I purchased my 06 Max in November of 2009 with 57k miles for $14,900. Several months later, the transmission started slipping and eventually went out at 61k miles. After dealing with Consumer Affairs, they declined assistance, and ended up paying $3050 to have the transmission replaced by a local transmission shop. Shortly after, a C/V boot tore and had that replaced for about $180. I replaced the struts for around $150 and later I replaced the tires with a set of Michellins for just over $1000. Last summer, I found out the A/C had stopped working and had a hose replaced and the system recharged for somewhere around $200. This past January, an SES appeared (P0011)and after having the dealer diagnose it, replace the IVT solenoid, camshaft position sensor twice for a total of around $550 and after the light continued to come back, they discovered that the timing chain cover gasket is leaking and would need to be replaced to resolve the issue... another $1600. I felt that I had been robbed out of over $500 so I requested that they assist me and after the dealer contacted Nissan, they declined any assistance and claimed that the techs had followed procedure by replacing those parts and there was nothing they could do.

Now I'm stuck in a vehicle for 60 months that won't pass safety and emissions this November unless I pay $1600 to replace a $10 gasket.

I've got no money to put down and I'm at least $2000 up-side-down PLUS whatever they deam necessary to repair the car to make it saleable...

What do you guys suggest??? I'm in a pickle here... what options do I have?

 

gawd damn dude, why the heck did you pay that much for a transmission replacement???? thats gettn ripped off... you couldve went to car-parts and got like a tranny freighted to a shop for about $600 and $500 in labor for install.... u got azz raped on that price... is there anybody in your local section on this forum that can help???

 

Well bro, I feel you. That sucks. That being said, you are almost there with a car that is pretty decent overall. You got the tranny fixed, and you can get the timing chain cover gasket fixed as well. And while you got that thing ripped apart, get them to replace the tensioners also. After that, you issues are issues that every car has...struts/shocks, brakes, torn axel or cv boots etc. Get through this last 2k you gotta spend. Go pick up some extra work, whatever it is, get this car fixed, and you are gold. In the end it will (1) be far cheaper than trying to sell it and buy another car, and (2) your car is gonna last you past the life of your car loan. As I said, it sucks right now, but just push through this and get it fixed.

 

hello all,
Check this out! I have a 04 max with 158,000 miles on it. Just failed state inspection in Pa because of the following: oil cooler seal leaking, valve cover gaskets leaking badly on exhaust, transmission leaking in 3 places on exhaust, cooler seal, factory seal, high and jow pressure power steering hoses leaking around rack on both sides. Please someone help me. I don t want to get into a carpayment again. Can she be fixed and whats prioritized order to do it and what discount part stores to get parts. The dealere was trying to rape me and I said I ll call you Lol . Really love my maxima

 

So my guess is that you're less then 2 years into your payments on a 5 year loan...with all these problems an extended warrantee would have really saved your a$$, that's for sure.

As far as what do you do now? Well, you have to do the math and figure out how much you spent on the car initially (Monthly payment will do), how much you've put into it all added together (Repairs and downpayment), divided by 60 months...and add that to your monthly payment. You'll see what the car is really costing you monthly...probably as much as a newer maxima with extended warrantee...

What to do is a tough call. For starters, look for a smaller shop to do these repairs, see if they can save you on the labor. Chances are a reputable place might be better workmanship then the dealership, and save you quite a bit. If they can get you by, maybe it's ok to keep the car.

 

You've got a lot more miles on yours...how much are the repairs going to cost you and do you still have payments on the car?

 

I got all new chains and tensioners (not just the shoes) for $300. Have them replace those and the gasket is done automatically. Dealership quoted me $1200 in labor plus parts. They are screwing you on your quote seeing that the gasket is just sealant and not an actual gasket but all data says use EXTREME caution when removing the crank casing so deffinately make a pro do it. Shop around some and talk to a couple import shops and your labor wont be as much. As far as IVT solenoid goes they are very easy to replace. Bank 2 is a 10 minute job bank one you have to take off intake which is a pain. Makes it an hour. Do homework and go in knowing what your talking about and they cant hose you as much. They are getting needless repairs out of you.