I'm going to look at a 96 SE 5mt that has 207K miles on it.
Car look pretty clean from pics.
Never owned a 4th gen SE 5mt before.
What should I look for in a 4th gen SE 5mt car with high mileage to determine if the car is worth buying?
207K miles worries me a bit...
T.I.A. for your suggestions.

 

Depends on how well it's been maintained. My VQ has 206k on it and still runs like brand new, doesn't burn oil, and has no knocks, ticks or anything mechanical wrong.

 

Yeah I'm hoping this SE has a good running VQ like yours.
I'll report back later this evening after I check out the car.

 

206k shes still a baby. ask for maint records check the window sticker see if the oil still has miles before needing change. Also check clarity of coolant and color of ps fluid can give you an idea of how well its been maintained. Be sure to look at the radiator support for excessive rust and rest of underbody for corrosion.

 

Thanks for your advise!
I went check out the car this evening.
This SE has actually 212k on the clock, motor started right up sounded quiet & smooth.
Went for a ride in her with the owner driving & shifting, car seemed to run smooth & trans seemed to be shifting ok. The owner wouldn't let me drive the car unless I make an offer and show him the cash... Body look straight, didn't see any rust, engine bay looked fairly clean considering the mileage. The black leather interior is in fairly good shape, didn't see any rips, just some fading and dryness on the leather. Definitely needs some good detailing. This car is original from CA. I was hoping for VLSD but the trans code was "A" so it's open diff. Paint color is gold and I'm ok with that color. I see potential in this car and I'm gonna make an offer in the morning.

 

just for a ballpark i paid $1900 usd for my 96 5spd se with 170k. cloth, no bose, power seats, super clean, no body rust. coming up on 10k with her and no problems yet.

 

I will never understand why people do this. If we're talking about a 20-30k car then ok maybe, but if the owner is in the car I don't understand what the problem is, especially with a Maxima that's worth about 1000 dollars. I would have told him you don't talk numbers and consider making an offer until you actually drive the car first and then left.

 

look under the car and make sure the tranny isnt leaking from either the seals or the case

 

Very cool! It's very encouraging to hear many members have bought dependable high mile 4th gens! This 96 5mt SE has black leather interior and both front seats are power along with all other GLE options like Bose, Auto AC option.
The original key fob is not available and the car has an aftermarket car alarm installed for some reason... It puzzles me...
Going to look at the car and make an offer in about an hour.

 

Yeah that ticked me off when he said that I thought about leaving then the owner told me he's had some bad experiences in the past with people driving his cars for sale and frying clutches, etc then left without buying his cars.
I think he flips cars, he runs an automotive repair shop.
Since I'm serious about the car, the owner agreed to let me take it for a test drive and he's even going to put the car on the lift for me to take a good look at the underside then I'll make an offer.

 

Thanks for your advise, cashoit!
I'll definitely take a good at that 5mt.
Are those 5mt trannies expensive to rebuild if need to be?

 

it is more expensive to rebuild than to replace with used. If u cant find used...then u have to rebuild if u wanna keep the car.

 

Got it! Hopefully this tranny doesn't leak and in good operation.

 

Ironic! bought my se from a mechanic as well. He offered to put it on the lift but i declined. he bought it broken needing a clutch, replaced it and flipped it. Just hoping he put gl-4 in it after. he offered a test drive and let me take it out alone. probabaly helped showing up in the wifes c class lol

 

I bit the bait and bought the car.
Taking the car for an emission inspection now.
Notice the CEL does not illuminate at all when the ignition is on.
Hope I didn't buy a lemon.
Motor runs good & tranny shifts good.

 

I got 283k and runs like a charm... I'm only second owner... don't buy a car that has had mor then 2-3 owners... that's def a problem indicator IMO...

 

<<Notice the CEL does not illuminate at all when the ignition is on.>>

You're going to want to check codes. You may not be able to do that with the screw method if the light is burned out. You can pick up an OBD II scanner for about $30 on ebay. They're much easier to use on Max's, and you've got something that will work on other cars. Of course, replacing a burnt CEL bulb is pretty easy too.

 

So according to the Carfax history on the car.
I'm 5th owner, 4th owner only had the car for over a month to flip.
Hope things will work out for me.

 

They check them for free at Autozone and Advance Auto

 

Definitely will be checking codes tomorrow morning. I do have a scanner and ready to check all codes the ECU has.
Oh BTW, I looked under the dash where the ECU is located and it appears no one has ever took the plastic side covers off to access the ECU.
I've never actually seen a car that had a burnt CEL bulb, so some CEL bulbs actually do burnt out time to time, huh?
I'm hoping that's the case for my SE's CEL.
I took the car to the emissions inspection test center and passed with flying colors then transferred the title to my name at DMV. So it's now officially my 96 SE 5 mt now.
Man I hope I can bring that pretty orange CEL back on the dash by design.

 

I've never driven a Maxima with a M.T., and it sure is a lot of fun driving this ole SE 5 MT. I should have bought one many many years ago I think...
Below are my thoughts on my 96 SE.

Pros:
Car is pretty much original stock AFAIK.
Motor pulls hard and runs smooth so far.
Clutch feels fairly new.
Tranny shifts effortlessly. Visually verified the tranny had some work done recently. Looked like a rebuild was done to it, clean & dry case with visible new RTV.
Motor seems to have plenty of torque to start off in 2nd and also drive in 5th in a 25 speed limit without the motor bogging down.
I thought that is amazing for a V-6.
Radiator supports seem free of corrosion.
All interior controls test out in good operation.
SE has GLE black leather, climate control and power options. No rips on leather seats.
Body appears to be straight and no rust.
Inside the trunk is clean, no damage and has the original spare and jack w/tools.
Brakes feel good.
Coolant was clean green color.
Motor oil look normal used motor oil.
Fuel rail looked fairly new, must have been replaced recently.

Cons:
High mileage 212k on the clock.
no CEL illumination.
drive shafts are toast. (expected)
Suspension will need overhaul (expected), although it doesn't ride bad now.
power steering fluid low in the resvoir and may be leaking from near center of the RacknPinion.
Tires are toast.
Fog lights work but both sides glass covers are broken with rock damage.
Rear windshield weather seal is damaged in two spots one spot on right & left of the rear windshield, weather seal appears to be have popped out away from the glass.
Original key fob not available and only one ignition key. Owner's manual not available.
Car has aftermarket alarm system installed, not sure why...
Interior and exterior need serious detailing...

She is going to need a lot of TLC and I'm going to slowly put my effort on this 4th gen SE to make it a good project SE like many of .org members awesome rides.
Few pics from my phone.







No CEL illumination...

 

She is a beauty man, i'm jealous right now. lol

 

Thanks man!

 

looks mint! enjoy that 5 spd beast. def address the cel before doing cosmetic work. id replace the cel bulb and put in some 194 led lights in the dash while your at it.

 

awesome. I just purchased one last week the same color. My "new" ride has a 5 spd, cloth interior, and 129k. It to needs a serious detail job on the inside

 

Maxnub, Thanks for 194 led lights suggestion. I'll definitely consider it when I look into the dash to check the CEL bulb.

96nemaxima,
Congrats on your 96 5 spd! Man your 96 is almost new with only 129k... Awesome! Would love to see some pics of your 96!
Yeah it's sad to see 4th gens with dirty interior & exterior...
Have fun with your new ride!

 

I have a 95SE, 5-speed, with 88k one-owner miles. The tranny was rebuilt two years ago as a result of the dreaded differential carrier bearing problem. I had the clutch replaced at the same time given the tranny was already out and replaced the CV boots as well. I suspect this 96SE has had the tranny rebuilt, but it would have started leaking at 60k, or maybe earlier, so it would have been fixed a long time ago.

 

It may only have 129k, but its been a hard 129k. Needs struts, major detail, flex joint on the exhaust leaks, left side speakers don't work. But got it CHEAP!

 

Yeah Bobo, who knows you could be right on that. I certainly wouldn't know because this is my first manual tranny maxima. So far the tranny shifts pretty good. Keep my finger crossed the tranny will last for many more miles.

96nemaxima, sounds like you've got a good list of fix projects for your new 96 se. I too am slowly making a list, it's gonna take a long time for me...
Have fun and hope everything works out just right for your new 96 se!