I was just searching around for a decent newer max and came across this:

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/ctd/1298315613.html

it is low mileage, seems to be in good shape. Ok price, although i've seen better.

The guy tried to tell me how awesome of a deal this is! Which from the mileage perspective is true. But these are maximas and 100k is usually not even reaching the half-way point (of course with proper maintenance.) He even mentioned the rims... which I personally try to stay away from. I like the stock nissan rims... easier to maintain and do the work for me.

Since I have little experience with 5th gen (i've only had 4th gens), what should I be inspecting more carefully in this case? And do you think this is even worth it? I am planning on finding something as a reason to knock his price around a bit, but not something I am going to go broke fixing LOL I'm going to ask for a CarFax or just do it myself. There might be a hidden clause.

Do you think this is even worth the hassle?

Thanks in advance

 

I just bought a hooked up 96' SE the same price and miles. Mine has a system and Niche 18" wheels... Beautiful car, I sold my 01 Altima to get it, it drives smooth!

 

IMO those aren't really very good looking rims to make the car worth the somewhat high purchase price. Granted, the car does have low miles but the bottom line is it is still over 8 years old. Leather sure would be nice, but if the price is negotiable, then it might be a good pick up. Good luck either way.

 

Go for a loaded 3.5 for the same price (more miles of course, but much nicer car).

 

Too Much. I'd pay $5900 at the most.

remember, i got my infiniti i35 with a vq35 for $6100 at 90k miles. A maxima with a vq30 for $6900 is not worth it at all. If it was a 5.5 gen, then this would be a different story.

 

vq30dek > vq35 anyday in terms of durability and reliability remember your 3.5's really like to drink oil the price is high though plus the car is dirty as hell inside. If i were you i would get a carfax

 

I had a feeling he was asking more than it is worth. But then again, here in New England people's wallets are on steroids (i dont know where they get so much spending cash) so i can see how he expects to sell it without a problemo.

Thanks guys

 

it doesnt have a bose system in it n on the ad it says it does haha

 

how were you able to tell in the pictures?

 

theres a big mileage difference there. 59k is almost half as much as 90k. i think he found a great price, i got my 00 max with 50k for $11,000.

id go for it. wheels are fugly but id do it.

sterling mist 5th gens FTMFW!!

 

^ I think it's supposed to say Bose on the tape player.

 

by the headunit bose doesnt make that head unit and where the tape goes in doesnt say bose it sais a bunch of other letters plus its not fully loaded se no climit control not leather just putting all of those clues together highly doubt it but who knows

 

not all 3.5's "drink oil". Owners should be checking the oil every 2-3 weeks regardless of what they drive. If its a bit low, top off the oil. This, imo, is a small price to pay for the performance you get with the 3.5 over the 3.0.

I know countless people with 3.5's that dont burn any oil

 

nime eats not oil at all n i got a 03 gle and i do have only 52k on it so mayb its soon to be but i take care of it good so far no problems

 

It'll say BOSE on the tape deck, and if I'm not mistaken the BOSE is packaged with "comfort/convenience package" and has leather/heated seats and digital climate control?

 

^ which is different in 4th gens, where i've had bose and no comfort/no leather/no convenience. thus my lack of expertise in various options 5th gens come with. but i would have known when i saw it in person - the bose lettering is on all bose HUs (just hard to see in the pic).

 

My Anniversary Edition maxima does not have leather but I do have heated seats AND the bose system. I have the window sticker to prove it!

To the OP: It seems like an OK deal for the money. Definitely get a carfax, though!

 

Oh jesus. Heated cloth!? Win.

+1 on carfax, and consider a private inspection as well (gives you an idea on what's about to fall off and helps with negotiation.)

 

My VQ35 has no oil consumption whatsoever. The VQ35 was rated the top engine for like 6 years in a row.

Seriously? an Infiniti I35 is a big upgrade from a Maxima. That's like paying more money for a honda accord versus an Acura TL. Paying $11000 for a Maxima when i can get an I35 for $6100 is just bad financial skills period. No way 40000 miles would be worth $5000 on these nissan engines.

 

For that kind of money I'd hold out for a 3.5 with the 6-speed. If you're not in a big hurry just keep looking till you find the right one.

Stock vs stock the 3.5 pulls a lot harder than the 3.0. The oil burning issue is rare and usually brought up by someone with a 3.0.

The 3.0 has its problem areas too. The coils go Bad, the VAIC fails, 30 less HP (wait, they all come like that).

 

I'd buy it. its a stick shift.... thats like awesome. Low millage, an ok price. try negotiating. if he brags about rims tell him you will give it back to him once you get stock ones to replace them and knock off like 500 bucks or whatever but those rims gotta go for sure.

 

plus the 5th gens have issues with the MAF as well.

 

Looks like A good deal to me....Have A mechanic make sure to check if check engine light has been reset recently to hide any codes.....Also for that much money you could get A 5.5 gen = more power

 

try to look for a 5.5th gen if your willing to pay that much.. good luck

 

I know it has A salvage title but looks worth checking out your only an hour or two away
2003 nissan maxima 6 speed - $1 (queens)

Date: 2009-08-03, 2:00PM EDT
Reply to: sale-ptrhn-1303640742@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]



2003 nissan maxima
6 speed manual
69k miles
black with black leather interior
exhuast system, hids in headlight and foglight, alpine radio with ipod connector otherwise car is completely stock
car has a clean ny title, but has a salvage history because i had to replace bumper cover
asking price $7,000 negotiable
i can be reached at (646) 577-0723 or fullytuned@msn.com
PLEASE NO LOWBALLERS OR TRADES

• Location: queens
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 1303640742

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• terms of use
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^think that is alittle too much for salvage.
"but has a salvage history because i had to replace bumper cover" replacing bumper cover doesn't mean/lead salvage.

 

the car is too much, manual, no sunroof, no leather seats, and manual climate control.....

 

Looks like its got an aftermarket muffler.
Something about that just bothers me when buying a used car.

 

Considering the mileage, and the exterior condition... the seller priced the car with room to negotiate down $1000. Offer $5700 and let him work you up to $6000.

Exterior condition can be deceiving, and cameras can be forgiving. You live in CT... there could be excessive northeast rot underneath. Get it up on a lift before deciding. Take it to a mechanic, too, for analysis on brakes, struts, mounts, etc.

Last, those hideous chrome rims are a give-away that the previous owner had really poor taste. Take that into consideration. Personally, those rims alone would make me give it a pass, and go look for a 5.5 gen.

 

Worded perfect....

 

waste to me. There is a blue 6-speed 02 in middlebury with 94k for $9995. Could get them to drop the price. It's fully loaded. Frost leather, sunroof, everything. Wouldn't go for the 00-01 without the 3.5. Isn't worth it in my eyes.

 

id pay more for a 6speed vs a crappy automatic anyday =)

after all, id prefer 2400rpm to 3000rpm at 80mph anyday!

 

im sry, i know an I35 is a big upgrade (if you like that luxury stuff as opposed to performance). but once again, ill pay a little more for a car thats only lived half its life. 6k is a lot of money for a lot of miles. I35 or not.

 

dammit, really want that

 

If you look at the picture of the silver maxima you can tell the front bumper was most likely replaced. The grill has a chrome edge around it. SE models do not come with the chrome grill edge. SE model grill edges are the same color as the rest of the grill. GLE and GXE models are the ones with the chrome grill edge. Definitly get a carfax report. GL

 

everybody here got a diff taste some for the gen some for the style se or gle n so on it depends what u really want if i were u id say go that extra mile n get the 5.5 gen u wont be disapointed
i know ill have ppl back that one up

 

I've a preference for reasonable language skills. (And like you, I recommend prioritizing the stronger engine available in the 5.5 gen.)

Off-topic, sure. But seriously... that was painful to read.

 

+1

5spd=3000 rpm@73mph

6spd=2300 rpm@73mph, doesn't hit 3000rpm till around 85+mph

 

+1 on loose the rims....5th gens are b.a. but everyday i wake up and wish my 3.0 grew .5 bigger, 3.0<3.5....5 speed <6 speed. 00-01 is a great car, but even with the An Ed, it doesnt measure up to 3.5, and never will, way more options for 5.5 gens., damn id give anything for the 02-03 headlights and front bumper.(even though i was jipped out of 90% of my ae extras)

 

o ya for the record i paid like 8,600 for my ann ed. about a year ago...90,000mi. im happy with it, even though all kinds of dish went wrong with it(struts, coilpacks, ebrake, cp sensor) only car i could get without a cosigner tho