Hey guys!

as most of you know i have had two maximas in the past, and now this is the third. but my second maxima (my 98 gle) has had some major problems lately.. such as:

1) auto tranny is almost dead
2) needs four new tires
3) crack in the windsheild
4) needs new side airbag harness
5) bent rim (not to to bad...)
6) needs an alignment very badly. (just did a swap out for my old shocks)
7.) paint is starting to chip alittle
8.) been in two accidents
9.) trunk will not automaticly pop
10.) rear passenger right side door will not open
11) needs new brakes... badly
12.) needs new rotors... badly
thats all... for now

so all that is wrong with my 98 max... and i have been having some really bad luck in my life lately... i mean really bad. lost my job (paying 22.50 /hr), over 2 g's in debt by just my credit cards, pretty soon i will not have a place to live, and one of my good friends may pass on soon. and that is just the tip of the iceburg. well anyway, enough of my problems... so my best friend has been watching and listening to my life dwindle into sorrow, and decided to help me out. he bought me another maxima so i do not have to drive my 98 maxima, and so i can actually have transportation so i can get a new job. how freakin awsome is that?

i tell you guys, i was about to cry. i am just so glad i have friends in my life that really really care about me and love me in the same way that my own family loves me. it is so rare to find a friend like that you know? welll, anyway, here are the specs on the new car:

1993 maxima
5SPD!!!!!
SE
moon roof
ABS
a deep blue type of color...
cloth interior.

and.... ready for this? 198,000 miles.

but you know what? it freakin drives like it has half that mileage on it. the tranny is very good, clutch grabs very nicely, and it still amazingly the engine has alot of life left in it and is still pretty quick! and the body has no rust, and the paint is in extremly good condition, except a tiny dent on the roof. besides, this is my first 5spd ever, so it is a good car to learn on.
well, thats my story... sorry it was so long. but give your thoughts!


Chris
CRC

 

congrats on a free max, I saw you mention in your title...but do you have cliff notes for the thread?

 

um, well basicly my best friend bought me a maxima because he knew that my 98maxima is on it's death bed (unless i dump over $4,000 into it) and also because he knows that i need a car that i could drive so i can get a job. ( i lost mine about 2 months ago) if you want the full story then please read my first post.

Chris
CRC

 

there still are great ppl in this world...

 

thats a true friend !

i hope everything works out for u, gl!

 

Nope...thats great...exactly what I was looking for..

What a great friend you have. Congrats again man...Good luck with everything.

 

Thanks guys.

 

congrats man...there are still plenty of good people in the world!

 

D@mn, sorry to hear to hear about misfortune. Its awesome you have a friend like you do. Not too common these days. People nowdays dont like to help out unless it benifets them somehow. Anyway, keep your head up. Im sure things will get better.

 

not to sound but thats really heart warming to kno that people like that are still around and that you have a friend like that

 

Man, have your friend be my friend so I can get some free stuff. Hopefully you're paying him back...

 

yes, definetly. as soon as i sell my 98 maxima. but i am not sure what to do now... i've been talking to my brother and he is telling me to get rid of the 3rd gen, and take out a personal load for $3,000 and fix all the major problems i have with my fourth gen. he tells me it is alot more wise to do this because my 4th gen has alot more life in it then the 3rd gen, and if i fix it up it will be in alot better condition as well.

i don't know what to do! i like both of my maxima's, and i don't think i could just tell my friend that i have to sell the car. i'm torn. what do you think i should do? i mean my mom is not the nicest person in the world, and my friend knows this, so i could say that she will not allow me to have it in the driveway.. oh, i don't know. please give your thoughts and sugestions. thanks again.

Chris
CRC

 

sorry to hear about your maximas...but you sound like you have friends, very good friends!!! Remember friendship is one mind in two bodies.

For your current situation, I think that you should sell your 3rd gen max and try to repair the 4th gen because in the long run you will have that 4thgen for a longer period of time. Plus the repairs don't seem that major except for the tranny, tires, brakes, rotors, pass. door, trunk...damn who am i kidding?
I still think that the money that comes from the 3rd gen will fix majority of the problems. That money will make the 4th go from pinto to pimptastic. That's just my opinion but just go with your gut.

 

i am torn... i took off all my mods so i could pay my bills, and i still do not have enough money. springs, struts, intake, apexi filter, brake pads, some stereo equipment and other stuff i can not think about right now. but now my maxima is completly stock, and i hate it. i thought i was going to be selling my 98 max to downgrade, but now i am thinking otherwise. now i have this 93 se max, and it is a 5spd, and i love it to death because of what it is. but i still like my 98 max alot better for a lot of reasons. i mean, i don't even have cup holders in the 3rd gen!

i would much rather have my 98 maxima any day of the week but now that i taste for a 5spd, i do not think i can go back to an automatic. and i really don't have the money for a 5spd conversion.

i also posted this in the 3rd gen fourm, and everybody is telling me that i should sell the 4th gen and keep the 3rd gen. but then now i hear from the 4th gen fourms, and people tell me to sell the 3rd gen and keep the 4th gen. ah, i so confussed.

 

keep the 3rd, the 4th seems problematic to u, be happy with the 3rd, treat it well to ensure it drives for a long while, then ur all set, sell the 98 and get another when u can AFFORD to

 

Since you need money and your friend was nice enough to buy you a 3rd gen, sell your 4th gen.

After you get the money from selling the 4th gen, pay your friend back and pay your CCs (debt + no job = no no). Don't spend the rest right away, you'll need it to pay the rest of your bills. Get another job ($7/hr is better than nothing)

 

what a nice guy ... good luck you to in the future

 

Everyone will be slightly biased toward their own generation here... But you really have to just weigh in the positives & negatives here and be reasonable. I'm a 4th gen owner and based on what I've read, the 3rd gen is the keeper for you.
For one thing, the 4th gen is in such bad shape... is it really worth salvaging anymore? (2 accidents!?! .. I hope they were minor, otherwise there shouldn't even be any doubt as to parting with the 4th gen.) For the $ you're going to be putting into just repairing the car you have now, I'm sure you can find another decent 4th gen deal in the near future that can replace it and be less problematic. Despite the "attachment" you may or may not have to your 4th gen., you gotta realize when it's time to let go or when it makes most sense to. You can't really say the 4th gen will have more "life" to it when it sounds like it's already lost most of it. I mean if you spent that same amt into maintaining the 3rd gen, I'm sure it can last just as long. Why gamble with a possibility of a partially revived 4th gen when you currently have a sure thing in the 3rd?
Besides, you don't know how your friend would take it because he could have just as easily gave you the $ to repair the 4th gen instead. So show your appreciation for his gesture and put the 4th gen out of its misery so you can take care of the other probs you have at hand.

 

This is the best advice imo.

 

"up out of the ash and destruction rises the brightest day"

 

Holy crap dude, You have dope freinds, Well this is what I think, Get rid of the 4th gen after fixing the outer issues like allignment and get some touch up paint, Then you should be able to sell it for around 7k-8k casue of its other problems, Use that money to get out of debt, pay your freind back, and put the rest of the money in your savings. Or you can wait untill you find a good job, pay your debt off, fix your 4th gen, and pay your freind back, then your will have two maximas! YEAH

 

i like that quote a lot... i just put it into my instant messenger profile... if that is ok with you. i hope you line comes true my friend... i'm starting to get discouraged.

but on the plus side, i decided to try to make ammends with my dad, hopefully he writes me back.

-but you guys have really helped me in my search for my answer concerning my problem. i was kind of surprized that so many people have replyed to try and help me out... and i wanted to thank all of you. i still do not know what to do, but hopefully i can figure something out... maybe i should take a poll or something... nah, there are to many of them out there as it is... lol

Chris

 

lol...i made that up and put quotes around it to make it sound cool glad you liked it. (it fit the situation well enough) it will come true for a very simple reason, karma. your a good guy, and your trying SO hard, keep your head up! and why wouldnt so many of us help out? thats why we're here in the org. almost every single post is about a problem or something going wrong, IM me if you need to talk or something (and tell me your ORG sn so i dont freak out)... everyone needs a helping hand in life, thats how it is

 

thank you, i may take you up on your offer.

and i know that all of you are here to help, but since i have been a member i have noticed alot of people that are on the "not so nice" side of the fence, and like to argue/put down each other. so i was not sure how the "responce" would be if i actually kinda opened up my feelings and problems alittle. but it all worked out, so i am glad.


-although i did just think of something... my friend who gave me this maxima owns a red 99 se-l maxima... and he sometimes goes on the fourm... i hope he does not find this thread.... i don't want to hurt his feelings.

 

half the thread is about how cool your friend is for giving you the max! i wouldnt worry about it, if you think its such a problem, use that edit button and change where necessary. a lot of people do argue and stuff, because they think the org is only online, talking to screen names, but it really hits home. people every day ask how to spend hundreds even thousands of dollars... thats important. people talk about changing things, rewiring, installing... if somethings wrong, a persons car could be taken out of comission, or the person could be injured. im with you, its nice to see some friendly faces (or smilies ) and know someone else out there is just here to help, talk, get advice... as you can see im online plenty, so feel free to take me up on that offer whenever

 

Hey man, I don't really post on this board, I mostly just search and find answers to any problems I have. Part of that is because, as someone said, often there is too much arguing and put downs, but it's reassuring that there are so many good people around here.

Like most of the other people, I'd say go with the 3rd gen. Normally I'd be partial to 4th gens because I have a 96, but you're having way too many problems with it. The 3rd is in working condition already, will cost you a lot less in the short term (and possibly the long term), and it was a gift... just my two cents. Anyway, best of luck...

Jon

 

That's a nice story. But as you said you are desparate for money and your friends lent you a helping hand--in giving you this car, they are expressing that they care about you, not what you may have to do with the car(maybe selling it). They want what is best--so if you must sell it your friends should understand(they bought you a car!). Also, I mean no offence to you or your friends, but a car with almost 200k miles on probably wouldn't sell for how much you would need. So my suggestion is to use the 3rd gen to find a job(any job) make some cash, pay some bills, get back on your feet--then sell both cars and maybe you could get a 95 or 96 max 5spd--or put a good down payment on another 98--but!!! If you were my best pal and i got u a car and then you immediately sold it before actually using it to find a job--I would be upset--just worry about ur life now--always time for the max later

 

also, could kinda be his way of giving you money. for a lot of people, its weird to hand someone like 7000 is cash (somewhere near that much for an out of shape 98) so he did the next best thing... saw your other max was dying and got you another one. He's helping you out in his own special way

 

Here's a little unbiased opinion. I researched long and hard when shopping for my car. I had settled on a 5 speed 89-94 maxima se, and changed my mind, and decided to go with a 95-99 instead.
First off, the 93 SE is much faster and sportier than your 98. Here's why..
The 93SE with the VE30DE has Limited slip differential, which the 98 lacks. The motor puts out an equal amount of power, but is put to the ground more effectively with the manual, LSD transmission.
Although I love my 95 to death, sometimes I regret not going with a 92-94 SE (with the VE30DE) As I would have more money to mod it. Although I wish I had bought an older car, I am perfectly happy with my car, which is only because it is in such good condition, and cared so well for. If I had to choose between an aging 98, and a 'young' 93, I'd choose the 93. Hope my rant helps your decision. Great for you to have a good friend like that!
Good luck

Not to drag on the 95-99 of course, because I settled on it in the end, and love my car and wouldn't ever give it up. Just that in your situation I would keep the 93 and sell the 98

 

i just took some pictures for you guys... hope you like them!











and thanks for all the input!

Chris

 

wheres the big crack in the windshield you mentioned?

 

can't really see it in that picture... i will take another one for you. i will try and take it now, but it is dark over here, so it may not come out well... if it doesn't i will take it tomorrow.

chris

 

what is with me and these time zones i understand if it doesnt come out. i just couldnt see any, and it sounded big my your account (3-4 feet?!)

 

Wow you are one lucky guy. I wish someone gave me a free car like that.

 

here you go, i out lined it for you:

 

jeebus! thats huge

 

yep, but i do not notice it too much, for it is on the passenger side. but the winter is comming, and once water gets in there and freezes.... i'm screewed...


Chris

 

awesome ! I always like a happy ending !

 

its going to expand and mess you up also think about turning on your defroster to high. constant freezing and defrosting of the windshield will break it.