Glasuan

What should i look for? The engine bay looks a bit rusty. The car comes with leather and bose. I was thinking of getting this and swapping in a newer engine. The dealer is asking $11,900 for it. Is that fair? What other things should i look for in the car. Interior looks clean.

LA02MAX

iTrader: (3)

price is waaay to high for that mileage...you could get a similar car for ~9k....keep searching or get a 5th gen (not a 5.5)

Glasuan

If I can get the price down to 10k, would that be reasonable? Based on edmunds, the car should be about $12.5k retail.

LA02MAX

iTrader: (3)

i think 10k would be an OK price depending on the condition...have a mechanic look it over, and inspect the body/interior/wheels/undercarriage yourself to make sure before buying....104k is quite a bit of mileage, but i know the max can handle it, considering my mom's has 204k on it now... also check the BLOSE stereo and make sure it's working properly...put in a couple CDs and drive around...if the left side speakers cut off, or the player scratches your CDs (mine did that and ruined a few of my CDs) then ask them to replace the HU before you purchase

Glasuan

The HU is aftermarket (pioneer or alpine). I think I would have liked the stocker better (6 disc changer and all). It does have the Bose package.

LA02MAX

iTrader: (3)

that's a big plus then..trust me...you can get an AM 6 CD-changer to go in your trunk a lot cheaper than you could have gotten a new HU when that one broke (pretty much guaranteed...) I'd say if you can work the price down to 10k go for it, but you probably already know the consequences of buying a high mileage car....

Glasuan

Now the engine looks a bit rusty, i don't know what this can mean, i mean the car is only 3-4 years old. Driven somewhere very snowy, or flood damage maybe?

Glasuan

Anyone wanna run a carfax by chance?

Vin: JN1DA31D02T437745

LA02MAX

iTrader: (3)

are you buying it from a dealer? if so, have them run a carfax....a lot of the information doesn't show, but it's a good place to start....the car must have been in a snowy, or humid area to have already formed rust....is there any more rust on the car? (ie: exhaust, body panels, etc.)

Glasuan

No other rust anywhere, and the interior looks damn near perfect. I have not driven it, but starts fine, sounds good under the hood.

LA02MAX

iTrader: (3)

well all i can suggest to you now is that you should go and test drive it first...then if you really like it, try to talk them down to 9-10k...if you succeed with that, go for it...

DrKlop

iTrader: (3)

- check for rust under the wheel arches
- if possible get on the highway and test it at speeds over 80 mph, if you notice any vibration…I would not buy that car.
- drive it for 30 – 40 miles, then take it to AutoZone and scan with OBDII scanner (make sure there are no trouble codes)
- if possible take it to a mechanic

Just in case you change your mind about swapping the engine:
- make sure that there is no smell of burned oil from oil dipstick
- put some oil from the dipstick on your fingers and rub it (if you notice small particles the engine might die soon)

Glasuan

Thanks guys, any more tips would certainly be welcome.

Yaco_Max

iTrader: (6)

for that mileage....

I think is not even worth it...

I saw a 2k2 with 55k for $16500 very clean.

Keep shopping around and find a better low mileage car.....

jimmycapp

Just be carfull when booking high mileage cars. I was on KBB.com and relized when you get to a specific mileage, it stops lowering the price.

Good luck though

03titanium

I have an 03 Titanium which I plan to sell. I am in CA/LA though. All options (and few extra things such as full size facctory titanium rim and tire) but navigation. Even heate leather seats and heated outside mirror. I have less that 27000 Miles on it. If interested let me know. I am selling it because I don't have room for I had to buy a truck. Good luck though.

Ataraxia

iTrader: (1)

For that price, you should be able to find one without the rust and a few thousand less miles. I've seen 02's around here with 75k for less than $9k. Keep looking...

Try Cars.com or CarMax to give you an idea. I found a bunch of cars using them, including the one I wound up buying. You can also scout out Nissan, Toyota and Infiniti dealerships which is where I found most of my prospects.

002_SecretEgent

I bought my MT 02 max in Oct 04 for 12900. Negotiate because you are not going to find too many MTs around. Not to mention the rust???? Is up there in the "salt belt" or something?

Maxrider24/7

Hey that price really sounds way to high....run the car fax and if it good, try talking them down...especially with that kind of high mileage......

Bobo

Forget about that car and move on to a lower mileage vehicle. Personally I wouldn't consider buying an 02 with more than 50K on it.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Exactly what happens at 50k that magicly turns the car into doo-doo? I mean in technical terms? So if you sold your car with 60k, no one should buy it right?

Glasuan

Technically, maxima's have gone to 200k miles+, but besides that I plan on replacing the engine. Most of those miles have to be highway, so all other components are pretty solid. And the car is in good shape other than mileage. That is the only reason i am considering this.

AcerX

Definitely too high! I bought my 01' in great condition with 48k for 12,000ish

Starchild2K2SE

That is way too much bro, I paid $12,999 for my maxima and it's a 2002 with 68k on the dash. Too much IMO.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

I knew he wouldn't answer this also.

chr0nos

iTrader: (1)

wtf? age affects car's condition more than milage. with this high milage, its probably highway driven car, so wear on the internals is less than average.
the 5.5 gen's hold their value better than similar regular 5th gen, so you can't compar apples to apples.
if you can talk them down in price, do a compression test at a mechanic, and make sure there are no oil leaks.
you may spend $50-100 on tests, but if the price is right, its worth spending the money up front, than much more later on repairs.

DaBoxSE

iTrader: (5)

I paid $16k for my 2k2 with 24k on it in Jan 04

Glasuan

The problem with this is its hard to find a 6mt in chicago. I have seen few, and people charge more for them. Thats why this is such a good deal.

Urbanracer

I wouldn;t buy that car. I just bought a 02 6MT maxima from chicago about 4 or 5 weeks ago for $14,700, with extra wheels. It had 32K on it, deal if you ask me. If you look long enough you'll find a much better deal.

mohmony

Hi

I never had a Maxima Before, But after Driving my friend's car.. I have decided to get one(AUTOMATIC)..
Have a Few Questions (Sorry, Had to post here -- As the Admin is not allowing New Threads for Newbies).
Iam not much into Modifications alteast as of now(Tires -- Exempt)
My Main Concern is Mileage as i would do lot of City Driving(Thats the reason keeping me off Stick Shifts)

(1) Whats the Real world Mileage you get off a 5th Gen Maxima?? (Do i get atleast 20mpg in the City??)
(2) I know starting 2002 The Maxima Engine is beefed up to 3.5 Litres against the 3.0 (99 Thru 01).... Mileage wise any significant changes?? Other than Mileage any other Considerable Changes??
(3) Are the 5th gen Maxima's Less Reliable than the Previous One's??

I have the Option of buying a
2001 Max GLE with Leather for $15K(Inclusive of Taxes)
2002 Max GLE with Leather and Mem Seatinf for $16K(Inclusive of Taxes)

Any Suggestions welcome...

mohmony

BTW, Forgot to mention the Mileage on the cars that iam considering..
(1) 2001 -- 32k
(2) 2002 -- 29k

DesiGLE

I'd go for the 02 its well worth it (the 3.5, HID, updated exterior and interior etc.)

I just got an 02(with the 3.5) and paid close attention to the mileage i got 23-25 mpg city(philly) driving and 32-35 mpg highway (going at 70mph)

As for the thread creator bargain for a few thousand less and drop in a new 3.5(I saw one for "buy it now $1,000" with 15K miles on it on ebay)

But keep looking...one guy was offering me a base SE with 70K miles in awful condition for 12.5K it took me a few months before i settled on my current one.

panchosmax00

bring it down to $10k..bcuz of the 100k+ miles..and its an 02 max

Bobo

I hope you weren't holding your breath for me to respond. I don't check in on the 5th Gen forum too often and consequently haven't made any enemies (to my knowledge) here yet.

I just have this thing about not buying a car that exceeds normal mileage for the year. An 02 Maxima is coming up to 4 years old and should still be on warranty. 50K is enough miles for my liking on a car that old.

The fact that my 95 Maxima has 60K on it is irrelevant to this discussion, but one could say the same about a number of the points you raise, lol! j/k