$13k to spend on "sporty" family car

[Snowman]

An update... purchased a 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE
Black on Black leather, loaded.  Paid $12,500.

We are very happy and the baby seat fits back there sans problemo.

Thanks for the suggestions by all!

Well Done!
 

[Wolfe]

An update... purchased a 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE
Black on Black leather, loaded.  Paid $12,500.

We are very happy and the baby seat fits back there sans problemo.

Thanks for the suggestions by all!

Congratulations! 

I really liked that generation of the Maxima. Very classy looking.

[2latecrew]

Now go get some Maxima SE springs and some new shocks to make it "sporty".

 

[lurker]

I'll throw some pics up as soon as I give it a wash.  It's been slushy around here lately.

There are some very "sporty" Bridgestone Turanza LS-H tires on it and they suck in the snow. My mission is to find some nice wheels from the wrecker that are "sportier", throw the Turanzas on those and some snow tires on the current wheels.

[WpgMonty]

I'll throw some pics up as soon as I give it a wash.  It's been slushy around here lately.

There are some very "sporty" Bridgestone Turanza LS-H tires on it and they suck in the snow. My mission is to find some nice wheels from the wrecker that are "sportier", throw the Turanzas on those and some snow tires on the current wheels.

Before you pay a local wrecker a small fortune for tires or wheels, try looking on eBay. I found a good used set of Blizzak WS-50s for Mrs. Monty's Focus out of the US for $119.00 US. By the time the exchange and custom broker's fees were applied I had spent $190.00 Cad for 4 one-year old Blizzaks. That's not much more than you would pay for one brand new Blizzak in Canada.

Maximas have a common wheel size, so you should have no trouble finding nice wheels and snow tires for cheaper than local vendors.

[lurker]

I'll throw some pics up as soon as I give it a wash.  It's been slushy around here lately.

There are some very "sporty" Bridgestone Turanza LS-H tires on it and they suck in the snow. My mission is to find some nice wheels from the wrecker that are "sportier", throw the Turanzas on those and some snow tires on the current wheels.

Before you pay a local wrecker a small fortune for tires or wheels, try looking on eBay. I found a good used set of Blizzak WS-50s for Mrs. Monty's Focus out of the US for $119.00 US. By the time the exchange and custom broker's fees were applied I had spent $190.00 Cad for 4 one-year old Blizzaks. That's not much more than you would pay for one brand new Blizzak in Canada.

Maximas have a common wheel size, so you should have no trouble finding nice wheels and snow tires for cheaper than local vendors.

My only worry is shipping I suppose.  Wheels cannot be cheap to ship.  I shall check out ebay to see what can be found.

[airbalancer]

If you can wait and check some online sites, they may have sales on winter tire to make room for summers
I saw some good price on TT in June one time

[lurker]

Well an update if anyone cares to read.  There's a reason I haven't posted any pictures...
<sigh> Sad story ensues...

We really hadn't driven the car that much over the last little while.  I'm on parental leave with the baby and it's been chilly outside. 

Before buying I had read that the MAF sensors were problematic on these so the dealer agreed to swap in a new one.  Performance seemed better.

After about 400 kms of driving the "service engine soon" light comes on.  Oh great!  The dealer checks the code and it's an O2 sensor.  He agrees to fix it but the part took a week to come in and then he was away for spring break with his kids.  No problem I figure.

So Ashley (baby) and I braved the elements and went out grocery shopping.  The car had sometimes run rough due to the O2 sensor but not today so I figured we were okay.  Not so much....  I came to a stop at a busy intersection and the car dies and won't start.  Just click.  "No!" 

I also cringe knowing that I have resisted buying a cell phone up to this point.  Not so smart.  I jump out of the car and walk up to the truck behind me and luckily he has a cell.  Very nice guy!  Helps me push the car off to the side of the road and asks if me and the baby will be okay until someone comes.  Luckily a friend is a few blocks away.

So the car is towed back to the dealer.  The outcome..  bad ignition coils (he replaces free), and the starter went (I pay for the $100 rebuild) and he installs. 

The car seems to rune fine now.  Time to buy a cell phone.

[mdxtasy]

My brother drives a 99 Maxima.  Hope the car runs smoothly after the latest incident. 

[initial_D]

Congrats on the new vehicle. And sorry to heard the misfortunes, glad everything turn out OK. As for an emergency cell phone, you can purchase one of those Pay-per-use phones, just buy the phone, use it for emergency purposes. No monthly fees. Some providers like Rogers will let you purchase $100 of air time, and it lasts a 12 month period before expiration. Good for that on demand purpose.

[lurker]

Congrats on the new vehicle. And sorry to heard the misfortunes, glad everything turn out OK. As for an emergency cell phone, you can purchase one of those Pay-per-use phones, just buy the phone, use it for emergency purposes. No monthly fees. Some providers like Rogers will let you purchase $100 of air time, and it lasts a 12 month period before expiration. Good for that on demand purpose.

Car has been running well so far.  Driving with two hands on the wheel and all fingers crossed.

Yup that's my plan.  I believe 7-11 has a plan that uses the Rogers network. 20 cents/min local and 30 cents/min long distance.

[articsteve]

Bad coils and bad air flow sensor (MAF) are the two main issues with the early 2000-2003 series.

The only other thing is that the alternator doesn't seem to last that long.

[mdxtasy]

My brother just got a new alternator installed in the 99.