joemax89

Basically I bought my Max about a year and a half ago and turns out its a junker. It burns about a quart of oil every 300-400 miles among other things. I was really excited when I got it but it has been a headache ever since. I know these are great cars just the previous owner did not take care of it very well. It is an SE with leather, bose, just about everything and its a 5 speed. It has 133k miles on it and is in pretty good shape besides the engine. The bumpers are scraped up on the corners, the passenger seat doesn't move back and forth or up or down. i have been battling the P1320 code too.

Anyways, the dealer will give me 2k for it and then I don't have to deal with selling it.

So is it worth any more than that to anyone in the condition it is in?

Any thoughts?

Thanks

D.Stillwell

Well, you can definitely get more (don't ask how I know). You can probably double that $2k if you sold it yourself and did it right.

Manual tranny hurts a bit, most people look for autos. But really w/ cars in this price range most people look for a car that drives OK (hopefully w/ no codes) and hopefully has decent exterior/interior, anything more is considered a bonus. It's very hard to find any good cars for under $5k, and around $3-4k people have a real hard time finding ANYTHING remotely decent.

You still have pretty good mileage on your Max considering the price range too. That said, a professional detailing and clearing the codes + some time can get you that $4k for your Max. I'm speaking from experience in my area tho, where you live prices may be much different.

Maxgig

iTrader: (5)

It really depends on where you're at when you sell it. Here in Kansas everyone wants a manual as well as where I lived in AL/TN. You can definitely get more than $2000 for it. I would check the current market prices in your area, price it slightly above that price then let potential buyers negotiate down to your firm price.

Or you could fix the problems and adjust your price accordingly, keeping in mind that you won't recoup all that you've invested into the repair. Good luck.

joemax89

Just to be sure you did read the whole post right? I understand the car in good shape is worth $3500-4000 but it needs a new engine. I wouldn't pay anything near full price for a car needing an engine unless I was lied to, which I was.

viking89

^ man I feel you on that one

Just bought a 2002 5sp with 98,000 KILOMETRES on it to replace my totaled 2000, and I've added 5quarts of oil to it in 3k kms... I found the past vehicle ownership and its been passed around 5 times in the past 6 months before I bought it. 5 TIMES. The dealer lied and told me it had 2 previous owners

Get rid of it before it explodes and becomes worthless, the dealer offering you 2k isn't bad. No private seller is gonna put up that much money or more for a car needing a new engine. You'd have to lie to get back near what you paid for it.

I'm bailing on my 2002 and selling it to my dad for 3800, but thats because he feels bad that I just moved out on my own and totaled my first car, only to invest all my savings in another lemon. String of bad car luck. He's gonna use it as a winter beater until the engine seizes.

Needless to say, I'm not getting another Nissan ever again. I loved my maximas, but they were both complete headaches and some of the most stressful things I've ever owned.

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

The engine will never seize as long as you put oil in it. Go to walmart and buy the cheap oil its like ten dollars for 5 qts.

5aprilc

I also agree that 4K for a 2000 seems too high. I've been trying to sell my 2000 SE for months now, and my car doesn't need anything, and my price is 2K. Maybe it is all about your location like another member on here said?

FanaticMadMax

That's not bad, 2k for it from dealer? I think you should go down that route, since a 13 yr old car usually get at the dealer for about 1,200 to 1,500. Well good luck on your new venture of a new car. I would never part with my Maxima. never had a single problem with it since I bought her brand new, now she just sitting in the driveway haven't been driven for several months since I have been driving my Jeep GC for the past year.

5aprilc

I bought my Maxima two years ago from a dealer for $2,700, and it had 170K miles on it. I've put almost 20K miles on it, and have invested thousands in repairs and upgrades. I think $2,000 as an asking price seems fair.

D.Stillwell

Yup, the #'s I posted are legit dealer prices in my area. These Maximas around here go for $4-6k with that kind of mileage. Once you get closer to $3k the cars are in pretty bad shape.

But yeah, area makes a huge difference. And sometimes you have to lie (all the dealerships do it)...

2kMaximaRI

Here in RI, I just bought my 2000 SE automatic with 109k miles for 4000. It came equipped with all the toys (bose audio, moon roof, heated leather, etc.). It was nearly flawless, just a bit of rust starting on the rear fenders (still repairable), needing front brakes and rotors, the top console lid broken, and a missing lumbar support lever. All in all, a pretty clean car though. Having owned mine for appx. 4 weeks now, I'd say I paid a fair price.

5aprilc

That's really low miles for the year. The car must have sat for awhile. My 2000 is pushing 190K. Reason why I was asking only $2,000.

TravisCadello

First 3.0 that burns oil ive ever heard of lol wow....and that low of miles!

koreanthunda

Agreed my old 01 max never burned oil and I had 194000 on her . And she rang strong I got $1200 for her at the dealer . Book was about $700

george__

iTrader: (1)

a 3.0L burning oil is something new :|

joemax89

When I bought it the intake was busted up and the guy lived on a dirt road, there was dust everywhere in the car so I think there dust got into the oil and destroyed the rings over time.

Oh well, it's gone now, traded it in on a 2012 Mazda3 hatchback grand touring. Thanks for the help the last couple years.

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
rear wheel well / overall rust issue is common for Mazda3

TriniSpeC

Take $2000 and run

5aprilc

The dealership that I'm going to after work today, is going to give me $4,000 for my Maxima as a trade in towards one of their cars.