01Y Nissan Maxima QX 3.0 SE+

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Fri 17 Dec 2004 12:02
01Y Nissan Maxima QX 3.0 SE+ - Gazza
(Probably one for Aprilia)
As you probably know, I run a 95N Nissam QX 3.0 SE with 140k miles. I know mine has emission problem so will need fixing for MoT next May, plus I am seeing surface rust appearing on the underside. My major worry is reliability and safety, but I also want great performance. I have come across a 01Y Nissan Maxima QX 3.0 SE+ in dark blue with 85k miles on the clock for £6k but I am going to haggle like mad.
The question is
1) Should I change it or better the devil I know? Is the new car more of a problem sourcing parts?
2) How much should I pay? (Is it listed in the CAP? I am seeing very different prices from all sources)
3) I am thinking of around £1000 for my car. Is that realistic?
Many thanks,
Gazza
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Fri 17 Dec 2004 13:18
01Y Nissan Maxima QX 3.0 SE+ - Retro
There is a 10000 mile 93/K on Autotrader for £875. It is also from a dealer.

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Fri 17 Dec 2004 17:11
01Y Nissan Maxima QX 3.0 SE+ - Aprilia
Gazza

I would think £700 - 1000 is a fair bet for your car. I have seen equivalent cars sell for about that sort of money.

The A33-series Maxima QX is similar mechanically in many ways to the earler A32 you have - but with (unsurprisingly) some added complexity. The engine management is more complex (it monitors CAT performance) and has a more sophisticated evap. emissions control system.

Parts will be rather more difficult to obtain since it only sold in small numbers and pattern parts are much more difficult to get. Quite a lot of parts of a little bit different (exhaust system, brake discs etc.). The A33 is apparently well know in the US for warping its discs and they are almost a service item - so watch out for that. Headlights are £800 each (discharge type).
I think it is a better car overall than the A32 - body is said to much stiffer and apparently it handles very well indeed and has the 'bird-view' system.

£6k for an '01 85k miler is WAAAAY over the top!. I saw one on sale at a Nissan dealer - an '02 with a stupidly low mileage 1-owner car (something like 17k) and it was only £7.995k with a Nissan-backed warranty etc etc.

Anyway, let us know how you get on.
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Fri 17 Dec 2004 20:16
01Y Nissan Maxima QX 3.0 SE+ - Aprilia
Or how about a Skyline?

Look here for a 2000 Skyline 2.5 with 73k miles at about £6k:

www.jct28.co.uk
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Mon 20 Dec 2004 12:52
01Y Nissan Maxima QX 3.0 SE+ - Gazza
That's a 93/94 L-reg which is even older than mine. I think I'll keep mine and have whichever sensors changed.

(I don't mine one of the last shape, M54 engined BMW 5-Series though)

Gazza
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Mon 20 Dec 2004 13:01
01Y Nissan Maxima QX 3.0 SE+ - Aprilia
OK, sorry, I thought that Skyline was a 2000-MY...

I suspect your emissions problem is just EGO sensors - not really that expensive or difficult to fix.

Safety on the A32 QX is really pretty good. Mine (and I suspect yours) has got the front and side airbags and its a pretty heavy car. The bodyshell was apparently designed by the Nissan Californian design office and would meet US regs of the time.

Reliability is another matter of course - and things will start to go wrong as it gets older.
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Tue 21 Dec 2004 14:15
01Y Nissan Maxima QX 3.0 SE+ - Gazza
No worries, I would be very surprised if a Skyline turbo would be 6k at 4 years old.

Mine is a 95N so only twin front airbags. Side-airbags was only introduced in 1997/1998. Reliability-wise, I am quite worry about the age-related wear on what will be a 10 year-old car. I would be quite happy to pay £4,000 for a 4 year-old, high-mileage QX (A32) but it has got to be a 3.0 SEL-spec. There isn't any 3.0 SEL on the market at reasonable price, though there has not been for the last 6 months.

On another note, does your 98 QX have Trip Computer and heated seat?
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