Thinkin' about buying this car: 1995 Maxima SE 5-speed, dark blue pearl, tan cloth interior, sunroof, BOSE, manual AC/heating, cold weather package with heated seats, car might also have the S&C package cause it had intermittent wipers, ~140k miles, 100% stock. decent tires, interior is in good shape - just needs new e-brake and shifter boots. Body is in good shape for its age with just a few minor door dings. Seller is the second owner and car had a clean carfax.

Only issues with the car:
-A minor power steering leak from looks to be the pump
-passenger side steering boot is torn
-missing spare tire
-passenger lower control arm rear bushing looked tired
-front bumper could use a respray

Seller is asking $3800. I would try to talk them down a bit. Think this is a good buy?

 

That's a reasonable price imho.

But learn what to look for regarding 5-speed bearing failures (they SUCK) and radiator core support rot (No loc. in your avatar area)

Both can be pointed out and used to negotiate the price considerably.

As well as scanning for a knock sensor ghost code, which might not even need to be fixed (87 octane ftl)

Passanger lower lca bushing is a super easy fix, if it's the one that tends to get damaged from leaking power-steering or rear valve cover. You can undo the one bolt and drop it down enough to burn out the old rubber & remove the inner sleeve, than you can fit a sawzall in there to cut through the outer sleeve and tap it out, than insert a new es bushing, all in under an hour on jackstands.

Also, the regionals forum is an excellent place to ask a fellow .org member with more experience for assistance in looking at or fixing the car. Plus, when roll up in another 4th gen and are able to immediatly point out things and come across as you know your ****, it gives you the upper hand in negotiating.

Also, for future reference there are COUNTLESS threads on the same topic.

 

Oh yeah, the car is a southern car, been in GA since it was 2 years old so no rust. Also, I did check the tranny for leaks around driver's side inner CV and it was dry. I grabbed the inner CV and tried to move it around to check for play and it was tight so I think its good.

So its a good price then?

How hard is it to replace the power steering pump if it needs it?

Can I order the ES suspension bushing directly from ES?

I would be doing the work myself too. I've been workin on cars for 12 years.

 

Any maxima whether it is this one or not will be an improvement over a 89 civic!!!!! If thats what you are driving. But yea, it does seem a little steep to me, but hey, if its been kept up good then thats alright

 

hehe.....we are talkin two different beasts here. Maxima will be a 4-door daily driver. I had a Honda Accord that I just sold so the Maxima would be a replacement for the accord. The civic si is the fun non-daily driver . The civic is like a big go-kart where the Maxima is a family sports sedan. Plus the civic is no where near stock.

 

i was happy about the 3800 until i saw power steeing leak, dying boot and control arm and missing spare. i would be offering 32 or 33 considering those things and the mileage. or just walk there with 3k in cash and hold it up. they will negotiate.

 

I agree. He can get it for less than that. I bought my Maxima for 3900 and it had less problems then that.

 

Yeah, I'm thinking I will offer $3200 and see what they say. Cause buying a used spare, a steering boot, lca bushing, and possibly a power steering pump would be a couple hundred dollars in parts if I did the labor myself. And then I have a buddy that works at a body shop who could repaint the bumper for cheap.

Also, is the dark blue pearl a rare color? I haven't seen many of them.

 

if you offer 32 and they want 38 yall are gonna settle on 3500, most likely. lowball them and then move from there. offer 3k cash, then work your way up to 33. keep bringing up the missing/broken parts.

 

no way man pay 3000 to 3200 I payed 2500 for mine with minor hail damage bad door bumpers, and blinker and corner light melted, the ****f boot and e-brake boot were bad.

The car inside and besides the little on the outside (minus hail damage) were in mintcondtion. and it had 119k on it. aks for less.

Hey but dont tell him that the car isnt very good, or bash his car in any way cause y would you want to buy a car that you are bashing? the guy will also like you better.

 

No question....I couldn't even get over 3K for my 97 I30 if I tried... And it doesn't have much wrong with it....

 

id say 3k for that car. look around some, you will find better deals. i bought a fully loaded 96 SE for 2650 with only a bad clutch.

 

paid $3750 for a MINT condition 96 GLE with 141k - had all the options. no serious paint issues, leather and interior was perfect. everything worked. the only thing wrong was the dead knock sensor.

 

i paid $2,300 for my max with 133,000 miles and in perfect condition only neededto repaint the front bumper. this one vvvvvv so i say hes asking for too much after all it is a '95 in average condition (needs work) i say offer him $2,500 and work from there.....

 

i paid 3200 for a 97 GLE WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS AND IT HAD 126K ON IT SO GO FIGURE

 

$3,800 seems a bit high, i'd ask for something more along the lines of $3,200 or a bit lower. I'd try to negotiate a little.

 

3k sounds good

 

2800

 

ha ! i thought i did good at $25,000 back in 1997. go for it but low ball, every dime you save you can put towards fixing the problems with it.

 

Right on, 3k tops with that work needed. Id just replace with new stuff, you can get a spare on here for cheap. I even have one. Rust free area cars are worth more.