Ok guys, I'm thinking about buying another 5th Gen Maxima. Which one would you guys buy? Choices are:

2002 Maxima SE
Pearl White/Grey Cloth/Automatic/No Sunroof/No Bose

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

2003 Maxima SE
Black/Black Cloth /Automatic/Sunroof/No Bose

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Thanks for the help.

 

/Auto/...


BTW, both are overpriced by about $2k

 

I know but which one?

 

this...I'd talk them down or look for a private seller

 

Definitely not going to pay the asking price. Agree,they are both overpriced by 2 grand for sure. I'll make them an offer. They take it or not or I walk. No big deal. Just want opinions on which one seems like the better car?

 

i say black , it has 17k less miles and it looks nicer. the white one with that interior reminds me of a rental car.

 

Pearl/thread....

 

Now we're getting somewhere!

 

2K3, I agree with those above, overpriced.

 

I know,I know,but pick one. What do you guys expect, this is CT!

 

Looked at adds without reading thread. It's personal preference for anyone. But the black one is newer, someone indicated it has fewer miles (I didn't personally look) and it has a sunroof. The darker interior is less likely to show stains. My light carpet is ruined!

My car has no sunroof, but is an auto. I personally prefer a sunroof and manual, but it was not a deal breaker for me. I got mine for $7200 after tax/title/tags, that was a year ago. So yeah, wayyyyyyy over priced!

I say black one!!

 

Neither...Something better will always come along. A bit of patience goes a long way, something I ****ed up on.

 

+1.....That's actually what I did. Took time and looked. don't regret my purchase of 2003 at all!!

 

Exterior and price wise, The white one is much nicer.

Based strictly on the interior, I would say black.

IMO it's no contest the white one is nicer. Black shows so much dirt and is very hard to keep looking good. Plus there are a million black cars out there. Before you all say I'm biased, I have a black G35 now too. I own both colours.

I take it cloth seats and automatic are on your list of wants?

Those cars are both overpriced 1-2k if they had Leather. With cloth seats they're worth less. Although if there's no dings and there's good service records, they're not far off pricing for a dealer, especially the white one.

Too bad you live in the states....................

 

I like my black leather interior, so I'd choose the black. Black paint however... too much maintenance for me. I despise swirl marks. I love how black looks when it's buffed and polished out, but to keep it that way? Yeah...

If I ever bought another black car, the paint would have to be in really good shape. I don't mind having a front bumper cover repainted if it has bug and road rash damage, but if the rest of it is all scratched up, then no...

Btw my car is pearl white... I like it.

 

I've seen several 00-01 and 02-03's here for sale, and the latter i've seen have all been in the 7-9K range. The earlier ones are a little less. Finding one with a manual is like finding a needle in a haystack.

When I found my car, I wasn't even looking. It was traded in at the dealership I used to work at and they were going to send it to the auction. When I took a look at it out of curiosity, I immediately noticed it was a manual, and so I went and asked my general manager and the sales manager about it. At first, they didn't want to sell it to me, but after some talking I was able to convince them to sell it to me instead of them taking the risk of trying to sell it at the auction and make money from it after they have to pay the transportation fees and the auction fees, since everyone gets a cut.

I say to keep looking if they aren't quite what you're looking for. Don't forget to look outside of your living area. Nothing wrong with taking a short road trip to go look at a car.

Last year, I saw a 5.5gen SE 6-speed that was dark (majestic?) blue with black leather, and had Bose, auto climate control, HLSD, and heated seats. I don't think it had nav. It was a couple hours south of me outside of Orlando somewhere. I almost bought it, and I'm actually glad I didn't since I ended up losing the job I had for 11 1/2 years a few months later.

 

There's some for sale here, on the forums. Some by trusted members, for prices you can't beat. I'd check out that, if I were you.

I picked up an 02 I35 for $4700 (outside of the forums), and now I wish I'd known about the cars for sale here, first :/

 

^ All very, very well said.

Save for losing your job MAN that sucks!

 

+1

Look out for stuff like this!

http://nycmaximas.org/showthread.php?t=62819

 

Great information so far guys. I am in no hurry so I'm not concerned if I miss out on these cars.
I went to look at both cars in person yesterday as the dealers were closed. Saw the white one first. It's in good shape. Some scuffs on the rear bumper and drivers door has a crack in the paint just next to the key hole which looks like a good area for ruct to start coming through. Also noticed the passenger side headlight is foggy but drivers side not? But all in all still a nice car. Again has no sunroof which I don't care and has no Bose.
Then went to look at the black one. The car is spotless except for the usual chips and two small paint cracks in the front bumper cover. The interior is spotless and very clean. It does have a sunroof, but it does'nt have the Bose system.
So I am also leaning towards the black car as well.
They are asking $8,950 for the black one. What do you guys think I should offer them? Don't want to pay more than $7,000 for it!

 

I think you should keep looking.

But it never hurts to ask! they won't sell it for what you can get one for privately, they just wont. If paying more is ok with you, then go for it, nothing wrong with paying a little extra for the comfort that comes with buying from an accredited dealer. And if you have a problem you don't have to chase anyone.

 

I actually went down to check out that white 02 from waterbury in person today. I would definitely stay away from it. It's got new tires and the interior is in good condition, but there is pretty serious bubbling rust on the rear wheel wells, as well as a rusty, bent, and dented muffler.

Also, none of the body panels line up in the rear. The bumper doesn't line up with the trunk at all, and the tail lights and side markers looked terrible. They were sticking out of the body by about a half an inch!

If those are your only two options then definitely go with the black one, because that white one has some truly **** poor body work done to it.

 

Both cars are nice, i have sold cars for 9 years..
Your offer should be $6500 out the door on the first one. ( tags, tax, fees included)
On the second vehicle, offer $7500 out the door (tags, tax, fees included)
The reason second one is $1000 more is do to 10,000 milles less on it.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for your observations and I totally agree. Looked at it yesterday and saw the same issues. Aso the crack in the paint on the drivers door near the key hole looks like rust starting under the paint.

Went down and actually drove the black Max and was totally unimpressed with it. Roade very hard. Steered hard and made a lot of suspension noise when hitting bumps. My current 03 Max with 93,000 miles rides like a new car next to the black one.
Also had my daughter drive it and she got the same impression of the car just to make sure I wasn't being critical.
So we get back to the dealer after the drive and I talk price with the guy. I told him car definitely needs some work and if the price was negotiable because I told him the cars about 2 grand too much. Tells me no negotiations at all on price. So I gave him the most I would pay for the car, $7,000 cash deal.
He tells me,"your not buying this car for that price". What a crock of ****. Will keep looking looking for cars.
Thanks again guys!!

 

Have you checked this out yet?

http://forums.maxima.org/maximas-sale-wanted-4/

 

2003 Maxima SE
Black/Black Cloth /Automatic

 

'03 GLE way better