4th gen, 5th gen AE, or 03' Altima v6 - Can't Decide
 

Hey guys. I'm looking to get back into another Maxima. I had an 02' 6-speed years back and sold to get a truck. Well, now I'm getting rid of the truck and going back to a Maxima. I am trying to keep it cheap so I can just pay cash for the car and use it as a daily driver / project car. I have narrowed it down to a few choices.

4th gen 5-speed - There are a few of these around with some high miles. Always liked this generation of maxima, there was just none around last time I was looking.

5th gen 01' AE 5-speed - There is one of these in town at the moment with 130k on it. I hear these are rare, especially in 5-speed form?

03' Altima V6 5-speed - Found one of these in town today; I think this is rare as well. Don't know much about the Altima. Figure it can't be a far cry from my 02' as far as performance is concerned.

05' Altima SE-R 6-Speed - Just found this. Looks great, except it's 'omg pull me over red'

Not really sure what one to get. There are good things about each of these. I would get another 02-03 6-speed; but there are none around. Keep in mind I will need it to be reliable and safe as I will be driving my 3yr old around in it once in a while as well. Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts I would love to hear them. Nice to be back on the org by the way :)

4th gen stock - Yea ok...
4th gen 3.5 swap - Yes!
5th gen AE 5mt- so jealous
Altima 5mt - forget it. thats gross
Altima SE-R - forgivable, but still an altima:laugh:

Whatever your choice may be, welcome back Sir.

True on the 3.5 swap. And I may eventually do that if I get a 4th gen.

As for the AE 5-Speed unfortunately its at the worst kind of dealership. Small / shady and asking WAY to much for the car. Here is the link.

http://www.bergcarcompany.com/detail...-Mzg2MA==.html

Cotdayumm that thing is so mint though... Hmm. not to high of miles and looks really clean. I'd pay 6k MAXXX for it. Who knows maybe youll get a pushover of a salesman when you try negotiating?

It does look nice, just not 8k nice. I did put a call into them and the sales guy told me that the internet price was a sale price, down from $9,995. I told him KBB puts that car at 5k, and I asked what the rock bottom price was if I came in with cash. He said he would call back. So we shall see. I think they are aware its rare and expect people to pay for it. That or they are hoping some fool will think its worth 8k.....

I'd reconsider that one lol. this one is by me, lil more miles, half the price.

http://www.route41budget.com/2001-Ni...7/Details.aspx

I think an AE would be awesome, if not a 4th gen for the price if you need to save some money, but if funds are available you won't regret an se-r

Yeah I think the AE would be great at about 5k. If they don't come down in price I think I will go test drive this 4th gen tomorrow.

http://eugene.craigslist.org/ctd/3569468300.html

4th gen + 3.5 swap + full bolt ons + coilovers + 19 inch rims = DEH SECKS!

Hi, I am litch, never say I didn't give you nothin!

Well in case anyone cared. I purchased the 4th gen today. So I now have a Black 99' 5-speed. Should be fun :)

congrats!! i saw the link before i read your last post and thought it looked pretty good, just needs a drop. goodluck with it!!

I think you should stay away from 4th gens...don't get me wrong, mine is 14 y.o. but it really lacks features and performance of a modern car. And like you said, there aren't all that many for sale even though they are all over the roads. I've seen people asking 3,500 for a 97 which would be nuts.

I don't know about an '03 Altima, but cars advanced quite a bit from 1998 to 2003, so you don't have to get a 2013, but at the same time you don't have to get a 1998 or older....my .02.

http://www.route41budget.com/1997-Ni...1/Details.aspx

holy smokes, $3,800 for a '97? And the '97 is susceptible to having its odo monkeyed with too. Nuts.

Bummer. I might have considered selling you my black/black AE 5spd. Only has 112K on it.

you make me proud to be an american.

lol thanks, I have always like 4th gens. Ever since my parents got one back in 98'. They still have it by the way, and its never been in the shop.


That does seem High for a 97'

I don't know about where you guys all live. But here in Oregon, used car prices are high. I just paid $3500 for that 99'. They were originally asking $4,995. The guy claimed to be loosing money on the deal; I laughed and said 'I highly doubt it'. But the guy got the paperwork out and showed me and sure as crap, they paid 3800$ for it a month ago.

I would have taken either altima but prefer the 5 speeds over the ser. I'm biased of course :mrgone:

You should keep in mind that newer cars may be more powerful, but they are also heavier and ride on bigger rims. Both those factors take away from those newer cars increased hp.

Well, when I got my Maxima, I wanted to break the 200 HP barrier. Just missed it, 190 HP, but 205 lbs. ft.

When I got my 335i coupe in late '06, yes, it weighs like 700 lbs. more than the Maxima, and is physically much smaller, has plastic fenders. But with 300/300, and nearly 50/50, it will smoke the Maxima in every way. Big 8.5" factory rims that probably weigh 30 lbs. too. Even a 328i will smoke the Maxima. My point is there's a huge difference between the way a 1998, a 2003, and a 2007 cars drive. A 2007 is already 6 yrs. old, not new in any way....

You're comparing apples to oranges comparing a FWD to a RWD car. Of course there is a huge difference in the way a BMW drives over a Maxima. And of course a 335 is going to be faster! It's got an extra 100 ponies and almost 100 ft-lbs and delivers it better anyway. But my old Hemi Magnum that weighed 4600+ lbs with me in it would easily keep up with a 335 and would absolutely dust it on the freeway, and I just had the RT. My next one will be the 6.1L SRT and it would take a V8 M3 to even hope to keep up with it. Even in the twisties an SRT is pretty able for such a behemoth. You want a proper comparison with a Maxima you would have to compare it to an Accord V6 or Camry V6, maybe a 3.2 TL.

Also what 328i is smoking what year max? Lol not sure if srs there bro. An 02+ max should walk a 328.

Whatever you go with, my vote is anything but the Altima. I had one for a rental when my Charger was being repaired and it was awful.

A 2.5 liter altima most likely. Mine has everything an 03 or 04 max had minus lsd

You would be correct. Plus with it being a rental, it had been neglected and in need of some serious maintenance.

I went with the 4th gen :)

Wow i sold my 99 Maxima with 260k miles RAN PERFECT all new tires, Y pipe,Headers,Intake ,Exhaust,System Fully loaded black leather,dropped 2 inchs. new shocks Everything for $2600 here in Houston,Tx.....Next day bought a 01 5 speed for $2700....for $3400 theirs few 02's 6 speeds....Thats crazy cause theirs over 15 4th gens on craigslist locally most selling for 1300 bux driving! most expensive was 2500 for one but all others 1400-2200.

Nice man :D Got any pictures?

I know! I have no idea why used car prices are out of control here in Oregon. I was expecting to spend a max of $2,000 for a used 4th gen. I mean like I posted before
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/ctd/3554631347.html
Used car prices in Oregon are really high.

No not yet. The car is still in Eugene. Which is about a 1.5hour drive from where I live. I was alone so I have to find a buddy to drive down there with me so we can take both cars back home. But here is the craigslist link.
http://eugene.craigslist.org/ctd/3575826295.html
The black paint was in amazing shape. It looks like it was repainted. Also the interior was in amazing shape. All this thing needs immediately is a drop. It doesn't look as 4X4 in person.

Not only that, the 335i IS a 3.0 liter turbo. HUGE apples to oranges comparison to a NA 3.0 Maxima.