Been looking for 9 months. The only Maximas I found from 02-05 were all wrecks, obviously bought at car auctions and imported over the border. So depressing going to see one POS after another. I'd almost given up when I spotted an Altima 3.5SE for sale, 76K miles only, 2002, practically spotless. Same VQ35DE of course. I would have preferred a Max but never mind, this will do almost as well. Has the ABS not working, not much else. Now I need to find a forum as good as this one, but for Altimas.

 

^
Altima are good cars.

 

Great find, congrats on the Altima!!

 

Keep an eye on it man. Honestly I love Maximas and Altimas but that 02' VQ35DE might be an oil burner. All of the random used ones nowadays are...

Think about it, why would they be getting rid of a mint 3.5 altima without any issues? People don't regularly ditch working, nice cars. They give them to a family member/friend or something if they need to upgrade

VQ35s from craigslist/kijiji are always oil burners. Take it from me, I just bought an 02 with 95,000kms that was perfect, certified and e-tested with an extended engine/transmission warranty. Thing burned 5Litres of oil in 3 months before I got rid of it. The ABS was also non working on this car

The non oil burning VQ's are kept by owners or have been run into the ground by now. Be careful with this one bro

 

^
or they can be found at auctions but have all sorts of other non-engine related issues (like mine)

 

I have got some issues with it, but it doesn't burn oil. Basically:
1. N/S HID dipped beam is u/s - need a new bulb.
2. ABS (and of course TCS) nonworking and I haven't found why, yet.
3. Dash lamps were mainly out and I had to replace about half of the car's lamp bulbs. Like the guy had just driven it and never fixed anything.
4. Both radiator cooling fans were shot, replaced them.

However, on the good side, the bodywork and paint is almost like new - it's been keyed on a door but apart from that, spotless, and the interior is like new. Even the Bose 6-CD player works perfectly (a surprise for sure). No CEL or codes and the engine bay is also clean and original. I've decided to restore it to as-new, so as soon as I have fixed the ABS etc I'll have the scratched door repainted.
I've kept my Gen 4 Max for the moment, too! Fixing a few problems with the help of some parts from an an org member (replacing headlight switch, defective tacho) and I am going to get the sunroof fixed too. They are so different to drive but I like both of them

 

im glad to hear you found a good condition VQ good for you man

 

good job OP!!