Need Your Help, About to buy this Maxima...

[4th4Lyfe]

Ok, Tommorrow I am going all the way to Alabama from North Carolina to buy a 1999 Nissan Maxima 5 speed with only 100k mileage, and was wondering what you all think about this car. Point out stuff I may have overlooked. I know the price is kind of high but I will haggle the dealer tommorrow. I just need your advice on whether or not I should get the car. It looks in great condition and has won my vote. Thanks for your imput, it is appreciated.

Here is the link to the car:

http://www.vehix.com/inventory...DTrue

[ProudNissanFreak]

WOW, that's one clean Max. Very nice choice. I say go for it, though 100K is a bit high, try to negotiate on the price as a result of that.

Good luck and post up moar pix if you purchase it

[4th4Lyfe]

Thanks man, I will definately get the price down lol. Its hard to find one under 150k these days. I mean seriously I have to go 300 miles to get there lol.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Nah, 100k is fine, if not low. Right about what I'd expect on a 10 year old car and certainly just the beginning of the car's mechanical life. Looks like the body's in good shape. Looks like a winner from the carfax posting. Just be sure to check on prior maintenance (lower milage cars are sometimes more neglected than highly used cars since they just don't see the use and get the regular maintenance) and make sure it doesn't have any big issues. Nothing really horrible to watch out on the 4th gens. O2 sensors, ignition coils, electronics like that, but mechanically it should be sound at 100k miles.

[4th4Lyfe]

Thanks, I will check for matience records.

[sprocket]

This car was owned by an enthusiast is my guess.

The front bumper lights have been replaced with clears.The tail lamps have been "split open" and the amber part replaced with clears.An Optima yellow has been installed.

Car looks clean. Manual is a plus, wish my old one was a manual.

At 100k .... things that you might want to look for:

Rear parking brake cable is routed close to the rear jack points at the sill (below the rear doors) and often get pinched. Cable is NOT cheap. Check both sides ... if it's nicked but not cut through the insulation, silicone dab to seal it will be fine. If you can see metal, the extent of corrosion is not known and the cable can seize up.

Rust shouldn't be an issue since you're not in the salt belt area. I've seen rust around wheel wells, doors, trunk lid (by the spoiler mounting holes), around jack points and at the lower radiator core center support. Of course, any car in the salt belt is going to rust.

Starter hesitation has been reported on the 4th gens. Or a starter whirr which sounds like a donkey whine for a split second after the car starts (presumably the solenoid delays disengaging).

Exhaust ; Look underneath to see if the rear muffler is in good shape. The flex pipe (called Y-pipe) at that age might also go.

Brakes ; rear calipers tend to need replacements because they seize up. Check if all 4 disc brakes are working. If the rotors look rusted compared to others, it's probably seized. Or take the wheels off and inspect at Midas or a local shop, or yourself. Check brake fluid color in the reservoir ... clean fluid is almost clear or slightly yellow, old dirty fluid is closer to black.

100k is a good time for a tune up. New platinum spark plugs (or copper with more frequent intervals), use only Bosch. New fuel filter (use an oversized one from a 300ZX).

I saw an aftermarket radio, I assume there are new speakers but if not, inspect the rear parcel shelf speakers. They go out with age.

Check to make sure the sunroof opens / closes / tilts properly in case a cable is snapped (rare) and to make sure it doesn't leak.