So Im going to be looking at a '99 SE-L tomorrow that I found on CL.

Linky

Obviously, $5,495 is high. Assuming the car is accurately described, how much would you offer?

BTW, I used to have a '91 SE back in the day and Im currently driving a Volvo S40 T5 AWD but looking for something cheaper to start paying off some bills.

Thanks fellas.

 

i paid 4300 for my 95 se.. 5spd with 123k miles on it.. 5500 seems a bit much for what cars are going for these days. 5k sounds about right assuming the interior is in pretty good condition..

 

Ouch sounds high to me, but then again car prices are high up here in the midwest... Even still after saying that paying 5gs for a 10 year old car? I thought I was paying too much for my SE-L @ 2600... I think you should wait, from the pics looks like the car has cloth seats? so it can't be "fully loaded"?

*Edit* To answer your question, I'd offer 4k at the absolute highest, but that's only if was really "fully loaded" with heated seats....

 

Are you looking specifically for an SE-L, or just a 4th gen?

IMO, I'd specifically avoid the '99s. Between all of the emissions crap, NATS, coils, and having to do wiring modifications just to run different ECUs...too much to deal with.

Especially if the NATS system decides to act up, requiring a tow to the dealer. That alone is enough for me to avoid them.

Again, IMO.

 

I have to agree, especially with the coil pack issues. You'd be safer (IMHO) finding a 97 or 98. If you shop around a bit, you'll land a better fish.

Price seems a bit high, especially in todays market - the economy being what it isn't.

 

I bought a 99 after hearing all the speculation and I haven't had any more problems than anyone else on here has. Only basic maintenance stuff mainly...my coils were already replaced and by 138K, the ones on the car you're looking at must have been too.

If it has leather, Bose, heated seats and the whole deal, $5500 isnt a bad price, if its cloth though, I'd try and get it for 5000 or so.

 

1997 SE 5spd FTW!

 

from the LINKY above:
" Fully loaded with all the options, Power Steering, Brakes, Mirrors, Driver's Seat, 2 way..."

Since when in the heck has a Driver's Seat been know for being a Fully loaded OPTION?? I think that would be a standard feature, but hey, I could be wrong.

Though the thought of trying to drive it without this OPTION would deem a serious funny situation to me that I would be willing to pay to see.

 

yeah...or brakes and mirrors lol

i think he meant power steering, (power) brakes, (power) mirrors, (power) driver's seat...haha

 

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/Pric...uizConditions=

but NADA says....http://www.nadaguides.com/usedcars.a...a=-1&mi=138500

 

In Aug '08, I purchased my 1998 Maxima SE (A/T) with ~165K miles and all the normal SE class goodies for $4,200. I felt like I got a good deal on it and have been very pleased with my Max. Everything works fine, no rips in the black leather seats or bad paint scratches. The car is Pearl White with the rear spoiler. Only complaint is the AC seems to not blow as cold as I would expect. From what I have read, I believe the 98 model is the best of the 4th generation (my opinion).

Mods: K&N panel filter, planning on a new Y-pipe soon.

 

5500 is too much IMO for a car with 138k+ miles. I just sold a 98 SE 5 speed with 118k miles for 3k. I would not pay more that 3500 for that car unless it in like new condition, meaning the alt. a/c compressor, starter, shocks, engine mounts, bushings, oil seals, o2 sensors, coils, maf, etc have been replaced with quality parts, than maybe its worth its price tag. Just my $0.02.

 

3500-3700 for the car in "good" condition. about 4k even if all expected maintenance has been performed somewhat recently. they're asking high cause they know they're not gonna get that much.

 

like 4k, guy doesnt seem to no wat hes talkin bout so askin 4 way too much, i got my 97 maxima gle last may with like 76k miles on it and with tax i dont even think it came to 5500, and thats with a actually fully loaded car

 

my 96 SE was 3200 with 120000 miles on it. and speaking of SE's is there such of a thing as an SE-R maxima? i seen it on the back of someones car one day and almost crashed double taking lol

 

...no. There is an R-spec, though.

http://www.nissan.co.nz/offer_files/...c_R/index.html
http://www.carandsuv.co.nz/articles/...-spec-r-review

 

thanks...you just helped to jusity SE-R badges on a maxima...

 

i know its kinda high but depends on how well it was taken care of, the condition and stuff and how much u want the SE-L

if it has leather in good condition i would take cash in hand like 4 grand and get it

there are better deals out there but if ur heart is set on an SE-L talk the price down some

 

To answer your question - $0.00. I wouldn't buy a Maxima without black leather. But if that doesn't bother you, the only other thing I would ask is, is it really "fully loaded with all options" as the guy states? I doubt it. Leather, heated seats, electronic climate control, ABS, Homelink, etc.? I wouldn't buy a Maxima unless it was fully loaded. You may be the same way. He should provide interior pictures too. Check it out and let us know if it is exactly as described.

 

wwayyyyy too much

i would pay 4k tops for that car. and that would be after a thorough inspection.
i got my actual fully loaded 97 GLE for 4400. it had 41,000 miles.


as said earlier, try to find some other year of 4th gen. 99s are just too much headache.

 

The 99s arent bad like people say they are... I havnt had a single problem... but 5500 is WAY too much for a car with 138000 miles

 

where are you guys getting this mileage to high from???

Yes anyting over 100k seems like a lot but many seem to be forgetting this motor was designed to go far past 100k, far past 200k, I'm sure they would run to 300k if people kept the car long enough.


Nation average says a person puts about 15k on their car a year. 15k x 10 years (its 10 year old car) lands it at 150,000. It has 138k on it so seems about right, they drover is modestly. I'd go by the blue book value, the present condition, recent maintenance, and maybe a compression test. if all checks out, talk em down as much as you can and go from there.

 

I think they are just saying the mileage is too high for the price.

 

In Aug 2008, I got my 1997 SE AT w/ 166k miles for $2.2k. It needed some paint work on the bumpers (no dents, just scratches) and does not pass smog but otherwise came with all options except leather seats. Oh and the clock was broken but I got that fixed.

 

Yeah, like all others have said that dude is asking way too much. I'd offer him 4 g's cash at the most. Dealers are the ones that usually charge that much. It's not fully loaded unless it has leather seats which from the pics it doesn't look like it does. I looked for about 2 months before I snatched up a '97 GLE fully loaded (how do you know if it has heated seats?) with 120k miles for $3300. It was the original owner and in great condition minus all the exterior scratches. Keep looking man you'll find the one. It all depends on how much patience you have though, good luck.

 

FWIW I got my 99 SE-L with 80k and leather a couple months ago for a little under $5k and I thought that was a good price. With 140k I'd want to pay closer to $4k. I haven't had any 99 specific problems, but the coil packs had been replaced already and it's a fed spec with normal cats and headers.

I did the same thing you're doing - sold my 2005 Legacy GT to pay down some bills and went back to a Maxima. Even though it's not as nice as my last car I'm having fun with it.

 

I'd say about 4k

 

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/1169534673.html
I had forgotten about the I30/135

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/1165295275.html
http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/1124218612.html
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

 

Looking at your local market...cars.com, craigslist, autotrader is a good way to check "values". There aren't many maximas, and most of them are high mileage.
It's unlikely the sellers could get above KBB on trade ins.

Our family has two 99s, and they have been reliable, but "only" have 80K and 100K.
If I was looking for a top Maxima for top dollar-4th gen, I'd want a 1998 or 99, SE or GLE with leather, heated seats, and bose, sunroof and side impact airbags.

 

i paid 3200 for my 97 GLE max i very good condition i would say 5k is good if the car is in exelent condition