sports265

So i'll be searching in a salvage auto website called copart. And i was really diggin the 2nd gen (2000-2003) acura tl/cl, but their auto trans have a recall and dont want to be vulnerable to that. SO i was debating on a 2002-2003 3.5 maxima. since i have no permission to get a manual transmission I can only chose an automatic. What i dont like about the maxima auto transmission is that it's a 4 speed trans which makes it significantly slower than the 6 speed. I would like to know if there are any ways of modifying the transmission to make it better and faster. If you have any other suggestions on automatic cars that are affordable, please give me your opinion and chime in.

The6spdMax

iTrader: (23)

Auto isn't significantly slower than manual... Other the other hand, manual save alittle bit more gas than auto. 5 and 5.5 gen Maxima > 2nd gen acura, as far as speed, performance, liability... and alot easier to mod. Whats your price range?

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

Why do you not have permission to get the 6spd?

sports265

Well I got 3 grand to spend on a damaged salvage car and than whatever it costs to fix. Btw don't get over reacting because a car has been totalled. I have had enough experience with fixing cars on my own, so it's much cheaper than an auto body place to fix it. btw i have to pass inspection in Massachusetts.

sports265

I can't get a 6 speed, because parents don't think it's safe.

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

not safe? please do explain..

sports265

Well lets see, I never drove a manual, plus parents say im gonna have a headache going and staying up hills. Also they say I could crash, because theres an extra peddle, and stuff. you get the point.

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

+1 My first car was a stick, and now my AE is a stick as well. Never been in a wreck. I feel like I'm paying more attention driving a stick rather than letting the auto do everything for me.

Edit: OP beat me to it.

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

It's all about practice. Do either one of them know how to drive a stick? Is there someone to teach you? The 6spd would be much more fun to drive....

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

Having a stick shift car will actually make you a BETTER driver. You learn how to drive in traffic (keeping enough distance with the car in front of you while still keeping the car in gear with no gas), you learn how to stop the car better by putting less wear on the brakes, it forces you to be more alert and a few other ideas that are characteristic of manual trans. cars. Plus, manual transmissions cars are WAY more durable than autos.

sports265

Well im only 15, by the time i get the car in spring and fix it i'll turn 16 and have my permit. MY dad knows how to drive stick, but he is not a fan of it. If there was any way to convince them. Also anyone know how to pass a salvage title inspection in massachusetts? in case any laws have changed.

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

And a salvaged car would be safer than a nonsalvaged car?

The6spdMax

iTrader: (23)

Its fun to drive MT, but OP, try to get a maxima but not TL please.

My parents didn't let me get a MT car but I conviced them to. Maybe you should try...

sports265

Well my family has bought lots of salvage cars, so i dont think thats a problem. Besides i'd rather have a decent salvage rebuilt car than something cheaper with a clean title. and it will be a fun project anyways.

zero2sixtyZ

iTrader: (30)

My maxima was the first MT car I really drove and owned. You get used to it. I firmly believe you are more aware of how the car will handle and respond once you get used to it. I can understand the parent mentality but it's just them being protective. I have friends who live in Arlington, and have never had a problem on the hills, even in winter.

One of my best friends has a 03 TL Type-S and that car has been bulletproof... except for the transmission. He's on his third one. My Maxima has had more problems, but of a smaller caliber.

Sweetie

I'm presently looking at a salvaged 2004 Nissan Maxima car that had some serious bumper damage according to the pics but is now blemish free (externally of course). I test drove it & have fallen in love though a little concerned about too much free play at the steering wheel. With that being said, I'm sitting on $3k & still debating.
Can anyone help me with a free carfax report before I become beguiled by beauty??

sports265

Wow man, you have one nice looking maxima. How much did those rims and tires run you?

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

That's not allowed on these forums.

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

well put, every car i owned was a manual, **** i even took my road test in a 5spd car

zero2sixtyZ

iTrader: (30)

Thank you. You can find G35 coupe wheels for $400-500 around. I spent around $700 with summer tires. Click my sig for my cardomain, I have my list there.

sports265

yes thank you, so does the 3.5 maxima have any issues? how bout the interior? is it comfortable?

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

start here

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...on-thread.html

vball_max

iTrader: (5)

or here

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...info-here.html

BTW, what part of MA are you from?

sports265

western mass.. is it true you have to buy all genuine parts for a salvage car to pass inspectionn in mass? please if u got any info, hook me up.

DrunkieTheBear

iTrader: (17)

get a pontiac Grand Prix GTP...thats way safer then a Manual Maxima

cause its an auto.

e-subliminal-2

iTrader: (7)

DrunkieTheBear

iTrader: (17)

some people reach that age, like my father, who say the samething, its good on occassions but at his age and to do that everyday in rush hour traffice wouldn't be his favorite thing to do.

I understand that completely....especially when I was driving my 1992 S10 manual pickup and got to a dead stop on a highway, towing way too much weight for the truck, and had to stop and go up a side of mountain on 80 in Virginia....I hated every minute of it

02SEMax

i wish my car was a 6spd, i've got an 02 with an automatic, but my mom bought it new and didn't think to get the manual so i could learn still love the car itself though

DrunkieTheBear

iTrader: (17)

So you drive your mom's car?

PadawanKnight

iTrader: (1)

My parents would let me get my driver's license UNTIL I could drive a manual transmission. They said, "You never know when there might be an emergency where you would need to drive. If the only car available is a manual, and if you don't know how to drive it, how much help will you be?"

I plan on requiring all of my kids to be able to drive a manual transmission before I allow them to get their license. I wouldn't object to states requiring that as well.

AEMAXIMA01

iTrader: (3)

My parents said the same thing.

I plan on doing this too. I need to teach the fiance how to drive a stick first though....

I wouldn't either. There are lot of people out there whose driving would benefit overall by learning how to drive a manual.

02SEMax

no it's mine, she just bought it in 02, been in the family since new

Merovingian7

iTrader: (1)

Well if you got 3k I'd say wait. I wouldn't get a salvage car, I'd save up and just look for a nice 5th or 5.5 gen. Or you can get a 4th gen.

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

That really isn't allowed on ANY forum. Plus, I'd be very leery of buying a wrecked car that from the sound of it (loose steering) probably wasn't repaired properly.

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

Again like somebody said... the 6spd isn't "significantly faster" but there are mods you can get for the auto... but reguarldess in the end mod for mod a 6spd is faster, more fun and really does make u better at driving.... I have a auto and see the times in my sig..... wanna buy my max???

vinco

iTrader: (3)

Your parents are doing you a great disservice by not allowing you to learn how to drive an MT car properly. It really does make you a better driver, because it forces you to pay more attention and think about what you're doing. After not much practice, it becomes second nature, and you'll be reaching for the clutch pedal and the stickshift every time you get in any car.

mandyfig

Nothing beats the hand being on the stick! Is this true, or is this TRUE?

PininFarina456

iTrader: (1)

Is there a reason as to why your so set on a salvage car? Good deals can be had on any car, keep your options open.

As far as deciding on a car, go drive all of them and get what you like the most.

The pre '04 TLs have lots of transmission issues, great cars otherwise.

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

gosh, I wish I had a 6spd, soo hard to find one in neb.

sports265

Nah i'm not waiting, besides a fun little project of fixing car can be interactive where new stuff is learned.