Will I regret this?

[billz015]

I am looking at within the next two weeks probably buying an '04 Se-r Spec V.

The guy wants 3000 flat, cars has 113k, maintenance has been kept up and all that good stuff. Car comes with two sets of rims, all these pluses.

I'm just not 100% I want it. My car right now, a 98 GXE with 80k but around 2k worth of damage(few dents, destroyed rear bumper) just doesn't have the power I want. My hill is pretty much a 90 degree hike up and down, and my car struggles so bad. I've done the exhaust, ram air intake, but the 1.6 just doesn't put out enough to really have fun with I guess.

Just looking for some opinions from fellow Nissan Enthusiasts lol, I really wish I could afford to own a 300zx but I live in New England and can't afford insurance on two cars which sucks.

[ABNRML4U]

Just do some homework and some reserch.1. The total amount of $$$ to fix your 98 GXE?2. Compare the price with another 04 SE-R.with the same Miles and options.3. Test drive it more than 1 time.4. Haggle with the owner and keep asking Questions about the car.5. Allways remember your the Buyer "not" the seller so don't sound desperate.

[nismo4life11]

Remember 02-06 Sentra SE-R's had exhaust issues that stemmed from the whole cat on the header so you will have to replace the header for one of the catless designs to reduce the risk of the motor ingesting the deteriorated cat. Also there was another issue with the butterfly screw on the intake too. Just things to keep in mind, other than that they are great cars and will last forever.

[Faja]

That's a really good deal I think... maybe too good!!! Here in Canada, those cars are still going anywhere from 6 to 9k with about same mileage as yours. With the exchange rate that would still make it around 5k minimun at the lower end so I would be a little careful as to why he's selling for 3k with extra rims and anything else he might be telling you.

[billz015]

As to why he's selling it so low:

Doesn't know what it's worth. He told me it's book value was like 4000 and he only wants 3. The extra set of rims are the stock ones which he told me were bent by the previous owner.

And my car all priced out to fix was is under a grand, but I've had too much bad luck with the car. Between random curbs jumping out at me, toy tractors being pushed in the road, carriages seemingly being attracted to it, and 6x6 poles getting in its way I think it's time I pass it along lol

[spec_v03]

ask him to have a compression test and oil analysis done, if the results look good, go for it

[Spoolin4days]

ask him to have a compression test and oil analysis done, if the results look good, go for it

+1, make sure the motor has no oil burning issues, QRs can be good for that. QR failures often stem from the following:

#1: The self-destructing cat#2: Butterfly screws entering the intake#3: Headgaskets

Other than these engine issues the cars are pretty reliable, just keep an eye out for the MAF and throttle motor--don't let debris get to them.

[billz015]

I test drove it, second time and the car has developed a squeaking in the front.

Owner claims its the struts, says a nissan dealer told him he'd need to change them.

My brother's buddy who has a same year GXE says it could be the ball joints, apparently he had to re-do his.

What do you guys think?

BTW: ^ thanks to all of the above for any info you've given me it's been most helpful

[nametakennow]

Make sure all 3 of those are taken care of. Frankly, though, if the car was going to eat its cat, it would have by 113k. Sounds like it's either a particularly well kept or lucky one, or he's a liar and already had the engine replaced at some point due to precat failure.

What kind of squeak? The top mounts in the front are made of rubber and go bad very easily.