Looking at a 2005 Maxima SL with rebuilt title. The owner says it runs good for about 15 minutes and then the tranny starts shifting hard. Maybe someone knows what might be wrong with it?
Otherwise I guess I would figure on the worst case scenario; replacing the tranny. Found a used one for $2000 and figuring maybe 500-1000 for the install?
So what would be a good price considering all of that?

 

If it's a 5AT... AND rebuilt title?

It all depends on the condition of everything else in the car and if you're willing to drop an extra 2 grand + on a new trans.

 

How much does he want for it?

 

Should you get it, replace the valve body and not the entire tranny. Installing a used tranny is only postponing the inevitable.

 

$5000 OBO is what it is listed for. Sounds like he might want it gone so it could probably go quite a bit lower.

Whats the cost of a new valve body installed?

 

Here it is before the rebuild was done.

http://www.salvage-cars-for-sale.inf...05-MjkwMjkwOTI


Looks like it has about 1000 miles on it since it was rebuilt. Any change the tranny might be something simple or are they a common problem with this car?

 

If it's the 5at it's incredibly common.

 

I think you can buy a solid used one for less than the repair of the salvage. You are looking at $3-4000 to rebuild the front end, $1000 for the respray, $3000 for the new tranny, plus all the little things you don't know about yet and the cost of the car. Seems a little pricey IMO.

 

The repair work on the front end has already been completed, 1000 miles ago.

 

I'd say if you could get the car + the needed repairs + an extended warranty (to cover inevitable tranny problems in the future) for about $4000-$5000, it would peobably be worth it. It's only got 58,000 on the ODO, that's not much (if correct).

 

$4500 with bad tranny.

 

The sl only comes in 4at its a different valvebody than the 5at and the problems are much more common in the 5at se

 

Spending 5 grand on a salvage title, 8 year-old vehicle, with faulty transmission is plain ridiculous. I don't event know why you even started this thread.

 

i wouldent give a penny for that POS

 

This.

 

If you have 5k look for something else.

 

Yea, five grand will get you into something nice with no issues. I paid well under that for our car and it is in pristine condition.

 

No brainier...

 

not all SLs came in 4at, some are 5at. As much as I like this car, given the specs you gave, I wouldn't pay more than 3k for the car. You more than likely have the 5at there and will have to drop 1k for the trans. A good buying point is the cost of repair for the trans. Tell them Nissan will replace the trans for 4,200. That will make up for the 2k off the asking price. You could get a real good deal if that's the case. Could be motor mounts, could be CSP sensor failing. Those are pretty common as well.

 

Damn, seems like the 6th gen basically has no value...

 

It's not that. It is this specific maxima has more going on with it than your average maxima. Salvage title means totaled at one point, and transmission issues to boot. Very significant.

 

I'll jump on the bandwagon and say to keep looking. Look at your worst case scenario. You spend $5,000 for the car, $2,000 for a transmission, then pay $500 - $1000 for the install. You could end up with $8,000 in a 9 year old maxima with a salvage title.