Looking at an 03 SE V6, what do I need to know?

[BarryBum]

I am looking at a 2003 Altima for my son to drive back and forth to college. It is a 3.5 V-6, 5 speed, dual exhaust, 17 inch wheels. I'm assuming that is an SE. This car has 148,000 miles on it. The owner claims it has been well maintained, but he has only owned for for about a year or so. I'm going to look at it tomorrow.....what do I need to look for? Does these cars have any common flaws that I need to check out closely?..........

[juan-da-man3.5]

not really man other than considering that if hes gonna be doing some driving think gas dnt know where your located an how cheap gas is but i drive my car alot in the city and i pump every dam 3-4 days now i started working out of town and doing alot of freeway and gas is lasting a bit longer ..belts tend to crack well atleast the alternator belt check that the cd changer and navi work well mine whent out for some reason had it fixed other than that great cars ur son will love it

[jayhud007]

I have an 03 with 142,000 miles and love it. The only major issue i have had so far was the timing chain. I had it replaced last year and no problems since.

I am owner 2 of the car and bought it with 120,000 miles. The first owner bought it new and traveled a lot. He was a friend of a friend so I knew this to be true and did not have a problem with that milage. My previous car was 1995 Maxima that had 195,000 miles on it and never put a dime into it.

This car is fast. If you do not rotate the tires regulary, you will go through front tires fast. Well at least I did in the first year. On the highway, this thing is silky smooth.

If you get it for the right price, jump on it. Hell, I would tell you to buy this car for yourself and not your kid.

Love it.