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[Deven Knight]

Hello All,
I am thinking of buying a '97 Maxima SE from the original owner. The car
has 110,000 Miles and is equipped as follows:

3.0 Liter DOHC 24-Valve V6
5-Speed manual transmission
Security and convenience package
Moon/sunroof
8-way power driver seat, windows, locks
Cruise control
Dual air bags
Tilt steering
Tinted windows
16" alloy wheels
Halogen lights

Owner has all of the dealer maintenance paperwork

AC Works well
New tires (<4000 miles)
Factory Bose stereo system
Minor Cosmetic damage on the left-front fender from blow out
Oil changed every 3,000 miles

I would be buying it from the original owner in Southern Tenn. Is it worth
5500.00? Are there any known (Or prevalent) issues on this year / model?

This is what it looks like: http://i19.ebayimg.com/03/a/05/84/5d/26_4.JPG

Please respond ASAP as I'm headed out in the AM to check it out.

Thank You!

[TheBlackFrog]

I have a 98se and it's been a super auto. I don't have the miles you'rs has but
I don't see that as a real problem if it has been kept in good condition.

[Deven Knight]

Frog,
It's in great shape. the owners have kept it up well. I'm just coming from
the BMW world and certain models are Lemons. Ya know?

-Deven

[TheBlackFrog]

Deven Knight wrote:

[Guest]

Has the timing chain and spark plugs been replaced??

[Deven Knight]

[E Meyer]

[Justin Sane]

[JimV]

Great car. 160K on my '97. No problems other than routine maintenance.
The only thing is that some of the 5-spds had carrier bearing problems.
As long as the trans is quiet and the area where the half shafts go into
the trans is dry, it's probably OK. At 110K it's probably due for struts
all the way around (if they're original). Price is about right.

[Guest]

There is maintenance for it at 100k miles. All cars with either a
timing chain or belt need to be replaced at certain times. Belts are
replaced sooner but chains need to be changed too. Chains wear over
time and become sloppy, timing can then skip. But hey screw changing it
because a new engine or car is much cheaper than $800 for a timing
chain. By the way if the chain is broken you are going to have a hell
of a lot more to change than just a chain.

Deven sounds like a good car if all the work was done and done properly
at the dealership

[JimV]

Nissan does not recommend changing the chain and I've never seen one
fail even on cars with >300K miles on them.

-jim

[Guest]

Then I guess Nissan should come shut down the Nissan dealership I work
for because
we recommend chaning the chain at around 100k miles. and just because a
chain has gone >300k miles does not mean it should have been replaced
earlier. I have seen 60k miles belts last 100k miles does not mean it
is ok.

[JimV]

Just because a dealership uses it to generate revenue doesn't mean it's
recommended or required.

[E Meyer]

[David Geesaman]

Rubber cannot be designed to last forever. That's why timing belts
need changed every 60-100k. (Funny, most cars with timing belts say
60k, except in Cali, where it's 100k - and yet the belts are the same).
Timing chains are steel. They are designed to outlast the car, and
they almost always do. If anything in the timing system is going to
fail, the tensioner sometimes gets tired, but that's not a big deal.

Anyway, onto the car in question. I have a 97SE 5sp, and they are
generally very reliable. Aside from changing the starter and alternator
(alternator was done under recall, for free) the only persistent problem
is that my steering is a bit loose/lively compared to my other cars. I
think mine is an isolated case, but on your test drive look for smooth
responsive steering, esp. on the highway going over bumps.
I also am finally falling victim to the dreaded differential carrier
bearing failure. This is apparently common in the 5 speeds. It's
lasted 140k miles, so I'm not complaining. It is not out of the car yet
(I'm rebuilding a core tranny so I can just to a quick swap), but it's
leaking at the driver side axle seal. It also has noticeable play when
you shake the inside end of that axle. If you're not comfortable
lifting the front of the car to give it a shake (and use use a proper
jack and jackstands), take it to a mechanic who can lift it and do other
proper inspection.

Dave