My first new thread anyways looking at a 2003 max se hlsd six speed 152,000 miles black leather meridian titanium very little rust for 3000 its 3.5 hours away wondering if its too good to be true. He says it doesn't burn oil and I have no way to prove it and I think radiator support is ok since the body has minimal rust. Just wondering if there's anything I'm forgetting before purchasing this car. Thanks to all who answer

 

Bodywork bodywork bodywork!
Looks like a hell of a good price actually. Too good. I paid around $5K for an 02 Altima 3.5SE, but about half that mileage, in immaculate condition.

 

Sounds like you got the good deal. This was is very clean but its old and tired price seems fair.

 

Easiest way, bring cash and just start dropping the price as you see problems. Bring a OBII scanner if you have one. There isn't a 5.5 gen maxima out there that doesn't burn oil, so you know he is full of **** right off the bat.


Do your re search before you spend your money. Don't gamble. It sounds like a good deal. And don't just drive down the block on your test drive. Take it on the highway. that will usually paint a good picture for you. You can feel the power, feel all the shakes, feel how good the clutch holds, and when you get back you can see how it runs when its hot.


G/L

 

that's where your wrong. My friend has a 02 5.5 automatic with 152k hard miles on the clock, tranny doesn't slip nor does it burn a drip of oil.

 

I think that the oil thing depends on how you drive. Since I got the car in 2010 I put on around 48k km on it. So never had any burning issues.

 

Not that I don't believe you... but I have yet to see one, or heard of one.

 

I got a 2003 max. 185xxx miles. Doesn't burn a drop.. Has a new motor lol! Why?? Cause the old one was burning so much oil..

 

Mine isn't either or at least minimal... Oil changing every 6,000 km and levels are acceptable... From what I know the engine is original so it has about 208,000 km

 

at 3k its an outstanding deal

 

Well, you just heard of one that does not burn oil.

OP Sounds like a good deal. Go and inspect the car in person. If it checks out, buy it.

 

When its too good to be true, it is

I bought a 2002 with 98.000km on it and ignored all my gut instincts telling me something was wrong, cause it was such a crazy deal and i was blinded by how nice the car looked.

burnt 5L of oil in 3000km. Guarantee yours would be the same. I mean look at what hes offering you, arguably the BEST maxima ever made, with no issues for 3k?

Guys about to rip you off

 

Paid $5k for a 6MT with leather, Bose and climate control with 154,000 miles on it in early 2011. No rust, it had been in Texas since purchased. Oil consumption was way less than my 4AT, about a quart every 3500-4000 miles (4AT was every 1500-1800 miles), paint was just starting to show the signs of a thinning clear coat, but was otherwise a very solid car. Got $6000 for it when it was totaled in September 2011.

If the car has rust issues, I wouldn't pay more than $3500. In fact, I've seen 6MT's around here occasionally with less miles for under $4000. Stick shift cars don't sell well here with the crappy traffic we have so people sell 'em cheap.

 

I looked at one from USAone.in bBrooklyn . for 3000. Looked over the pics a hundred times researched vin Check etc finally called on it it was 6000 actual price. Also it had a issue with a accident of some sort. Tried to buy another one from a military guy who was out if the country it was.a scam. I'm not worried about burning oil since I'll just run cheap oil and keep it always full. Just don'twant a lemon I do have a couple scan tools. Only problem is.I have to trailer it since it.needs an alternator and its not in my name. So when I get there I have no bargaining chip. If he says no to a lower price I'm driving home empty handed

 

Rust is like car cancer. I'd stay away and check out another one. It's crucial to do a cold start with any car you look at. You'd be surprised the noises a seemingly "quiet" warm car can make when cold. This is especially important with our engines and the infamous timing chain rattle.

 

I rented a car and drove 6 hours to Dallas TX to buy a 2002 SE with 119,000 miles on it. The car was not as sweet of a deal as it looked like on craigslist and speaking to the crook on the phone. The car needed maintenance and had a few issues the were not revealed to me. I ended up paying $4000 for a $3000 car. I had a rental car that needed to be returned and did not want to spend any more time looking at other cars since this one was the model and color I wanted. I am happy with the purchase after doing a lot of work on the car and taking care of the main issues with it. Totally rust free and a nearly perfect black leather interior make it worth the extra $$. I would over pay again for rust free and complete, if all that were needed was lots of maintenance.

 

This.car yes is the exact model I want. Interior looks perfect every option but nav. The rust is a tiny bubbling on wheel well not to bad for 152000 miles and 11 years old. Maybe it is worth it at least when I'm done working on it I'll have the car I always wanted. But what's this I hear about timing chain rattle. I alwaysthought the vq chain lasts the life of the engine. Maybe that was in the 3.0?