kroze

Just wanted some opinion whether I should keep and continued to repair my car or get rid of it and buy a new/newer car.


I bought the 99 Maxima 7 months ago and so far between the maintenance & repair cost, it costed more than the car's worth. The dilema is that since I've pretty much replaced most of what need to be replace on a car with 124k miles, I'm pretty much set for another 100k.


The car currently run & looks like it's brand new. Very smooth and have plenty of power. However since it is an old car, you'll never know for sure what else could go wrong.


Here's basically what I've done for maintenance and repair since I bought the car:


Minor work
- Oil, Coolant, Transmission fluids replaced.
- PCV valve & Spark plugs replaced
- Fuel & Air filter replaced
- Seafoamed the car.


Major work done
- Alternator replaced
- Radiator replaced
- Steering rack replaced
- Wheel hub & bearing replaced
- All brakes and rotors replaced.
- 4 brand new tires (65k miles guarantee)
- All new bushings (ball joint, sway bar, lower control arm)
- All shocks & struts replaced.


As you can see, that's a lot of major work and I'm pretty much set for a very long time. However, you'll never know what else could pop up in the near future. Should I shell out more money to repair if something else come up in the future or just call it quit and get a new car?


I know i'm going to get a lot of biased opinion since it's a Maxima forum but...

The only issue with the car as of right now is oil collecting near the oil pan. Which I suspect the rear main seal is seeping. That's pretty much it. It's not leaking but seeping.

T_Behr904

Looks like you got most of the major stuff covered. I'd keep driving it. A friend of mine has over 300K miles on his Max, and he recently replaced all of the suspension bushings last year. He's currently prepping a replacement engine for it and will be dropping it in soon.

J_MAxxX

I'd say keep it, most people spend more money on the car more than what they got for it. (that include mods as well in some cases)

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

Don't forget new car ownership costs.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

With the exception of the steering rack, the wheel hub and maybe the bushings/lca, everything you mentioned is normal maintenance for any car with 125K.

Maintenance can be expensive, but you should be good to go for many, many miles.

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

Not much to say that hasn't been said above. Keep it. You've done most of the major stuff so you should be more than good to go for another 100k. I'm looking to double my current mileage (144k currently) before getting a new car...

Tyutyunnik

iTrader: (1)

I think you should have made this decision before you spent all your money on the maintenance. Now that it's all spent you might as well keep it to get your moneys worth. If its taken care of then it should run for a very long time.

felorojas14

iTrader: (4)

I'm in the same boat. I've invested on many expnsive upgrades/maintenace. I'm in too deep now to turn back. What keeps me going is 1. I love the car and 2. the engine has a strong history of longevity. Being the original owner and at 192000 miles, I know the cars been cared for so it will easily last me till 300000 miles...

nsnrider

iTrader: (59)

you pretty much answered your own question. why replace a car that has most major parts replaced and looks and runs well? i'm assuming your car is paid for...why get into a loan?

kroze

It's the unknown future uncertainty associated with old cars. Engine, transmission could go, oil leaks get worse, etc...

Should I put a set amount for the next repair? As if it goes over that amount I'll throw in the towel. $500, $1000?

And I'll be buying the newer car with cash, no loan

kroze

Well...I got bad news.

Just as when I thought everything is done and over with, the car now shifts pretty rough/abrupt. Going from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd it's not smooth but quick and abrupt. Sometimes I hear a clunk for both upshift and downshift.

I don't know what could it be? transmission or torque converter?

Yes: Transmission fluid was replaced not too long ago
Yes: There's enough fluid in there (though i made the mistake of overfilling it over the "Max" line)

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

Too much fluid is just as bad as not enough

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

What type fluid did you put in? It should be Dexron III or equivalent or better, like Dexron 4. Of course you could have also used OEM Nissan Dmatic.

Drain and fill it again a couple of times to get rid of the wrong fluid if you have it.

DO NOT FLUSH. Old trannies can fail from the flushing process.

Definitely keep the car. 4th gen Maximas have extremely good reliability ratings.

DW

Divewjason

Keep it and push cash away every month for a newer car for when you are ready to pull the trigger. You certainly don't want to get stuck with car payments!

If your Maxima is automatic it's normal for it to shift hard. Mine did when I had it.

kroze

$52 fixed the transmission!! It was the resistor assembly that caused the rough shifting. I'm so happy now because the car drives brand new.