search for my next car

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My old college roomate lives a town over. We spli an apartment after college, and I got him hooked on Mobil 1 0w-40 when he first got his new GTI (02 I think).

He has 150k, on the original (!!!!) timing belt, and a clean engine with no leaks. We did the spark plugs for the first time (!!!) at ~130k, and they still looked really good.

He still gets 27-31MPG on all highway use, driving pretty fast.

Im waiting for the TB to snap - Ive made the warning many times... but other than that, the 1.8t has been a really good engine.

O2 sensors didnt last well, and a sensor wire for the airbag ripped out - so he has had that dummy light on for a while. The PCV foam tube rotted (common), but it has been a real good car otherwise.

The clutch/MT is still 100% fine at 150k
 
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Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
The 1.8t must be brutal on oil if it needs 5k synthetic oil changes.

If you browse through a used oil analysis section, you'll see quite a few reports of OCIs longer than 5k miles on this engine without issues. Then again, used oil analysis doesn't always tell the whole story. Because of the sludge issues reported in the past, I guess it's safer to change the oil more frequently. However, in my opinion, the sludge issues were caused by the use of improper oil, not by longer OCIs.

The most important aspect in the proper care for 1.8T is adherence to proper warmup and cooldown procedures. And that's not really possible to verify if you're not the original owner. Buying a new turbocharged car is one thing, but buying a used turbocharged car is a whole other story... more often than not it can be a bag of doodoo.
 
I took a suggestion made a few posts back on Maximas. I found one that is priced okay and will take a look at it tomorrow, here . I called the dealer and asked if there is a dealer fee and the lady said almost all dealers in FL charge a dealer fee for documentation and whatnot. I don't know if that's true, but it does seem like every dealer I've been to charges something. This one charges about $600. Is this negotiable? It seems to be something used to make more profit. At least this lady gave a better explanation than the Honda sales guy who pretty much told me "everybody has to pay this. it goes to the owner of the dealer." He actually might have been honest about that.

If they have to make that money then might as well factor it into the price of the car instead of surprising the people who don't expect it.
 
Avoid dealers that charge the ridiculous doc fee. Period.

But if you really want the car, tell them to take it off. If they can't change the doc fee, tell them to give you an appropriate discount on the price of the car. I wouldn't pay more than $60 for a so-called "doc fee."
 
The dealers with the fee seem to be unavoidable. Even at the asking price with the fee, it's still only at private resale value. I'm going to see if they'd do 7.5k out the door. For certain, they'll have to knock at least 200-300 off before I buy. But I'm getting to the point where I'm close to being desperate for a car (I actually looked at Contours, Malibus, Focuses, and Cobalts). This one actually looks nice. There were a couple of others but they both had frame damage.
 
I've only practiced stick for two days and am still too iffy. I don't want to go through the hassle of having someone driving the car back for me. I don't have much time to practice either. Maybe car number three. I know it enough though to shift a stick if need be.
 
Fair enough. Even with an auto, Maxima's are great cars - definetly a good choice, and seems to be a good price for the mileage!
 
No, I'm about to go there. I have a few others in that general area. I called them yesterday and the car was there. I don't want to call again so I don't seem too desperate.
 
I got a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE. Not the one posted. It was sold already. Got this one for $7871 otd. Does it really need premium fuel? Don't the newer Nissan's with the vq35 use regular?
 
Congrats! Post some pics. How do you like it so far?

WHat does the owner's manual say with regard to premium fuel? Typically, they allow using regular, but at a slight reduction in performance and increased fuel consumption so overall it's a wash.
 
Thanks. I haven't had a chance to take pics yet but I'll get to it sometime. I really like it so far. That engine has power.

The manual is kind of confusing. It says to use at a fuel with 91 aki. But then in other places it just says recommended but 87 may be used at a reduction in performance. I put in 89 yesterday and a bottle of Regane. It doesn't seem to not like it. Changing the oil later and I'll probably order a bottle of AutoRX in the next few days.

Took a 100 mile trip home yesterday doing 70 and the trip computer was telling me 30 mpg. So not too shabby.
 
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