Gamezilla

Okay, I've really wanted to get my hands on a 92-94 SE 5spd in good shape, but I've been searching good and hard and I can't find a single one! The closest is about 60k from here (half-way across the U.S.). Anyways, I'm keepin my eyes peeled for one, but I don't think i'm gonna find one. So my question is: do I settle for an earlier 3rd gen 5spd (only 160hp) or save up a little more and get a 4th gen 5spd?

Now, granted the early 3rd gens had only 160hp, they were the best built Maxima's, and they sell for dirt cheap. Now, the 4th gen is more expensive, but it's gonna cost me a lot more.

In my opinion, the 3rd gen looks much better with a body kit, and the body kits are cheaper, but will I spend so much tryin to bring the hp just up to 190, that I might as well have gotten a 4th gen?

All I want is something I can mod extrmely and make a nice looking interior in. I want it to be nice and comfortable too.

So, what should I get - 89-91 SE 5spd or 95-99 SE 5spd. Remebering that I don't have a lot of money to spend and insurance is VERY expensive for a 16 year old.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

wait for the 3rd Gen.. its 10 times better than any 4th Gen.. with the rattles, truck suspension, horrible paint.. why would you even consider one.. just hold out for the 3rd gen.. take an auto if you have to..

Sonic

Ling on Ally McBeal is hot as hell.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

Yeah take an auto VE if you have to. But seriously hold out for a VE, it'll be well worth it. You've only been looking for a couple days, give it some more time.

Sonic

Nothing like a 10 year old car for reliability, especially if you don't know its history. Get the 4th gen.

Gamezilla

Couple days!? I've been looking for the past 2 months!!!!

I really want a 5spd, but if 1/2 year from now I still can't find one, I'll just get an auto and get the VB mod on it.

jim90gxe

If it came doen to a 89-91 vs. a 95+ I would without a doubt take the 95+. I was in your shoes eariler this year where I was looking for a 5spd VE or a VQ. Most of the decent VQ's I found were out of my price range and I couldn't find 5spd VE's anywhere. I almost lost my mind and bought another VG auto, but I held out for a few days until someone on matt yorks mb posted a VE 5spd on ebay. Mint conditon relatively low mileage and super black .
The moral of the story is good things come to those who *try* wait

Mike S.

why would it make owners look bad? How cool is that my car, pretty sweet looking(lowered,extremely clean, z rims) looks AWSOME and its 9 years old....i love complements on how great it looks....then i say..yea...its a 93!

jim90gxe

Gamezilla

The Stillen body kit for the 3rd gen is SO much better than the one for the 4th gen. Sure the 3rd gen with the body kit sucks if you don't lower it, but lowering the car is the FIRST thing I'm doing. With some nice rims, a new paint job, and a custom interior, the 3rd gen can put the 4th gen to shame...easily. The only real advantage a 4th gen has is the S/C and the fact that they're newer.

SWEETSOUND2001

iTrader: (30)

OMG. Did you just.........

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

drugs are bad mmmmmmmky........hahaha, you have the nerve to talk about "making us look bad", if I recall the 4th gen comes with STOCK 4X4 suspension....so whos looking bad now!

Gamezilla

DA-MAX, don't you have a 91 GXE just like me? If so, you seem to be contradicting yourself.

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

how???

Maximamike

Comes stock with it? If I remember correctly, the only lowered 4th gen I've seen that looks good was with cut springs. Even then it still had more wheel gap than a Kenworth 18 wheeler.

Gamezilla

My bad, I thought you were saying the 4th gen was better than the 3rd gen. I need to read a lot slower.

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

mateo92GXE

Dude, get a 3rd Gen, even if it is an Auto with only 160 hp I mean, its fairly obvious that they are better and go twice as fast as even the New 6 Speeds... I mean it so simple, do you want just a regular sedan.... or do you want a sharp, pimptight, ballin a$$,
"Four Door Sports Car" , unless you find another car with the 4DSC sticker.... get a 3rd Gen


Seriously though... Insurance will be cheaper on a VG 5sp than a VE 5sp or a VQ 5sp, cheaper by a long shot if your only 16 and have to go on your own policy. If you get a less expensive 3rd Gen then you might can just get by with Liability coverage, because if you are only 16 and on your own policy you will probaly pay for the car several times in insurance premium before you mess it up. Check Progressive.com for a quote against the 3 options.

NYCe MaXiMa

iTrader: (9)

damn, where did you get a pic of my Max?!!

NYCe MaXiMa

iTrader: (9)

My 93 SE auto:


VS.

My 98 GXE auto:



On a tight budget, and crazy thoughts of a serious project car w/ all the custom **** you are talking about doing, I would take a 3rd gen. Right now, VEs can be had for 3-5 grand with around 100k miles. 95-96s w/ same milage are 6-8 grand.
With VEs, you get 10000000000X better handling stock, (independent rear suspension, Limited Slip differential) much better quality interior components, less, or no rattles, better looks (my opinion).
With 95-96s or any 4th gen, you get smoother, less problematic and more powerful engines, safer, a bit more fuel efficient car, more roomy interior.. hmm.. err, newer car.?

Just be warned, 3rd gens, especially VEs are hard to find in good condition, these cars require lots of on-time routine maintenance and being how most people don't take care of their cars properly, be prepared for problems that need to be taken care of.

CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

The only thing I have going against the 3rd gen is the age. You'd HAVE to get a '94.

Dirksmoothe

I say get the VE powered 3rd gen... I have an auto 92 SE myself and I just got it dynoed with 168 fwhp and 177 fwtq... my wheel hp is higher then the flywheel hp from the VG engine... I really wouldn't waste my time with a VG car, especially if it wasn't an SE, cause then you lose the 4 wheel discs, and 30+ hp, and the white facer's and the better sound system, and the fog lights... the list continues...

As for the VE vs. VG, the only question is are you building a drivers car, or a show car... cause if it's a show piece, just get the VG from 89 then... lowest insurance, lowest cost, and the engine can handle whatever miles that may be on it... if its a drivers car... you simply can't go wrong with the VE...

just my $.02... Oh, and the VE OWNz VQ's....

Sonic

ngthing

at least us VGers can FIT a FSTB

Sonic

Maybe the car is better, but the VQ is without a doubt the better engine.

ngthing

don't be a loser? a modded 3rd gen looks SWEET. i've gotten tons of compliments on my car, and i'm not even done with it...

take a look at this guys car, he'd put most 4th and 5th gen guys to shame.



there's nice 5th gens and 4th gens out there too, if you like the car you've got, and you put time into it. you can make it great.

Azeem

Well the 3rd gen does have the better suspension, so its really a toss up.

Sith

iTrader: (1)

I was looking at 2 VE 5spds just one week ago.
A 92 Super Black loaded with every option. With 94,000 miles for 7,995. In about the best shape i've ever seen a daily driver from that old in.
And a 94 Pearl White, with every option but Leather. With 129,000 for 5,800. In fairly decent condition no major body damage or interior.
ANd i bought the 92 for 6,150.

Just keep looking man they're out there.