You're going to be surprised to hear this...

I would be interested in the Altima, if it weren't for a few key factors:

1. I like the styling of the Protege better

2. I can find a Protege for cheaper

3. I don't have $6500 for a car right now or anytime soon, so that car would be sold by the time I came up with the money.

4. I like the interior of the Protege better
 
AHHH Those swirls!!! My eyes!!!



c5_4.JPG
 
That damage would be disheartening to me too. I can't stand driving a damaged vehicle.



PERSONALLY though, I'd get some estimates on getting that damage repaired and weigh it against the costs of getting into another vehicle, especially since you're looking at taking a downgrade. Thats about $2000 in damage there, maybe less. Getting out of that car and getting into a Protoge is probably going to cost you that, especially when you buy wheels and tires for it.



What you have now is a car you know the history of. When you know its history and its been cared for by you, 160k isn't such a scary thing.
 
GoodnClean said:
That damage would be disheartening to me too. I can't stand driving a damaged vehicle.



PERSONALLY though, I'd get some estimates on getting that damage repaired and weigh it against the costs of getting into another vehicle, especially since you're looking at taking a downgrade. Thats about $2000 in damage there, maybe less. Getting out of that car and getting into a Protoge is probably going to cost you that, especially when you buy wheels and tires for it.



What you have now is a car you know the history of. When you know its history and its been cared for by you, 160k isn't such a scary thing.
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I believe he only knows the past 2.5 years of history for this car, though.



But personally, I would get an estimate first to fix the Maxima. Then again, gas mileage isn't a huge priority for me so my opinion isn't considering your needs.
 
GoodnClean said:
PERSONALLY though, I'd get some estimates on getting that damage repaired and weigh it against the costs of getting into another vehicle, especially since you're looking at taking a downgrade. Thats about $2000 in damage there, maybe less.

Nope...$2000+ for EACH dent. I worked at a body shop during the time period when each of the dents were "installed". I had my boss write an estimate for each one. The techs and I worked on it as much as we could for free. So it did look much worse, but the work required to fully repair it is the same.



What you have now is a car you know the history of. When you know its history and its been cared for by you, 160k isn't such a scary thing.

I got this car with 118K on it. So I don't know much history on it.
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The 3-stage pearl white paint causes a substantial increase in the repair costs. :down



And I definitely thought long and hard about fixing the damage after it occurred. I realized that spending $4000 to fix a car that is only worth ~$4500 in great condition just wasn't worth it. I can probably fetch $2500-$3000 for it how it is now.
 
You shouldn't have any trouble selling those great looking wheels on e-bay, if you do decide to buy the Protege. Lots of folks are always looking to upgrade their rims.



With such a large community here, you may even find a member that would buy them, and you'd save the e-bay selling fee. I think Prinz has a Maxima listed in his signature line - maybe he'd want them. Seems like there were a couple of other Maxima owners around, too. Check out the rules for selling stuff on this site if you do make the change.



It would be easier to trust a fellow autopian to get paid than some of the ebay slime out there - I've been stiffed a couple of times, even with PayPal.
 
No I haven't done that yet Prinz. I am pretty sure I want to get a protege, but I've been doing tons of research on them first. There is a 2000 5spd ES in Oshkosh that I'll probably go drive this week. And I'll search around the engine bay to see where all the stuff is located that might need to be replaced.



With all the work I put into those wheels, I figured I'd sleep on it for a week or more before I get rid of them.
 
forrest said:




With such a large community here, you may even find a member that would buy them, and you'd save the e-bay selling fee.
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How much is this fee? Does anyone know? Is it a percentage of the selling price or a flat fee?
 
White95Max said:
Yeah that is a good idea. Prinz wants a 2K3 though, and that would already have the 17" wheels.
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Sorry, I thought he already had the car. His sig line has been there long enough that I just keep glossing over it and never noticed it said "coming soon".



E-Bay charges a listing fee based on the starting price and how many pix are posted. Then, they charge you a small percentage of the final selling price.
 
I know how you feel. I really liked my Accord but repairing the hail damage and a new bumper was going to cost more than the car was worth.
 
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