Sad week this week... I'm was planning on keeping my '97 SE this year and sell it next year to get something new. This has been the plan for a couple years now and something always comes up. Well here we go again...

I took my Max into get it's clutch replaced (original 140k) and was expecting maybe a couple other issues to creep in so maybe a grand in repairs... well turns out there were a lot of little issues with the car that NEED to be fixed and I'm now looking at spending $2200.

On top of that it needs a new suspension which I had already lined up for work... I was planning on lowering it since I've had these Progress Springs for awhile now...

Is it even worth getting rid of this car? Spending over 3 grand to get it looking and performing good again is more then the car is even worth!!

 

what exactly are the "little issues" that cost over 2 grand?

 

 

there is a seal under the engine that was leaking into the transmission, master cylinder, rear brakes,, cv boot and something related to that, something else with the rotors, something else related to the parking brake and a couple more things... wrote them down but they were all legit and the guy fixes our family's cars so he's honest about what is wrong.

 

Well you really only have two options.

1. Buy a manual, some tools, and get a mechanically inclined friend.

2. Give it to me

 

seems like the rear main seal is the main culprit. everything else is a diy.
i'm not sure about manuals, so correct me if i'm wrong guys, but if you were doing the clutch work, the rear main would be right there as it is, and should be an easy fix (once the trans is spearated from the engine).

 

That's correct.

You could do all that stuff for a few hundred dollars in parts and a day's work if you can do it yourself or have a .org member nearby who would help. the rear main seal is the most difficult part of that, and frankly unless it's leaking profusely there's no reason to even do it. you can drive on a leaky RMS forever as long as you keep an eye on the oil level. might leave a few oil spots in your driveway if it's leaking bad enough, but lots of times what mechanics call a "leaking" rear main seal has no visual evidence other than a very slight film of oil just under it, and a single solitary oil drop that never even seems to drop to the ground.

 

don't invest the money. new clutch and that it and bring to market

 

let's see, a couple hundred bucks for parts, buying tools, finding a place to do it, spending time I don't have... it's unrealistic for me. I build websites, not cars.

I looked at the list of parts, everything is being put on at cost... and of course all the labor.

I think the future plan now is to keep this car as a winter/snow car and get a nice rear wheel drive sporty car for the rest of the year... this sucks, better clear out the garage.

 

so when you took it for a clutch replacement, your "honest" mechanic couldn't change it on the spot and told you after he put the new clutch in?

 

No, he told me this stuff after he took out the old clutch and before he did any of the work...

 

so did he fix the seal? it's like 20 bucks for the part, at the most.

 

No, apparently he doesn't feel like he is mechanically inclined enough. Which IMOP is considering i started off 3 years ago knowing literally nothing about cars and now i know more than half the forum.

This is all a learning experience.

If he wants to keep the car, he's going to either need to make one of two sacrifices. 1. Time and Patience 2. Lots of Unnecessary Money.



Also It may only be 20 Bucks for the seal but its also a Humongous PITA.

Oh and for you new car Realtight, Buy an 06 6Spd G35. (Ive done my research the 06 Is the Best Year to buy.)

VLSD
VQ35DE RevUp
6Speed
Projectors
Rear Wheel Drive
WIN.

 

WHOA!!!!
If he already has the tranny out then the RMS is like a 10 minute job and axles are another 15 minutes each. If he wants to charge full price/time for each job, hes a crook IMHO.

 

^^ that's what i was getting at.

 

Are you kidding? the 05-06 RevUps are notorious for oil consumption just search its EVERYwhere

 

SERIOUSLY, I don't have time to learn how to do any of this and even if I did, still wouldn't have enough TIME to do it. I can charge more building a website then paying a mechanic so I'm not hurting for cash, it just sucks!

This thread isn't about whether or not my mechanic is ripping me off or whether I'm smart enough to figure out how to fix a car... The thread is about whether or not it would be worth it to keep it. Now that I am, it's what rear-wheel drive car to I buy to drive around while this thing sits in the garage all year!

BTW, the G35 Coupe manual is the car I'm looking at! Why is it that the 06 is the best year? The G37's look killer as well...

 

I like the g35's, a used m3, 2 door GTI, or if your trully a max enthusiasist, buy another 4th gen and load it up!!!!

 

Personally, I own a 4th gen and my engine is fantastic (aside from few MINOR issues) its the body. I've tried to find a 4th gen with a blown engine and just swap em' out, impossible. They're either totaled or they're body has rust on em' like mine. But thats just me tryin to give you an idea of how "worth it" these cars are, I'd go get a second opinion on the price before you jump on it or dump the car.

In my opinion, yes they are worth spending money because they will-not-die! No matter how hard you try. I wish i could drop the money into mine to get rid of the rust all together but thats 25 big ones right there!

 

I didn't realize the trans would be out. So Good Point.

Well thats good to know, sorry here on the org were all about DIY.

The 06 has everything that i just listed, Viscous Limited Slip Diff, a Redesigned interior and Exterior, Projector Headlights, a RevUp Motor (Does Consume Oil However). I would just say screw it if money isn't a problem and get a G37 However VQ37HR? Hell Yes.

 

even if the cash is not a problem, do you enjoy being ripped off or something?

 

hahahaha

 

Get rid of the car. It is not worth paying $2200 for a car you are planning to sell. Sell it as is, or trade it in. I have a 96 max with 202k on it. I will graduate in may and plan on buying a new car in a year from now. I am only replacing things that would sideline the car and I'm using the cheap stuff. Spending the money to fix a bunch of "little things" is foolish especially when your going to sell it. If the cluth is completely trashed then replace it and nothing else. I have several oil leaks on my car, I just check it once a week. car runs just fine.

 

I agree, get rid of the car. If you don't mind turning your own wrenches then these are great cars because they're cheap to keep running. If you have to pay someone to fix it though then it doesn't make much sense to spend the value of the car in repairs.

Also, 370Z>G37 IMO. Lighter, faster, and still damn nice looking inside and out.

 

Listen to me, I know its everyone's opinion on here but I would tell you keep it and fix it up. Reason being is that I have all the problem you have listed except for the master cylinder and then some. I have no CEL and the car still runs and takes me to where I need to go without getting stranded (knock on wood). Once I get my funding back up, trust me, I will bring my baby back to OEM form..

Like I told people time and time again...cars aren't made the way they use to be...especially not like the 4th gen.

 

keep it

 

If your replacing the clutch you can easily replace the leaky RMS. On an older car than the 4th gen Max I had to change the clutch disk because it was oiled down so bad it chattered. I did all the work myself on that car, don't know if I would on my 4th Gen but I have an automatic, so it can leak and not hurt that much. I take on what I can on the Maxima, and it gives me satisfaction knowing I can fix things and save a few bucks. Meanwhile we all can learn from each other's experiences and mistakes on the forum.

 

if your bout spend 3grand on it, my opinion. scrap it... sell it do something! make smoe money back! get a new 4th gen.

they dont even cost that much lol.