I am a long member of this board. I had a 1996/1998/1999 Maxima and then bought a 740i. I am keeping the 740i but need a car for my wife. The decsion is obvious among camra/honda/maxima. So guys tell me what should I look for ? Is getting the NAV worth it ? Regular roof or the long one ? What else should I look for when I take it for a test drive ? Let me know Shank ya.
-Sal

 

Good to see you come back to the fam. Check that the recalls have been done, not that they were too serious but it is a hassle having them done when your very busy. My alignment got messed up when I had the rear subframe done on mine. I don't have NAV so I can't comment on that. I prefer the regular sunroof, the long one is too narrow and I wish it was open-able. Check so that the struts aren't busted. Other than that just the usual used car things you need to look for...

 

Thank you for taking out to the post. Much appreciated. Anybody else any other info ?

 

don't get the nav. there are way better aftermarket units that you can hack to work as you drive.

get the regular roof, the long one does not open.

and be aware of honda's ricers in your rear view mirror.

 

I have OEM Nav and I would suggest going with an aftermarket unit, a good test drive with a driver to follow, make sure the exhaust is not any funny colors and then maybe a stop by a local mechanic or dealer tech to do a compression and cylinder leak down test and an overall full inspection to make sure a bodyshop did not put the car back together also make sure the previous owner(s) changed the oil and did not abuse the engine on cold start ups

 

.... I love this board so much. Everybody is just so very helpful Thank you guys. Much appreciated.
-Sal

 

First off DON'T BUY A USED RENTAL RETURN!
Secondly just ask to make sure all recalls have been handled.
Look out for the infamous "shimmy" I never had it in my '04 but alot have.
I do like my skyview, gets alot of looks for sure.

That's all I have for ya!

 

just curious, why wouldn't you buy a rental return? they are usually in mint condition, though they will have higher milage, due to highway use.
And you'll save a few thousand dollars.

I see them fly off the used car lot, in mint condition, wished I had bought one instead of paying a extra 7 grand because it was a one owner lease.

What happened you had a bad experience ?

Thanks,
ruict.

 

Agree, this is an article I read on the subject...

What About Buying Used Cars From Car Rental Agencies Instead?Keep in mind, a rental car is a used car, just like any other car. But we feel rental cars are probably maintained better than many privately owned cars, as they are kept in constant care and maintenance during use. When you rent a car from the top companies, they are clean, and I have never had a rental car break down. The companies tend to take them out of service by one to two years of age, so you are getting a decent car which the rental company has already absorbed the largest portion of the depreciation.. But all our rules for buying used cars still apply, because they are used cars. The used cars from car rental agencies usually still have their factory warranties in affect. Some car rental agencies may offer you a free limited warranty on used cars. If you want full coverage, read our article on Extended Warranty Scams & Tips. One last point, they may not be willing to haggle over the price, so make sure you know the value of that car before you visit them.

 

If you're looking for auto trans be aware some early '04s came with 4 speed auto, you want the 5 speed

 

I think the bulk of the 4AT went into the 04 SL's...

 

Yesh sure they're maintained well but think about how they are driven when they are rented out? E-brake pulls, power braking etc...
You guys have seen the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgHALxIYfCY

 

You can check www.nissanhelp.com to find out about the recalls and service bulletins. Some early 04' had more 'issues' being the new model year: leaking or noisy front struts, front shimmy. There are no major components flaws. Engine, tranny, diff., etc are very reliable. I agree, get a 5AT. Leather also for better resale value. IMO, if your love one is accustomed to a 740, get an SL.

Remember: Nissan's initial vehicle Limited Warranty 36 month/36,000 miles, and 5 year/60,000 mile limited powertrain coverage. I would suggest something that falls within the 36/36 warranty. If recalls/bulletins were not done, this gives you enough time.

Check for abuse/paint overspray. Was the car city driven with lots of short trips? Lift the driver door. Any Up/down movement indicate lots of open/close and poor hinge maintenance (no dealer visit). Check side of driver seat for wear/scratches due to frequent entry/exit. Was the owner a smoker (burns)? Oily engine? Check under front spoiler and frame for scrapes. How bad are they? There are always hints: imprint from baby seat, hitch, is antifreese clean, tranny oil color, air filter condition. If parts were painted, some overspay inside the doors or around exterior trim will be visible.

Most of the time I buy 12-18 months old cars. My max had 14 months/8000m.

Welcome back.

 

Thank you brother. I will def. consider all the advices given on this board.

 

most rental cars are driven no harder then most drive their own cars, just cause the few who do some out of the ordinary stuff to a rental does not mean all are abused, I've seen cars in mint condition with 40k and they had oil changes every 10k and these where pre-owned toyotas with 100k warranties

 

LOL, I was thinking of finding that VID also... But I honestly believe most former rentals are a great deal. Maybe not the car in the VID though...

 

Do the math , this is simply one idiot messing with a rental to make a video.

that's all !!!

 

Someone mentioned the shimmy.

Check for shimmy by driving on a relatively empty road (if possible). Begin from a low speed (say 35 MPH). Put the fingertips of your right hand very loosely against the steering wheel at the 3:00 o'clock position, and do the same with the fingertips of your left hand at the 9:00 o'clock position.

Gradually and slowly increase your speed up to around 80 MPH (or as fast as you can safely do on the road you are on).

If, at any speed or speed range, the steering wheel begins to shake measurably from side to side, the car has the dreaded shimmy.

Most shimmies can be fixed by a tire/wheel and alignment person who really knows his stuff. But the equipment must be very good. I think the Hunter 9700 is the preferred machine. The tires must be balanced while spinning on the car. Weights must be applied offset from the centerline of the wheel - placed EXACTLY where the machine says to place them. A shade-tree mechanic has no chance here.

A few shimmies were evidently not caused by tire and wheel balance and alignment or bad tires or wheels, and there have been several folks on the ORG with '04 - '05 Maximas who were never able to completely eliminate the shimmy.

Shimmy you may feel while braking is a totally different thing, and is usually a rotor problem, which is normally fixable, especially if you upgrade to better rotors.

Just be sure and check for the steering wheel shimmy.

 

one important thing to look for is the fading chrome stripes on the roof. If they are faded. have the dealership replace them for free or you wont by the car. The stripes cost 250.00 including labor. So save that money in your pocket and have them replace them...

 

"Do the math"? easy there . You actually have proven my point, think of how many people rent cars, drive them like crap and don't make a video. That was an extreme case obviously, but I know when I'm in a rental I don't treat it like I do my own car...again just MPO (and something I've been told by numerous people since I've been driving)

 

Sorry no disrepect, but I wasn't speaking to you, I was speaking in general.

To answer to your response, again it's an idiot that did a video, also I know from experience that 99% of the people who rent cars are usually more carefull so that they don't have to pay for the damages. I know I do and so do many of the people that rent them.

At the end, if you are the buyer, rental or no rental, you need to check out the car anyway before you buy it.

This debate can go on but at the end I guess it's how you shop. seems to me you don't buy cars from rental places and that's cool, I in the other hand am looking for a good solid car.

later, :-)
ruict

 

Here is a good thread on model year changes.......... http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ght=model+year

 

ruict,
No worries man , that's just what I have always been told. Just one more comment, the odds are slim that you'd end up with the Maxima (or the 1% you referenced) in the video but the fact is there is a chance....
Case closed.

 

Have whomever you buy it from, toss in an extended warranty.

The 'dreaded shimmy' has been solved by some people by simply removing the air dam below the front bumper.

*Play cd's in the Bose....
*I agree about the chrome strips along the top of the roof.
*Check the tires. If you go with the SE model, make sure it doesn't have the Goodyear Eagle RSA's.

Good luck, and post pics when you find one you want.

Swee

 

Did anyone else have the same experience? Even though they claimed to align after I got my rear subframe replaced, my rear tires (9 months old) are now completely bald on the outside.

I suspect that the dealer did something when replacing my rear subframe but I have no idea how to prove it. They looked at it and of course offer no explanation as to why the balding happened.

 

Get a laser alignment and if out of whack, bring results to Stealership and demand they pay for it!!! There are 2 camber adjustment bolts in the rear that adjust the rear wheels in the vertical plane, in order to remove your rear sub-frame, this adjustment area was definitely affected, when installing my coilovers, just the change in height threw my rear out, I'm going to have to say replacing the whole rear sub-frame assembly has your rear out of alignment, hence the early tire wear...


PS LOL Grave digger!!!

 

Yes, I did have a laser alignment done a few days ago and the Toe on either side was off by 0.89 and 0.44 degrees. The Camber was off by -0.2 and 0.1 degrees.

Again, they did align back when they replaced the subframe, so how do I prove that they messed something up? I did go to the dealer to make that case but of course, he did not agree with me, and I didn't have the technical knowledge to respond to him...

 

Hit up a tire specialist and ask him, how could this have happened???

Maybe he can jot down something for the Stealership to go by...