I am planning to buy a 99 maxima (GXE) with 61000 miles on it from a dealer. Dealer is asking about $8300, but may be after bargain I may get it at $8000.
Please give me some suggestions whether to go for this car or not, and if I can go for it then what precautions shud I take and what are the key things which I shud ask dealer abt the car.
I also have an option of 1999 honda accord with 95000 miles for about 7500$.
Thanks

 

I would take the max, less mileage and the price used is pretty much on par for that year.

 

I'd take the max but what car fits you better? What options are you getting on the max and accord? Lower mileage is ALWAYS a plus and if the accord is a V6 auto then I'd run away from it...

 

id pass on 1999

 

Thanks for the posts........its an Accord (1999) LX - Auto transmission and not a V6 engine. Advice me which one to choose for.

 

go look for a '97 max and save yourself some $$$.
If you want to save $$ on gas, buy the accord.

 

61K miles & the price isn't bad for a '99 .. should you get that Max, watch out for those ignition coils

 

so before buying it I shud ask whether the coils are replaced or not? what abt the Oxygen sensor and check signal on the display, which most of you guys are discussing, what shud I ask the dealer about these things.
plzz suggest me, I dont want to spend $8000 and repent later on.
Thanks

 

keep looking for a pre 99 maxima is my sugestion

 

got my max last summer for 10.5k 40k on itit was also a 99gxe to give you an idea what other 99 maxima are paying for it

 

That is not a bad deal, but if $8300 is the dealer asking price, do yourself a favor and start him at $6800. Don't be afraid to start low, because you can always go up, and make them work for their money! I sold used Hondas for almost 2 years, and there is room for them to come down much more than $300. Even if you go up, go up small, maybe a couple hundred to $7k and hang tough...they will come off of their price a little, and then you can start to hammer out and try to meet around $7300. If it won't happen at $7300, then you go up a little ($7500) so that way you show the dealer you are trying and working with them. Go up, but slowly, don't jump up $800 in 2 min! Let them work for it!

 

From the dealer asking price you have $2000 to play around with. Bargain accordingly. Find out as much of the maintenance history as you can. If you are a gear-head and DIY then buying the car will be no problem becuase whatever needs fixing this org is here to help you every step of the way. If you are not a gear-head then i'd suggest you getting a limited warranty for 6 months to one year. It will help you.
Nothing serious to look out for since the car only has 61,000 miles. You will probably end up changing alot of things as preventative maintenance anyway. A 60k tune-up. Make sure you make the dealer aware of that while bargaining.
Maxima will be ALOT more fun than the accord. Is the Max an auto or manual?

 

max > accord

nuff said. 99's got coil problems so....

 

so... that's why you should buy a '97 or '98

 

Its a 99 GXE model, Auto transmission, 6 cylinder, 61000Miles. The dealer I am buying this car is not a nissan dealer, he is a general dealer and has all kind of cars......I donno whether he will give any kind of warranty or not.
Thanks

 

with a maxima, you won't need a warranty; i say buy it as long as it isn't a cali spec 99......if it is go find another one

but even then i have an auto cali spec and still love it

 

Make sure he is a very reputable dealer, and make sure you check out the car thoroughly then. Most big dealers don't keep cars that were totaled on their lot, and I have seen these general dealers come and buy those from us, so besides carfax (which is known to miss accident reports), have a mechanic you trust take a look at the car as well. Besides checking for mechanicals, have him make sure the car wasn't whacked or totaled before. If all checks out, then go for it!

 

Go with the Maxima. I heard of tranny problems with the Honda Accord...sad given that Honda does make good products.

I have a 97 Maxima GXE. I bought it used with 82,000 miles on it in 2001. I finalized the deal with the condition that my mechanic look it over...the dealer paid for any repairs. My mechanic even said to go with the Maxima...at 82,000 miles the engine was still breaking in and it was famous for being a good performer...easy to work on and incredibly reliable.

I now have 174,000 miles on my Max and it runs great. Routine maintenance and the routine oil changes...no problems. I would buy another Max in a heartbeat.

Just my O2.

 

I bought a '95 GLE last June and have since put 10k miles on it. Its been great and very reliable. The only thing that makes me hesitate about recommending Maximas is that they performed poorly in the Insurance Institutes crash testing. You can find more info at www.hwysafety.org. I was disappointed to find this out, and if I were you I would check how the Accord performed and make your buying decision accordingly. At the very least buy the car that comes with side airbags. It only takes one accident....

Greg

 

There are enough advantages with the '99 (better security system is one) that cancel out the possible problems with the ignition coil packs. I bought a '99 with 74K on it 10 months ago and I haven't had a single engine problem, for what it's worth.

Definitely get the Max over the Accord. And 5-speed Maxes are much more fun than autos....MUCH more fun. Also, as someone mentioned, make sure it's not a California spec model (you can tell by the VIN if you have it) unless you are not performance oriented.

 

Yeah Cali models are better on Gas MPG, I have a 99 SE Cali (soon to be fed), I Changed the Coils at 76K (I bought the car with 61K for $9000 in march 2003, and i have every GLE option on my SE -leather heated seats -sunroof -bose, even Traction Control (and a security chip in the key), and that was almost 2 years ago. take into account depreciation and that GXEs have the least of options, give the guy $6K-7.3K that's what a 99 GXE costs nowadays anything more is a ripoff IMHO. my friend is a dealer, they buy cars at an auction and sell them for $2-3K more on the lot.

I drove V6 auto accord it's more for people who want to feel less amount of driving feedback. that car takes you where you want to go with the body roll, slow response, and that classical dull driving feeling that i associate when i drive an accord or camry.

If you enjoy to drive get a nissan, but if driving is a byproduct you have to deal with while getting to your destination, get a camry 4-cylinder so you save on gas too.

what's so bad about 99s? besides the Cali emissions???? and faulty coils?? ($350 and never have a problem ever again and improve engine responce)

 

i think he is asking alittle too much money for a GXE. Maybe for a SE or GLE the price would be good. You can get like a 97 or 98 for 6 or 7 thousand.

 

Personally i wouldnt buy from any dealer. Private party you will get alot better of a deal . Bought my 98 GXE 5spd w/96k for $4300 in good condition.

In my opinon the Accord V6's handing is superior to the Maxima. Everything about the Accord V6 beats the Maxima and is an overall better car minus the power of the I4. If you like power than stay away from the Accord I4. If you read enough on the org you have probably heard of the poor interor build of the Max as well as the crappy rear suspension and overboosted steering.

 

Steering on the 97-99 SE is perfect, not overboosted. The GXE and GLEs are looser and cushier.

 

hell if i knew you was looking for a 99 nissan maxima i would sell you mine for 7000, im in the proccess right now to get the starter fixed.

 

I used to work at a Honda, and I absolutely hated the way the Accord drove. As mentioned before, it's a great family driver back and forth, but I couldn't go through a corner like my Max would. There is much more body roll, even with the Accord coupes, and it almost seems like a chore in corners. Also, the 98-02 Accords have the worst auto transmission available. It hesitates on the 1-2 upshift, like it's thinking about it before finally doing it. Not only that, but the VQ is much more rev happy and I think a smoother engine.

Want a sports sedan, get the Maxima, because for the money you are looking to pay, it's the best bargain.