what are the downsides of buying a used max with high miles.like 100,000 liles on a 02 or 03 max with automatic trans . I am still learning about maximas, so pls give me pass if it sounds like a stupid question. And also what do i look for when buying one besides running carfax. appreciate all inputs.

 

Not to many just check the basics smell the trany fluid make sure its clean and doesn't smell burnt, also check the CV boots. I bought mine with 97k now I have almost 119k and haven't had any issues all I've done is mods and change the plugs (105k maintence), oil and coolent. These cars are pretty solid not too much to worry about.

 

thx

 

old car, but reliable... great engine, 5th Gen

 

you know I have to say at 150k miles and I beat the crap out of my max. Not a thing to go wrong really for me.

If you bought it, I would just change spark plugs and change the oil to start off. Go from there, maybe change the tranny fluid and coolant.

As far as checking things, look at the MAF for a green dot, it suppose to mean its new and/or the updated version (doesn't mean it still can't go out but its a cheap part, $75 IIRC), then you have the coilpacks, which can have a grey or pink dot, which like the maf means newer and/or updated version. Those are about the only real hick-ups with a maxima but nothing really serious.

As a final note 02-03 max's are known to burn a little oil, so you may have to keep your eye on it.

 

I bought mine on November 15th of last year with 113,987 miles on it. I currently have 137,400 miles (give or take) and the only problems that you could attribute to it being an older car were the radiator, thermostat, O2 sensor and camshaft position sensor. Just typical stuff you have to replace eventually once you go past 100,000 miles. The engine uses a quart of oil every 2000 miles or so, apparently that is pretty typical of early VQ35s. Unless the engine is burning more than a quart every 1000 miles, Nissan considers it to be normal. To me, it is a minor inconvenience more than anything else.

The plus side is that the interiors seem to hold up very well, the engine has great power and it is very rare for one to flat blow up. As long as the oil and ATF has been changed regularly, both the engine and transmission should go 200,000 miles easy.

 

thx i really appreciate the tips cuz i been seeing a lot 02 and 03 maximas , but the high mileage turns me off , even though it has everthing i am lookin for .

 

if your going to keep it for awhile do not worry about the miles

 

Usually, car with 100k are "wholesale" priced because more than likely things are wearing out. I think the overall condition of the car will indicate whether the car was maintained.

Take it to a trusted mechanic before buying, it will be money well spent and may prevent you from buying a POS.

Also, run the VIN at a Nissan dealer to make sure the maintenance is up to date.

 

I'm also looking at a used maxima with 110,000 miles. I figured a carfax was useless because nobody reports stuff like that. But you said a nissan dealer will tell me for free?

 

A Nissan dealer can tell you what recall and TSB work has been done, along with any servcing the previous owner(s) have had done at Nissan dealers. If the car was serviced somewhere else, they won't have that information.

If the car was wrecked and taken to a reputable body shop for repair, it will show up on CarFax. If it was taken to a cheapie body shop, it might not show up on CarFAx but odds are the bodywork/paint will be very obvious-lots of orange peel, overspray in the door jambs, fenders/doors/hood, etc not aligned properly.

 

I dont think im going to do a carfax on the car im looking at sense it's in real good shape. 110,000 miles 2000. Just needs tires. I noticed that somebody overfilled the oil when they changed it but iv been seeing that alot on used cars for some reason.

Except for the MAF, coil packs and cv boots is there anything else i should check?

 

Take your prospect to a reputable shop for a multipoint inspection...Where I worked as a automotive tech back in the day, we performed something called a "115 Point Inspection". This involved entire chassis and drivetrain inspection , suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, exhaust system, fuel system, vacuum system, belts, hoses, fluids, interior, etc...it was about $50 back in the day, no telling how much it is today!
I would start with a handfull of Maximas and look them over till you can narrow down to about 2 or 3 and make a list of the pros and cons of each buy!

 

I agree with what everyone says about the inspections and all, but you can learn the most by finding out the cars history. ie: how many owners, distance or town driver, young or older driver. VERY important to me when buying a used car. Especially one with high miles.

 

Overfilling the oil is a bad thing, and can blow out the front and rear main seals.

CarFax is very good investment when buying a used car.

 

just like buying any used car, check all the necessary stuff, as long as there's no major problems then ur fine... as long as you take care of the car then everything will be fine... good luck on purchase

 

just like buying any used car, check all the necessary stuff, as long as there's no major problems then ur fine... as long as you take care of the car then everything will be fine... good luck on purchase

 

i found a 00 with 137k for $3700. do you guys think that is a bad price for one?

 

Wow that's lower than most well kept 4th gens! Go check it out!

 

that's a very good price for one. I paid 2000 for my 02 and it had around 80K on it, but the owner was my buddys dad. I would go for it. Always have a decent cushion for small repairs such as tires, oil, brakes, roters, ext. Your maxima will be a great car, enjoy.

 

depends how the person whos selling it kept it, u could buy a high mileage car and it might run better than a low mileage car depending upon how it was treated my uncle has a 98 se with 240,000 miles and sold his 95 with 310,000 miles but he took care of his cars so inspect entire car regardless of the mileage

 

I've been reading lots of threads from the forum today to help me in deciding on a Maxima purchase. I'm considering an 01 GLE bone stock with 154K on the clock. Enthusiast owned for the last year. Carfax runs clean except for a minor accident. The car is white, so the repair is probably not visible.

Thoughts?

Great forum, BTW. Well organized and easy to use. I'm a mod on ih8mud.com (Toyota LandCruisers) so I know a good forum when I see one.

TIA
Greg

 

perhaps you should test drive it...see if you get a feel for it...listen for strange noises... you know inspect it. ask if you could take it to a mechanic. thats whay I did when I got my 01max. There are little here's and theres, but still runs great. Better than my friends camry thats a new model.

 

After looking at the overall physical condition, which should be an obvious telltale in terms of how well the car has been taken care of, pay attention to the instrument panel. Look for the "service engine soon" light (it should come on when the key is switched to the "on" position) and see if it stays on after the car has been started. If the light does not come on with the key in the on position, it is an indication that the bulb is burned (very unlikely) or that the bulb has been taken out to conceal malfunction codes. Drive the car with windows closed, radio off, and pay attention to any strange noise you can hear from the cabin. Then drive with windows down looking for any exterior noise. If possible, drive on a road where you can put the car to work hard, give it a couple of hard accelerations and/or floor it and see how it responds. As another org member said, have some "moola" cushion for repairs and part replacement in case the need arises. A well maintained Maxima is a car to last.

 

I just bouht a 2000 maxima gle for 5000 dollars with 127,000+ miles.The lady show me some records for the ignition coils worth almost 900 dollars, almost 400 dollars for rear main seal, newer tires & both cv joint was replaced.The first thing I did is replaced all the shocks & struts, resurface the front calipers ,put new brake pads all arrond, changed the rotors on the rear,put a new outer rods for bothe side, oil change, tranmission fluid flush,coolant flush & I just search about the cabin air filter, mine there is a place to put it but there is nothing there so I ordered a new one.Oh, + the oil filter , air filter.Over all i like the car it was so smooth & pulls hard.Do I paid to much?

 

In my opinion, if the car really looks that it has been well kept, then it is worth it. I got mine for $5200 with 132k miles back in August, after totalling a 4th gen. The first thing that caught my attention when I purchased mine, was the impecable interior condition. I figure if I didn't see any sign of abuse in the interior then that was a good indication about how the engine has been maintained.

 

Very helpful response. I'm familiar with how to test drive a car, and I will before I buy it. This gives me a sense of where I am on the current market value.

I just saw pics of the interior this PM. It's not impecable. Tears on the front seat, some stains, and a cover on the steering wheel. Also some body damage to the right side rocker.

Thoughts, considering I haven't yet driven it, and considiring the updated info on condition? I'm thinkin it ain't quite a $5K car.....

 

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...info-here.html

 

Score one for coolmax, with his high post count.

I'll go read through 8 eight pages of unorganized tech rather than develop a sense of community early on in my maxima.org experience by receiving helpful a response to my well defined question.

 

I think once a car is reaching 100k miles, plan on having a few repairs done up front especially if you plan on keeping it. (struts\brakes\tuneup\change all fluids etc...) The cost can be any where from $500-$1500 depending on the work it needs. Keep in mind buy doing some of the work yourself or by shopping around for the best price, you will save some MEGA ca$h. Some times my mechanic let's me take him the parts and he only charges me for labor. (there are some parts he feels are dealer only and should not be after market)

Once you get all that taken care of you will have a smoooooth ride for years to come.

 

I bought mine with 116K. I have 124K as we speak. No problems so far...

 

none. got my turd gen at 200k fro free. it had never had much maintenance done, aka oil changes once a year, multiple people learned to drive on it, it was 12 yrs old...and was beaten on alot. still running today after a lil work. my 03 is fine. 0 problems. but then again i have no miles on it...

in the end i wouldn't be worried at all.

 

There is an 03 SE auto with 116,000 miles for sale near me. It's silver. North Florida is very kind to vehicles because of our nice climate. The people are asking $6,500 but I haven't seen the car in person. Send me a PM if you're interrested in having me go check it out.

 

well I got my 03 earlier this year with 59k somewhat low miles...But have already had issues with WHEEL BEARINGS being bad also unknown noise when accelerate at low speeds. All stuff common to 5th gens but didn't notice during test drive how bad it really was I to this day can't get my car over 80 without violent shaking of the wheel. So look out for these things

 

Some of you may not agree with my method of test driving old cars but ... this is what my mechanic told me.

Two things you should do when test driving an old car.

1) Floor the gas
2) Floor the brakes

 

My 2001 has 168,000 miles on it and I beat the hell out of it. Cruise at 85 MPH for 45 mins daily and drive like I stole it. I've had to Two alternators from over tightning the belts so thats my fault. Damn alternator still worked though. Brakes and spark plugs thats it.

 

I would say make sure to run an OBDII test on it to check for any codes that might be hiding. (ie burnt out ses)

That and have someone look at the pre-cat

 

With any used car from a Ford to Nissan/Honda there are no guarantees.

The car could be perfect today and you could have 2x o2 sensors go out later this month.

Buying used is always a leap of faith so keep that in mind.

 

Keep in mind the 3.5L VQ has a known problem with burning oil due to shoddy rings.

 

You should be able to see the SES light during pre-flight take off (turning the ignition to on) same with the air bag light. Some people deploy the airbags and then disable the dash light. Make sure all the proper lights run their tests when turning that ignition on.