Got my car a little while back (6 mo.) and the previous owner treated it like crap... it's at about 168k miles and in the past 6 mo. along I've spent about $1,600 CDN in repairs - and before Xmas I'll probably spend another $700-$900 (timing belt, water pump, etc.) I just need some peace of mind that I'm not the only one dumping this much cash into keeping the max rolling.

How much is the most you've spent in a year (the worst one) on maintenance alone (ie brakes, timing belt, etc.)????

 

I've been lucky and all my money has gone towards mods and oil changes in the last three years I've owned my Maxima. Well I guess the highest maintenance I've spent on my car was the clutch, since I went out and bought a flywheel and ACT clutch. Other than that all maintenance and mods. I recenlty found my front motor mount was no good but thats getting replaced on Sunday.

 

I do all my maintenance myself unless I think it would better to spend the money to have someone else do it.

 

define maintence, because technically I've spent more on the car in 'maintence' kind of stuff then I actually paid for the car.

 

Maintenance I guess replacing stuff that tends to wear out in time. Brakes, oil changes, clutch etc. Stuff on the car that has to be replaced in order for it to be running in good condition.

 

Basically I bought my car with a Bad tranny and parts of the interior were not in the best shape, so I dont think I would call the new dash and such Maintence as much, and the tranny was alittle premature as the car has under 127,000 on it.

The biggest expense so far has been tranny/fidanza/exedy, however suspension is going to be quite a big hit aswell!

 

The most I have spent in maintenance was probably my battery. $135 for an Optima Red Top. Then again, that will be the last battery that I will have to buy for a long time.

Clutch slave ranked #2 at $35.

All other expenses have been just regular oil changes.

 

Def. Maintenance....

Well put it this way - if it's broken, it's maintenance. ie my new head cluster would be considered maintenance since my old ones broke... stuff like that.

 

im about 2 spend close 2 $2000 2morrow tranny rebuild and timing belt exhaust manifold gaskets i had 2 fix the exhaust manifolds gaskets my boyz said they could hear the max from around the block with my exhaust,gaskets and racing tip

 

About 2000. I needed to get all of my motor mounts replaced, my muffler cracked, replaced steering rack, replaced axel, front passenger side brake rotor, water pump, brake line, thermostat, and timing belt. This max has 225000 miles under it's belt and this is the first line of care I had to give my max. This car has never been serviced ever since my sister purchased it in 1993. My dad buys me the car and he pays for it all to get fixed. I think his is a great car for a 17 year old, agree? Within the next month or so I am getting an all around - made it up - tune up, New all around stereo system, and some hot azz wheels. Afterward I may get into the performance thing. Not yet though

 

I spent $2000 on a new engine.

 

i got my max at 94k and now it has 118k ive spent about 3k that includes new brakes, suspention, rebiult trans, jdm engine, half the exhaust, and all work was done by me so thats just parts

you cant say a max is unreliable just because i had to replace everything my driving style doesnt let engines get more than about 2 years my last car a camry only lasted 15k so i got about 25k out of the max so it better

 

I Have Had My Max For 3 Weeks Now, (Used To be my dads until he gave it to me) And after my 2nd day of driving it the tranny was shot. So i had to get a new tranny and im still waiting on that to be fixed hopefully this upcoming monday. And that was $1451.63.

 

My car has 146k and I bought it from my brother, so it's been in the family since it had 60k. He didn't fix a damn thing except the clutch pedal bracket, which was from a boneyard for $50 (I replaced it, but he bought the part). I replaced the water pump ($250 apx w/belts and "shadetree" labor) and the driver side window regulator ($60).

Everything else has been routine maint. stuff like brake pads, tires, oil, spiral cell battery, FSTB, etc.

I do need a new y-pipe and it stalls sometimes, but the car has never left me stranded or anything.

Previously, I owned a different 92 SE 5-speed and traded it in with 160k. The most expensive thing I replaced was the clutch slave cylinder, which was like $100 installed at a shop, maybe less, I can't remember.

 

Let's see...
- Motor Mounts
- Radiator
- Water Pump
- 1 Window Regulator
- Rear Axle

Upcoming...
- 2 Window Regulators (gone since summer, but I've been too lazy)
- Timing Belt (~130K, current 125K)

 

tranny rebuild - 1200
general tuneups
tires - 450
window regulator x2 - (dont remember)

 

repairs this year:
02 sensor
timing belt
drive shafts
brakes(all four corners)
struts/springs(all four corners)
tie rod ends
ball joints
f. sway bar end links
control arm bushings
replaced 5 injectors
starter
and next -> get the exhaust manifold leak fixed and the studs replaced.

maintenance:
oil changes
tranny flush
coolant flush
need 4 tires
plug wires

even though i've done 95% of the labour myself, i'm still pushing 2000.00 - 2500.00 this year.

 

To me, repairs are what happens when you don't do maintenance....so, here's what I think-

Maintenance= oil changes, tune-ups, fluid changes, lubes, timing belt (before it breaks), brake job(before it gets into the rotors). All things you do to avoid repairs.

So, to me, even if you know it will eventually wear out, if you wait to replace it until it does (or longer, till it causes worse damage) then it's a repair. That's why they always say it's cheaper to do maintenance than repair. Just my .02, though.

 

Couldn't agree more.

 

$130 some odd dollars for A/T fluid flush, cleaning, and change.

 

Repairs are inevitable regardless of what kind of maintenance you do.

 

oh gawd...i didn't add in the costs of mods. i'm pushin' 4000 - 4500 with mods, repairs, and maintenance added together.

 

"Repairs are inevitable regardless of what kind of maintenance you do."

True, but then it's still a "repair", and not a "maintenance".....IMO.

 

I got a '90. Bought it with about 135K miles on it about 18 months ago and now it has 160K. Had the tranny rebuilt for $700 last yr. Lucky to find a guy to do it in the local PennySaver in Daytona Beach. Dealer wanted $1500 for just a used tranny and another $500 to install it. Only paid $2500 for the car.
Installed a new radiator myself. Old one the plastic cracked. Replaced the brakes (front pads and rear shoes) myself. Got a new windshield covered by insurance cause the previous owner didn't change the wiper blades once and scratched the windshield up. Got new tires lately. The lady that had it had every maintance bill in the glove box so I don't have to get the timing belt replaced until around 185K.

Look at it this way you can ave. 25 to 75 bucks a month on maintance for a used paid off car or ave. 299 to 499 a month on new car payments.

 

Or for a lease on a new car - except when you lease a new car you can generally drive it with little concern for its "health" in the long run - becuase by the time it really starts to go, you don't have it any more.

 

when i got my max 3 yrs ago i basically changed everything i could change hoses, belts, brakes, rotors, radiator, motors mounts, etc.
($3000 to $4000). since then no mayor repairs but a big peace of mind.

 

all i ever had to do was routine things (brakes, oil chgs, plugs, fuel filter, etc)

but whats nice about having an "older car" is you can kill 2 birds with one stone which is my approach:

when things need to be replaced, take that chance to upgrade it..... examples - time for a brake job? drilled rotors/better pads. Exhaust need to be replaced? time for aftermarket y pipe, cat, muffler.

etc etc