My car was totalled in a rear-ender Saturday (post:my car is now a little shorter) and in looking through the classifieds I found a loaded 2002 SE 6 speed with about 110k miles(178k kms) on it. The owner says he's only used synthetic on it since he bought it from a Nissan dealership 5 years ago, and he's selling it to buy a used EX35 from the same dealership. He says everything on the car works. The stealer won't give him squat for it since it's a 5 speed, so to make a bit more he's selling privately..asking price $3800, and he said he'll settle for $3300-he takes delivery of his car Friday and time seems to be a factor for him. Seems almost too good to be true. I'm seeing the car this afternoon for a test drive, and I'm expecting some surprises(maybe rusted exhaust,tired suspension, etc) but here's my question.
Among the 4th generation owners, what do those of you who also own/drive/have driven a 5th generation think of them? I'd rather go with a 4th, but I have little to no chance of finding a 99 SE 5 speed that's as fully equipped as mine was. This 2002 is a 3.5 and I realize it has more power, but the car is also bigger and heavier and I'm wondering if it will be a similar drive?
Right or wrong, I have always looked at the 5th generation as a bit of a dilution from the 4th, and never really liked the styling. I also realize there are some possible issues with the 5th (MAF-his was changed 2 years ago..IACV, manual tranny shifts from 2-3,oil consumption). Lastly, and I'll search on this one but, are the 6 speeds all LSD? Is it like the 4th generation, where Canadian manual trannies were LSD, and only I30 manuals were LSD in the US?
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

yooooooooooo!!!!!!! get that !!!!!!!

are u crazy? THats a dope a** deal

 

I'm not really a fan of the 5th gen styling either. But that's too good of a deal to pass up if everything checks out.

 

3300 for a 5.5 gen 6 speed? if you dont buy that you must be a bit SLOWWWW cause on Craigslist around here with that mileage a 5.5 6 speed goes for about 9500

 

..still a bit wonky from the accident- head hurts and a bit dizzy. I went to see the SE this aft and, my bad, the price is $3500. The car has some tiny rust spots here and there from rock chips, but overall looks clean. The engine runs great, the tranny shifts ok, just a bit vague and notchier than I'm used to with the 99. It doesn't feel any faster than the 99, but it's also quieter, so it might be-that stock airbox will be the first thing to go. Weird thing- it feels like it's smaller than the 99. There's some suspension noise which I'll have to track down, but the car is stable and tracks straight on the highway. Steering felt good, with no play. It probably needs new struts anyway after 9 years, and maybe control arm bushings, ball joints and swaybar links.. At this price I don't mind. The MAF was changed last year, the gas cap after a CEL code, the alternator too, and the brakes, and he has repair bills for it all . No driveshaft noises (I hate changing driveshafts-those bloody seals).
Looked good, so I left him a deposit. Thanks for your feedback dudes.

 

put up some pics when you get a chance.

great to hear you found a good deal.

 

my question does your 4th gen have any mods your looking to get rid of??if so hit me up imonit365@aol.com ...sorry for the bad news as well...4th gens are gems ..i actually have my 99 5spd and theres not a day i dont fall in love all over...

 

Maybe you should find out what's wrong with it. I just bought a 5.5 6spd (with a slipping clutch) and it, definitely, is faster than my 98 SE 5spd (which I really like). The suspension and turning radius on the other hand.... . Guess you can't have it all.

 

The only difference I really noticed when I drove my cousin's 5th gen was the turning radius was different, other than that I loved it.

 

I would get it. I wanted to buy a 5.5G 6spd when I was looking for a daily driver but at the time I wasn't too sure about how much longer it was going to be before I was laid off so I went with a 4th gen again. $3500 sounds like a steal for that car I'd expect it to be $6000-$7500. Unless there is some major hidden issue I think it's a good deal.

 

I must say something is not right if it does not feel any faster than your 99.
If it is running right it will put out more power in any gear at any rpm......

And for $3500 I`d buy it first and to re-sell it to make some $$$ if anything

 

check those fluids dude, look for leaks!!! i would have a nissan dealer take a look or someone you know. no way 3,500 w/o something wrong. not to scare you but just be 100% sure he is'nt hiding anything.