This weekend I'm going to look at a 1992 Maxima (non-SE) with 190k mi and a brand new auto-trans.

The current owner works at an Automatic Transmission repair shop, and he bought the car off of a customer with a blown trans for ~$200. He rebuilt the trans with the intent of using this car as a commuter, but he's landed a better deal ('95 Range Rover for $1000 !!!) so he no longer needs the car. According to him, the car is in great shape, inside and out, and he's got a bunch of maintenance records from the PO.

What common problems should I be looking for when I go check this car out? Any known issues with higher-mileage maximas?

How long can I expect this car to last (I'm new to the Maxima-world and I've no idea how well these cars deal with age.)? Will it go 250,000mi?

*** What is this car worth? ***


Thanks for the help!

 

The transmission is one of the big things, so you've got that covered already. Manifold studs is another, so listen for any exhaust leak sounds. Check the maintenance records for timing belt replacement. Those are 3 of the more major things. There are others, like window regulators, etc, but those are fairly minor.
As a guide, I paid $1800 to have my 90 auto rebuilt. Obviously, since he works at the shop, he's only into it for the $200 he paid for the car and whatever the rebuild kit cost him (wholesale, I'm sure.) and whatever his time was worth. Alot less than the retail value of the rebuild, tho.
Anyways, if the car was maintained fairly well, it should easily go to 250K and beyond. Lots of guys on here have that and beyond. I would say it's probably worth 2K or so, but it kinda depends on what cars go for in your area. Good luck with it.

 

I got my 93 GXE for $2700 with 100k on it. So if yo're getting a 190k car that almost doubles my mileage, iwoudln't pay more than $1500 for it, depending on how the body is and interior, what options are on the car, etc.
How much is he asking for?

 

Well my car has 225k miles on it with it's original tranny and engine. Nothing rebuilt yet, knock on wood, so I think that high mileage isn't a problem for third gens. My parents paid 2 thousand for my car and this car was on it's last legs. It needed serious maintenace (motor mounts, wheel bearing, exhaust rusted, steering pump, etc). But it lasted another 500 miles before we found that out. The original owner didn't tell us. But that was his lost. Now everything was fixed and it rides just like it was fresh off the lot. Now complaints from me (this is my first car). You might want a new audio system too. The stock audio sucks. Forgot to mention that all the work done costed me about ~$2500. Probably less since I did all the work with my dad. HopefullyI can be one of the first to say welcome to the org!!!

 

I'd offer him a grand in cash if the body and interior are in good shape with no rips, tears, burn, rust or dents.

Things to watch out for........

Since it's a VG engine, TIMING BELT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recommmended to be replaced every 60K. If it breaks say goodbye to your little engine and hello to your walking shoes! Make SURE it's been replaced recently casue it's not cheap to have done nor easy to do yourself.

Window regulators - One known weakness of the 3rd gen Max. If the windows don't go up and down it could be these parts. My car has 142K now and I've replaced all four (three were broken when I got it!). Cost $45-60 a door in parts and about 30-45 minutes a door depending on your talent and determination.

Rear brake calipers. Something I've noticed is that many 3rd gen owners have had to replace one or both rear brake calipers because they had become frozen. At over $100 a pop make sure these are ok. If the emergency brake doesn't work it may be a sign that one (or both) of the calipers are frozen and the PO disconnected them to get around it.

There's other stuff too... but these are the highlights.

 

Hi, I have 280,000+ miles, what would you like to know?

 

Maintenance issues you've encountered in the last 100k? Would you buy a car like the one I've described? How much would you pay for it?






Thanks, everyone, for all the help! Keep it comin!

 

I bought my '92 GXE with 130k from my uncle..its got 136k now (I really don't drive too much..I've had the car since 2001..), he was the first owner, I paid $1500..it needed a new battery and the day he brought it up the right front window regulator broke..none of them had been changed from '92 to 2001..I've been offered $2500 for it no questions asked and honestly, I wouldn't take double that unless somthing really major went wrong..I'd spend the extra money on it to get it fixed, because everything is pretty much perfect..it has a little hail damage, and it was wrecked once and you can FEEL, hardly even see, a little seam from the repair done on the top of the far back door pillar on the right side where it meets the roof and doesn't quite line up perfectly..if the car were black you wouldn't notice it at all unless you stuck your hand on it..

 

At those miles, I'd also give the suspension a good look. Mine had worn bushings on the lower control arms at 100K, and those are common, so check those. Check AC, check all electrical lights and motors. Window regulators are a pain, and cost more to repair by a dealer, but the car is driveable. I keep some strong clear duct tape in my car to keep them up in case they fall. You need to see what has been replaced. Eventually it will probably need an alternator. And check tire and brake condition. Basically, if I bought it, I would plan on doing the timing belt immediately, and change the water pump at that time. So price that fix. Unless you are sure of the old records that the Tbelt was done within 60K miles. If it has a quality tranny, then that is one thing that you won't have to worry about which is nice. but remember, with those miles there may be alot of other things that may or may not have been repaired along the way.

 

ive got a 92 gxe for sale. its got kyb s and a cold air kit. it is white with 2003 wheels...17"
136 k miles, but new belts including timing, exhaust, plugs, wires, u name it...altenator etc...
no work

 

My 91 was a 5spd but I recomend you check ball joints and wheel bearings. My car ate them. Then agin it was dropped but beware doing them your self sucks.

 

my car ate the wheel bearings to, on stock suspension.

in addition to what was said check the strut mounts in front (they squeek when bad). Take a look at the CV boots, and make sure the front doors line up correctly when closing them. To do this just close the door almost all the way, so the door rests against the frame but don't actually close it. It should not 'droop'

Also turn the wheel and listen to the steering rack. Look over the hoses tomake sure they are not rotting away, particularly a power steering hose at the top of the engine near the firewall on the passenger side.

I would offer up to 1500 if it is good condition

 

Personally, I've always felt that the engine in the max is one of the most reliable engine out there while the tranny is one of the ****tiest. So, if you got the tranny covered. Then you're all set. Plus, you're buying it from a mechanic. So, most likely he took good care of it if he's a diligent guy.

190K on a max is really nothing. If you really took good care of her, she'll last a good while. I've heard of a max last up to 360,000 miles with original engine and tranny, then finally the tranny decided to died but the engine was still working fine. Bargaining on this one for $1500 is really a tough call cuz a reman tranny costs $1000 w/+-200. So, if your seller already had a reman tranny in there. I doubt that he'll give it to you for $1500 not unless you could come up some of a very good excuses. Like *****ing about the rusty parts on the suspension. I got **** loads of them on my car and it's really making sick everytime I looked at it.

Like I'd said, just make sure you maintain it well enough and it'll last you another easy 190k on top.

 

If you believe that I've got a bridge to sell you

 

LOL. Sure. Why not. heck, just send me a reman Golden Gate bridge by COD!!!!

 

ok, everyone! Thanks for the help!

I went and checked out the car tonight - - there was nothing major wrong with it (tho it needs a good cleaning).
The engine was very clean, and it doesn't appear to have any leaks. The brakes are new, and the car was maintained very well by the PO. The car ran great and felt EXCELLENT, even tho i think it needs new struts.

so i bought it... for $500 !!!!

here she is!!



again - thanks everyone for all your help!!!

 

Wow, great deal. Maybe I need to call about hi mileage maximas with owners that are having trouble selling due to the miles and are desparate. Sheez, your car insurance will probably be more than the car... Does it have a sunroof? What had been repaired over the last 200K? Was the Tbelt done recently? Does the AC still work? Any rust-that body looks great!

 

it's got brand new brakes, all windows and sunroof work, it's got less than 15k on a new transmission and it runs/drives great! The engine is completely clean and it's very quiet. A/C works and there's no rust anywhere on the car (pretty nice for New England!). The current owner had tons of receipts from the previous owner, which documented many repairs - one of which was the timing belt. Unfortunately, he can't find the receipts and can't remember how long ago the belt was done... I'll do it sometime when I get around to it (i hope that isn't too bad of a job - - doesn't look fun...).


problems:

windshield wipers don't work due to linkage failure (easy fix - i think)
drv side headlight not working
crack in windshield
could benefit from new struts
antenna stuck up


but I just need a highway cruiser to get me to and from work every day - a mileage mule... so this thing should be ok! and for $500, I'm not gonne lose too much $$ even if the car explodes..

 

I'll buy it from you for $550
j/k

Check under the hood for the timing belt change date. A lot of times they write it on the belt cover or somewhere else in the engine bay. All in all, even with that and the repairs you mentioned, it sounds like you got a good car for a great price.

 

that sayin in the perenthesis up there (()) ,boy do i know that one!!!! LOL thanks for the laugh and definitly keep tabs on the timing belt 3rd gen vg owners a little 100 dollar timing job can cost you well into the thousands for a motor. i know from first hand experience.

 

well, maybe if i just bite the bullet and do the timing belt right away - it might be the last timing belt this car ever needs.

Sooo... now the big question:

Where is the best place to get a t-belt for a VG? I can get a discount at NAPA auto parts, but is their belt ok to use (or is it crappy)?

Also, are there any Nissan specialty tools needed/available for this job? I just want to make the job as easy as possible, so I'm willing to pick up Nissan Spec. tools if I've gotta. (are there any other special tools I'll need?)

Any good online instructions for doing the belt?

Time estimates?

Thanks again for all the help, everyone! I'll post pics of the car once it's cleaned up!!

I'm picking it up tonight! :-)