I just purchased a used a 1997 Nissan Maxima GLE with 120,000 miles for 4K (I've wanted this car ever since it came out 9 years ago). Not being mechanically inclined, or having the time, enought to fix a car myself, I took the car to my local Nissan dealer (I live in NYC) whom I paid $600 to do a 30,000 mile comprehensive inspection (very similar to what the Nissanusa.com site recommended for a '97 maxima with this milage). Anyway, they diagnosed four problems with the car:1) oil pressur leak switch $252) Ripped axle boots, replace CV joints $7803)Alternator & belts $3294)front & rear struts $1250All parts are guaranteed for 1 year.Being ignorant and tired at the time, I reluctantly agreed to this. Since that time I've found this forum and am thinking this might have been a huge waste of money (I mean, given this cars age and milage I would suspect it's still likely to have problems even after this. In hindsight I probably should have used the $7K to buy a newer maxima in better condition). Can anybody offer some advice on this? While I'm not faulting the dealer (I really do think these items needed to be replaced although I have no way of proving it), I realize taking this car to a dealer was probably unwise, that I could have saved a lot of money by taking it to a private auto mechanic instead (I mean, do I really need Genuine Nissan parts for a car I paid 4K for?).
Also, any suggestions for good Nissan mechanics in the NYC area should I keep the car?
1997 Maxima GLE: advice for repairs?
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bcambell23
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 9:24 am
- Car: 1997 Maxima GLE
1. sounds pretty reasonable2. the axles costing 780 sounds like a bit of a jip. You should be able to get those new axles for about 100-200 for a decent set of rebuilt ones. Putting em in might account for the rest of the cost but even then it shouldn't take that long to switch those out. 3. make sure that's not a reman pos alternator. If it's new then it's actually a pretty good price. 4. wow the struts cost you quite a bit. You could have gotten those for about half the price for an excellent set. This is the one I think they reamed you on.
The switch and alternator if it was genuine was actually a pretty good price if it came with belts and labor. The axles and struts you could have taken to somewhere else and gotten more cash in your pocket.
But considering they've got a 1yr warranty with the parts I guess it's a bit of a trade off. Personally I would have called a few buddies and see if I could use their driveway to work on the car and do the work myself after consulting serious Nissan gurus like Scott (Nistech) for suggestions on the upcoming job and some fsm research.
You got all that work done on the car why not keep it? Have fun with the car, it's a Maxima. Those things kick butt and with those repairs might as well have fun with it since the dealership already dipped in your wallet pretty fatty.
The switch and alternator if it was genuine was actually a pretty good price if it came with belts and labor. The axles and struts you could have taken to somewhere else and gotten more cash in your pocket.
But considering they've got a 1yr warranty with the parts I guess it's a bit of a trade off. Personally I would have called a few buddies and see if I could use their driveway to work on the car and do the work myself after consulting serious Nissan gurus like Scott (Nistech) for suggestions on the upcoming job and some fsm research.
You got all that work done on the car why not keep it? Have fun with the car, it's a Maxima. Those things kick butt and with those repairs might as well have fun with it since the dealership already dipped in your wallet pretty fatty.
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mrbizness1
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:03 pm
- Car: 2012 maxima 2007 maxima 2009 murano
- Location: mt. sinai ny
Re: 1997 Maxima GLE: advice for repairs? (bcambell23)
The mileage is good for a 97. If you like the vehicle just have some of the work done now and see how it holds up before go for the other repairs.A Nissan factory rebuilt alt. cost me $343. for a 96 maximaI also just had the oil pressure switch replaced for $90 with labor.I used a shop in Glen Cove called Maximum Tuning for some emission repairs. they replaced the knock sensor in 15 minutes when the dealer and many shops wanted to remove the intake manifold. They are about 8 miles north of exit 39 off the LIE. Phone # is 516 676 8470 My daughter drives this car and it has been reliable, but she had to spend about $1300.00 in repairs to get the check engine light off for inspection Good Luck
One thing you have to consider 180fan. He is in NY [salt belt] Axles and struts dont neccesarily come right off there. A car 9yrs old I would imagin having a pretty good growth of rust on the struts lower mount bolts and the R/H axle carrier bearing was likely seized in. So labor prices for the items under the car are typically more in those conditions.
As far as all you had replaced. Everyone of those things is pretty typical for your model/year car. As far as going to an aftermarket shop I dont really recommend becuase you may end up where the techs in that shop just dont posses much experiance on your particular vehicle. Where at the dealer you have trained eyes on your specific model year car. If the guy working on your car is fairly new to nissan rest assure the guy next to him likely has the answer. Thats what your paying for at the dealer.
As far as all you had replaced. Everyone of those things is pretty typical for your model/year car. As far as going to an aftermarket shop I dont really recommend becuase you may end up where the techs in that shop just dont posses much experiance on your particular vehicle. Where at the dealer you have trained eyes on your specific model year car. If the guy working on your car is fairly new to nissan rest assure the guy next to him likely has the answer. Thats what your paying for at the dealer.