97 Maxima questions

I found a 97 Maxima GXE with only 75,000 miles and it is manual. I have some questions before I consider buying it. First, I like cars that are descently fast. Do you think getting a Nissan would be a mistake? I'm just curious, about how fast a stock 97 Maxima can go from 0-60 in? Also, what are somethings you like about your Maxima, and somethings you don't like?

0-60 in 6.6 seconds...VQ engine series one of "ten Best" for NINE YEARS running...at the time it was the fastest Japanese sedan in the US. great features, looks, power, pretty good reliability. service from Nissan sucks, paint is crappy. basically, Maxima = sports car for reasonable people with stuff to haul and on a budget. this is why Maxima's have almost a cult following :naughty:

Cool. Is there any difference in speed between the SE and GXE? Just curious.

Is it difficult to add a spoiler to a Maxima? And would it be hard to find a champaign color spoiler?

Man, I tell you what... I wish I had found this Maxima (http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=142477215&dealer_id=15270405&car_year=1998&search_type=used&make=NISSAN&model=MAX&transmission=MAN&distance=75&address=60417&advanced=y&certified=n&max_mileage=&max_price=12000&min_price=1&end_year=1999&start_year=1997&drive=&engine=&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=&cardist=54) for sale 8 months ago when I bought mine.

I really only like that it has low miles (48k vs. 82k on mine when I bought it for the same price) but items like leather, Bose, factory roof... all good for resale.

I gutted my stereo (probably would have if I had Bose too) and my GF's GLE has leather... I like my cloth better (mostly due to the fact that I don't slide around in it during cornering). My very nicely installed ASC aftermarket power roof is awesome (slightly bigger than factory, very nice 1-touch operation) but it has a little wind noise and an occasional rattle.

Ah well... whenever you buy a car, the best thing to do is STOP looking. Cause you'll always find a better deal elsewhere afterwards if you don't!

OK, I rambled as always. How much they asking for this GXE? I probably wouldn't pay over $7500 unless it is in immaculate shape. I think adding a spoiler isn't a huge deal, drill a couple holes, wire the LED light... no prob. I wanna get one for my GF's 95 at some point. She agreed that I can make her Max my next project (since I pretty much am done modding my 98).

Likes/dislikes... the #1 thing that will pizz you off (coming from a GM W-body, which I did too) is the pedal/steering wheel placement. Pedals are too close, wheel is too far. You will feel uncomfortable driving this car until you get used to it. I sure did at least.

Thank you for the info 98. After reading your post I don't know if I want to get it or not. It is being sold by a used car lot, and it will cost me $8500 (97 Maxima manual transmition, champaigne color, which isn't my favorite color; 75000 miles on it, and there is no spoiler, nor nice rims on it). So, I would like to buy from a private owner and maybe get something that has nicer rims and a spoiler and better paint and all, but seriously where I live to find a Maxima that is manual is incredibally difficult, being that I live in a state that only has around a million people, yet is a fairly big state (New Mexico, haha). I'm sure it is much easier to find a manual Maxima in places such as Los Angeles, California, where there are millions of millions of people, therefore, much more of a selection. on autotrader, this is the only real choice I have, unless I choose to travel 300 miles or even farther to get a nice Maxima. This is the only other manual Maxima on autotrader that is even remotely close to me that I would consider buying...and yes it is much better than the one that I am thinking about buying now. Here it is:
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=133203696&dealer_id=&car_year=1997&search_type=used&make=NISSAN&model=MAX&transmission=MAN&distance=any&address=87122&advanced=y&certified=n&max_mileage=&max_price=9000&min_price=1000&end_year=2004&start_year=1983&drive=&engine=&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=&cardist=334

Man I wish that maxima was closer to where I live. So do you think I should go with the crappier car or go for this one and drive 330 miles just to get it.

Never mind everyone, I decided to buy the Maxima for $8000 with tax and everything included. It's pretty nice; I don't know if a champaigne exterior looks bad to others, but hey I don't think it's that bad. I would have rather gotten black or silver or white color, but its all good.

you made the right choice. i have a champagne 02 and it's a good color. it's hard to see dirt on it and if you have to give it a real quick wash, it's hard to notice any water marks. and lighter colors are better IMO cuz the white scratches are harder to see.

Cool... welcome to the club. So how you liking the wheel/pedal positioning? Took me forever to get used to it... pretty second nature now.

I'm definately a believer in holding out and getting exactly what you want, but my car was a slight compromise from what I thought I wanted when I started looking, so it's all good. I'm sure with a little time and investment, your GXE will end up being exactly what you want. If it wasn't for them doing a sh!tty job on my tint last week, I'd be pretty much 100% done with mods on my SE (ok, done with ones that I can reasonably afford). My tint story is one for a later rant... guy at the shop told me to come back up there tomorrow, so we'll see what he does to correct the problem. I'm pretty much telling this guy "re-do it, or give me my money back." Goddam I hate having anyone work on my car. I definately believe in "if you want it done right, do it yourself." Tint, however, is something for someone with experience, which I am not. Evidently the guy who did mine wasn't either.

Welcome to the club Unir... put up some pics when you get a chance!

Thank you everyone.
To 98se:
Actually, I'm kind of use to the Maxima, because my last car was very similar to it. I'll be sure to show you some pictures..that is after I have gotten my Maxima to look nice, :smile: . Right now I am too embarased to show it, especially after seeing a Maxima like yours and everyone elses in these forums. Thank you again.

you will love the car if you get it, so get it. lots of aftermarket stuff can be done and give ya tons to HP

The only thing I don't like about my car is that it isn't a manual, but that will be changing in the future. I would say get the car, you will not regret it. Everytime I drive mine I have a perpetual smile on my face.