hey,I am about to buy an 02 6spd with 118k miles on from a nearby small dealership...It has 3 previous owners (first one was lease sold it in auction, other 2 were personal) clean carfax(no accidents).. however , I test drove it and it runs really strong.To cut a long story short my findings are (excluding the obviously good things) :
1.Body and exterior
a.The fog lights have cracks into them and they don't work
b.Headlights are little bit fogged
c.One of the accessory bulbs in the right headlight doesn't work(not main xenon bulb)
d.Engine bay is dirty (no leaks that I can see)
2.Interior
a.The horn cover in steering wheel (the large piece which had the Nissan emblem on it) seems not to sit on its place evenly (the space next to top right corner is larger and a bit to the out), asked the dealer and he denies any idea about airbag deployment (carfax supports the idea of no accidents or airbag deployment)..
b.Cluster illumination is dim
c.Gear stick silver piece (with the gears map) has a little play in its place
3.Driving experience
a.Some slight deviation toward left side at moderate speeds
b.A little bit shaking on the front wheels with moderate braking (My wife's 03 GLE does that too).
c.Some noices when driving on rough surface at low speed (10 mph) seems like from the front suspension.
As I stated above , other things apart from those 3 points is in pretty good shape ...
Now my questions is :
I will take the car for inspection at a mechanic , what should I ask the shop to emphasize on (based on the findings above,especially the driving part) ?
Please I need your urgent advice as I will go to take the car from the dealer to the inspection tommorrow..
Thanks

Update
---------
Thanks alot guys for your help.I took the car to a Nissan dealer in my area and they checked and tested everything you told me about in this thread,everything was fine (apart from minor things here and there,most of which are cosmetics) ..I bought the car today,wish me good luck with it and welcome me to the 5th gen family....(man ! that 6spd is a beast)..
Regards

 

Sounds like a typical maxima to me other then 2a.

 

Ask the mechanic what he recommends. Sounds like you already know main points, get under it and check out potential leaks and condition of oil pan and wiring. Have him inspect the suspension for bent components, worn struts, worn bushings, busted axle boots, etc. Check brakes. Check fluids for proper color and odors. Also pull codes/pending codes from computer.

I've heard several have a factory off center steering wheel center. I'd just rule out the bigger things as problems before returning to the negotiation table. If small things remain (like dim dash lights and non-working driving lights....I'd demand those be repaired.) If big things are identified, then naturally focus on those and be prepared to walk away if the price isn't right.

 

definately, make sure there is some limited warranty and you can return it. check out codes, even tho if you dont have service engine light, it can come back within less than 100 miles.

 

I bought my AE with 137k and all it had was just a minor windshield crack and a rip on the driver side seat. But after a week I found out the passenger side heated seat did not work. All minor things but like the others I say get it checked out by a mechanic. I also have the SES light but I believe that's because of my power steering fluid leaking. Not sure though.

 

Most of your observations are cosmetic issues. Since you're aware of them, you'll have fun with the car fixing these little nits. Buy a new shift ****, clean your headlight lenses, buy some new fogs, upgrade your bulbs, upgrade your brakes, etc.

It's an 8 to 9 year old car. It won't be perfect... unless you buy mine next year. And even then, LOL.

 

Agree with the guys above. Sounds like a apretty typical Max with those years and miles. Agree, that you should get some sort of warranty.

I'd be glad the engine was a bit dirty. If it's too clean it scares me unless you know it's from someone (like on this forum) that goes above and beyond. Otherwise it's been cleaned to get rid of evidence of leakage.

Buy good PIAA bulbs for the fogs. I bought cheap ones from Ebay and they were burnt out in 6 months. My PIAA ones lasted for years.

Shaking and noises sound about the same as mine.

Good Luck with it.

 

I have the 2a issue, when I asked how to fix it seemed like quite a few others guys had the same problem but it wasn't worth the risk/trouble of fixing.

 

Somewhat normal, likely they were cracked, some moisture got in and blew the bulbs.

3m Headlight polishing kit.

It's an 8 year old car, little crap is going to go out.

To me that is a good thing. Engine details hide things.

Normal. Mine is like this too.

Then increase the illumination, the dial is to the left of the steering column.

Again, 8 year old car.

Pretty common. The driver's weight will sometimes throw off the alignment. I know my fat *** does. When you get it aligned ask to sit in the drivers seat. Yes that helps a lot.

Warped rotors. Again common. Go 6th Gen BBK. It helps.

Check tierods struts etc. It's a good possibility things are a bit worn.

Front suspension



I would like to add it sounds like this car has been run on some dirt/poorly maintained roads. At least that's what the dirty engine, suspension noises and blown bulbs mean to me. Also have your mechanic inspect the exhaust system for any dings in the cats and inspect for any worn suspension bushings.

 

So how come no one is asking the price of the vehicle?

 

Probably because we all know what kind of pain in the *** it is to find a 5.5 gen MT in decent shape.

 

 

this

 

One huge detail missing...... The price?

 

You guys can ask all you want about price, but that information is not germane to the OP's question.

Besides, we all know what an 8 year old Maxima is worth, give or take a few grand. It just doesn't matter.

 

If you have concerns about the airbag, ask the mechanic you are taking it to. But it's kinda nice to have one that works. There are too many body shops that don't replace an airbag if it deploys.