What's up everyone. I am finally in this forum as new owner of a 2003 Max, SE. I bought it damaged and am about to purchase parts for it. But would like to know what are some neat replacements for the factory parts that I might as well buy.

I am definitely replacing the rear bumper and front fender. Here are a few pics:









This is my first 5th gen, after owning 2 4th gens, so I am new to this model.
I have searched a bit already, but am looking for suggestions from current owners about mods you found worthwile. Body kits, lights, whatever.
Thanks

 

Doesnt look very damaged. Wasn't totalled was it?

 

Clear corners... tint windows...

 

I'm sorry, but to me that thing looks pretty wrecked.... it kinda looks a little twisted, but that could just be the camera angles... I guess it could be worse...

 

Yup, unfortunately the title is salvage. But I am gonna try to work some magic to restore the title to clean instead reconstructed. If you guys know a way to do so, let me know.

 

Oh yeah, mods.... I'm not one for cosmetic mods.... but I guess clear corners would be a nice start... followed by some sort of suspension to lower the car, which would help with both looks and handling.... after that then maybe a kit... the Stillen kit is not bad... then I guess rims next?

 

Yeah, I was thinking about a kit. Stillen is a beauty, but I also looked at the kits on e-bay (kombat or whatever) they run about 300 + ship, but I just cannot handle the rear bumper with the air dam looking things. I like the front though.
Skyline kit is a bit much for me...
If you have some pictures of a silver 5th gen that is really smooth, post them please.

 

clear corners, and a rear strut bar, tints, chrome gauge rings, white fogs, myabe DDE's if you know how to do them, and springs and struts. For body kits, i think stillen classic is hot, not too ricey, but perfect.

 

get a berk intake for that really nice growl. PM cobymoby

 

Got Turbo?

 

Damn, I hope you got a GOOD deal on that car, because there doesn't appear to be an untouched body panel. That driver's side rear quarter panel is scary. Looks like you even have to replace the driver's side front door. Good luck with the body work. I suggest before you even worry about mods, try to get rid of the just driven off a cliff look.

 

More power to you . I hope your repairs go well. If you dont mind, how much did you pay for her? Please keep us......... well at least me updated with your repair pics. I have been continplating doing a restore my self on a old 5.0 Mustang.

 

Once a car loses its clean title I don't think you can ever go back to it - it'll be branded as salvage forever (I think, maybe it's different by state?)

But then again if you plan to drive the car until its wheels fall off this shouldn't be a problem for you.

 

I am really interested to know what he gave for that car!!!!

 

What ever he paid was probobly too much. A vehicle history report will always show the salvaged title. I sell cars for a living and we wont touch a car with a salvaged title with a ten foot pole.

The problem is that to purchase and fix that car correctly will cost almost as much as buying a straight 02 or 03 with a clean title. The car will always look like it has had body and paint work done to it. Also, forget about getting full coverage insurance for the retail value. Even if someone else hits him, and totals it, their insurance co. wont give him much for it.

Owning a car like that is a good way to get

 

Don't poop on his parade. I think it will be fun for him to restore it. You really do need to get over the "just drove off a cliff look"... I had a 3 Series BMW that was salvage titled. Dealers won't touch it, but if you go to certain parts of town and the car looks good, they won't care if the title says "space garbage"... Fix it up and post some pics. You can probably go a little wild with the color since the whole car will have to be repainted... Good Luck!

 

Suspension, intake, exhaust, sway bar, strut bars.

 

looks like you'll need a new front and rear quarter panel, front and rear door skin, rear bumper, and possibly a new front bumper. there also looks to be a possibiity of damage to the drivers side frame as the front bumper is badly aligned and the drivers headlamp is tilted upwards. you definitely have your work cut out for you...

since you'll be replacing the rear bumper and fixing or replacing the front this is a good opp to put on the stillen kit. check sig out for examples since it is the same color car. good luck!

 

It's not that bad trust me I have an 02 SE thats also salvage and it's 10 worst damage then yours. I have to put it on the frame machine and pull the whole front down, left quarter out and roof wich was mangled by the fork lift at auction GL in any case. As for the title you'll just be able to get it to reconstructed, if you find a way to clear it let me know

 

All right, boys and girls let me reply to all:

- The car will cost me less than $9000 after repairs.

- Derrick, there are many people out there who would love to buy a 2003 Maxima with 20K miles on it for lets say $12,000 especially after I show them pictures of previous damage, that didn't affect motor, frame, nor suspension in any way.

Yes, if I took it to some bodyshop that has a bunch of stiffs working, I would pay an arm and a leg to get it repaired. I on the other hand have a friend who owns a body shop that will do the repairs for so cheap that it is silly. I also deal in auto parts, so I can get replacement parts as cheap as possible.

- Thunder, I will keep it same color. On such damage you paint the parts that have been repaired + blend in on parts directly touching the repaired ones. So only about half of the car will be painted.

- As far as title goes, most likely it will have the "reconstructed" title after repairs and inspection. I say most likely, cause it is unlikely to get the title back to clean. Only way this happens from what I've found out is in some states that a BMV can make a mistake with the paperwork. (and yes it has happened on more than one occasion).

- BeSeen and anyone else, if you are looking for a damaged ride especially if you live in the midwest, let me know and I'll see what I can find for you. Most of the time title will be salvage, but sometimes I get my hands on clean ones as well. Parts and a body shop are also arranged as inexpensively as it gets. Let me know if you guys need something.

 

Almost forgot, BP - Great looking max. 2 Thumbs up!