Hi, I've got a 1998 Maxima GLE with 123,000 that was in an accident, and I'm trying to figure out what to do. I love the car and don't want to just give it away (some lowball price), but it does need some significant work on at least the radiator support and airbag. It crumpled the hood, radiator, and drivers fender (all replaced), and it still needs a few other parts, plus the radiator support fixed/replaced. (doesn't look like any frame damage)

It runs great, tires with less than 5000 miles, transmission seems strong, interior not in bad shape, everything works, though the airbag light was on before the accident, and didn't deploy (didn't need it though, since the front end just slid under the bumper of the truck I hit).
I will have to pay to have the radiator support fixed, don't have the alignment tools to do it right, but did get a replacement that's standing by.
So, it needs the following:
Grille
Driver's mirror housing (mirror heating & electronics fine)
Battery
New antenna (it was up and the kids broke it off)
Painting hood, fender, and mirror housing, and a bit of bodywork on the other fender caused by removing the hood.
Replace/troubleshoot airbag (IIRC it was the drivers that the code was for).

I do have another car I've been driving, so don't have to keep this one for primary driving. I love driving the Maxima, and it's much better for highway driving, and taking folks places (which I do regularly).

What would you do? Sell as is, fix up to sell or keep? I know it's a subjective question, but I feel stuck and would appreciate your opinion.
Thanks for any guidance.

 

I say fix it, but that's always my attitude.
If the frame is fine, the car is paid off. Why not?

On a side note, some people on the org have gotten a newer maxima for cheaper than you would probably expect.
-and if you do decide to junk it; put it up for sale as a parts car in the classifieds.
You'll make more on it that way, then you can call whoever to tow it away for that minimum cash.

 

Do you have the tools/space to do most of work yourself or will you have to pay someone to do all this?

 

Fakie,

Yeah, if I can get it to pass inspection, then all is well to keep it, right now it's a time issue. I would love to have the car around.

As far as parting it out, I have to keep insurance, tags and inspection on the car, unless I declare it "salvage", so parting it out might not work out.

Thanks,

 

Doylerules826,
I've got the tools and space, not so much of the time, but I can't do the radiator support right, and I'm not sure about the airbag. Those two items are really my hangup, since they're critical for safety and to pass inspection. The rest of it I can handle, since it's relatively minor.

Thanks,