the new one anyway).

Personally I don't mind no leather, BOSS and sunroof. I would love to learn to drive stick and get a 6 speed, but I have no access to a stupid manual. The car rental place don't have any...any suggestions?

 

try the cheap rentals like rent-a-wreck or ugly duckling. they rent old cars cheap and some have sticks. Or just go test drive a new car (go to a ford dealer haha)

 

Heh, I am afraid they'll I don't know, yell at me and stuff for killing their clutch. My friend actually did that and got cussed at.

 

When I configure an Altima similar to the Maxima, it comes out the same price. The Altima has a lot less standard equipment.

 

I've been thinking about doing a Maxima or Altima trade this spring. I'm not sure if I can pull it off. I still owe more than it's worth. I think I'm about 3K in the hole. Did you have to finance some of your negative equity? Or did you pay that with cash?

 

Lets look at a couple of factors to help you decide:

most importantly is your finance rate, if you could drop your rate more than two points on a 60 month loan, yes financially it makes sense. This would assume you would sell it on the open market, trading it in will cost you around a 2 grand loss. Here is were it gets tricky, in order to get a good finance rate, you will need excellent credit, also once you sell your old Max it takes about a month for it to clear off your credit report, so unless you make really good money keep that in mind.

Do you really like the new changes enough, most of us love the new changes: the 3.5 has more hoses and torque, now obviously until the reviews and tests come out who really knows the performance gains. Go to the dealer and test drive the auto, is it faster, most dealers are saying it is. The side skirts are nice, and the headlights look great. For us manual freaks, the 6 speed should be nice. As far as wait til Nissan introduces the 2K3 Max, bah, it looks like it will be a scaled down version of the Q45, more luxury, with the Altima taking over the performance aspect.

Keep in mind since the 2K2 has come out it has been selling well, translation, Nissan will not being coming out with any special financing anytime soon. If the economy continues to slug along that could change. I recommend you wait a couple of months and explore these options, btw if you sit tight you still have a car nicer than 80% of the ones out there.

PS If you plan on selling it soon do not mod it, it will loose value.

 

Won't the 2K-2K1 Max have a lower resale than the 2K2? After all, the 2K-2K1 Max's are very nearly the same car as the 2K2 but with a smaller engine and less horsepower. It seems that on the used car market the 2K2's will sell for more.

Also, the 3.5 SE Altimas sell for just as much as a 2K2 SE Max in my area. One listed for 28,600 at my dealer.

 

I say wait another 6months or so and then check out the prices for the 2k2 6sps. By then, the dealer should make room for the 2k3s and and the prices on the 2k2s will be low....just my .02

 

You and Paul brought up a couple of interesting bits. First Altima SE 3.5 auto w/ all options comes to an MSRP of 28k+. In order to pull an equal we would need a Maxima SE auto w/ all options at an MSRP of 31k+. Hell my 2k1 Maxima SE/AE stickered over 30k. Now Nissan may discount the Maxima not as likely on the Altima, meaning the gap will close on price.

----BUT----

Resale values are determined in part via the original cost of sales. Hence one (and only one as many issues apply) reason why Lexus and Saturn have created better than average returns. Quick turnaround sales, rebates, and repair ratings also force values down. Yes, all Maxima resales are going down but a 2k1 did not compete with its own cheaper Altima, now they do! Engine size does little with resale but more will be determined by repair issues and first year bugs as it would relate to 2k1 vs 2k2 resale $$$.

Todays market is a buyers market, not a sellers market. Low finance rates (based on prime lending and factory incentive financing) are putting people into long term (5yr) loans at cheap rates, but long term financing almost always puts you upside down in car value unless downpayment was large $$$. Consequently, used car lots must buy low in order to compete with sales against new. Their rates are still higher (8.5 on average).....meaning if they low ball your car they can sell it with a regular rate and still provide a payment somewhat lower than that new car will bring. Would you buy used if you could get new in the same model????

GM and Ford along with Mercury are seeing huge used car inventory because everyone is buying under the 0%. You will now see more leases being discontinued and ownership rise as people with no trades or downpayments can afford the gap do to no finance charges.

 

I basically agree with you. a few points though...

A fully optioned out Altima is close in price to a lightly optioned Maxima. I don't think a fully optioned out Maxima is necessary for the comparison. All in all, they would be very close in price, with similar equipment.

2002 Nissan Maxima SE with 6 speed, leather, Bose, and sunroof. (Personally I would go for the stock SE)

$26490 invoice, $29486 MSRP

2002 Altima with same options + HID + ABS

$25075 invoice, $27683 MSRP. If you order the auto tranny add another $800. $28,483.

So with discounts, we are talking about a $1000-$2000 difference between the Altima and Maxima.

I think the upgrades of the interior, HID, improved tranny, improved brakes, and larger engine are highly desirable. I think the 2002 values will reflect that.

 

Well, supposedly they give more discounts for the Max (MSRP for the Altima at my dealership), so the difference could be less than that.

 

Thrifty Car rental had Dodge Neon R/T 5 spd..