I've been passing up deals for the last few months because our '93 Altima (250k) is still running great, but it's starting to burn a little oil (i.e smells like an old Ford at startup)

I found an '02 Max w/cloth (no bose) interior for $7350 and am going to check it out today or tomorrow...I know to carefully watch the exhaust for any burning oil symptoms (also will smell for signs of excessive oil burning) but also know the dipstick can be hard to decipher.

If ya'll have any suggestions for a good way to tell if this is an oil burner and any other major things to check out, I'd sure appreciate it. I've had the altima for 7years now and don't plan on getting another vehicle for another 3-4years at least..

I could hardly understand the guy on the phone though, very foreign I suspect, but lives in a pretty nice part of town; I hope this isn't a case of someone dumping a trouble car...I've been fortunate to only own 2 cars since being 18...an '85 Mazda 626 LX hatch 5 spd that I gave to my brother after 398k (trouble free) and the Altima...once I'm done w/the car, it's usually done as well

Thanks guys!

Jeremy

 

Not going to be so easy to determine how much oil it consumes other than seeing blue smoke out of the exhaust, even then that doesn't necessarily gauge that it burns a lot or a little.

 

carfax and take it to a trusted mechanic. bring someone who can be a resonable negotiator.

 

My tip.......Make sure it's a 6SPD, not a autotragic. That's the most important thing. Then check the oil issues, It's just the way I roll!!!!!

 

was about to say the same thing...even though I have an auto...=/

 

Thanks for the tips...I just came back from checking it out and I'm likely going to pass....the price ($7300) is by far the best I've come across in the Memphis area but I get the feeling it wasn't really cared for.
The woman insisted on bringing it to me a few miles from her home (safety concerns...it IS Memphis) which annoyed me, but upon checking it out, the rear driver's side door had a somewhat crumpled dent between the window and the side sill extension. No broken paint but to shopping cart ding either...about 8"+ in diameter...

The lower side skirt on the driver side was a little loose and cracked at the body, the edges of the trunk had rusted chips in the paint, and the interior in the front/console area was pretty scratched and somewhat dirty....The lady was Philipino and had very poor english so I couldn't really get much info from her...

Engine sounded alright despite the low 'tick tick' sound, and the exhaust smelled like water vapor so the engine may not be burning oil. But she said her boyfriend did the work so she had no records and looking at the interior and overall shape, I just have the feeling that it wasn't regularly maintained. I also didn't like the color of the yellowish beige interior cloth. I wish it had the suede look/feel of the seats in my '93 Altima....(still thinking of just throwing a T28 or T3 on it and forgetting a newer car)

Were the '02 and '03 cloth interiors the same (color)...blond??

Oh well.....even wholesale lots in Memphis only advertise 100k '02s for $12-13+....

Jeremy

 

I would have done the same thing.

 

Look in Dallas then. I got my '02 for $8000 (113k miles) on a wholesale lot. Other than the miles (actually pretty normal for the Dallas area, especially since mine has an 06/01 build date) and some light hail/door dings the car is tip-top. I've seen a few lower mileage ones in the 10-12k range.

 

make sure to check the trunk for water.
a lot of cars are coming from NO with the flooded cars.

that's my only two cents ontop of whatever you know

edit: i should read the whole post.

 

good decision.. keep looking, you'll find a good deal.. you looking for auto or manual?

 

it pays to spend a little more, but get a car in good condition, with maint history. alot less hastle down the line.

 

that's cheap for an 02 maxima. my buddy just bought one for $11k

 

do we really need a new thread every time someone is thinking about buying a 5th gen??

like you people cant find the information by searching.

stop being lazy.

 

Oh the hypocrisy...

Anyway, that feeling you get where visual indications of the vehicle provide as a sign that the had been not been previously cared for, I think, is reason in and of itself to not purchase the car...I think that price is a little low and suspect. Good decision on passing.

 

Buy a six speed if you can find one of course unless you like autos. Man I wish I had a six speed.

 

 

Especially if you can find a one owner, garage kept car.

 

This is the first thread on this topic.















NOT!

 

[quote=niceguy;6146478]Thanks for the tips...I just came back from checking it out and I'm likely going to pass....the price ($7300) is by far the best I've come across in the Memphis area but I get the feeling it wasn't really cared for.

Good decision... If you don't like it.. don't buy it...

 

just because the SOONERS lost another big bowl game, doesn't mean you have to try and be a jerk to a guy trying to get a maxima. What else do you want? It's just a topic, and the fun part is you aren't forced to post!

boomer sooner

 

who are you?

yeah...this is the the first time someone has been childish and brought a football team in to a maxima discussion

so you didnt post to answer his question...you bumped an older thread to run your mouth. i was posting to remind people that we dont need 100s of threads like this.

who is your team? its easy to run your mouth when you hide who your team is...im a real fan...its out there for everyone to know.