Hi guys,

I've just recently bought a 1997 SE Limited 5 Speed Manual for $2,500 at 102,000 miles, however I've spent already additional $1,300 fixing it up (just passed emissions).

My friends thinks I'm an idiot that I've put too much in money into it for a "classic car (OLD)."

I think I got a good deal. What do you guys think?

 

Sounds like normal maintenance to get the car to the point where it will be reliable.

 

 

I spent $2500 for my fully loaded '96 SE with 84K miles.

If you had to pay an additional $1300 in maintenance, so be it. The car will definitely last and you'll be happy with it.

 

I still got more repairs to do on the car.

Apparently the previous owner tried to install an aftermarket head unit and broke the plastic panel that surrounds the radio and the panel for clock and hazard light button.

In addition, the entire center console is loose, the shift boot is missing, need new E brake, 4 rotors with new pads ( I also think one of the rear caliper is frozen), a antenna, spare tire is missing, "clear" headlights with new bulbs, new fog lights as well, the thing that holds down the battery, tie rods and needs trans fluid change.

By the time I'm finished with this thing, it's going to be a new car. lol

 

I agree w/ it being normal maintenance.

I paid nothing for my 1996 GXE (was given by family member) which now has 140k miles on it. I've been putting a lot of work into it myself since I've had it. I did the very first spark plug + AT fluid (and filter) change on it @ 136k, if you want to know the condition it was in when I got it, but haven't put many miles on it because of income vs cost - and the fact that I absolutely love it to death (would do anything necessary to keep it running properly).


@ last post:
Perhaps, but it'll be a great car when you're done.

 

with all due respect your friends are idiots and don't know what a maxima is.

 

lol, I don't disagree with your statement.

 

i paid 2500 1997 SE no leather 167k miles so i think it's a good deal.

 

I paid $1000 for 99 GLE @93k miles when I brought her... I had been putting nothing but money into her and thought maybe I was an idiot... but finding out what the 4th gen has to offer and that this was all maintenance things that the previous owner should have done. I'll put whatever it takes to get her mint.

Yess buddy it's worth it, your friends will envy her once you're finished....

 

Tell us more about your car? It's hard to say what's a good deal when it could be anything from clapped out to fly as hell. I paid $1500 for my '97 SE 5spd and could have left well enough alone, except for the tires. All told, after registration, tires, new clutch line, and fiddly bits that were all elective repairs, I'm maybe $2200-2400 in and feel like it's pretty much as good as it will get. The wheel bearings will need replacing but that's a big job and I don't see the point in spending on a car that cost very little to begin with.

Ultimately it comes down to what you need the car for. I don't see it as a long-term investment; though it's a nice car and it's got a good service history and no rust, it's not really my dream ride. I will drive it until I'm finished with school and then keep it as a winter beater or sell it. If you've got a really nice example that you want to make a showboat, you've got to evaluate it differently, and then the money you've got in it might make sense. I will say this - wit the money you've spent, a car like the Maxima will not let you down for a long, long time.

 

^^ehh, sorry for off-top, but bad wheel-bearings are not something "not" to fix. how long are you planning on driving the car? it's not a big job per se. take the spindle out and have a shop press the old ones out and new ones in. i'm sure there's a write-up on here somewhere.

to the op. it's not a bad buy, but what did you have to spend the repair money on? gives us a better picture of the overall condition of the car.

 

Red = Bad advise. Wheel bearings are not a look away matter.

 

I think you got a good deal and so what if you spent $1,300 to fix it. because in the long run the car will last you for a while.

 

well, not you know what to look for in the next used car you want to buy. You live and learn. You might have overpaid a lil bit, but you knew you had to throw money into fixing the car when you go used.

 

I bought my 95 SE with 135k miles for $2000, after much negotiation. It is an awesome car that I luckily stumbled into. I am sold on the Maxes. I put a little money into basic maintenace items & I will fix what I need to so I don't have another car payment!! Maintain it right & it will last a long, long time.

 

Well, the body is in okay condition (couple dings here and there but nothing really noticeable). I'll post pictures of it this weekend. Oh, and other thing. The car shakes like Shakira at 80 mph. I think it's the tie rods.

 

I GOT ME A 97 GLE in 2007 for $3200 with 101k on the clock so i think its a very very good deal

 

Hell of a price for that mileage considering the car is 13 years old.

Good deal, great car

 

good deal bc 4th gens last forever.

 

i just bought a 97 SE MT for 650 but it needs alot (prolly 1k-1.5k of work) so its really up to you, i agree that your friends are going to be green with envy, and if you do it right and take care of it then you will be tired of driving the car LONGGGG before it gets tired of driving you.

 

i wdnt trade my 4th gen for any other fawking car on the road. Well maybe for a g37sport 6 MT. Hehehehe

Fix her up man. i bought my first 4th gen for 2200 and dropped prolly 3 grand in repair and wd GLADLY do it again.

 

lol he didn't even make a statement... or even a complete sentence for that matter

 

Please good deal? of course. I paid 3400 for my max with 124,000. Still needed a bunch of repairs. I don't get how people find good Maxima's for so cheap.

 

if its fully loaded than yes its a good deal, if not than mehhh

are SE-L's always loaded? dont have them in Canada

 

Its a decent price if you ask me. Its not a new car so like any used car its will need maintnace for it to run properly.

 

i bought my car for $1400 (its a 99) and the 2 years i've had it i already spend and additional $1500 on it just on maintance/wear and tears. what do you expect for a car thats 13yrs old? at least you didnt pay more than $2500 for the car...

 

I agree wit everyone else that's normal maintenance to keep everything in top condition. I've spent about the same and don't regret any of it I love my OLD max lol

 

Got me a 96 with 103K miles.. will cost 1400 for some maintenance to make it road worthy .. after that still have to change shocks and tires... I think its a great investment..

It comes down to do you like the car or not.. if you like the car as much as everyone here
then its a great investment.

 

It really depends on if that's what you want, your always gonna spend money on a used auto, no matter what it is. Nissans in general are the best auto's pound for pound, dollar for dollar. I know guys w/Maxima's w/over 400,000 miles and still going. I have a Sentra w/220,000 and runs great just doing regular maintenance. Look at some of the 4th gens on this forum, like last months car of the month, "SICK"!! If your motivated enough to put in the wrench time you could own something like that, imagine. Me personally, I wouldn't part w/ my Max and it's 20 years old but still looks tight, if I had the money for a new ride I would keep most of it and put enough into my 3rd gen to look like new but customized to my liking. My wife's 4th gen is tight and just putting a nice set of wheels has made a huge difference in styling. You got my answer it's worth it if your into getting your hands dirty.

 

sounds good
yur puttin yur money on a car that is worth it bro

 

i've spent close to the same because of little things not taken care of by the previous owner, i paid 2500 for a 95 5speed that looked like it has a decent body. ive replaced the downpipe, tires/rims, had a accident replaced front end of car so im close to 2k in parts and am currenty working to get bodywork done and have it painted.
moral of the story i fell in love with my maxima, the pickup and torque is amazing and the vq30de is one of the best motors ever built

 

I just got my I30 given to me a month ago. I will probably end up spend $1k on it getting upto my standards. I could drive it as is and replace the O2 sensor for inspection, but it will bug me with the small problems. I pretty much find that I spend atleast $1K on every use car or I buy.

Most of the time when I get in someone else's used car that is atleast 8 years old, I am often annyed by their cars problems, I guess I am just ****...

 

Yeah it also depends on what you had to do for that amount of money. Heck a new steering rack (known issue on 4th gens) can easily set you back that much if it's never been done.

But like everyone else has said, it's worth it. The car will pay you back with reliable service for a LONG time.

 

i payed $2800 for a 98 se fully loaded with 98k miles. I thought it was a good deal but now i seem ripped off :[