Well guys, looks like I will be joining your ranks next week. I sold my 300zx z32 about a month ago, because of extreme high mileage (nearing 200k) with persisting small maintanance probs. Over the past month, i've looked at everything from mustang GT's to sentra se-r's. I have always liked the maxima (especially those hot 4th gen's ) and many people in my family have had good serivice out of them. I'm in college now, and I need somethin to last me until I get out, which will be awhile if i go on to proffesional school. Then afer I get a job, I can buy another z32 and park it in the garage. So here's the deal, I know a guy in florida who can get me into the orlando dealer auction, which is supposed to be one of the biggest in the nation. He said, I should be able to get in a 2k2 SE with low mileage for 16,500 in after everything, including his 500 charge and about a 200 auction fee. That price is very reasonable considering local dealers are wanting at least 19k for them. This way I won't have to go through those pesky dealer middle men. I'm hoping to find a white one if possible, and the guy said I won't have any prob. The only way I won't get one is if I find a 02 or 03 wrx for a good deal. Well guys, wish me luck

 

good luck! 2k2 max is a great car

 

Good luck! I don't know if there's a way, but try to make sure that none of those 16k Max's are previous rentals. They seem to show up a lot at dealer auctions, so look for Maximas with medium to high mileage for their year and w/no options. If you see anything like that, it maybe a previous rental.

If you're looking for a 6sp, rest assured that if you find one at the auction, it's not a previous rental.

 

Good luck. Let us know what happens at those auctions.

 

 

yea,I am going to be on the lookout for the rental ones. Last week, I went and test drove two 02 navy SE maxima's at the dealership. One was a 6-speed and one was an automatic. I thought the automatic had prolly been a rental because the body was in terrible condition and the interior had cigarette burns throughout, it had only 16k miles on it . The six-speed was nice, but it had 35k miles on it (would prefer to stay under 25k) , and while the navy is my second choice. I really like the pearl white
Maybe it was just the car, because every car i've owned has been manual, but i had a hard time shifting and getting the clutch to engage smoothly on the six speed, seemed like the clutch didn't grab unto it was almost fully out. Do all the 6-speeds take a little time to get used too, because I know its not far to make a judgement from a 5 minute test drive. I haven't seen any thread complaining about the 6-speed, so either it was the car or they just take a little time to get used to.

 

get the 6-speed

 

Yeah, it takes some getting used to. If you do a search, there have been a few threads in the past where this was discussed.

For me, this is my first manual car, but I did drive a few others (friends' cars) prior to getting the Max, and those cars were easier to be smooth with.

On my Max, the clutch starts to grab pretty early (a few inches off the floor) but doesn't fully engage until it's almost completely out. This is one of the "complains" that some people have--extremely long engagement zone. However, you get used to it pretty quickly (especially you, since you've driven manuals all your life), so don't worry about it.

Also, there was a thread about how the clutch on the Max is not consistent in the sense that it can grab differently given the same conditions. It had to do with the linkage system. I'm sure someone else can explain it better.

Overall though, I'm EXTREMELY happy with the 6sp, and would not have it any other way (previous car was an auto too, and won't be driving autos any time soon).

 

Yeah, it takes some getting used to. If you do a search, there have been a few threads in the past where this was discussed.

For me, this is my first manual car, but I did drive a few others (friends' cars) prior to getting the Max, and those cars were easier to be smooth with.

On my Max, the clutch starts to grab pretty early (a few inches off the floor) but doesn't fully engage until it's almost completely out. This is one of the "complains" that some people have--extremely long engagement zone. However, you get used to it pretty quickly (especially you, since you've driven manuals all your life), so don't worry about it.

Also, there was a thread about how the clutch on the Max is not consistent in the sense that it can grab differently given the same conditions. It had to do with the linkage system. I'm sure someone else can explain it better.

Overall though, I'm EXTREMELY happy with the 6sp, and would not have it any other way (previous car was an auto too, and won't be driving autos any time soon).

So, try to find the 6sp if you can. If you get the auto, you may regret it later, even though the auto is great as well, it's not a stick!

 

So, try to find the 6sp if you can. If you get the auto, you may regret it later, even though the auto is great as well, it's not a stick!



very true, i've always been a big fan of manuals, it just feels like your in control of the car more, like you driving the car instead of the car driving you, but i guess i'm at the mercy of what is available at the auction. thanks for all the suggestions guys