5k: Clean Autobox: 1987 Nissan Maxima Wagon

 Why is it that all the clean, low mile examples of interesting cars offered for a decent price are shifted with an automatic transmission?  Was the driving experience really so terrible that the owner didn’t want to drive it anywhere?  Would a manual transmission version have been destroyed by one of their kids?  Whatever the reason, these slushbox equipped machines are minty fresh and seriously tempting.  Find this 1987 Nissan Maxima Wagon offered for $3,000 located in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. 

1987 was the last year you could get a Maxima in the US in the desirable and convenient wagon format.  Future versions were strictly sedans, which is a shame because the wagon adds a tremendous amount of usability with little to no drawbacks.  The 1985-88 Maxima was also the first front-drive version, but the change to VG-series engine was a good thing.

Power in the 3rd generation Maxima comes from the 3.0 liter VG30E V6 that puts out 157 horsepower and 175 ft-lbs of torque.  In this example, the power is shifted via a 4-speed automatic, but a 5-speed manual was available. 

See another low mile cream puff…maybe one without a torque convertor?  Send it here: tips@dailyturismo.com