I currently own a 3rd generation Maxima a 93 GXE, in which the transmission died last month. I saw someone selling their 96 maxima for about $500. I called and the guy says its burgundy with leather seats, sunroof, thats the good! The bad is that he says it has a little over 200,000 miles, it needs a timing chain, and the motor knocks a little. Dont know if this is a good buy or not. I have not seen it yet, I am going to look at it and listen to it friday most likely to see if I am gonna buy it. I know that the 4th generation parts such as engines and transmissions are not hard to locate, as they are for 3rd generations. Are there any things that I may need to look out for when buying this car or would it be a good buy or just more problems?

 

Sounds like you're in for some projects with that one.

 

I believe there's plenty of info on what to look for in the stickies but I'll go ahead and answer while I'm here..

Here's a small list I'll compile on what to look for.

1. check bottom of Radiator Core Support where the cross member bolts up to, yes it rusts out real nasty there and you have to replace the whole assembly which is 350 ish at the dealer or just the lower portion which is 180ish at the dealer

2. Check for anything you would on the 3rd gen, injectors are still common but not as much..

3. Make sure if it ticks, its not from the timing chain cover (which you did mention it was)

4. Make sure it starts with out much effort, starters are rather common.

5. Dont be afraid of the miles, I'm at 321,100 as of earlier today.

 

see how the transmition performs....cause it's a week point in such a high milage car

 

So if its ticking, or knocking would this be bad? As I thought timing chains are supposed to last the life of the car?

 

They do. Its the guides that wear out over time.

 

Well I guess ill see if its alright friday when I go to look at it. Cant beat that price though! It would be a nice project car or a daily driver.

 

Every car is different but after owning a 4th generation for 6 years....Im sure to be a little teary eye when the day comes I need to put it down......But the good news is that is years down the road....they Rock

 

ColombianMAx is steering u in the right direction. Check for that stuff he mentioned and lemme include this as well...

If the engine is knockin...its most likely the timing chain tensioner. Thats 1500 bucks to change at Nissan (my boy jus did for his 2003 altima). I had a 94 maxi and no one wanted to change that tensioner. So in the end, the chain popped and engine done. It would be cheaper to drop another engine into the with lower mileage, prolly 1000 bucks depending on the cost of the sawp engine. Either way, if the engine is out you SHOULD change the timing chain, water pump, and chain tensioners. Mechanically,. these engines can last forever. Its all about doing the maintenance to keep the car running. At some point EVERY car should have its timing chain or belt changed. Belts obviously more regular than a chain.

That being sd, im not sure i would trust a mechanic to do the replaement. Nissan at least gives you a one yr warranty on the replacement so its not that bad.

500 bucks for da car is a steal...but u cd end up droppin some cash on it. Thats not even including the tranny which is at least another 1000 bucks. (jus replaced my tranny). Do you due diligence on the car. No one sells a maxi for 500 bucks unless somethin is wrong with it.

 

i agree

you didnt mention if it was a manual or auto

my 97 manual had a bearing problem in the tranny i guess its a somewhat common problem

check for leaking fluids(obviously) and if its a manual ... while idling you hear a squeaking/ whining noise ... push the clutch and if its gone chances are it(a bearing in the tranny or the whole tranny )will need to be replaced

as far as ticking or knocking injectors tick alot and when your low on oil your valves will tick as well

you can take a rubber tube about a foot long or so and listen ... move the tube around to help figure out exactly where its coming from

 

Do it if you want to dump money every month on it. These cars give consistent problems..high maintenance like motha! Seems like a sensor breaks every month, and repairs are so damn costly too. Every other thread here is about reliabilities issues... joke of a car.

 

Thank you, I tried to steer him the right way. btw though I paid less for my max... Nothing was wrong with it other than the starter. Got it with 286k miles original engine and trans...It has high mileage so that explains the low price I got

 

Biting my toungue...

 

I just bought my first Maxima a few months ago. I have ALWAYS owned European cars but this certainly changes my mind. It's a 99, with 125K miles on it. I'm getting over 28 mpg as my commuter car!!

I LOVE my Maxima - roomy, quiet, powerful. Would buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

Pfff, not our fault you couldn't pick out a "healthy" Max... Perhaps YOU landed with a lemon or something abused and never taken care of by the previous owner

Perhaps the OP should get a cavalier or a camry instead huh? lol

 

+1, probably puttin in 87 octane, spitfire plugs, and other junk....

 

Lol, thanks for the replies. I cant wait to see it. Ive always wanted to own a 95-99 model maxima. I once took one on a test drive. it had 195,000 miles on it, and the dealer wanted $3500 dollars. I noticed the transmission was a little late kicking in gear at times, other than that it was a smooth ride. I didnt like the seat belts though, as Im am used to the automatic ones in my 93 max. I will look for the problems menchened above, and make a decision to see if it needs a motor or not or a transmission, cause they sell motors around here for like $250 to $400.

 

Pff

ive beaten the hell out of both my max's and the only time i had a engine failure is on the 3.5
yes ive even done those and it still lasted.


OP:

Im almost sure that its either the guide or the tensioner,considering that they suspect the chain.

Yeah nissan charges alot to do the job. But you can either find a good mechanic to do it or just DYI

Ive never had the luxury of doing a tensioner(while the motor is still in the car) but i wouldnt be affraid to tackle it....

 

Its funny cuz I've said the EXACT same sentence many times before, yes my 3rd gen is also a 93

 

Yeah i think it is pretty common. I replaced mine...the mechanic wasnt sure if it bushing behind the bearing was chewed up. If so i wd have needed another tranny either way. Luckily they were able to find a tranny. other than that i wd have been screwed \

 

lol...i had a 94 and i do miss that power seat belts. that was nice.

I wd still buy the max and put some money into it. They are cool cars and engines and trannys are available

 

So I'm guessing by the "I need help my max runs like crap" threads about 90percent of the members here cant pick out a healthy Max either
I've own Fords that has giving me way better reliability then this. Seems like the Simplest repairs requires you put a second mortgage on your home.

 

Check the belts real good for fraying, and look at the crank pulley rubber real good and try to see if it moves around. Very well could be a bad crank pulley & not the motor.