YACT: 1996 Nissan Maxima with 130k for 3900, what problems areas to look for.

[Maximus96]

i know there are members here with a 4th gen maxima. i will go look at one tomorrow. what problems should i be looking for? thanks

 

[StageLeft]

Standard stuff: brake condition, look for leaks underneath the car - especially after the test drive - check out the engine oil dipstick, look under the engine oil cap, look in the coolant reservoir and under coolant cap (do that last one before car is warm) for signs of funkiness. Check all speakers individually using fad/balance, all electronics one at a time. Do the test drive with audio off. Check all gears. Feel for alignment issues, do a carfax report, make sure that all panels line up to show possible signs of body repair. Look at suspension. In a parking lot at low speed with wheel turned fully to the side (do a side at once) drive and see if you can hear clicking. Check all lights.

The list could go on!

Anyway I can't think of anything really in particular about your car that you could necessarily tell on a car review of this nature.

 

[0roo0roo]

you sure its wise to buy a car with so many miles over that few years? well relatively few years. esp a performance car? their drivers tend to stress them more. i bet a lotta parts are on their last legs.

 

[KingNothing]

Since when is a Maxima considered a performance car? It's no slouch, but it's not a performance car.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
you sure its wise to buy a car with so many miles over that few years? well relatively few years. esp a performance car? their drivers tend to stress them more. i bet a lotta parts are on their last legs.

It's only actually like 16k miles/year or so

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: KingNothing
Since when is a Maxima considered a performance car? It's no slouch, but it's not a performance car.

well its no camry. and as such the drivers tend not to be camry drivers.. well on average

 

[Crappopotamus]

ive got a 4g... ummm. a lot of 4gs seem to have starting problems. but would be obvious. and a lot of the time a quick clean of the throttle body will fix it right up. if you buy it, look that up for sure. there are a few other common problems that will show up as a check engine light. again obvious.

other than that theres nothing really especially that goes wrong from my experience. just be thorough in checking all the basic things.

 

[Maximus96]

i'm not to concern with the high miles. my old 92 g20 has 150k on it and it still runs great. i like nissan engines. i was once told by an infiniti tech that the nissan engines are 'just broken in' at 120k or so, the problem is that the rubber hoses and other components need to be replaced by that time. i have no reason to doubt that as my car was proof.

 

[Maximus96]

would you guys buy a 01 maxima GLE for $10k? 43k miles with salvaged title but no frame damage, clean inside/out

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: zaku
would you guys buy a 01 maxima GLE for $10k? 43k miles with salvaged title but no frame damage, clean inside/out

If there was no frame damage, why did insurance throw the car away? Flood? The ony other thing was a stripped theft recovery, but you better make sure that's the case and it was put together properly.

 

[deejayshakur]

i generally avoid salvage titles like the plague. is this standard practice?

 

[Maximus96]

i thought its only bad if frame is damaged because its never the same even after being fixed.

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: zaku
would you guys buy a 01 maxima GLE for $10k? 43k miles with salvaged title but no frame damage, clean inside/out

If there was no frame damage, why did insurance throw the car away? Flood? The ony other thing was a stripped theft recovery, but you better make sure that's the case and it was put together properly.

are those the only 3 reasons a car can have a salvaged title? i'll make sure to ask the seller why its salvaged.