The car's extrior is finished in Majestic Blue (arguably the most striking color offered) with black leather interior. Currently, it has 139,400 on the odometer and is equipped with the highly sought after 5-spd manual transmission, which shifts smoothly. It has tinted windows (I believe it is 35% as it was on the car when I bought it). When I purchased the car in February of 2008 from the previous owner (lived in South Carolina), I replaced the worn shift **** with the OE-spec 20th Anniversary version. I also had the windshield, which had a nasty chip in it, replaced. Aside from that, the car needed some TLC; especially a good detail.
As for the mechanical and physical condition of the car, I would describe it as very good. The interior is clean. Aside from the driver's seat, which is suffering from a crack in the leather (lower back portion) and missing pieces of leather on the left bolster, the seating is in excellent condition. Still has the original front/rear 20th Ann. floor mats. They are in good shape as is the carpet. The dash and interior plastics are in excellent condition and the driver and passenger heated seats function as they should. The Bose in-dash CD player works as it should, but does suffer from the known, stubborn, illumination issue (has a mind of its own). The car also has a 6-disc changr in the trunk. All trunk carpet is in tact and it does have the original cargo net.
I am **** about my cars, which by the way, are for leisure use (my employer provides a car I drive to work daily). The Maxima would be considered my daily driver as I have an E46 M3 I drive on sunny days. Really, the car has been solid for me. Mechanically, the clutch slave cylinder was replaced during the winter of 2008 and a new starter installed and mass air flow sensor (by me) in November of the same year. Also, in July of 2009, the car developed a leak from the muffler. I sourced the OE 20th Ann. spec muffler ($372) and had it installed by Tuffy Muffler. During the summer of 2010, I had the front rotors, pads, and master cylinder replaced. After numerous CEL's indicated the dreaded pre-cat issue had reared its ugly head, I sourced a new one and had it installed in April of last year. At the same time, just to be safe, I replaced all of the ignition coils and spark plugs. Also last year, I had replaced the rear rotors, pad, and brake lines and just replaced the battery two weeks ago.
Outside of those items, I have had no issues. I change the oil myself every 3 to 5,000 miles. The car has fairly new Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires (probably have 6,000 miles if that on them. I have a summer set of rims and tires that I roll during the summer months; not included in sale unless you want to pay extra for them) on the original 20th Ann. edition rims, which are not curbed (they have a few blemishes from being a 12-year old car, but no rash). They clean up nicely. I also just had the entire front end and rear bumper re-sprayed. I did so because the front bumper and hood had numerous rock chips and the bumper had some scratches (these areas were like that when i purchased the car). Not wanting to half-do it, I paid $1,300 for the work to be done right.
I will be straight up about the history of the car with potential buyers, unlike the previous owner was with me. Living in Ohio, I had been searching for this exact color combination from a warm, salt-free climate, when I happened upon an ad for this vehicle on Craigslist (South Carolina). According to the previous owner, he bought the car from CarMax for his college bound daughter. She took it down to West Virginia (Marshall University) and after graduating, he bought her a new car as a gift (legit) and took possession of the Maxima to sell. When I asked if it had ever been crashed, he indicated it had been in a minor rear-end crash (daughter), but it had been professionally repaired to spec (provided contact info. for the repair shop, which I contacted) and there were no issues with the car. When I contacted the repair shop, the owner remembered the car and assured me it was properly repaired and even guided me to where to inspect his work. The shop owner assured me their was a life-time warranty on his work. I checked the areas he pointed me to and to be honest, could not tell the car had been touched.
Taking the car owner at his word and seeing several good photos of he car, I agreed to fly south to purchase it. He had described the car as being in excellent condition. Upon arrival, I quickly surmised his definition of "excellent condition" and mine were definitely different. While the car looked okay, I could tell it needed some TLC. I purchased it and drove it back to Ohio without issue. In fact, it ran flawlessly and drove smoothly. When I got back, I decided to humor myself and run a Carfax, which is when I learned the daughter had been involved in a frontal collision. When I called he PO (father), it was debatable as to whether he was truly unaware of he second crash (he was more than likely paying her insurance). None-the-less, he insisted he did not know about the second crash. At that point, it was water under the bridge as I should have un the Carfax prior to making the trip.
Don't let the crash history scare you away from this car. It is solid and a strong runner with much life left! If it weren't for my love of BMW M3's, I would keep it. I just bought a 1998 4-dr M3 yesterday, which is why I am selling. I made a deal with the wife that I would by the second M3 and sell the Maxima. I am looking for $5,200 for the car and am in no hurry or distress to sell. I cannot attach pictures to this thread for some reason, but I have a few I can send from when I picked it up after the paint work back in August. I can be reached by phone at 614-499-2925 or via mail at RE36M31@aol.com.
I appreciate the spirit of the Forum and count it a privilege to be a part of it. That said, I would appreciate everyone keeping my thread free of commentary that is not conducive to helping a fellow fanatic sell his ride. I have done my best to be straight up and provide information to allow potential buyers to make an informed decision. Again, the car is solid and will serve someone well. I will be listing the car for sale locally as well.
***Updated with a Photobucket Link with a few starter pictures***
http://s670.beta.photobucket.com/use...ro773/library/
As for the mechanical and physical condition of the car, I would describe it as very good. The interior is clean. Aside from the driver's seat, which is suffering from a crack in the leather (lower back portion) and missing pieces of leather on the left bolster, the seating is in excellent condition. Still has the original front/rear 20th Ann. floor mats. They are in good shape as is the carpet. The dash and interior plastics are in excellent condition and the driver and passenger heated seats function as they should. The Bose in-dash CD player works as it should, but does suffer from the known, stubborn, illumination issue (has a mind of its own). The car also has a 6-disc changr in the trunk. All trunk carpet is in tact and it does have the original cargo net.
I am **** about my cars, which by the way, are for leisure use (my employer provides a car I drive to work daily). The Maxima would be considered my daily driver as I have an E46 M3 I drive on sunny days. Really, the car has been solid for me. Mechanically, the clutch slave cylinder was replaced during the winter of 2008 and a new starter installed and mass air flow sensor (by me) in November of the same year. Also, in July of 2009, the car developed a leak from the muffler. I sourced the OE 20th Ann. spec muffler ($372) and had it installed by Tuffy Muffler. During the summer of 2010, I had the front rotors, pads, and master cylinder replaced. After numerous CEL's indicated the dreaded pre-cat issue had reared its ugly head, I sourced a new one and had it installed in April of last year. At the same time, just to be safe, I replaced all of the ignition coils and spark plugs. Also last year, I had replaced the rear rotors, pad, and brake lines and just replaced the battery two weeks ago.
Outside of those items, I have had no issues. I change the oil myself every 3 to 5,000 miles. The car has fairly new Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires (probably have 6,000 miles if that on them. I have a summer set of rims and tires that I roll during the summer months; not included in sale unless you want to pay extra for them) on the original 20th Ann. edition rims, which are not curbed (they have a few blemishes from being a 12-year old car, but no rash). They clean up nicely. I also just had the entire front end and rear bumper re-sprayed. I did so because the front bumper and hood had numerous rock chips and the bumper had some scratches (these areas were like that when i purchased the car). Not wanting to half-do it, I paid $1,300 for the work to be done right.
I will be straight up about the history of the car with potential buyers, unlike the previous owner was with me. Living in Ohio, I had been searching for this exact color combination from a warm, salt-free climate, when I happened upon an ad for this vehicle on Craigslist (South Carolina). According to the previous owner, he bought the car from CarMax for his college bound daughter. She took it down to West Virginia (Marshall University) and after graduating, he bought her a new car as a gift (legit) and took possession of the Maxima to sell. When I asked if it had ever been crashed, he indicated it had been in a minor rear-end crash (daughter), but it had been professionally repaired to spec (provided contact info. for the repair shop, which I contacted) and there were no issues with the car. When I contacted the repair shop, the owner remembered the car and assured me it was properly repaired and even guided me to where to inspect his work. The shop owner assured me their was a life-time warranty on his work. I checked the areas he pointed me to and to be honest, could not tell the car had been touched.
Taking the car owner at his word and seeing several good photos of he car, I agreed to fly south to purchase it. He had described the car as being in excellent condition. Upon arrival, I quickly surmised his definition of "excellent condition" and mine were definitely different. While the car looked okay, I could tell it needed some TLC. I purchased it and drove it back to Ohio without issue. In fact, it ran flawlessly and drove smoothly. When I got back, I decided to humor myself and run a Carfax, which is when I learned the daughter had been involved in a frontal collision. When I called he PO (father), it was debatable as to whether he was truly unaware of he second crash (he was more than likely paying her insurance). None-the-less, he insisted he did not know about the second crash. At that point, it was water under the bridge as I should have un the Carfax prior to making the trip.
Don't let the crash history scare you away from this car. It is solid and a strong runner with much life left! If it weren't for my love of BMW M3's, I would keep it. I just bought a 1998 4-dr M3 yesterday, which is why I am selling. I made a deal with the wife that I would by the second M3 and sell the Maxima. I am looking for $5,200 for the car and am in no hurry or distress to sell. I cannot attach pictures to this thread for some reason, but I have a few I can send from when I picked it up after the paint work back in August. I can be reached by phone at 614-499-2925 or via mail at RE36M31@aol.com.
I appreciate the spirit of the Forum and count it a privilege to be a part of it. That said, I would appreciate everyone keeping my thread free of commentary that is not conducive to helping a fellow fanatic sell his ride. I have done my best to be straight up and provide information to allow potential buyers to make an informed decision. Again, the car is solid and will serve someone well. I will be listing the car for sale locally as well.
***Updated with a Photobucket Link with a few starter pictures***
http://s670.beta.photobucket.com/use...ro773/library/
Senior Member
Sounds like a nice car, man. With the front end collision, does it still have a clean title? I can only assume it must for your asking price. Can you tell if the airbags were deployed? Also having been in said collision, does it still have the front AE lip spoiler? Lastly, try opening up a photobucket account and clicking on the image link to load pictures into your thread. Good luck with the sale brother. I also have a 5-speed AE and looked hard to find it. Mine is Blk/Blk. 
EDIT: Always wanted a 97-98 4-door M3 as well....in fact, I almost bought one, but they definitely are more expensive to maintain. Rebuilding the front end is spendy on those cars! They are so choice though...
EDIT: Always wanted a 97-98 4-door M3 as well....in fact, I almost bought one, but they definitely are more expensive to maintain. Rebuilding the front end is spendy on those cars! They are so choice though...
Quote:
EDIT: Always wanted a 97-98 4-door M3 as well....in fact, I almost bought one, but they definitely are more expensive to maintain. Rebuilding the front end is spendy on those cars! They are so choice though...
Definitely had a clean SC title, which was transferred to Ohio. I don't think the air bags were deployed. It has all AE spec spoilers, lip, side skirts and rear valance. Thanks for the Photobucket advice. I will open an account and post pictures. As for your commentary on M3s, you are right. I've owned every generation M3 except the E92. I love them. My E46 is supercharged. I will be refreshing the suspension on the E36 and know it will not be cheap.Originally Posted by Galactica
Sounds like a nice car, man. With the front end collision, does it still have a clean title? I can only assume it must for your asking price. Can you tell if the airbags were deployed? Also having been in said collision, does it still have the front AE lip spoiler? Lastly, try opening up a photobucket account and clicking on the image link to load pictures into your thread. Good luck with the sale brother. I also have a 5-speed AE and looked hard to find it. Mine is Blk/Blk. EDIT: Always wanted a 97-98 4-door M3 as well....in fact, I almost bought one, but they definitely are more expensive to maintain. Rebuilding the front end is spendy on those cars! They are so choice though...
Senior Member
That should sell at that price without much problem. Make sure you put it higher than that on craigslist though. I would.
Quote:
I appreciate the support and guidance. I have lowered the price for Forum members. I do have it listed at my original asking price locally.Originally Posted by Galactica
That should sell at that price without much problem. Make sure you put it higher than that on craigslist though. I would.
Updated my Photobucket account with 32 additional pictures of interior and exterior of the car.