So I think I'm coming to a crossroad with the Maxima. I do a good amount of driving for work (about 60-100miles/day highway) and slowly but surely there are new issues creeping up on me. Not sure if I should sell now or ride it out. It's a 2001 SE currently with 140K.

Exhaust needs to be replaced because of a leak(s) and clogged cats, possibly one or two bad O2 sensors, tires and rims need to be replaced (rims aren't holding air), Bose radio/CD payer is sh1tt1ing the bed and working intermittently if it is below 50degrees outside, feels like lots of "play" in the front end so I'm sure there are a couple things that need to be replaced there, unknown suspension issues with occasional clunking and fairly consistent squeaking from all four corners (which is resulting in a terrible ride), rear fender/wheelwells have started to rust/rot with the underside flaking off, and now the brakes and possibly rotors are going to need to be replaced soon.

By keeping the car and paying to fix these problems, I'm not sure if I'm being frugal or foolish. As crazy as it sounds, I almost feel emotionally attached, not to mention I've been enjoying not having a monthly payment.

What would you guys do? Repair, or sell now and move on to something else?

 

I say repair, unless you have enough for a brand new Maxima or better. Why sell the Maxima and get something like a 2011 Explorer or something like that with 27k miles and feel better, but still not something you'd really want?

 

Repair, last body style built in Japan, true quality.....

 

Most of it just sounds like maintenance.

 

Id say fix it. If your wheels are leaking air, have the beads cleaned up. I recently had 2 tires put on and one was leaking. Took it back to the tire shop and they removed the tire, cleaned the bead of the wheel and reinstalled and rebalanced. So far, so good.

 

fix it. it's time for some maintenance.

 

All of that minus the radio IS regular maintenance/problems living in that location, given the age of the car.
The car is 12 years old, after all. It doesn't really have high mileage, but road abuse is road abuse.

I vote fix it. 5th gens (not 5.5 lol) are very reliable. Do the best you can with the rust and undercoat the car (fender wells anyway).

Cats usually aren't an issue on the 3.0 (not this early), but who knows what a previous owner did it to (I'm assuming you got it used). I've noticed a lot of cheapskates using 87 on their nissans that wonder why there are problems.

 

I would say you have about a grand to put in the car with the parts that need replaced... I always have the same thinking... If I sell my maxima and add a grand to the selling price what can I buy??? probably something that will need the same about of work as you car now... or I can put the $1000 into my car fix it up and drive it for another 140K... sounds like you just need some basic maintenance just as any other car that is the same year/miles...
fix it keep it drive it enjoy it...
weekly I put about 500 miles on mine... all highway with exception to about 100 miles city driving... every time I have the feeling something is about to crap on me i check it out and get it fixed... invest some money in good tools and you are good to go... at least you know you have an engine that is a beast...

 

Mind if i asked howd u come about those numbers in your sig with those mods? Or are you just stating the obvious?

 

Get rid of it if you can't do the work yourself. If you can fix it yourself it's worth keeping for sure.

Paying a shop for all those repairs is acceptable, only if the body is solid IMO.
And you said it's not, it's rusted. So it's not worth much.

You can either limp it into the ground, fix it up and keep fixing it until it gets excessive, or get rid of it.
Everyone on a Maxima board is going to tell you to fix it. The fact is, it's a 13 year old car that is rusting out, getting high in mileage, and needs a bunch of repairs.

How much is reasonable to spend? That's the question here. That car is worth maybe $2500 in that condition. So if you were to spend under half that to fix it up and make it a $3500 car, that would be acceptable.
If you can fix it for $1000 or less, I say do it.
If you can't, you should be considering cutting your loss.

 

Agreed with everyone else here, sounds like you've got ur answer.

 

Nice, happy 2013. I am in a similar situation. 2002 with 254k miles. I drive mostly for leisure but I'm going to try slowly fixing issues where possible.

+1 on the Japan quality. I try to only use Nissan parts to keep some of that quality.

We both may agree on letting the 01-02 Maxima go for a wicked sick deal on a 2009+ Maxima.

 

The power numbers? thats what the rating are for the 5th gen SE's stock.

 

140K?
It's just getting broken-in! Repair it and drive it as long as you can!

 

It would be a bigger waste of money to sell the car, regardless. Even if he had to spend a couple grand to fix it, it's still far cheaper than buying a new car (who the F does that). Taxes alone on the new car would cost more than the repairs Plus, insurance, worrying about it, etc.

Even if he buys a new car, it is stupid to sell it. Fix it and use it as a beater for when it rains/snows/short trips. That will reduce maintenance costs (ie "big money" later that he's complaining about now) on the new car. Plus, it gives the added reliability of transportation when needed b/c two cars.

If it was a ****box, sure, get rid of it, but that is a very solid car that needs regular maintenance. The rust sucks, but patch it up and deal with it for a beater.

For example: I'm driving a 91 525i, currently. It's worth almost nothing, but you think I'm about to get rid of it if it needs repairs? Hell NO! 198k and it will go to 300 with maintenance. It's rock solid reliable.
I would need $2500 to sell this car and not screw myself. I'd be throwing money and a car away. I feel the same for OP.

 

The argument can easily be made to keep it if you can do repairs yourself.

I'm just saying you should consider getting rid of it if you have that list of issues, can't fix it yourself, it's rusted, and even after you fix all those Things you still have regular maintenance and more breakdowns coming up.

I love nissans, but it's not a civic, they're not that reliable.

 

+1

 

If you fix it how long would you plan on keeping it. I think that is the big question. Financially it is better to keep and repair. Almost always. But you need to balance financial with happiness. Do you want to keep it or no?