Hey all,

I've Found a local guy selling a black '97 5spd locally for $4500 obo.

My car: '97 rosewood with 149k miles, auto, black leather interior, sunroof, BOSE (flaky), y-pipe, RSB, well taken care of, body is in great condition except for some scrapes on the lower front bumper.

Car for sale:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/384210275.html
A '97 black on black, 136k, 5spd, bose, ABS.

He said he'd be willing to take a look at my car and consider a trade, what do you think would be a reasonable amount of cash to throw in in addition to my car? My guess is he'll blow the flaky audio and possibly the mileage difference way out of proportion. I'm hoping the fact that it's an auto will actually make it more appealing to a dealer since my guess a 4 door "family sedan" is easier to sell with an automatic. I will definitely try to have my Y-pipe and RSB switched over if I do make the swap.

 

Go to www.kbbcom &/or www.nada, compare your cars (options condition etc), take it from there.

 

I really don't think you should have to pay him anything, really despite the difference in miles, which is minor. Automatic tranny Maximas are far easier to sell, as most people looking for a semi-luxury car want an automatic. This is not a WRX, where having an auto tranny automatically drops the value thousands of dollars. I say offer a straight up trade, and see what happens.
Or, travel across the country, and I'll sell you mine

 

$500 cash with your car is an even trade IMO. Your car is worth less because of mileage and the sh!tty stereo.

Keep in mind I paid $1000-1500 more than the '97 for my '99 SE fully loaded with 107K miles in January...

 

Whoa, I checked the kbb and it appears that my Max is actually worth ~$250 more even though it has 13k more miles and no ABS. I guess it's true that the autos were more expensive, it's just funny because I would much prefer to have a 5spd! I'm going to go check it out this weekend and if it's nice I'll offer a straight trade, if he BS's me I'll flash him 500 cash on top, I wouldn't be willing to trade for an unknown Max for more than that (even though it's a black 5spd...) , at least I know my current car.

The only problem is it's probably a cali spec car, so I'm not sure how my fed spec Y-pipe would work out. I'll also probably have to register this one in CA rather than TX...

 

It's only the '99 cali specs that have major differences, your Y will work just fine. $500 on top would be A LOT less than what you would end up spending on a 5-speed conversion...........

 

Only the 99s are different.....and in more ways than just the y pipe...........

 

And just thought I would tell you that I just went back to check the ad, and it has been deleted...so hopefully he hasnt sold yet.

 

if you want a 5spd and love your car. do a swap. im selling a complete 5spd swap off my totalled 95 gxe. pm me if interested

 

he hadn't sold as of this afternoon. I talked to him already, he said he "had someone coming by to look friday" but only after I said I couldn't come buy until Saturday. I'm in no rush, I'll have to be really blown away by the condition of this one (and even then I'll probably take it to a dealer to have it inspected) for me to go for the trade. If I don't trade I'll just do a 5spd swap for a graduation present to myself next June.

 

I would think your car would pull a bit more $$$ being an auto ... so your findings seem right IMO. Things to look for with the 5spd ... the infamous bearing issue we all know and love so well. If you hear a rubbing sound (like two coins really fast) with the car in N, and the clutch let out (foot off) then you have the problem of needing a rebuild (like I do ) and that will cost extra! So ... don't just go on the looks of this car. Sounds like you have a good idea taking it to the stealership. They may charge you a bit, but tell them if it needs work in the future you'll take it to them, they may let you off. (BTW - DON'T take it to them if it does need work, you'll have to sell body parts before you're done using them to pay for it.)

Do some checking yourself too .. pull the seetbelts out to the end and look for mold, look under the spare for rust, dirt, mold .... I would be suprised to some degree if it were a "flood" car .. but ya never know.

G'Luck mate!

 

mid-sized sedan in auto is more expensive than five speed~ i would remove y-pipe though!

 

leave the y-pipe on and take the RSB...get new y-pipe it's just easier IMO!!! but if you really like your ar, wait and do the swap if you're able to

 

^^^ yeh, removin the rsb is easy but reinstalling the stock y-pipe..... have fun w/ that. i would just leave it on, and go buy a cattman or sumthing cheaper. whatever. good find though

 

Guess it wasn't meant to be, the car was sold last night. That's alright with me though, I'll have to buy something for my Max as a consolation gift...

Thanks to everyone for the advice.