I've been driving a 2004 SE with everything but a nav in it for about 3.5 years now. I sold a 96 4Runner so it was a big switch for me to get back into a car but I wanted a changed. I test drove a ton of sport sedan types before buying the Max. It won out on bang for the buck.. leg room, I loved the back of the car, power and interior design. I think I'm over the car honestly and considering selling it.

I hate the front end and it was my plan to change it the first year. The 2 or 3 kits available are horrible and the grill replacements are so so. I honestly don't really like any of the aftermarket parts available and that is a huge downer for me because previous gens have so much to choose from. Every time I get ready to buy a custom part for it I hesitate and another 3 months pass. I can't bring myself to drop any money into it.

I owe about $11k on it and it looks like they are going for around $17k. Should I sell the car because my hearts not into it or should I try and find something to do to the car to make me happy?

Everyone keeps asking me what I would get if I sold it. Honestly... I'm considering a Cooper because of the aftermarket lot and then buying a relatives Toyota pick up for next to nothing just to have a truck as well. I just want to feel good about dropping money into the car you know? Honestly I'd have to drop about... $3000-$5000 into my Max to get the stance, performance and look I'd really like. I just don't see doing it

 

Sounds like you've already decided what you're going to do.

BTW - the Cooper is a great car. My wife is going to get one in a about a month. 6 speed S model. What a gal!

 

I just keep waiting for someone to come out with a front lip that will make me keep the car and still nothing. I'm considering the Cooper because of all the options that come with it and because my wife and I have a Honda Pilot that gets the family around with ease. My car was supposed to be the "fun" one for the weekends.

 

yep.. u know what u want...

 

if your not happy with it don't keep it. the 6 gens just don't seem like as much fun as the previous maximas IMO. i drove my friends mom's and its just kinda big and bulky.

 

I voted for keeping the car...

Yeah the front end looks terrible, that's true. Lowering the ride, blacking out the headlights+eyelids and a custom painted oem grille would help a lot, but it still wouldn't look as good as the 2k2-k3 Max... The back of the car makes the A34 unique. Just my $0,02

BTW, the Mini Cooper is like a flying six-foot bungalow so be ware

 

Do you honestly want to be seen in a cooper? I guess if you're trying to pick up chicks, but I'd be berated so badly that I'd have to move (seriously). It's just not manly, unless....

 

I don't know what would be involved, but maybe you should get a conversion to make it look like a 2007 max. I hate the 04-06 front end to but I think that what they did with the 07 makes it look so much better. I've also seen some org member's 6th gens with body kits and some of them look good IMO.

 

I considered getting the fenders/hood etc but I figured it would run me at least $5k or more with the Xeon lights and everything. I just didn't think it was worth it. Maybe I should look into it more.

As for the Cooper... which is just a consideration at this point... does everyone really think they are gay looking? I thought a few were super sick looking.

 

You should get two Mini's....so you can wear 'em like rollerskates


Seriously though, the Mini is kinda (imo) and you said one of the reasons you got the Max was the legroom. If you really want something that has a huge aftermarket you should get a 240. Why spend more money for less car?

 

Man, its a car.....if you dont like it, sell it. Get a Mini, trick it out, get bored with it, sell it. Get a new car, trick it out, sell it........its a vicious cycle but hey, what the hell? Keeps things interesting!

 

Just changing the grille make a big different, but sounds like you want to move on. Going to a Mini from a 6th gen is a big change, in both size and power. If there's nothing wrong with the car, why not wait a bit and get Mini as a second can that you can mod the hell out of?

 

IMO I would sell the max and get a 240. They have a HUGE aftermarket and about 5 different engine swaps you can do. And you wont spend as much money on the parts as you would with a mini. Im about to buy a 240 my self, but im keeping the max as a DD. Now i just need to decide what engine to drop in the 240!

 

Get the Mini, my friend has an 05 Mini Copper S in a 6 speed superchaged(the new ones are Turbos) and the car is amazing. It is faster then a maxima stock, the can handels like its on rails(like a gocart) the car has almost perfect weight distrabution( something like 45-55) and its not that bad in the snow. I drive my friends mini when ever i get the chance. If it wasnt for the fact that i have an s2000 as a "fun" car i would buy a mini.

 

I'm assuming with the weight distro it's a hard top? I wonder how the convertible drives without the added weight of the glass and such. I am going to drive one nexi week once I get some time.

 

Hey if you're coming out of the closet, get the mini and ditch the max.

A cooper S is still slower than a 6th gen too, not that its a massive difference but the car being so little might make it feel faster

 

Its a huge difference between the max, and a mini.. so it comes down to u..
If i wanted to get something other than a max, i'd go wit a lexus or bmw...IMO

 

on that. yea if i did that id probably get a luxury car or suv to tool around in as a DD and have a lease on it and then use the maxima as a project car or a weekend car. just my .02

 

Sold my Nissan to get a M3

 

If you not satisfied with your car you should get another. But plan it out to see if it'll be financially wise. My mom has a Cooper for her fun/weekend car and.... the front seats are comfy and provides ample spacing but anything behind that are nonexistent.

Nice, I sold my Corolla to get a 330i and C240.

 

thats a big change from 4runner to max to a cooper lol. but if u are tired of the car, new mods can only make you happy for a month or two before u get tired of it again. just sell it

 

boost a 240sx or sc300 FTW!!

 

Definitely sounds like what your decision will be, but whether you go with the Mini Cooper or some other car don't let some of the people pass their Haterade about the little beast onto you. It handles superbly and if you're into the go-cart feel it's definitely a good choice.

Be wary that it'll be a big change going from the Max to the Cooper and know for sure what type of car you're shopping around for. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

KA-T baby!!!!!!!

 

mini's are wack man. I took one on the new york thru-way a couple months back in my car. Not what I expected. If I was in your shoes, I would go on edmunds.com and just look at every car/truck (if you are considering a truck) and see what you like. For $30-35k you can get a 04-05 Audi S4. Car is super fast plus it looks amazing. Otherwise I would buy a BMW 330xi, or even the new IS350.

 

Please reread the initial post made about the owing money and the truck he is getting next to nothing. Its not difficult is it? If you have experience with German cars you would realize the maintenance that goes into those cars.

 

Yea German cars = maintenance galore.

 

What is not difficult? tell me


And he said he's considering picking up the truck.

Do I care that you think you're this guys spokesman?

 

if you're heart isn't in it, selling it is is going to inevitable, IMO.

 

The difficulty I was referring to was reading the initial post. The OT still owes money on his current car when you suggest a higher priced car that costs more in maintenance when money is an issue its not a smart choice.

#1 no where in the post has the poster listed the 30k-35k price range.

#2 because you took a mini on a trip and not what you've expected you think they are whack. Any more info? Because my mom has a mini for her fun/weekend car and I don't see any issue with it except for the color choice.

#3 you are stating what you would do and not what is best for the OT.

No I'm not his spokesman but telling you that you did not read.... if you are one of those people who just read the title and post away feel free to ignore this post as it does nothing. You got called out with your incorrect and irrelevant info and yet unable to support it but responded by calling me a spokesman? Not very civilized but I've been in worst. Let me know if I am wrong because that way I can learn from my mistakes and not have my ego in the way. Flaming/bashing is not in my nature and I seem to get a vibe on this board. But I've learned to not post anymore on this board to prevent any further conflicts.