Well I am happy to say my max has 214k miles with no oil leaks or CEL. There are some couple of things I want to change before I am completely done putting money on my max and just drive it until the engine gives out. Of course I take care of my max and drive it like a grandma; most of the times. I change the oil every 3k-4k miles. These are the things I've changed:

NGK Spark Plugs,
Both wheel bearings
Front Disks and brake pads
Front Full Assembly Struts/springs (Monroe)
Front and Rear Motor Mounts
o2 sensors
Valve Cover Gasket.
IM Gasket.
Driver side half-shaft.
Cleaned out IM, TB, EGR, IACV; new gaskets for each
PCV Valve
Hood Struts
Outer Tie Rod Ends
Stillen Y-Pipe
Changed OEM Filter to CAI
Knock Sensor.
That's all I can recall.

Well here are the things I to change but unfortunately I don't have a lot of money to change everything at the same time.

1. ATF: Flushed and refilled once since I got my max...not long ago...my trans slips.
2. There is some dry coolant on top of the radiator, some the upper hose some dry coolant as well. I don't have to add coolant/water every week or month. Last time I added was like 2-3months ago. I am planning to get an aluminum radiator.
3. Recently changed the front and rear mounts, they were completely shot. Felt the difference with the new ones. I went OEM. Now, upon hard acceleration, there is still some rattling. I know my side mounts are not in good condition.
4. Tires have very low thread. maybe 20-30%.
5. Rear shocks: My car bounces a lot from the back, boots look like sliced pepperoni. I am planning to lower my car, so I am just planning to get just the spring for the front and struts/springs for the rear.
6. Rear brake pads looks low already.

Now which one do you think is a must in my next paycheck?

 

Tires.

 

If I change my tires, I'll have enough for ATF

 

I didn't vote, but I'd go with brakes and tires first. Seems like a safety issue. Then shocks for the rear.

 

Tires for sure

 

Tires

 

tires, then rear pads, then ATF

its not that hard to flush an automatic trans, just time-consuming, me and my father flushed a sealed automatic trans system on my brothers 98' dodge dakota, it took 3 hrs but...it def. worked and was hella cheap

 

true

 

Thanks everyone for your input. For sure I'm getting tires for the front first. Rear tires are in good condition...I just don't want to move them to the front, I am still paranoid from the last time I lost control...

 

Depends on how long between this current question and when the next time you can afford something. Rear tires and brakes take a long time to wear out. I think the next round is between the shocks and the atf change.

The radiator is a real question mark and maybe it should be next the more I think about. On my 97, I went almost a year with the radiator seeping before I decided to change it. On my 2000, it was only a week from when I first saw seepage to when it blew its guts out.

 

Tires. 20% thread is no good.

 

Tires is my first priority right now. I bought the lower control arms and front sway bar end links kit and ES bushings. I also bought the ATF D-Matic from Nissan. I will get the tires once all of this is done, which will be next weekend. Rear brakes and radiator will be next, after will be the rear shocks, leaving the mounts for last.

 

upgrading tires make sense

 

My Cv axles started clicking today when I turn. I am getting the axles today as well. Its going to be a big suspension make-over this weekend.