1996 original owner, oil change every 3000 miles, and still doesn't burn a drop. Problem free until recently. Little things are starting to go. Now the front original struts/springs are sagging causing inner tire wear. Is it worth fixing or will something else go? What's your experience? How many miles does yours have?

 

Springs don't sag per say.
The struts are most likely toast.
Inner tire wear is caused by alignment issues, perhaps lose tie rod ends or other worn out components.

Normal wear and tear, it's time for some maintenance.
At 175,000 she's just broken in...

 

if it's still runs and drives good, you should keep it. it cheaper to fix that than it is to buy a new car. you are at the mileage where things start breaking. i have a 01 max that has 185,xxx and the only things i have replaced so far are radiator, starter, wheel bearing, and most recently the mafs. IMO you should replace the struts, springs and bushings all the way around and keep driving it.

 

^^ yes at everything above me.

Struts apparently need to be changed every 50k! If you dont' want to lower or anything like that, you can get Monroe QuickStruts w/springs for like under 500 for all 4.

It's just maintenance, man. Give her another 175k.

 

233k miles and still runs like a champ. Best investment so far.

 

170K and stilll good here. Sounds like your car is ready for some major maintenance. Nothing that shouldn't be expected, just like brakes and oil changes.
When your monthly maintenance costs start approaching the cost of car payments then think about a new one.

 

i'll buy it for $1k since it's now a POS

 

Keep. No need to get rid of a car just for that. Better get the maintenance done and get back in shape to run another 100,000 or so. I know some will go against me in saying this but I would advise on changing your water pump o-rings although its not leaking but will if it has never been changed.

 

If she isnt rusting, shes worth keeping.

 

fix!!! these engines are known to last 300k+ once i saw a maxima with 480k miles on craigslist idk if it was a typo or what but thats what they said and i dont doubt it one bit. only reason i wouldnt fix is if you want a newer car!

 

My maxima is at 248k and still pushing strong with OG motor and tranny. Barely replaced the OG water pump at 238k and had to do tie rods abd struts plus LCA( after accident). These cars last and you just have a minor maintenance issue. So keep her

 

99 at 258k, 97 I30t at 142k, 00 I30 162k. All run great, first two are modded. All original drivetrains, just regular maintenance.

 

OP: I've been having the same internal debate lately with a '95 SE as the 2nd owner for the past 13 years (now it has 182,500 miles). My problem is that I've already replaced a lot of parts in the past 1.5 years and I feel like it will be money thrown away if I don't keep going with the fixing/replacing. The list keeps growing though - this week it's the radiator leaking and another aftermarket cheapo MAF on order to hopefully fix a stalling problem that started two weeks ago. I ordered a radiator and the large hoses attached to it, but I'm still worried that it may spring a leak somewhere else soon, which would suck.

Then I still have to replace the original cat and y-pipe b/c it's rusted to hell.

At this stage, I'll probably just hang on to the car as a beater if it comes to that, which I don't want to have to conclude any time soon.

However, I've already concluded it wasn't reliable enough to take my family in on a trip to Maine, so we're renting an SUV. There's $340 more that the car is costing me by not being up-to-snuff for such trips.

 

I'm creeping up on 180K on mine. Still runs and drives great.

 

another high millage thread? someone should stickie one of these. no offense to you keeper but this has been covered about as many times as miles you can put on a max.

these cars run forever. and they will probably survive a nuclear attack

232k ive replaced, shocks, springs, sway bar links, trans 3 times, starter, exhaust, maf, valve cover gaskets, plugs, brakes, right lower control arm, both axles, right axle seal, and i think thats it

no regrets

 

trans 3 times??!!?!! holy crap dude thats insane, unless your trackin her. 237,000 on my 95 and just did a new pioneer double din head unit. dvd and all, doing a new amp soon as well, it seems overwelming and then you realize, " its paid for, and it's a maxima" and then you calm down a bit.

 

Rollin strong at 220k, these cars last man. I kno a lady that has 280k on hers and she drives it everyday!

 

A friend of mine has a 3rd gen VG with over 300K, he recently dropped in a fresh rebuilt engine when his blew a head gasket.

 

damn, that's some serious dedication to the a32's right there lol (plus one a33)

 

New car payment + higher insurance Vs. occasional maintenance here and there. Your choice

 

over 200k

 

Running my 99 at 213k original tranny and clutch. I don't baby this one either. Throw-out bearing starting to moan. Did rear valve cover gasket at 200k. Water pump original also. Use that long live Honda coolant!! These cars run forever!!

 

yeah i blew up the first 2 though. i admit it it was all my fault going from a manual to an auto is rough

 

103K

 

Just rolled 305K in our '97 SE daily driver. Just typical maintenace for a whip of this vintage. One starter, one MAF, two ac compressors, one set of axles, two sets of struts, one set of LCAs, ball joints, tie rods in and out and sway bar links, couple three batteries sets of tires and brakes. In fact I'm still running the original stock exhaust ha! Crazie I know. I just did the water pump, chain tensioner, tstat and belts and hoses for good measure as everything but the belts were original equipment. I had a coolant leak but after removing the rad hose from the tstat the origin of the leak was obivious and I could have left the pump, chain tensioner alone. But why chance it those things never fail in the driveway and I think at 305 I got all the goody out of them. I can still knock down 30 mph on the highway.

OP you are just due for some maintenance. It all part of the game.

 

I had it at around 240k before it took a dump on me. I went through 2 knock sensors, all 6 injectors at different times, all 6 coilpacks at different times, fuel pump, fuel filter, 2 axles, both wheel bearings, LCA bushings, front roll bar bushings, new starter, new valve cover gasket, four O2 sensors, EVAP junk, MAF sensor, and more that i dont remember. all on original motor and transmission. And that's just the maintenance... not to scare you or anything but it's what to expect owning this car over 200k.

You've got nothing Keeper. If it's still running like a champ, and you're able to fix whatever is wrong on your own, I say keep it. Otherwise if it is a large fix (over budget than the car's worth), drop the car and pick up a new one.

+1 njmaxseltd. Sagging suspensions are a normal wear and tear item. It is one of the things you are bound to change. I'd check alignment settings and other related suspension pieces before jumping on new struts as it may not fix the issue alone. Find a good shop for competitive pricing and work locally and take it from there on whether or not you think it is worth doing out out of your pocket.

Good luck!

 

I'd fix it. But, like I said when I was a service advisor, the car may last 5 miles or 500,000 miles. No way to know.

My Maxima is a 98 with 210,000 miles. It runs solid. The engine is silent, smooth, and reliable. I have dumped a bunch of cash in it lately, but with that mileage what do you expect.

 

That is my problem......I truly love my 96, but she is rotting away at a somewhat fast pace now. I want to keep her forever, but that may not be practical. I may have the opportunity to get a 2002 Toyota Highlander 4x4 with 55,000 miles for a very cheap price. Not even close to the car my Maxi is, but no rust.


Zack

 

My 97 has 274,700 miles and still goin' strong! I have been driving it for 10 years and I am totally in love with it. It's a champ! and definately a keeper. Just take care of it and it will take care of you.

 

It's worth fixing if you can do it yourself especially then you can go all out and replace every little rubber bushing and make it new again. These cars are great.

 

With a Name Keeper, Just Keep It.....

 

I recently did a 700 mile round trip in my 95 with 220 on the clock. just replaced 02 sensor, spark plugs, radiator and tie rod ends. I had a car load of stuff and I was surprised at the gas mileage I was getting, and the smooth ride at speeds between 70 mph and 90 mph. even at this mileage she still takes off faster than some newer cars. if u take care of it it will pay u bak for it.

 

only 70k mi but i plan i keepin her for a looong time its why i don't mind spending some money on it.

go for quick struts. you can do them on your own too, pretty simple.

 

Current car (97 se) has 336K on it. Motor runs strong minus a couple oil leaks which are cheap to fix just lazy lol. First max (96 se) had 430K on her and I had virtually zero problems.

I could never leave a 4th gen. Weather it be a beater or a project they are worth it.

 

My 96 SE is at around 135k and I'm in the process of putting about $4500 into it (CO's, suspension wear items, some exhaust work, tires, bodywork, paint) Just need to recon the leather for it to be like new.

My oldest will be driving in a little over 2 years, so it seemed like a good investment - car has been in my family since new and has plenty of life left in it.

 

My '98 has 150K and it went to college and back. Replaced the following: drive shafts 2X, alternator, 3 A/C compressors, 3 belt tensioners, struts, brake pads, KS.

It does need new paint.

 

95 gxe with 300k miles. stock engine and tranny still shifts where you can barely feel it and pulls hard as ever. 2 cel's for egr and o2 sensor fixing this week and front engine mount. New shocks and springs (3 inch drop) stock setup was busted, replaced minor sensors and what-not, power antenna , compressor, tie rods (today), and a wheel stud. The radiator and condensor are pretty new because it got wrecked before. The reliability and fact that it will still drive point a to point b with 95% of the problems you could have makes it a hell-of-a car