I'm looking to get 02 maxima I stumbled into 02 maxima with 230k for 1300 I was wondering with that many miles what should I look for in terms of maintaining it the body is in great condition any thoughts

 

Hmm. That's a good price. How does it run? Transmission taken care of? Rust on suspension? The drivetrain on this car can run solid for a long time if taken care of, but the 230k mark is about the turning time. It's important to check for rust too, especially depending on where the car is being sold. There is a radiator support in the front that is extremely prone to rusting out and costs about 750 with parts to replace.

I'd just make sure to have a mechanic check it out for you. Also see if you can get maintenance records.

 

I would tend to agree. It all depends on how well it was maintained. If however you're already saying the body is ruff chances are it hasn't been taken care of in other places. Just beware these cars can be very expensive if you start having issue after issue. It can be downright depressing if you lack the mechanical know how to repair yourself.

 

Sorry I misread the original post. You said the body is in good shape. Things to look forward be timing chain rattle. Obviously check the oil look for color smell same goes with the tranny. Take it for a ride check for any smoke at the exhaust. Jack the front end up check the wheel bearings any sloop in front end.

 

It's a salvage title rear ended I'm Goin to check it out today if I have time I briefly called the guy and ask him all about the car he said no rust somebody stolen the radio so I don't no it hooked up nice blk grill with out the nissan symbol has clear rear tail lights and blk headlights with angel eyes it hooked up nice I'll let u guys no how it is thanks for all ur help so fast

 

If it's a salvage, I'd run away. That, coupled with 230K miles means a possible money pit since by then everything on the car (particularly rubbers and plastics) are tired.

Since the rear end on these cars has no alignment points, getting rear ended hard enough means the axle and related bushings could be messed up. If, and how well they were replaced is important.

 

Maybe ur rite I did go look at in person the price is great but there's alot of flaws I looked at it from the back an the bumper needs to be painted and the tail light is cracked. The spoiler faded lookin needs paint. The driver side wheel well has lil rust spots. Next the head lamp is what it seems pushed away from the bumper I think the lights don't fit right and the hood has been painted it has dipples in the paint and the inerior the person paint all the plastic blue the piece around the door handle the piece on the dash where the defroster is the center piece around the radio etc it's ugly I'm a pass just cause the hood bumpers and that rust and the cars from Connecticut

 

just take a look behind the front bumper and see how bad the lower radiator support is... if it is still there... on my last maxima it had about foot of it missing... or just research lower radiator support rust

 

The price is good I talk to the guy to me he just wants to get rid of it hell he doesn't want to invest in it if I ask him about the radiator support he'll say I don't no he just wants to sale it so I'm a still look around

 

For a little more, you can find a high mile car in better shape. Find one that's not from the rust belt and hasn't been monkeyed with too much.

If you can handle your own repairs these cars are fine with high mileage. I own/maintain two of them (about 500,000 between the two) and they've been very reliable for the last 10+ years.

 

Looking at 2 for $2000 private but there the 3.0 and either the interior is a lil rough or there's rust around the rear wheel well I'm picky at stuff like that since I use to detail is there a noticable difference from an 01 maxima 227 hp vs 255 hp 02 both auto

 

There is a noticeable difference... I have a '00 with the 3.0, doesn't burn a drop of oil and is very smooth. From what I've read 3.5's are quicker, less smooth, and are notorious for burning oil. Can't go wrong with either though.

 

It depends on what you're looking for.

My 3.5 is faster than my wifes 3.0 by a noticeable amount. That being said, my wifes car is plenty fast for any sort of normal driving. Even with almost 300,000 miles on it, I'm impressed every time I drive it. I've never thought it was under powered.

If you're going to mod and try to get the most NA power from it the 3.5 is a good starting point. If you're looking for a mostly stock driver there's nothing wrong with the 3.0

 

That's cool I'm a just get the 3.5 and hook it up headers megna exhaust cosmo cold intake if I can do all at the same don't want to invest to much but keep the maintenance up