I brought my 2001 Maxima into Nissan today because it's been running rough and been having trouble with the check engine light. Long story short, a potential $2,200 bill... $1,400 for a new catalytic converter and $800 to replace the coil pack. Car has 85,000 miles and will be paid off in June, so was really looking forward to now having a car payment. Do I trade in and just go new, or fork over the $2,200 and hope she keeps going?

 

buy the coils and replace them yourself......replace the catalytic and keep it..

 

It really depends on what you want to do. Are you in the market for a new vehicle? Maybe you'll enjoy not having any payments for a year or two, who knows? My .02 is replace the cat with a more cost effective one (high flow?) and find some used coil packs on the internet or GB. Your car looks to be in really good condition why not keep it for a little while longer then upgrade when you feel you really need to. Have you had many problems with your car before?

 

replace the coilpacks yourself and the cat and keep driving them max. the dealer is just trying to make money. there is a gb on coilpacks going on.

 

I really was not in the market for a new car until this came up. I guess my big disadvantage is that I'd have no idea where to begin replacing the parts myself. I have not had many problems with the car otherwise, and bring it for regularly scheduled service to a local guy I trust and is good friends with the family. Any suggestions on places to purchase the cat? I'll check the GB as well. Thanks!

 

alot of places sell cats. you can get a stock one or a high flow. just search around.
coil packs are simple to replace and try the gb or call daveb but i dont know how much he will charge you

 

yup, just posted on the gb... thanks guys, looks like i am in good shape on the coil packs, just looking into the cat now. this will save me a lot of money, appreciate your help

 

when you get the parts let me know i will help you out on the install

 

is it me or is anyone else confused when he said 1400 for a catalytic converter? They are less then 100 bucks dude!!!

 

thats what i was thinking too

 

Not from Nissan dude.

 

Look for an OEM cat at a junkyard.... or an aftermarket one for like $150.

 

I'll tell you what I would do.....

First get the coil packs online and replacement yourself.These commonly go bad on the 5th generation. (mine went on my 2000 at 30K) If you can change a spark plug you can do the packs. Online you can get six packs for ~$300.00

Then, go to Pepboys and get your own OBDII scanner for ~$85. Reset all the codes, then see what codes come back.
(Seems to me a dead cat on a 2002 would be uncommon and maybe it is really OK. So I would replace that last)
If the cat is really bad, shop around.

I would say never go to the dealer unless you know what the codes are before hand. This way you have an idea of what they are telling you is correct.

 

The link in my signature shows how to replace your ignition coils and a test for them that may show you only have replace as few as one of them rather than all six. The cat is extremely easy to do also. If you have never worked on your car, the things you need to do are an easy and perfect place to start. There is no need to scrap the Max now.

Fat

 

You know what stinks, you sir just gone pass out of warranty for your cat. Federal emissions laws warranty the cat untill 80k miles. if was you under 80k they would of done it no questions asked.

 

i paid $400 for my new coil packs. My 2000 Max was having a lot of trouble too, and it turned out to be a MAF sensor.

 

Well it could be either the MAF or the coils.
Usually its the coils esp on 5th gens but the MAF is also know for going bad!

 

Stealerships........geeeeeez, its sad how many people get took by them. Thank goodness for this board or I would prolly be one of them.

 

Hey go to the regional forums and see if you have any org members that live close to you to help you out. Mostly everyone here is willing to help another org member for free, well all you'd probablt have to provide is food/drinks. Maybe meet up with someone and see what they suggest but man in no way pay 2200 for a cat and coils. If you want all originals get in contact with Dave B he gets everyone parts for very good price. My suggestion if you can use that 2200 is get some headers either hotshot or cattman and then a full catback either frankencar or cattman plus a nice intake. Even after all that you'd still have alot of money left over for suspension parts or anything else

 

Aftermarket hi-flow cat installed = $150
6 ssed replacement coils = $150
New MAF = $120
Total = $420
Having a fast car again = priceless

 

Ugh, I hope I don't run into these problems soon. 72K miles right now....I took my car to the local Nissan dealer a couple of months ago and said I wanted my warranty to pay for a new MAF and power window motors and the guy insisted they were fine. Hmmm....

But to answer your question, I would agree with the previous posts and keep your Max. I will keep mine until I am forced to part with her....

 

HA, the stealer told me, "why would we replace a $700 part (MAF) when it doesn't need to be?"

What is wrong with people?

 

You guys ROCK!! It is cool that y'all are going to make sure this individual doesn't get taken and are even willing to help him put his ride back together. You remind me of why I belong here!

 

You can save even more money by testing each coil pack to see which one died. I'm sure just 1 out of the 6 packs died. Stealerships usually insist on replacing all 6 coils for some reason, which is a waste of money. You can test them with an ohm meter or buy 1 front & 1 rear coil pack and do trial & error until it runs smooth.

I doubt it's your MAF since you have a 2k1, but if it still runs rough after replacing the suspected coil pack, then look into replacing the MAF, which is pretty cheap at the dealer or off other members.

I'd also suggest buying an aftermarket cat and getting a local muffler shop to install it for you. Much cheaper route.

I'm sure a local max enthusiast in your area can help you out with this.

 

haha they bullied you

 

It's like everyone else said. Those are two of the easiest repairs to do. If you know anyone who works on cars they can help. Even a guy who just does his own brakes, oil changes etc... could easily handle both jobs. If it's the MAF that's even easier.

If it's throwing codes get them pulled for free at your local Auto Zone or Pep Boys and post the codes here. That can confirm the problem before you buy parts.

What ever you do, don't buy the parts at your local dealer.
Get the coils from Dave B. and find an aftermarket cat for under $200.

Keep the Max if you still enjoy it. Once you resolve these issues the car should be solid.

 

60,000 and still going strong!

Don't get rid of the car for such a small problem!

 

holy crap 1400 for cat converter? and you actaully believed them? you need more knowledge about cars. and like veryone else is saying, its not going to cost you 2k to fix your car, probalby not even 300. if you only replace couple coils and replace the cat, plus the new MAF. if you take care of it, that car could last you up to 200,000 miles.

 

Also, If you try to trade in a car that's not running properly they'll kill you on the trade-in value. I sell cars at a large dealership and that's what we do. It puts you in a really weak negotiating position.

 

New member here. Who's Dave B.?

 

Twista 69, Dave B in the guy who gets nissan OEM parts for org memebers for a very fair price.

WHen i read this i was like wtf when he said 1,400 for a catalytic converter?!?!?!?! The part that has 4 bolts? RIDICULOUS. Thank god we have the forum.