Buying a Used Maxima... Please help!!!

[Jordan]

I am about to get my drivers license and am looking to buy a used car. I really want a maxima, but am having trouble finding one. I am interested in a 97-99 Maxima, prefferably SE model in black or other dark color, that is equipped with a 5spd manual tranny. It must have a clean title and relatively low milleage (less than 60 or 70 k). Price as low as possible. Does anyone have any advice as to where to find a car like this? I am located in the So Cal area; and have already checked the recycler but they only seem to have automatics.

Please contact me if you have any advice or findings.


Thanks,
Jordan

Also fill free to fill out the poll on what would be a fair price for a 97 5spd black maxima se with 60k miles.

[luigi]

I don't know about So Cali, but here in the Boston area they go for around $13k. But, if you want it with leather and sunroof, you're getting closer to $15.

[1st97SE]

i don't know either about so. cal., but i bought my 1997 maxima se in laurel, maryland in june 2000. the car had 48k miles, 5 spd. manual, and cloth seats. i paid $16,800. i thought it was a little high but i really wanted the car and i am glad i got it. it looks great and runs like a champ.

good luck!
1st97SE
:flash:

[mtrai760]

5 speeds with low miles seem to be really hard to find in So Cal. I looked for a month, before I gave up and bought my first auto Anyway, I got an auto GXE with 29k for $14 out the door. You should be able to get an SE with 60k+ miles for under that. Look at Mossy Nissans website. I think its www.mossy.com but I could be wrong. They have all there cars on the website, along with specs and location. I think they are mostly around san diego, but it's worth driving to get the car you want. Good luck and try some other used car websites also.

[Jordan]

does anyone know if there is anway to sort out the stick sihft cars on sites like autotrade and recycler?

[Lordrandall]

Originally posted by Jordan
does anyone know if there is anway to sort out the stick sihft cars on sites like autotrade and recycler?

Well you can try Maxima and Manual as keywords on recycler, but the best way is just to go through the cars and check each tranny.

[whhmax]

Go into kellybluebook.com It gives you fields to select which options, with what mileage. It'll give you the retail value (what you would expect to pay). Take that number and go into autotrader.com and look at the used ones. From there you can compare all your results. That should be enough to begin with. Expect to pay the retail value. There may be some "diamonds in the rough" for a great price, however the condition of the car is far more important.

[bobl]

I just picked up a 1997 black Maxima SE with cloth interior with all the other extras and 42,000 miles for $16,500 here in NJ.

Car is pretty perfect, clean title from local dealer and even has some factory warranty on it! It runs perfectly, everything looks perfect except for some very minor paint chips on the hood and a couple of small scratches. No dents or dings. Engine is very strong. Blows my 1990 GXE auto away.

Here's a few pics...

My new (used) max

So, I thought that was a reasonable price. I wanted to get them down to $15k but they weren't going there.

Now I'm looking to do some mods. heheh

[cakemix]

your site with pics is down

[bobl]

It's back up!

[bhmax]

My '97 5 speed max had 68,000 when I bought it 2 years ago. I paid a little over 12,000 for it after taxes and it's in great shape. Some of my friends who don't know the body styles of maximas thought it was a brand new car! And I'm in the Boston area too where prices are normally higher, so I wouldn't pay much more than 13,000 for one with 60,000 on it. My car has all the options too in case you're wondering...white exterior, black leather, bose stereo, heated seats, digital climate control, 16 inch alloys (I have an SE model).

[street_racer_00]

A 1997 maxima for 15 grand? You gotta be friggen kidding me. The blue book on my 2000 SE automatic is around 11 large....15 grand for a 7-year old maxima is ludicrious.

[kro$s]

Originally Posted by street_racer_00

A 1997 maxima for 15 grand? You gotta be friggen kidding me. The blue book on my 2000 SE automatic is around 11 large....15 grand for a 7-year old maxima is ludicrious.

[do the dew]

I bought a black se 1996 with auto tranny w/ 125k for $3800 about 6 months ago. If you are looking for one i know depending on your area you really should shouldn't be spending no more than $8000. Just keep on looking try
cars.com
autotrader.com
carsoup.com
ebaymotors.com
This has been my second 4th gen maxi, look out for torn cv boots they are pretty common. My first was a 1995 se with auto I traded it with 150k with no problems, except the cv boots. I awas looking into 5spd but they are a bit harder to find, and you probably would be paying a bit more, honestly I was satisfied with the auto. Good luck

[BigLou93se]

go to an online pricing site, and input options. but you'd be crazy to pay 13 large for a 1997, no matter the mileage. Why do you want such low mileage? These cars have been shown to be reliable well into 200k miles, broaden your horizons a little. As for me, I bought my 1996 Maxima SE 5 MT for 4200 LOADED. The car had 130k miles on it, and runs smooth. Expect to pay a little bit in maintenence, but its well worth saving the money.