I am getting a newer Max in the next week or two and I have a couple of choices on my plate, but I can't figure out which to buy. I want to spend as little as possible, but I want the best car for my money. What would you do if you had these choices. Thanks for the advice.

used 2K SE Super Black / tan cloth 21K miles for $20,500
used 1999 SE White / grey cloth 52K miles for $17,000
new 2001 SE Super Black / frost cloth for $22,000
new 2001 SE Sterling Mist / grey cloth Comf&Conv $24,500

All cars listed have a manual tranny. Money is definitely an issue, I would like the smaller payment, but I would also like the newer car with a longer warranty. What do you think?

 

Personally, I would go with 1999 SE White / grey cloth 52K miles for $17,000. I like the 4th gen. looks.
Also you said you wanna spend as littleas possible on the car. My only concern is its high millage.

Andy

 

Whatever you choose, do NOT GET BLACK. DO NOT GET BLACK. Please. It SUCKS. Chips super easily, scratches easily. The car will look like crap after 2 years. Trust me. Shing and I agree on this. Don't get black. Sterling Mist is a really nice color, though. Easy to maintain, always looks good, even when dirty. Black looks like crap after the first light dusting.

 

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EXCUSE ME??? My car is almost 4 years old and it doesn't look like crap. Please speak for yerself. People who saw my car think it's 99 cuz I don't have any chips/scratches on it. It does get dusty faster than other colors, but what is the carwash for?

Andy

 

I would recommend a 4th gen also, but that non-loaded white '99 with 52k miles for $17K is way too expensive.

 

I have a black 93 SE in Blick now and you are right. The paint looks so bad right now. I love the look of black, but is a pain to keep new looking.

I have not seen enough of the sterling mist to know if I like it or not. I'll have to take a trip to the dealership during lunch.

 

You put your car through the car wash. Eeeek! My super black maxima is 2.5 yrs old. It has so many chips in the front from driving. I don't think I will ever buy a black nissan ever again. My family's '88 brown sentra doesn't chip as bad as my car. Black looks awesome clean, but it get's dirty so quickly. Maybe you car is a freak of Nissan nature, and doesn't chip. But everyone else does. And don't put your poor car through the car wash.

EXCUSE ME??? My car is almost 4 years old and it doesn't look like crap. Please speak for yerself. People who saw my car think it's 99 cuz I don't have any chips/scratches on it. It does get dusty faster than other colors, but what is the carwash for?

Andy [/I][/QUOTE]

 

2001 SE Sterling Mist, it comes with C&C so you will get 17" rims..
And hopefully 2001 SE has many fixes and touch ups that my 2000 SE doesn't ;(.

I have Sterling Mist and the color is really nice. I have black leather inside, so dark color cloth will be good. The interior will look less dirty than on lighter interior.

Good luck.




[Edited by Dany on 12-06-2000 at 12:04 PM]

 

What did you not like about your 2000? Are you refering to the rattles or what? I keep reading people saying that they were surprised with the build quality of their maxima after they owned it for a couple thousand miles. Have you had many problems?

 

I'd go for another 4th gen any day. Still undecided about the looks of the 5th gens. You may want to shop price though. I know that 5spds aren't as easy to find but $17k seems high. Go here: http://www.wantadpress.com or any other online used car site for comparisons.

BTW, my black 1991GXE still looks like new with 127k miles on it. Garaging helps, I suppose. It has a few nicks and cuts but after all the car is 10 years old (almost). A nose cover could help avoid some chips...

Jim

 

Go for a '99 but not the one you listed.. at least not for the price you listed. You should be able to get pretty close to a loaded (ABS, leather, sec/conv if you can find it) for $17,000. I LOVE the interior of the '00s and the exterior is warming up, but I'm a 4th gen man despite the fact that it looks like a duck.

I've got the sterling mist and it is definitely the color of choice for a guy who doesn't like to wash the car too often. Looks damn good when clean too.

 

If you are looking for a low payment, keep in mind the interest rates on used car loans vs new car loans. Used car loans are up around 10% whereas you can get new car financing with much better rates, In the end, you may end up paying just the same for a used car as you would a new car.

 

Black looks very nice..... On any OTHER car but a maxima....
Like I told my friend... I love driving the car at night, but not in the day. Night time it looks flawless and mean, almost sleeper like. Daytime it looks FLAWED and POS like.
Go with the White SE