I found this Maxima on Craigslist as I'm interested in one. It looks clean and I emailed the owner and he said it has very little rust spots on the inner fender well, so nothing visible form the outside.

http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/5196425046.html

I would bring him down to $3000 if I chose to buy it, but it looks like a good car. Thoughts?

And here is one with a 6spd, but it has a dent in the front bumper and he said it has rust and dings.

http://racine.craigslist.org/cto/5172411801.html

 

Go check them both out in person and go from there.

I would be leaning toward the 6 speed just because it's a 6 speed, but like I said, look them both over in person before deciding.

 

I don't want to look at them if I'm not gonna buy them, because they'll think I want to buy it. I still need to sell my current car before I can get one.

 

Be a smart shopper.

 

I'll go lookout them more carefully when my car gets sold and I have a buyer lined up. Util, then, I will just email people. And I know to look at the radiator support for rust. How much rust is acceptable?

 

Wait out for 6 speed w/ HLSD

 

I only really want to spend $3500 max, and finding a 6spd HLSD with no rust for under $3500 doesn't seem likely. Not to mention how long I'd have to wait for one to pop up on craigslist. Either way, I'm only going to get a 5.5 gen. But, thanks for the input, guys.

 

The main things I would ask about are the ignition coils (read up on the coil pack problems). If it has had misfires in the past it may end up with more or worse; clogged catalytic converters. The only other thing I can think to look at is the lower radiator support, see if it's rusted at all.