Considering picking up a 93 GXE w/ 140K for 2100, well that's the asking price, thinking that's a little high, what do you all think?

Anyhow, I know the tension on the timing belt is sensitive, but besides that, what are some common problems with these, and what should I be looking for when examining the car? I believe it's got the VG engine, correct me if I'm wrong, the difference between that and the VE is the timing belt vs. a chain correct? Any reading material would be great. I don't want to start a debate, but what's the better engine and why?

And the transmission, are they known for any problems?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks much!

 

2100 sounds little high. I bought a VE 5 for 700 but it had a broken crossmember other then that is was not that bad of a car. What depends on the price is really what condition is it in and what kind of features and maintenance has it had. Those all come into play. I have a VG and personally I very pleased with it. The auto tranny did not shift good at all so I converted to VE 5 LSD tranny which is much better and much more fun to drive Most crucial maintenance on the VG would have to be injectors and Timing belt along with other normal wear and tear.

 

With rare exceptions, VG transmissions fail between 100K and 150 K. If the car hasnt had a new/rebuilt transmission put in you can safely assume that it will soon fail. VG timing belts need changing at 60k, 120 k etc. It can be pushed to 70K, 140K etc. Ask for timing belt change receipts that show when the last belt was replaced. If you can do the belt replacement yourself, great otherwise it will cost about $700- $800 at a shop (all belts, waterpump, thermostat etc). If its got a new/rebuilt transmission and the timing belt has been changed recently, then $2000 is fair if the engine is running well and the car is in clean condition. Otherwise stay away, unless you are good at working on the car (major stuff)

 

I'm at 171,000 but yeah, the transmission is most likely in its twilight years.



At 140,000 you need to find out if the timing belt has been done recently and if any injectors have been replaced. That would be VERY important information. If not there is no way it is worth $2100 (even if they have it's still too high).

 

on the AT transmission and the T-belt work being done or otherwise they will need to be done soon.

Another common problem with older Nissan V6 engines (both the VG and VE) are broken exhaust manifold studs. Look them over as best you can. Try to look for black exhaust marks around where the manifold meets the block and also listen for a slight ticking.

 

If it does not have ABS, then it has rear drum brakes. It stops the car fine, but it tends to go out of adjustment.

I've heard the same issue about the auto transmission, but I am at 185K miles and it still shifts good like it did 10 years ago when I bought the car at 65K miles. If the previous owner kept up on the tranny fluid changes, it should hold up.

I went through the usual problems areas - ex manifold head studs & injectors. Otherwise, it has been a very trouble free car. The CV's are still original, alternator, water pump are still original as well. The car is still on it's 2nd battery.

2100 is high.

 

Here is a Maxima I checked out on Craigslist for 2900:

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/car/315371200.html

They relisted for 2000:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/car/327340578.html

I checked it out for that price, but knowing the Axles needed replacing (Not a big deal) AND no info on timing belt/Transmission.....I decided not to chance it. I like 'em but not at the possibility of having a $700-$1100 job 5 months down the road. Really too bad, because the both the [clean]engine and Tranny were smooth.

-Jim

 

I have a 93 gxe with 212,000 on it with the original engine and transmission, both work great. The only repairs I've done on the engine is replacing the alternator, replacing the exhaust manifold studs, and having the timing belt replaced as periodic maintenace. I've had the timing belt changed at a shop for about $300, you don't want to skip changing it because you're in for some major repair work if it breaks. If you are mechanically inclined and have spare time it's only $30 for the belt and you cna change it yourself. The exhaust studs definitely are an issue on the vg engines, mine cost $600 to have replaced but again if you are mechanically inclined and have time you can do it yourself for much less. Except the time that my alternator went out my car has never left me stranded and never given me any problems. The VE engines have the timing chain instead of a belt so there isn't a need to periodically change it. You will find lots of people with VTC problems though if you read through the posts. Each engine has it's own set of problems but most people on the forum seem to be pretty happy with reliability. Even if my engine failed tomorrow I still got 212,000 trouble free miles from it.

 

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions. What's a sign to look for in these cars for a failing transmission? Hard shifts? Which gears?

What's a good price to offer, is 1500 still too much? Edmunds has it listed for right around that amount.

 

Test drive it. Put the transmission in power mode (the switch). Go hard on the acceleration from stand still. see if it slips (1st and 2 gear mainly is what gets screwed). note the rpms at which it shifts. report to this board and ask orgers for comparison.

price is what you can bargain for. An if you are willing to risk loosing it.

 

One more thing that is prone to fail.

Window regulators, my left rear one just broke about an hour ago....:-(

 

My drivers side window bangs when it reaches the bottom, hope it doesn't crap out on me.

 

Since you asked about the transmission, mine just failed completely [left my sister stranded] at 150k, so be very careful. If I'm not mistaken, they are the same transmissions from older Nissan Sentra's, which are 4 cylinder cars, so you pretty much have a transmission designed for a weak 4 cylinder engine on a 6 cylinder car. If you're looking for a car with ~140k, I would either stick with manual trannies only, or look for another car altogether, maybe a 4th gen.

 

Actually, older Stanzas use the same automatic transmission, which are also 4-cylinder cars.

If you look at it another way, I suppose the automatic transmission lasts pretty long time on a Stanza with regular maintenance.

 

Am I missing something, didn't Nissan use the VE engine in the SE model only or did some GXE models get the VE engine too? The seller is stating he thinks it's got a chain instead of a belt, in other words, if it is a belt it's never been changed? Anyhow, just found out there's some body work which needs to be done as well, and there's only slight movement on the price, so it'll be a no go.

 

89-91 se has the vg engine only
89-94 gxe has the vg engine only
92-94 se is the only model maxima to have the VE engine..

 

Fixed

 

Thanks for the confirmation! I wonder if he's the original owner, no timing belt replacements w/ over 140K is pretty scary.

 

is that for the a/t only? I'm going to try and do a 5speed swap but of course, I don't want to buy a m/t with ~150k miles and have it fail a week later. hopefully you are only talking about the a/t and that the m/t is at least somewhat more durable.

 

I think the biggest thing to look for is rust, make sure the rear door jambs are rust free (bottom corner by the tires) and the fuel filler neck. That was apparently a huge issue with these cars too.