In the market for a Max.. need your help.
04-30-2009, 04:02 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 36
In the market for a Max.. need your help.
Okay, I'm in the market to get a Max!! 
I've been looking around and here's what I've come up with. Hopefully you all can provide some advise/insight/help.
I've found two that I like. Both are black with black leather interior.
a)2007 SE with 28,300 miles. Has sunroof, bluetooth, factory navigation, heated seats and steering wheel.
b)2008 SE with 16,350 miles. Has sunroof with roof visor, bluetooth, no navi, heated seats and steering wheel.
I can get the 2008 for about $1500 to $2000 more than the 2007. I'm going to go try to look at both of them in the next few days but from the pictures I've seen, both seem to be in really good shape.
Now my question is which seems to be the better deal? Off the top of my head, it seems like the 2008 would be simply because its newer, has less miles, and isn't that much more pricewise. From the specs, it seems to have all that the 2007 has minus the navigation.
Which brings me to the next question... how easy/difficult is it to put an aftermarket touch screen in the 2008? And would you still need to keep the factory info screen like I've seen in some of the member's 2004-2006. If anyone has done this, please point me in the right direction/thread so I can check it out. I already have one of the portable GPS units I can throw in there if I get the 2008, but just in case I want to add an indash setup... or a touchscreen with the backup camera and a headunit.
Also, when I go to check out the cars, is there anything I need to look for that may be common problems? Any sounds, vibrations, etc.?
Any other information would be greatly appreciated. I'm pretty exciting about getting one of these cars... just want to make sure I make a good choice and have something to look for/think about when I do make the jump.
Thanks in advance!!
I've been looking around and here's what I've come up with. Hopefully you all can provide some advise/insight/help.I've found two that I like. Both are black with black leather interior.
a)2007 SE with 28,300 miles. Has sunroof, bluetooth, factory navigation, heated seats and steering wheel.
b)2008 SE with 16,350 miles. Has sunroof with roof visor, bluetooth, no navi, heated seats and steering wheel.
I can get the 2008 for about $1500 to $2000 more than the 2007. I'm going to go try to look at both of them in the next few days but from the pictures I've seen, both seem to be in really good shape.
Now my question is which seems to be the better deal? Off the top of my head, it seems like the 2008 would be simply because its newer, has less miles, and isn't that much more pricewise. From the specs, it seems to have all that the 2007 has minus the navigation.
Which brings me to the next question... how easy/difficult is it to put an aftermarket touch screen in the 2008? And would you still need to keep the factory info screen like I've seen in some of the member's 2004-2006. If anyone has done this, please point me in the right direction/thread so I can check it out. I already have one of the portable GPS units I can throw in there if I get the 2008, but just in case I want to add an indash setup... or a touchscreen with the backup camera and a headunit.
Also, when I go to check out the cars, is there anything I need to look for that may be common problems? Any sounds, vibrations, etc.?
Any other information would be greatly appreciated. I'm pretty exciting about getting one of these cars... just want to make sure I make a good choice and have something to look for/think about when I do make the jump.
Thanks in advance!!
05-01-2009, 05:46 AM
#4
Make sure you get a carfax. I have seen several good looking cars that were totalled at one time. When a car is totalled, a salvage/junk title is issued, but through a process called "title washing" a less scrupulous person can get a regular title on one of these cars. There are a number of Maximas on Ebay with salvage/junk titles right now.
If there were any significant accidents on the carfax for these vehicles you need to make sure that the frame is relatively straight by checking the body seams. The seams between the metal panels should be roughly even from top to bottom (not wider on one side than the other). Also check the wear pattern on the tires. If the pattern is a little off, then it is probably just an alignment. If it is way off, then it is a sign that the frame shifted. If a frame is out then you will have a hard time getting the alignment and suspension right ever again. This is naked-eye technology, so it is not fool-proof but it is better than nothing.
I'm new to the Maxima seen, these are just good tips when shopping for a used car.
If there were any significant accidents on the carfax for these vehicles you need to make sure that the frame is relatively straight by checking the body seams. The seams between the metal panels should be roughly even from top to bottom (not wider on one side than the other). Also check the wear pattern on the tires. If the pattern is a little off, then it is probably just an alignment. If it is way off, then it is a sign that the frame shifted. If a frame is out then you will have a hard time getting the alignment and suspension right ever again. This is naked-eye technology, so it is not fool-proof but it is better than nothing.
I'm new to the Maxima seen, these are just good tips when shopping for a used car.
05-01-2009, 05:50 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,132
You're being a little deceptive by not telling us how much you are looking to offer.
I just bought an 07 SL from a dealership, loaded with factory Nav, sliding sunroof, heated seats , 19k miles back in late Feb this year. They started by asking 26k for it, I found their internet price was 24k, and looked up the bluebook to be only 21k. In the end I got it for 20400, plus I got them to throw in a warrantee that takes me to 5 years from my purchase date and 100,000 on the OD for about $900 more, where they would typically charge over 1300. I did pretty good, but still feel I could have gotten the car cheaper at a different dealer. But at a Nissan Dealership, they pretty much know they will sell that car tomorrow if I didn't take it at the price I got.
Now the blue book may have changed a little, and the 07 you're looking at has a few more miles. It is also an SE, although loaded, so that would probably put it very close to that same price. Without taking the time to look it up, I'd think you're around the $19000 blue book range at a full retail dealer price, private party might be $1500 less.
Just figured I'd share my experience, so you don't feel like you have to keep your's a secret.
I just bought an 07 SL from a dealership, loaded with factory Nav, sliding sunroof, heated seats , 19k miles back in late Feb this year. They started by asking 26k for it, I found their internet price was 24k, and looked up the bluebook to be only 21k. In the end I got it for 20400, plus I got them to throw in a warrantee that takes me to 5 years from my purchase date and 100,000 on the OD for about $900 more, where they would typically charge over 1300. I did pretty good, but still feel I could have gotten the car cheaper at a different dealer. But at a Nissan Dealership, they pretty much know they will sell that car tomorrow if I didn't take it at the price I got.
Now the blue book may have changed a little, and the 07 you're looking at has a few more miles. It is also an SE, although loaded, so that would probably put it very close to that same price. Without taking the time to look it up, I'd think you're around the $19000 blue book range at a full retail dealer price, private party might be $1500 less.
Just figured I'd share my experience, so you don't feel like you have to keep your's a secret.
05-01-2009, 06:55 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,132
Wow, something up with KBB. I just went in killing time to look up what you had, and the numbers didn't look right. I then reran mine, at the 19000 miles, and it's coming back as $23600. Two months ago I swear it was 21000, or at most 22000...
That's whack...
That's whack...
05-01-2009, 09:58 AM
#8
Drive both, and pay close attention to every little thing while tootin' around. Squeaks, shimmy, transmission, knocks, idle... etc.
Assuming they were both in good condition, I'd get the '07 with Nav... but your priorities may differ from mine.
If you don't mind one of those portable nav systems, then definitely get the '08.
Assuming they were both in good condition, I'd get the '07 with Nav... but your priorities may differ from mine.
If you don't mind one of those portable nav systems, then definitely get the '08.
05-01-2009, 12:27 PM
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 36
j/k. Is it easy to update the software on the factory navs? And I read somewhere that you cant add a rearview camera to it... is this true? That might be an option if I wasn't really in need of a car. I've been holding off long enough and it's time for me to make the jump. Besides, I'm really trying to spend under a certain amount and the 2009s are over that right now.
Make sure you get a carfax. I have seen several good looking cars that were totalled at one time. When a car is totalled, a salvage/junk title is issued, but through a process called "title washing" a less scrupulous person can get a regular title on one of these cars. There are a number of Maximas on Ebay with salvage/junk titles right now.
If there were any significant accidents on the carfax for these vehicles you need to make sure that the frame is relatively straight by checking the body seams. The seams between the metal panels should be roughly even from top to bottom (not wider on one side than the other). Also check the wear pattern on the tires. If the pattern is a little off, then it is probably just an alignment. If it is way off, then it is a sign that the frame shifted. If a frame is out then you will have a hard time getting the alignment and suspension right ever again. This is naked-eye technology, so it is not fool-proof but it is better than nothing.
I'm new to the Maxima seen, these are just good tips when shopping for a used car.
If there were any significant accidents on the carfax for these vehicles you need to make sure that the frame is relatively straight by checking the body seams. The seams between the metal panels should be roughly even from top to bottom (not wider on one side than the other). Also check the wear pattern on the tires. If the pattern is a little off, then it is probably just an alignment. If it is way off, then it is a sign that the frame shifted. If a frame is out then you will have a hard time getting the alignment and suspension right ever again. This is naked-eye technology, so it is not fool-proof but it is better than nothing.
I'm new to the Maxima seen, these are just good tips when shopping for a used car.
(2007) 1N4BA41E18C836519
(2008) 1N4BA41E97C854250
05-01-2009, 12:49 PM
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 36
You're being a little deceptive by not telling us how much you are looking to offer.
I just bought an 07 SL from a dealership, loaded with factory Nav, sliding sunroof, heated seats , 19k miles back in late Feb this year. They started by asking 26k for it, I found their internet price was 24k, and looked up the bluebook to be only 21k. In the end I got it for 20400, plus I got them to throw in a warrantee that takes me to 5 years from my purchase date and 100,000 on the OD for about $900 more, where they would typically charge over 1300. I did pretty good, but still feel I could have gotten the car cheaper at a different dealer. But at a Nissan Dealership, they pretty much know they will sell that car tomorrow if I didn't take it at the price I got.
Now the blue book may have changed a little, and the 07 you're looking at has a few more miles. It is also an SE, although loaded, so that would probably put it very close to that same price. Without taking the time to look it up, I'd think you're around the $19000 blue book range at a full retail dealer price, private party might be $1500 less.
Just figured I'd share my experience, so you don't feel like you have to keep your's a secret.
I just bought an 07 SL from a dealership, loaded with factory Nav, sliding sunroof, heated seats , 19k miles back in late Feb this year. They started by asking 26k for it, I found their internet price was 24k, and looked up the bluebook to be only 21k. In the end I got it for 20400, plus I got them to throw in a warrantee that takes me to 5 years from my purchase date and 100,000 on the OD for about $900 more, where they would typically charge over 1300. I did pretty good, but still feel I could have gotten the car cheaper at a different dealer. But at a Nissan Dealership, they pretty much know they will sell that car tomorrow if I didn't take it at the price I got.
Now the blue book may have changed a little, and the 07 you're looking at has a few more miles. It is also an SE, although loaded, so that would probably put it very close to that same price. Without taking the time to look it up, I'd think you're around the $19000 blue book range at a full retail dealer price, private party might be $1500 less.
Just figured I'd share my experience, so you don't feel like you have to keep your's a secret.
), but from my research, I should save atleast 3 to 4 grand over the KBB retail value. Thanks for your help. Greatly appreciated!
Drive both, and pay close attention to every little thing while tootin' around. Squeaks, shimmy, transmission, knocks, idle... etc.
Assuming they were both in good condition, I'd get the '07 with Nav... but your priorities may differ from mine.
If you don't mind one of those portable nav systems, then definitely get the '08.
Assuming they were both in good condition, I'd get the '07 with Nav... but your priorities may differ from mine.
If you don't mind one of those portable nav systems, then definitely get the '08.
05-01-2009, 01:03 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 643
05-01-2009, 01:50 PM
#13
[quote=THANKS A MILLION!!! I really do appreciated you help!
(2007) 1N4BA41E18C836519
(2008) 1N4BA41E97C854250[/quote]
Both Car faxes came back clean! No accidents or anything reported. PM me your email address and I can send you a pdf.
(2007) 1N4BA41E18C836519
(2008) 1N4BA41E97C854250[/quote]
Both Car faxes came back clean! No accidents or anything reported. PM me your email address and I can send you a pdf.
05-01-2009, 02:26 PM
#15
the performance isnt that bad, they are fun to drive, and once more parts come out for them it will be better! the interior is nice as well....but this is coming from a 5.5gen owner
05-01-2009, 04:01 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 643
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