Ok,so ive been looking at buying another car as a daily driver. My main choices are a '95-'99 Maxima 5 Speed, a '90-'96 300ZX Twin Turbo or maybe even a non-turbo,possibly even a high mileage '04 Maxima 6-speed.

I was browsing Ebay as usual,and i came across a wrecked G35 Coupe with a buy it now of $11,000. Its an '03 with 24k with the Automatic. Now if i were to buy one it would have to be the 6 speed. I started doing some research and found a bunch of wrecked G35 coupes all over the country with varying amounts of damage.

With my new job i could afford to finance something in this price range,and i LOVE the G35 Coupes. But i would have to buy a wrecked one and fix it up myself.

So my question is: Has anyone ever done this? Is it cheaper just to find a nice one with higher miles? Or is buying a salvage car and fixing it up a good idea/cheaper? Should i just say F it and go with the way cheaper 300ZX?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Infiniti-G35-Coupe-2003-Infiniti-G35-Coupe-Salvage-Repairbale-Project-Car_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43914QQihZ012QQitem Z220116579475QQrdZ1

no

edit: yes

edit2: maybe? looks like an assload of work to fix.

Ok really it is going to cost you a couple thousand just to get the parts you'll need to get it going again. Find a higher mileage one that hasn't been wrecked or a 300ZX. That is your best route. Also, how long have you been at your current job? If you haven't been there over a year, most finance companies will not give you a loan. If they do it will be a higher interest rate.

Ok really it is going to cost you a couple thousand just to get the parts you'll need to get it going again. Find a higher mileage one that hasn't been wrecked or a 300ZX. That is your best route. Also, how long have you been at your current job? If you haven't been there over a year, most finance companies will not give you a loan. If they do it will be a higher interest rate.

Ive been thinking and buying a wrecked one is a bad idea. Im sure Infinity parts arnt cheap. Ive found some '04 Maxima 6-Speeds for well under $15k,and that is doable. 300ZX is still up there,but i dont really want a 12 or 17 year old car.I need something reliable and fun.Interest rates arnt really an issue,im gonna get stiffed either way,it just depends on how badly i want to get stiffed. My dad knows a guy a Wells Fargo that hes been dealing with for years. Im sure i can get financed.

A maxima though? Why not a used 03 CTS? I've seen a few around 17k.

no debt, pay cash :)

Unless you are or know someone who IS a body shop, salvage yard or experienced with auto purchase and repair, wrecked cars are not a good idea for the average lay-person. What looks like minimal work can get over your head very quickly, even with little damage.

The other thing thats questionable are cars that are repaired salvages... those sometimes are worse because the person doing the repair might have cut corners or not used the right parts to do it, since its salvage already anyway.

Sometimes with Flood cars you can get lucky, but not usually. Turbojimmy on here restored a 2001 DTS flood about 2 or 3 years ago on here and as far as I know its been relatively trouble free since he dried it out and cleaned it up.

A maxima though? Why not a used 03 CTS? I've seen a few around 17k.

$17k is a bit too much. Plus,i dont like the CTS. I would take a Maxima over one any day. Ive driven a few CTS automatics and i didnt like them. I drool over the thought of a Maxima however. Im a Nissan and Mazda lover at heart,way before my obsession with Cadillac.

Not worth it unless you plan on driving the car to the ground. Pain in the ass to sell.

Not worth it unless you plan on driving the car to the ground. Pain in the ass to sell.

Thats what i was thinking...

What i think i really want... And can possibly afford later this year...


http://www.clearviewservice.com/uploads/img_0033.jpg


http://photos2.ebizautos.com/1120/1676113_22.jpg

I don't think a bank will give you a loan on a salvage car that needs repair. Much less a salvage car that has been reparied in most cases. I know my credit union will not.

Those Maxima with the "center" sunroof, does it open?

Those Maxima with the "center" sunroof, does it open?

Nope,but it still looks badass

In addition, most banks would never finance a salvaged title car unless you just got a signature loan. The rates on those are 2x that of a used car loan, like 14 % . If you are looking into salvaged cars there is a site called erepairables.com that has lots of salvaged cars. My grandfather and uncle have purchased a few cars from this site. Sometimes they have theft recovery vehicles with clean titles for cheap as well. There are a couple of real nice sevilles on there right now that I would go check out if I didn’t just buy one that is already causing me problems.

In addition, most banks would never finance a salvaged title car unless you just got a signature loan. The rates on those are 2x that of a used car loan, like 14 % . If you are looking into salvaged cars there is a site called erepairables.com that has lots of salvaged cars. My grandfather and uncle have purchased a few cars from this site. Sometimes they have theft recovery vehicles with clean titles for cheap as well. There are a couple of real nice sevilles on there right now that I would go check out if I didn’t just buy one that is already causing me problems.

Yeah i have pretty much decided against anything salvaged. It seemed like a great idea a few hours ago,but now that ive thought about it,i thinks its a bad idea. Hello '04 Maxima! I figure i can get one for around $11,000-$14000 in very nice shape with the 6 speed when im ready to buy,probably this fall or winter.

In addition, most banks would never finance a salvaged title car unless you just got a signature loan. The rates on those are 2x that of a used car loan, like 14 % . If you are looking into salvaged cars there is a site called erepairables.com that has lots of salvaged cars. My grandfather and uncle have purchased a few cars from this site. Sometimes they have theft recovery vehicles with clean titles for cheap as well. There are a couple of real nice sevilles on there right now that I would go check out if I didn’t just buy one that is already causing me problems.

Yea, I agree about the clean title Theft cars. Alot of banks WILL finance those too... I got a blank check for my Escalade from CapitalOne actually and it passes Carfax and Autocheck, even though they show the theft history. Usually this just means the car was stolen but then recovered safely without any major damage or parts missing. Salvage theft recoveries by comparison usually had major stripping or were damaged beyond a certain percentage of value.

My 03 AWD was a bargain when I got it for 21900 with 44k miles. Ive had some issues with it, but they are only made painful by the fact it was just out of warranty anyway (11/06). Otherwise I love it, and Im glad not to be 30 grand in debt with domestic depreciation.

Yeah i have pretty much decided against anything salvaged. It seemed like a great idea a few hours ago,but now that ive thought about it,i thinks its a bad idea. Hello '04 Maxima! I figure i can get one for around $11,000-$14000 in very nice shape with the 6 speed when im ready to buy,probably this fall or winter.

Man, from Caddy to Maxima... not for nothin but thats a pretty bland people mover. You get a slight pass since its not a Camry, but its not far off.

If it were my 14k, id be rocking a 2003 Lincoln LS V8 Premium Sport with the THX Navigation, Heated and Cooled seats and Xenon lights.

Man, from Caddy to Maxima... not for nothin but thats a pretty bland people mover. You get a slight pass since its not a Camry, but its not far off.

If it were my 14k, id be rocking a 2003 Lincoln LS V8 Premium Sport with the THX Navigation, Heated and Cooled seats and Xenon lights.

Dont get me wrong, i am keeping my Brougham. Its going to be parked in my dads garage and slowly restored. I just cant keep driving it everyday,its falling apart. I havnt told you guys what happened to it two days in a row,im waiting til i have some pics...

I love the Maxima. Its quick, its luxurious, reliable, its very sexy and its just an all around great car. I commute to work everyday and i need something that gets better than 14mpg. Only major flaw is torque steer. I drove an '05 automatic and the torque steer was nutty off the line, but im not concerned with that. Its available with a 6 speed, the Lincoln V8 is not,and that is really important. 0-60 in 6.0 flat, no LS can do that.

Its not even on the same planet as a Camry. NO comparison.

Nissan recently jacked up Infiniti parts by 20%. G35s are sweet, but this one won't be cheap to restore at all.

The 03+ Maxima suffers from obnoxious torque steer. I drove one when it came out and was disappointed, as having to fight with the steering wheel ruined an otherwise fantastic car. At least your arms will be muscular after a few thousand miles.

I went in really, really wanting to love it too.

Nissan recently jacked up Infiniti parts by 20%. G35s are sweet, but this one won't be cheap to restore at all.

The 03+ Maxima suffers from obnoxious torque steer. I drove one when it came out and was disappointed, as having to fight with the steering wheel ruined an otherwise fantastic car. At least your arms will be muscular after a few thousand miles.

I went in really, really wanting to love it too.

Well I guess that brings up the point I completely forgot... the Maxi is FWD while the Lincoln is good ol' RWD.

However Jonas, touche on the Six Speed youve got a very valid point there. The slushbox in the Lincoln is quite crappy.

that maxima is a cutie

that maxima is a cutie

Yes it is.

The one in the picture is exactly what i want.

300ZX Twin Turbo :drool: That is just a beautiful car. Even after all these years, the lines are just awesome.

300ZX Twin Turbo :drool: That is just a beautiful car. Even after all these years, the lines are just awesome.

Some magazine named it the Sexiest Car of the Millenium or something along those lines. I agree.
It kills me to see them with body kits and that stupid thing they like to put between the headlights.Yuck! I dont even like to see them without stock rims.

Dude seriously, 300ZX :yup:

Dude seriously, 300ZX :yup:

Yes,but reliablity is an issue. I could get a very nice 300ZX TT for around $10k. But its a 12 year old car at best. I can get a nice Maxima 6 speed for around $12k and its only 3 or 4 years old.Most likey far more reliable too.No turbos to worry about.

300ZX Twin Turbo :drool: That is just a beautiful car. Even after all these years, the lines are just awesome.

Yes, it is. It is one of my top ten all time favorite designs. That car looks great from every angle. It's design is still very relevant today and will be 20 years from now I think. Nissan designers were really on the ball with that car. My only gripe was the wing change in what? '96? It's like they changed it just to do it and not for the better.

Well, as long as we are on the subject of rice...

http://www.supra.com.hk/gallery/images/photo1-7/Toyota%20Supra%20Twin%20Turbo%20Wallpaper.jpg

I consider this one of Toyota's FEW automotive design Triumphs EVER. That car was 10 years ahead of its time when it was introduced, and could STILL be reintroduced as a brand new car today. The Lexus SC series by comparison. which was based on it, was traditional Toyota bland and uninspred (and not surprisingly, never killed).

It was Toyota's last salvo at Nissan at the end of a tremendous Japanese sports-car era. It was like seeing King Kong and Godzilla fight it out one last time before they died for good. Wonder who the RX-7 would be?

I agree, the last gen Supra was one of the greatest looking Japanese cars ever. Toyota has never done anything like it before or after. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they farmed out that design to somewhere else.

I'll stick up for the Maximas though Jonas, they've got a hell of a ballsy design (reminescent of some modern Renaults, but that makes sense considering who runs both companies), one HELL of a good engine, loads of features and amenities....it's not a family sedan in the same way a Camry is...it almost competes with the CTS, 3 Series, C Class, but at a much cheaper price. I think it's only direct competition is the Grand Prix, and we all know it beats the tar out of that car in most any tangible comparison.

what about the frame? could have damage:thepan:so be careful and bring a body repairmen with you.wouldnt touch it.:rant2:

Wonder who the RX-7 would be?

Ultraman?

Ultraman?

THE JUGGERNAUT.


bitch

I agree, the last gen Supra was one of the greatest looking Japanese cars ever. Toyota has never done anything like it before or after. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they farmed out that design to somewhere else.

I'll stick up for the Maximas though Jonas, they've got a hell of a ballsy design (reminescent of some modern Renaults, but that makes sense considering who runs both companies), one HELL of a good engine, loads of features and amenities....it's not a family sedan in the same way a Camry is...it almost competes with the CTS, 3 Series, C Class, but at a much cheaper price. I think it's only direct competition is the Grand Prix, and we all know it beats the tar out of that car in most any tangible comparison.

Thank you sir. At least someone here agrees with me...

a classmate in my tech school rented one of those Maximas with the 4cyl when his Intriuge was wrecked... I rode in it a few times, it was a neat car, but nothing really appealed to me too much... the 5spd auto stick trans thing was cool though.

I wouldn't put the Maxima in a 3 series compro as the 3 is smaller. It is more a Camry, Accord, Maxima, and now the Senata. The Maxima offers excitement. Something an Accord et al can't ever hope to offer. It also offers an intersting design which is something Toyota or Honda can't hope to claim.

Maxima > Camry and Accord

:rice:

a classmate in my tech school rented one of those Maximas with the 4cyl when his Intriuge was wrecked... I rode in it a few times, it was a neat car, but nothing really appealed to me too much... the 5spd auto stick trans thing was cool though.


No such thing a 4cyl Maxima. Even the the most base model has a 260hp 3.5l V6.

The previous gen had a 3.0 V6.

No such thing a 4cyl Maxima. Even the the most base model has a 260hp 3.5l V6.

The previous gen had a 3.0 V6.

Ahhh... thats right, it was the Altima... my bad...

they look the same... or atleast from what I remember.

I test drove a mid '90's Maxima before I bought my car. "Four door sports car"? nope. The newer ones look great with some nice rims too.

Ahhh... thats right, it was the Altima... my bad...

they look the same... or atleast from what I remember.

They do look similar. The Maxima is far better looking though. The ALtimas taillights are nasty.

I test drove a mid '90's Maxima before I bought my car. "Four door sports car"? nope. The newer ones look great with some nice rims too.


I dunno...what year was the one you drove? IIRC, they changed the rear suspension in the '95 redesign to a much simpler (but far less sporty) straight axle...the earlier generation had a far more sophisticated setup. I've driven my buddies' '93 Maxima SE and it's quite a good handler, atleast compared to any other "joe blow" sedan from that era. The steering is real tight and it's real fun to throw through the curves and it's a lot more confident and composed than my deVille, but that's to be expected, even though the deVille is pretty good all things considered.

Yea of all the bread and butter cars I guess I will give the Maxima the trophy. Mind you that is not a MAJOR compliment given its competition, but its certainly more CTS-Like than Fusion/Camry/Accord-like. It has alot of features available the others dont as well.

The 2003 Maxima (previous body style) had Xenon headlights standard, I dont know if the 04 and up does.

:rice:

Hey I agree... but credit where credit is due... A properly tuned and modified Supie will annihilate just about anything this side of a Viper GTS. Im not talkin about the outrageous 1000hp frankencars either, just a well modified TT car.

I feel I have to weigh in here as a Maxima owner

http://www.cooleywire.com/jimmyh/pics/maxctssig.jpg




The VQ30 (1995-2001) is pretty much bulletproof (So too is the VE30 really, 92-94). Watch out for the VQ35 (2002-2005) they have oil consumption issues. 06 and obviously 07 is too new to tell.

4th gen max (95-99) is among the best handling fwd sedans you will find, even by today's standards in my opinion. 5th gen (00-03) not as much, but still good. They are a good deal heavier. 6th gen max (04-08) is a porker, and has about as much road feel as a lexus, but they ride almost as nice and are great cruisers if you are not interested in handling. 02 and 03 came standard with xenon. 04 and up they are optional. (I added them to my 2000)

6th gen max and G35s are a dime a dozen though. Great, I suppose, if you want to blend in. And the G35s in particular sound like sewing machines on steroids if you ask me. I dont know how anyone can find that sound appealling.

Anyway, head over to http://forums.maxima.org or http://g35driver.com if you want to do research on either. Feel free to pm me if you have questions on the Maxima.

By the way, I have 165000 miles on my 2000 SE 5-speed, and have had nary a drivetrain problem.

http://www.cooleywire.com/jimmyh/pics/maxsigside1.jpg

my fathers ex-fiance' had a '98 Maxima.... it was bland next to his '99 Grand Prix GTP... he drove them both alot and said he prefered the handling and way the Grand Pric drove over the Maxima.... Stinks that for whatever reason, those Maximas have a beam axle in the back.

Girl I used to work with had a similar year one too, had 200k miles on it or so, and she knew squat about cars, seemed to be a reliable car.

Nissan in my book is alright, I'd chose a Nissan car over a Honda or Toyota, tho I like Toyotas (now older) trucks. I like Mazda too.

Stinks that for whatever reason, those Maximas have a beam axle in the back.

Cheaper, lighter, more trunk space, and on fwd, multi-link is about 95% as effective as independant.

They went from independant on the 3rd gen to multilink on the 4th gen for those very reasons.

The "4DSC" sticker was only used on 85-94 Maximas. The live-axle versions were not called four-door sports cars, but drove quite well anyway.

Grand Prixs are (in supercharged form) very quick but built and feel like crap. Its like having a rental car as your daily driver. Would be fun on a drag strip though thanks to a huge aftermarket (thus the popularity of FWD Pontiacs in drag racing).