Well said!

 

Well after over 2 hours in municipal court, and $439 , my license is left unscathed and without points. Was so close to going to get my dad to see the Murano, but then my aunt called, desperately needing computer help for my cousin. So I had to do that and my dad fell asleep before I got home, so I guess I'll have to drag him to the dealer tomorrow. Now that I know I am fine to get a vehicle, I am not just gonna stand by letting every car I see get picked up by someone else

 

Some new updates: I told my dad about the murano flaws, and he said no to it. He also went to go see the BMW I mentioned but he said it wasn't in that good shape. Now I am at the shore and I stopped at a Honda dealer. There, I see a Tafetta White 3.0CL with 102k. The price is low enough that if something does go with it (trans mostly is my fear) I'd be able to have it fixed. But for a 99, that thing was CLEAN. Tomorrow my dad will see it, and I pretty much know exactly what to put on it if I get it

 

Sheesh, you / your parents are extremely indecisive .. How do you guys decide on what to eat for dinner every night?

All jokes aside, post pics of the CL!

Good luck.

 

What does your dad say about your shoes today?

 

Turns out that a clean carfax can still equal the car appearing being hit. My dad noted that the front had a shotty bondo job and that the front was misaligned. He also checked the trans fluid and he said it was burnt along with kinda hard shifts, so that thing is probably about to blow. So that pretty much kills it. Back to the drawing boards for now

I'm making him call his friend about that ES300 ASAP!

 

Well, another week means more looking. Today, I went down to a Nissan dealer to see another Camry (I know, tsk tsk). It was sold already by the time I got there but I saw another car that I actually did like. On the lot was a 2004 Maxima in the price range. 3.5SE loaded with leather, power and heated steering wheel, power fold in mirrrors, etc; just about everything but nav. Has 77k miles and they want about 11k for the car, which is acceptable to my mom. However, my dad (of course) was not with me so nothing can be done until he sees the car in person. Carfax says it was hit on the left side, but to my eye it looks like it was fixed fine. Still have to go today to look at a different 2003 Murano and possibly something else while I am out. Any advice on the Maxima? Saw online that some people had trans issues, but they can somehow be corrected by a drain and fill trans fluid change, but leaving the filter as-is

 

I think we should just all ask you Dad. Then a decision will be made.

 

Well now I'm pressuring my mom and my dad to get me a car before my graduation so I can actually have a life with my friends right after school gets out. I'm gonna go to take a quick look at a 2002 Maxima later. My fav body style and it's better to put my radio into (yes, putting in my radio is important to me since it's my nav, ipod hookup, and handsfree). So I think I'm almost ready to make a decision

 

Well I think I'm gonna pass on the 2004 Maxima since it was a tag big for my needs, and I read about some trans issues online. But in keeping with Nissans, I found an aforementioned 2002 Maxima GLE. Car has 90k miles and dealer is asking 8k (I think I'll get it down a little). Inside is MINT and car drives perfectly. Can't feel a single shift and guy claimed that the brakes were recently replaced. This Maxima is actually a car I wanted before I had the CL so I do want to seriously try to get this one

 

you still have not made up ur mind yet? I would reach level 100 before you buy your car.

 

Oh dear lord.

 

And onto the next week. Believe me, I am getting really tired of this but I'm trying as hard as I can to resolve this ASAP. Well my dad was too on the fence about the Maxima so someone else bought it in the buffer I had left the car in. So there goes that. While I was on my way home, I stopped at a Honda dealer and they had a blue Accord sedan. Was a 2004 V6 EX-L with 96k on the odo for $12k, without negotiation guy said he could probably get it down to $10,500. Was really nice and am going on Saturday to find some of the final candidates for a decision. Any comments about a '04 V6? Just make sure to get an extended warranty based on trans reputation?

 

And I'm Done! First went to a dealer and saw a 2004 Passat, but my dad wasn't very impressed. Next we went to Nissan of Denville, where we test drove and bought a 2000 Infiniti I30. Has 22,500 miles, and not 1 scratch in the paint or ding in the body. Pretty much loaded, and it even smells like new inside. Can't wait to pick it up on Monday (have to get bank check for payment). Asking was $10,995 and the buying price was $11k even out the door.

 

Finally. Congrats.

 

Congrats! Sounds like a heck of a bargain.

 

Good job. Looks like it was driven by a granny to/from satan...err, church.

 

Congrats!

I guess you didn't research the fact that they are notorious for the computers to go bad after about 10 years?

Every 98-03 Maxima or I30 I ever took in on trade I had to replace the computer to get the dreaded MIL off...

Good luck!

 

11 years old with 22.5k miles...

Congrats though!

 

I can't knock that, but one can't deduce the fact that the parts are still 11 years old, so parts malfunctioning from age is just as much a factor as it is from mileage/use.



Great car though, pretty bulletproof otherwise..

 

I actually didn't notice that online in my research. The only thing I came across are the ignition coils going bad. How much has it been for the repairs when you had to do it?

 

Oh, my comment wasn't in response to the electrical problems you pointed out.

I was just shocked at that yr/mileage.

 

It depends if you pick up a rebuilt computer or a new one...And when replacing the ECU you have to also replace the TPS sensor and IIRC the 02 sensor too. They all work hand in hand. Couple hundred bucks, for the most part, like $300-$500 depending on what you get for the most part.

 

Also have problems with frame rusting. Cousin of mine had a 98 Maxima and also an 01 I30..both were "totaled" because of this issue. It effectively rusts out the lower radiator support where the engine and transmission are mounted via an assembly that connects the two together. This would have led to the engine "falling through" per say. Sorry to be so pessimistic haha, especially since you found one with exceptional mileage and has clearly been well taken care of. Congrats.

A quick Google search brought this up though, something to read through I suppose.
http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic966854.htm

 

Congrats on your purchase...just found those bolded parts a bit funny. Granted I don't know how much size difference there is between those two years but still...lol Glad your whole car buying ordeal is over. Good luck with your new (barely driven) car.

 

When I drove the 2004, I guess just how the interior was laid out made it feel like a bigger car. That and how the body is designed also just made it look larger to my eye. And thanks