Hi

When & how do i stop the love affair with my max. It has about 250k now - with original engine and transmission.

Within the past year, i have done the ff semi-major maintenance repairs:

-- changed fuel lines
-- changed brake lines
-- done break job - pads/rotors
-- did transmission service (just oil change)
-- replaced starter motor
-- replaced power steering hose

infact, around December, it passed the Maryland State Inspection flawlessly without the need for any repairs. The engine is still amazingly strong: drove it from Canada to Marlyland in July 2003; drove it back to Toronto in December, so it seems tempting to keep it. but:

I know i need to change the ff in the foreseeable future:
-- timing belt and water pump
-- decide to fix my whinning steering wheel pump or cope with the noice
-- suspension problems (need to replace shocks/struts)
-- new tires (in about a year)
-- investigate an electrical problem associated with change battery light (alternator is fine and battery is new)

What other major repairs do i forsee ?

Though I'm starting to build credit, I heard it would be possible for me, to get a high interest car loan to purchase a relatively newer maxima for around 6-8 grand, and do monthly payments for about $300.00.

Should I go for this, or spend about $2000.00 to fix this car within the next 6 months?

What would you advice?

cheers - Pinto

 

If you have to take out a loan to buy a 6-8 grand car, I'd highly consider keeping this one and maintain it. Contact Internetautomar for pricing on the future parts you need. He will lower that maintainance bill considerbly

 

if your on the original auto trans expect it not to last to much longer

 

When I was in a similiar delimma, Most of the 6-8 grand Maximas had 70,000 Miles and were 1997 GXE models, at the newest, with lots of them being 95s or 96s. I bet they would be reliable, but might need tires, waterpumps, accessory belts, tune ups,etc. It also seems like some of the older 4th gens are getting to the point of needing coil packs, or cps sensors for starting problems. I would be hesitant to drop alot of money on a 250K mile maxima with original tranny. What would you do if you spend 2 grand fixing what's wrong, and then have the tranny die? If I were you, I'd sell it as is, and look for a 92-94 SE 5 speed-due to reliablity of a five speed. Or look for a 4-5 grand 95 Maxima with 100K. Unless you could find a newer 3rd gen gxe with far less miles, good repair history, and a low price. Then again, if your car is reliable, maybe fixing it up is worth it, if you can risk the transmission. You can probably get decent tires for 300 dollars. Search out the cheapest repair options and add those up.

 

Thinking it over, I'd look for a 100-130K mile Maxima. Preferably 92 SE so you don't have the tbelt, and preferably the 5 speed. But any 89+ Maxima with lower miles, and up to date repairs paid by the previous owner would be a good buy.

 

What is that whine when u turn ya wheel...i changed hose n mechanic said my pump was still trucking... he mentioned possible Rack change... BIG $?

 

Actually, I'd probably look for a 4-gen 5-sp over a VE 5-sp (yeah I know)

Worst case for the 4-gen = bad motor. Cost for a good used one is less than $500

Same for the VE. Any DECENT low miler motor (that means 100k or less (eek) is going to be $800+

The used VQ30 for $500 or less should have well less than 100k. Plus no expensive VTCs to deal with.

 

Only thing is, I've seen more complaint/problem posts with 4th gen manuals than 3rd gen manual transmissions.

 

tough case here..if u sell ur car for x amount then ull have more money to get the same type of 3rd gen that brought u this far.Do the upgrade to an se in good shape an drive it another 2xx,ooo.

 

The water pump is not a big deal, I've done it on my car. If I remember correctly, just de-tension the belt, and it's about 4 bolts. Sort of a pain to get it off the motor though. Timing belt...I'm not sure how to do, I did replace the tensioner on my car though, because it has about 140,000...and I think it was about time.

Your car sounds to be in really good shape. I like hearing that too, since the more I read, the more it seems like these cars really do stand up well against age. If you like your car enough, I think it deserves the $2,000 for going this long, haha. As long as it's not rusted up or anything.

I heard it a few times when I would turn the wheel hard right/left, like when I was turning around or something. I don't hear it anymore though...

 

Well, thanks for all your responses....

1. re the whinning noice, the mechanics indicated I would have to replace the steering rack shortly, since it would not go away.

2. the car is rusting -- both wheel wells have big rust spots that have eaten their way into the metal, and other rust spots have started appearing.

3. the AC compressor makes noice, and is blowing hot air.

I think i like the suggestiong of getting an SE manual. so which year/gen is it:

1994, 1995, 1996 or 1997.... what are the pros and cons of each ?

thanks - Noela

 

If it were me, I'd bail now. The rust in and of itself is a huge problem. You'll never be able to stop that without some serious metal work, and I don't think you want to do that on a 250K car with the other issues. Mechanically, any part can be replaced, but rust is another thing altogether. Just my opinion.

 

Gotta agree on the rust problem being a major deal breaker.
get a 92-94, then you'll be able to save some of the parts off your old car if you want, cause it won't bring much when you sell it.

 

Why don't you have the timing belt on a 92 SE?

 

Because the VE30DE uses chains to drive the cams.

 

Ohhh ok, gotcha.
I was talking to the nissan dealer the other day about what maintaince I should be planning for because my SE just went over 120,000 and he was saying I should get the timing chain and water pump done soon. Does that sound about right? and what should I be expecting to pay for this job. Also, are there any other major things I should know about that need to be done to the VE engine around this milage? Thanks

 

Tell the Nissan dealer to shove his thumb up his **** because they don't know wtf they are talking about.
1) Ask them to open up the Nissan FSM and point to where it says 120k is close/near to the change interval. As there IS no recommended change interval. Only inspection of the chain and tensioner assemblies.
2) Water pump might not be a bad idea. I've never read about any failures here in these forums though.

Pay? From a dealer? ALOT!
T-chain: does it make noise? If not, forget it.
Water pump. I suppose it would be a $300 job from Nissan. Or a $150-$200 job from a decent mechanic

 

oh man, you got the story of my life right there..

-bought 91se @ 112-ish k miles in 2001 for $2800

-used it for 2.5years, then parted it out at 210k miles...made (as in profit over original cost) ~$700 in the process

-bought 94se @ ~120-ish k miles in jan 2004 for $2900
except used tranny ($350 or so) have yet to buy a single part for it (warranties of the father transfer down onto the son)

Talk about almost breaking even.

Since i have a garage now, I'm looking for another max to part out just for the heck of it...preferrably a ve so i have a spare motor and another spare tranny.

 

$300 for a water pump job on a 3rdgen? from the dealer? Where do you live - Fantasyland? Try about $5-600 or so.

 

Dealer labor rates vary widely between places.
once I saw a dealer charging $45 an hour labor when the normal rate by me was $100

 

My love affair is ending this year at only 169k. She's had the tranny rebuilt once, it's failing again, she needs new front shocks and struts, an induction service, new plug wires, new brakes. That's a good chunk of money, and since 2002, almost $2500 has been sunk into the max. The car is only worth $1795. The motor, being a VG, will never die, but the rest of the car is starting to feel its age mechanically. Exterior and interior wise she's perfect, it's just time to move on. I can't afford to sink more money into the car than she's worth. I'll probably get a 4th gen (97-99 is preferred). I'll always give 3rd gens mad respect though, they're my favorite body style and always will be.

 

I'd sell it before something goes wrong with it. On that old of a car it's a good idea to get rid of it before you have to pay for a timing belt change or transmission. Sell it to someone else and let them take their chances with it.

 

actually, i don't fully agree with that....the devil you know might be better than the "new-er" angel you don't know. He knows all what he's got done....there's only so much more that can go bad....tranny, exhaust manifold studs...suspension and tires are cheaper if you upgrade (17s WITH tires sell for ~$400; struts ~$210 for the set.) All you have to do is find someone willing to share the labor with you and learn how to do some stuff yourself. It will save you a crapload in the long run. Nothing better than the satisfaction of doing something yourself that wouldve cost you an arm and a leg in labor...my.02

 

Just buy my car and start a new love affair

 

i thought you'd sold your car!!

 

Drive it for six months. If something goes wrong,sell it and get another car. If not save your money and get a better car. You either have car payment and maintence, or just plain old maintence. It's your decision but a trany can be replaced with a warrenty. Go with what suits you.

 

Nah, I just have two cars right now. Well, three kinda. The new one sits, the old one sits, and the 93 toyota truck lives on.

We are currently sanding the hood and fender right now. Should be sprayed by Friday and then hopefully it'll sell within a week or two.

 

Failure as in going bad, just right out seizing, or both? lol

My white one came with a bad water pump, and Chris had his water pump replaced aswell. Mine was the first time I've heard of someone replacing the water pump then Chris told me his was replaced aswell. I Never really heard of anyone replacing it on the forum, or atleast no one that comes to mind.

 

My water pump pretty much seized. The bearings went bad, and I didn't change it in time...and it did just that, it stopped turning. It had been making a ricketing/rattling sound for a month before though, so it's not like it was a surprise. I don't think there's a interval where water pumps just "go bad" though, I'd say it's individual with each car. We had to get a U-haul dolly and tow my car home though...pretty embarassing.

 

With a car that old and with that many miles on the original motor and tranny, there's alot of things that can and will go wrong. I know what you mean when you say that he knows what he's got, but IMHO there's just too many things that will go wrong with the car. Transmission and motor are the big ticket items along with the costs of changing the timing belt. There's also all of the other little stuff that may have 250,000 miles if it hasn't been replaced already like fuel injectors, fuel pump, MAF, radiator, wheel bearings, window regulators, ball joints, shocks, wiring, motor and tranny mounts, etc., etc. If he pays $1,000 for a new tranny is he going to keep the car long enough to make the repair worth while? Buying a used car is always a risk but I think he'd be better off taking his chances with a lower mileage used car than sinking thousands into a car with almost 300,000 miles. Pinto, unless you are mechanically inclined and don't mind putting money into a decaying automobile, I'd sell it while it still works and buy a lower mileage used max

 

I don't know as I don't let my car near the Nissan dealers as their mechanics don't know squat. It's not that hard of a job.

 

Because I am not so mechanically inclined (i hope to learn when I eventually buy my own house, and have a car to play with) for now, I am MD (mechanic - dependent). For this reason, i think I should sell it....

Since I originally brought it from Canada, and titled it here, it means I have to drive it back and sell it there, since I heard you can't sell Canadian cars here...does you know if this is true..

Based on the description and the mileage (400K kilometres and 250K miles), with no AC, what do you think this car would fetch? or do you think i should sell it ASIS?

cheers - Noela

 

Honestly, I doubt that it is worth alot, being '91, 250K miles and no A/C. Your post doesn't mention how many miles are on the current timing belt. You said that you need shocks/struts. How bad are your shocks and struts? Basically, if your car is reliable you might want to drive it for one more year. If you can get by for a year without any repairs, it might be worth it. Or you could try and sell it and if you can get good money for it-sell it. If you can't, then try and drive it for 1 more year. Then again, if it's running condition is worth enough to use as a down payment on a slightly newer Maxima, of say $3-4000 and ~100,000 miles, it might be worth doing that.

 

Hi M,

thanks for the responses.... the timing belt should have about 100 miles on it. and I know should be due for a change.

The shocks and struts are not too bad...at least the car doesn't dance around on the freeway, but you feel it when you hit a bump - I can live with it.

If i can keep it for another, i would.... I can get the timing belt done as soon as possible.. what worries me is the transmission...i changed the oil last year... if it can last me for another year..is there anything I can do to prolong its life?
cheers, Noela