QuestionHi Ray,That's pretty funny about your friend's Maxima...I've been extremely attached to mine as
well. In fact, I would be having a much harder time parting with it even now, but my boyfriend,
who I live with, is buying it from me so it will stay in the family so to speak until it just won't go
anymore. My Maxima has a timing chain, that I've never had to replace. I imagine the timing
chains last longer than the belts.
I live in area code 01070.
Thanks!
Melanie
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Ray,
I currently drive a '92 Nissan Maxima SE, which has been an incredibly dependable vehicle. I
bought it 6 years ago with about 90,000 miles on it for $7,000. It now has 220,000 miles on it,
and I've been planning to replace it with something newer this spring/early summer. I don't do
as much driving as I did when I bought the Maxima, so I shouldn't rack up the miles on my next
car quite as quickly.
My plan (up until recently) has been to buy a used car with cash- no loan - and spend from $8
-10,000, which I will have in cash this spring when I get paid for a couple of books I'm finishing
up. I consider myself a practical person, but I also appreciate good design and performance in
anything from a toaster to a car. I'm far from wealthy, but I have a steady job as a graphic
designer/art director 3-4 days a week and I design books and book covers on a freelance basis
to supplement my steady income. I definitley don't want to buy a car that I'm not excited about,
but I also don't want to do something impractical that I'm going to regret afterwards. In the 8-10
thousand dollar range I know I could get a practical car like a Toyota or a Hyundai that's almost
new and will probably last many years, but that I won't feel very excited about driving. I could
buy another Maxima SE, probably a '98 or '99 with 60,000 - 90,000 miles on it, fully loaded, like
mine, which would be a known factor as far as the cost of repairs and insurance etc. And neither
would require a loan, which seems like a nice idea. But I also realize that if I spend just a little
more, and get some financing, I could actually afford to get an even slightly more used version of
my dream car, a BMW 328i...gulp.
Having never owned a BMW, I don't know how much more expensive it will be to maintain or
insure than my Maxima has been. I don't want to buy a car that I can't take car of properly in the
future just because I can afford to purchase one now. Do you think the cost of repairs on a BMW
compared to a Nissan would be 10-20% more, or are we talking 50% more or.."?" Are BMW's so
much more expensive because they are that much more dependable and fantastic to drive, or is
their value based on, well, just the fact that they are BMWs? Is it possible to get 220,000 miles
out of a BMW ? because I like to maintain my cars and keep them for as long as possible. I don't
want a car that's going to fall apart in two years. I'd like a realistic assesment of what to expect
from a used BMW. It's such a beautiful, luxurious car I feel as if the saying "love is blind" might
apply to me, and I wouldn't want to blindly spend $100, never mind $15,000!
I've seen a 328i at a used dealership near my job that's a '98 with 66,000 miles on it, fully
loaded, immaculate.
Where would one start with negotiations? They're asking $15,500. Not only would I need to
finance almost all of that up front, since I won't get paid for the books I'm working on until later
in the spring, but that's $6,000 more that I would need to continue to pay off on a monthly basis.
My boyfriend says in the grand scheme of things, $6,000 more to drive a BMW instead of a
Nissan is probably well worth it, but my practical side is waving all sorts of red flags, and telling
me, hey, maybe I should just get a Subaru like everyone else in New England!
If you can offer any advice, or observations that might help me muddle through this process and
my various options, I would appreciate it. If you need any more info about me that you feel
would be relevant let me know.
Thanks very much!
Melanie
Answer -
Hi Melanie
I much enjoyed reading your mail...as i have a friend that drives a 92 Maxima with about 170M
that he bought in 93...he never stops bragging about it and for the last 5 years been thinking to
trade but each time as the deal is ready he pulls back saying he just cant part with his 92
Maxima...I have one big Q for you...you know if the time belt was ever replaced in yours ???
Now lets get on with your Q...i will guide you through the steps of negotiations and what to look
for making sure your getting valid value for your money...and answer some of your other Q's but
first i need your ZIP CODE to find value in your area...
In the meantime go to my old website www.usedvehiclefacts.ca
i say old as i am no longer at that dealership but the site is still there...you will find answers to
the most asked Q's when buying a used car...
Looking forward to recive your postal ZIP and any other Q's you may have added...
Have a great day
Ray
AnswerHallo again from the shores of lake Ontario...after re-reading your mail i think your in a position to treat yourselv and get something you really want...i like the fact that your not rushing into it wanting to learn all the steps to assure valid value...I noted there are several 328i's within 50 miles of your zip...98 to 2000 from price range $ 13.000 to $ 18.000 range...
Have you Test driven the 98 you been looking at?...
Be aware a real pro knows how to play with your emotions getting you to rush into a decision...dealerships want you to buy today not tomorrow...
As for the workmanship and quality in a Beamer you cant find better yet it makes me laugh as some people buy only to show the logo and not having a clue as to workmanship...
If your interest is in the Beamer you been looking at, then after test drive let me know what your final price offered was before making a decision along with history...one owner ?...service records...copy of carfax...cost of ext warranty's and name of Co offering warranty's...Yes breakdowns will cost more thats why you must take all the steps to assure your not getting a lemon...
Did you know some mail like this through allexperts is chosen for all people to read in various forum's...if you prefer to recive private response then mail me at pray25@cogeco.ca the choice is yours...to give you an example go GOOGLE and type ray paulsen...and scroll down to questions answered where you will find all types of chosen car questions from the past...
i wish you luck in your hunt...and to finish this mail i will tell you a little story about Beamers...
Over the years each time i speak with someone driving a BMW...i always ask...do you know what BMW stands for...and i am sorry to say 8 out of 10 dont know...
In its early days it stood for...Bavarian Metal Works...and was later changed to Bavarian Motor Works...bet you knew that right...lol
Chow for now
Ray
