Howdy folks.

Just going to look at a max today that I'm quite keen on from the pics. I'd just like peoples advice on any common problems or things to watch for, in particular things that won't bring the CEL on It looks to be in near perfect condition, but looks can be deceiving!

All help appreciated,

Matt

 

Check for rust....especially near the lower raidiator support. I don't think this will apply to you in Australia, but its what we look for here in the states.

If the car doesn't come with full records, ask when/if the coils were changed, as those went bad on the VQ30s...especially the 99 model year.

Drive the car hard...make sure ABS works properly, tranny doesn't slip and every gear works, handles well under WOT, ect.

Make sure there are no fluid leaks...and check the exhaust to see if its relatively new. Other than that you should be alright...as I bought my car 10 minutes after i laid eyes on it. (i still checked it out and drove it)

 

Full records are apparently there -religiously serviced by Nissan.

This one's a '99, so will definitely ask if it's not in the history Will also check out where he keeps the car (it's garaged) and have a look at the floor for any marks etc.

Will be making a mental note of all tips

Thanks

 

How many miles does the car have?

Also if the interior is black then you shouldnt have to worry too much about marks on the floor...and if the floormats are rly dirty, you can get replacements for $70 from courtesy parts.

 

75K miles.

And yes floormats are easy done Think the carpets are grey to match the leather.

 

There could be problems hidden anywhere in any car you buy, i cant tell u what to look for exactly but i can tell u how u can get the seller to knock the price down...

Look under the engine, literaly climb under and check for leaks if there are any touch it with ur finger and show the oil to the seller, tell him u think some gasket is leaking and that should knock off some cash.

then with the trunk lid closed push the car down to see how the suspension feels, if it bounces too much it needs to be replaced (shocks in the back) or if its squealing or making other noises tell them the shocks are busted and need to be replaced. u can do the same to the front end (but there are struts there, not shocks).

check the interior for rips and cigarette burns, check all the electronic buttons if they work, if some dont that could be a blown motor or switch, which will knock the price down.

Dont go overboard, first argue a little, tell them u like the car, but something bothers u then argue a little more, remember the person NEEDS to get rid of the car so thats what they are there for.

good luck, use this thread to let us know how it turned out afterward ( no need to waste thread space )

 

Yeah I know there's a standard list that applies to all cars General checks I can do, just wondering if there's anything in particular that goes wrong on the max that I should keep a keen eye for.

Single owner and it sounds like the car has been loved and religiously serviced for it's entire life but you just never know.

 

check for changed headlights a sign of an accident look for overspray under the car wear the splash guards are another indicator of a front accident. pull the modeling in the back where to door shuts to check if a quarter panel had to be welded on another sign of an accident.

 

I don't think he is talking about floormats or carpets. I think he means he is going to check for stains on the garage floor.

 

lol yes i am :P easy check for leaks...

 

Yes you mean the carpets? Or yes you mean the garage floor? If it is black you won't really see the stains. If it is tan you will be able to find them but if it has a sunroof and that leaked it will be an easy tell.

 

The garage floor dude!

If there's leaks there will either be marks on the garage floor, or even see if there's evidence they had catch can or carpet or something down to keep the floor clean.

 

what if he decides to meet u somewhere else then his house ? ---> check under the car

 

Will be at his house... i will be checking the car anyway, it's just a doublecheck.

 

i always test drive the car and then while im out away from the owner, really inspect it for problems/leaks. I find this works best, esp for leaks, drive it kinda hard, pull into a parking lot or such, and check under the car for obvious leaks.

 

1) make sure the car is cold, and has been sitting for at least a few hours (preferably overnight) when you go look at it. cold start noises and other problems cease to exist once a car warms up.

2) take rad cap off before you start -- look for corrosion, gelling, etc.

3) when you do start it, have someone else start it for you while you are under the hood listening for any problematic noises.

4) pull the plugs out and inspect them. it's not a big job, just do it. I'll never buy another used car without inspecting the plugs first.

5) and take a flashlight with you to look down into the plug tubes to look for carbon build up.

6) also point the flashlight into the oil filler hole and look for sludge.

7) wipe some ATF on a clean paper towel -- is it still bright pink, or is dark reddish brown? confirm any ATF service performed.

8) check to make sure the heat & AC work.

9) check to make sure the parking brake works & rear calipers aren't stuck

 

The two 4th Gens that I and my family owned have had to have the starters replaced. 60k on mine 80k on my aunts, not sure if its common or if we got the luck of the draw..

 

Yes deffinetly check the radiator support frame take the splash guards off and check for rust. My 97 max's was rotted through i found out the hard way after buying it and had to have it welded for a few hundred dollars.

 

Didn't fit

Won't be joining the max's i'm afraid.

I'm a rather large bloke (6'6" and fairly solid), handbrake was hard up against me when pulled up, not so much of an issue but too hard getting in and out, too much of an ordeal for a daily driver.

 

haha that sucks HAHAHA even more, sorry man, all this effort from us to get u to buy a max and we've overlooked perhaps the MOST important point of ALL!!!1 COMFORT!!!!

but there are not many 6'6 folks around so it would have been hard to predict, yeah dont forget this car was built by the japanese, and those guys are like 5'5 MAX HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA EVEN MORE!!!!!!!

well at least now u know a BUNCH of information about the maxima, feel free to stay here and enjoy...! nice meeting an aussie (PS: kick my friend Trent in the nuts for me if u find him ok ? )