NEED HELP BUYING A USED 2008 NISSAN ROGUE!!

[kenh1991]

Hi, everyone! I'm new to this forum and I have few questions regarding to the 2008 nissan rogue. I'm about to buy one from private party on craiglist. This is the link: http://pennstate.craigslist.org/cto/5000857299.html
The car looks like in the good shape however the seller stated that there's something wrong with CV vault and it was recommended to replace at $350 cost. I don't know if its true or not, I talked to him and seems like a honest guy. This car has 2 previous owner and free of accidents. He also told me that would give me a carfax via email by tomorrow. My question is if this price is okay or should I offer him lower than 8500 since it got little problem? what to lookout for when I buy this car? should I need to do the pre-purchase inspection then? My girlfriend got a nissan murano 2006 before and it ended up getting overheat at nearly 100k miles and she traded it in for the honda accord. But her dad still owns a 2011 nissan murano and it's about to exceed 100k miles real soon but there's no major maintenance other than oil change and air filter. I don't know if I buy this car, would it last me another 50k miles? I just want something reliable and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to fix during my time in college. Please help, I'm looking forward to get your advices. TIA!!!

[darylzero]

With 103,000 miles the CVT trans is the most important. Check the car fax and ask for service records about it. See if it's been replaced already. If it hasn't it has a 10 year/ 120,000 warranty. Make sure the fluid has been changed at least once and hopefully twice otherwise that would be the first thing you would want to do.
Listen for any kind of wine in the trans when you test drive it, if you hear something you will want to pass on it.

Will it last another 50k? maybe if the maintenance has been done on it. At 100K you are going to have to do a good amount of maintenance to keep it going.

I can't find the 2008 Service and Maintenance guide but here is the 2011 I don't think it's any different.
https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/te ... -guide.pdf
you can see what should of been done and what will need to be done.

[kenh1991]

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it. I'm getting the car fax today and we'll see if the owner has kept the maintenance on time. The seller claims that there's something wrong with the CV vault, and he was recommended to replace it. I have no idea what is that and if you could clarify it to me, that'd be great. Thanks!

[kenh1991]

I just got the check list from the owner. She brought the car to Nissan Dealership and they did the thorough check and this is the report. They claimed that the rear shock is starting to leak and the belt is cracking? she told me that the nissan dealership claimed that these repair could be done within 6 months and costs about 100 bucks for each. Is it true? The only thing I'm worrying is the transmission fluid but they did check and there's no problem with it (according to the report). So should I pull the trigger on this car? She's open for negotiate so I could get the car for about 1,000 less than her asking price, that'd be great.
This is the report!

[TrevorK]

If you are worried about the transmission fluid Nissan has a tool (CONSULT) that allows them to determine the life remaining. An inspection like you show above most likely just checks fluid level, but that does not tell you anything about the condition of the fluid.

If you choose to change out the fluid make sure to only use Nissan fluid. Also, if you are mechanically inclined there are picture walkthroughs on this site about changing the serpintine belt yourself.

As to whether the vehicle will be reliable - no one can tell you. You are playing the law of averages. If a vehicle is properly maintained it should typically have a very long life. There are wear items, such as suspension components, brakes, etc. and rust-related items such as exhaust, that will need to be replaced regardless of the vehicle. In terms of reliability the spread between the major manufacturers is just so small that it is not the major concern. The major concern is: Was the vehicle properly maintained during it's life so far? If yes, then the odds are with you that if you maintain it you will also enjoy a vehicle with few non-foreseeable failures.

[darylzero]

^^ Well said

[kenh1991]

Yeah, I'm about to come take a look at the car next week. If I decide to buy the car, I definitely take it to nissan to have them change the transmission fluid for me. How about the rear shock and the belt cracks? is it something should I'd be concerned? I don't know if it's true or not because the seller told me that it'd cost around 150 to fix each at nissan dealership.

[darylzero]

The belt you can do your self if so inclined like Trevork said above. You could have any mechanic change the belt and rear shock. You will need to replace both rear shocks though; one new shock can have an adverse effect on the handling and thus safety. A new shock has different damping characteristics than the old one and it can lead to weird steering behavior

[kenh1991]

yeah. I think I would bring it to my mechanic to have him change it out for me. For the transmission fluid, I will bring it up to Nissan Dealership to have them test out but more likely I will have them change it to keep peace in mind. Do you have any place that you would recommend for me to buy the rear shocks and drive belt for the best quality? I want to buy it myself and bring it up for the mechanic instead of buying off from them.

[TrevorK]

yeah. I think I would bring it to my mechanic to have him change it out for me. For the transmission fluid, I will bring it up to Nissan Dealership to have them test out but more likely I will have them change it to keep peace in mind. Do you have any place that you would recommend for me to buy the rear shocks and drive belt for the best quality? I want to buy it myself and bring it up for the mechanic instead of buying off from them.

Ask the Nissan dealership the cost to give you the fluid reading versus the cost of changing the fluid. I have no idea what they are, but you want to make sure it's not as little as just paying $100 extra and having the fluid changed.


Rockauto is always a great place to buy your parts from. Sometimes they have clearance / discontinued items too for amazing prices. For example, you can get a Dayco belt they state is compatible for like $5 US.


If you do bring your own parts make sure to double and triple check they are correct for your vehicle. You may end up paying more in the end if you bring your mechanic the wrong rear shocks and he has to reassemble the vehicle while you wait to return yours.

[kenh1991]

Thank you guys for all of your advices. I've just bought the car today. The exterior and interior condition are great considering its 7 years old car. I've ended up buying it for $7,000 and I thought it a good deal then. I'm going to bring it to the dealer to have them check up the fluid by tomorrow and see how it goes. For the shocks and drive belt I think I'd need to replace them soon because when I'm starting a car and accelerate it, there's a little shaking but while it gets to the certain speed, the shake is gone so I think that because of the bad drive belt. Thanks again for everything!!

[TrevorK]

Thank you guys for all of your advices. I've just bought the car today. The exterior and interior condition are great considering its 7 years old car. I've ended up buying it for $7,000 and I thought it a good deal then. I'm going to bring it to the dealer to have them check up the fluid by tomorrow and see how it goes. For the shocks and drive belt I think I'd need to replace them soon because when I'm starting a car and accelerate it, there's a little shaking but while it gets to the certain speed, the shake is gone so I think that because of the bad drive belt. Thanks again for everything!!

Good luck with your new car, I hope she treats you right!

[kots1]

that's probably a typo. the seller meant CV boot not CV vault and not to be confused with CVT. Torn CV boot is common issue based on other forum members and my experience. Check for any grease around the CV boot area which can indicate the severity of the tear.