gradus

Hi all ! Been a member here for a while, not talking much, but visiting frequently.

Now I need some help. My 2001 GLE is slowly dying of high mileage and normal wear and tear. A friend of mine offered me 2005 Max with 74k on it. He bought it last summer after accident and it's been lingering since then in his parking lot (he owns a professional auto body shop). Car has a broken bumper, grill, lh headlight, bent fender, nothing big, he'll make the car like new and sell it to me for 6.8k, throwing in second set of rims and set of brand new tires. I think it's not a bad deal at all.

Anyway, since I am pretty **** when it comes to my cars, and at the same time not very familiar with 6th gen, I have a problem. For the life of me I cannot identify if it's SE or SL. Trunk lid badge only says "Maxima". Info from internet is unconsistant.

The car has:

1. That funny, narrow, non-opening glass roof (can't remember its proper name).

2. HID headlights (not sure about fogs, no bumper on the car as of now)

3. Bose audio with Sat receiver and antenna

4. NO navigation

5. Full leather interior, heated

6. Heated steering wheel

7. Driver seat memory on the door.

Haven't noticed much more, it was raining as hell ;-)

Can u tell what trim is it, based on above info ? or are these just options available for every trim/model ?

FormulaGT

It's going to be very hard to tell. I know other maxima guys can chime in here, but the options won't tell if it's an SE or SL.

The best way I can think of is get the VIN number, call your local Nissan dealer, and have them look it up to tell you.

I have an SE, and it's fully loaded with all the bells and whistles just like your describing. HID's and backup sensors as well. The only thing I can think of is the suspension is "tuned" a little stiffer for the SE and lighter for the SL. I'm sure there are other differences but I don't know off hand.

7speed

I'm thinking SL. I thought all 04-06 SE's had small lip spoiler.

Factory rims still on, if so....Does it have 6 spoke rims or some polished 7 spokes?

hero782

iTrader: (2)

Wood grain or no wood grain? SL came with wood grain while SE didnt.

twentyeggs

What happened to the owners manuel? You can find out through the vin plate. I had the same problem to find mine is an se sl cross. It was built as an SE with all the SE parts but it has all the SL upgrades, sliding moon roof, 19 inch rims, leather, ect... So what I'm trying to say is you cant tell by the options because there are many SE Maximas with SL upgrades.

gradus

Gentlemen, thanks for your input.

My friend is out of town for another couple of days, so I can't get any details ( VIN# etc), and I am just eager to know what I'm getting beforehand. And it's 2 hour ride to his place.
She has wood grain inserts for sure, but on the other hand she has NOT polished rims and I am almost sure they are 6-spoke.

Main concern: were ALL SL's equipped with 4-spd auto trans ? Trying to find out what I'm getting transmission-wise, while I am being told about all the problems with RE5F22A.

Anyway, I will be taking her home by the end of next week. Then I will surely ask you guys one million further questions about 6th gen. :-)

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

with the 05, the fog lights are actually part of the regular headlight assembly...the cornering lights are the ones way down there where you'd think the fogs should be

gradus

Didn't know that. Thank you, Amerikaner83. Learning all the time.

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

I didn't either, until I attempted to correct someone who asked where the foglights were, and I was myself corrected.

You are certainly right, learn something new every day

HMAX08

Be careful of the tranny/valve body issues, just make sure you do not have this issue with your tranny

gradus

I know, I did my reading :-). And to be honest I am ready to replace that valve block with aftermarket part right away, if there's problems with A/T. I "mentally" accepted it being a part of the cost before getting this car, lol.

But again: Were all SL's equipped with 4spd A/T ? And are these less prone to fail ?

Any input on this ? Thx in advance.

Konrad

MaxFiyah

if i were you i would tell your friend 5800 sounds more reasonable for a salvage 05 with 78k miles but thats what i would feel comfortable buying one for i fell through on a deal becuase i changed my mind on the 04 with 68k miles for 8k but it was a clean title so you have to deduct from your price also i talked to a guy who was selling a 05 with 130k miles for 5k clean title but im in NJ idk about pricing in your location maybe its a steal over there cause he is your friend goodluck!!! just my .02

gradus

It wasn't totaled. The damage isn't that bad, all plastics and bent fender. Radiator untouched, car starts and drives. Otherwise car is in really excellent condition. The cheapest comparable Max in my area was $8.5k firm, with 112kmiles. Plus he offers me 6 months warranty.

MadMax07SL

Oh man, would have been a golden opportunity to convert the front end into a 6.5 gen...even with new headlights, he could do it for just a little more than just bringing it back to factory fresh...wonder if it's too late to bring him this idea...

Costee

Only 04 SL (not all though) were 4speed. Yes, the 4speed is less prone to fail.

gradus

@MadMax

I know... but the budget is tight, and he already has all the parts for repair. He just had no time to fix it in last 10 months :-) So I am staying with 6.0 gen for now. I am happy anyway !

@Costee - thanks for your info on SL transmissions. All clear now !

Konrad