Maintenance advice

ACARBRO

MEMBER
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
99,589 MILES

Hello,

I just purchased a 2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE V6 model with 99589 miles. Other than the normal visual inspection of brakes, engine, body exterior & interior, I was thinking about taking it to a mechanic I know to check it out. My wife wil mostly be driving this car & I want to make sure that nothing major will happen. What should I have the mechanic check out since time is money & a free diagnostic is really a visual diagnostic? I know a little something about cars, I've had a 95 Nissan 200sx in the past & it never gave me problems up to 104000 miles. Should I assume that for the most part, nothing major will occur right now or if so, what specific things should I have inspected?

Thank you

1 Reply

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

I think it would be smart to take it to a trusted shop. At 99,000, anything is possible. I'm sure Raz was thing from a maintenance perspective and I agree on that front for the most part. But my experience tells me that when someone sells a car, it is often for a reason that is mechanically related. A good shop will understand you're situation and if competent will be able to look the car over meticulously.

If you can get maintenance records, that would be great.

A free diagnostic is a real bland sounding BS thing to me. A trusted mechanic is what you need on this and if you don't have one, becareful where you go.

One thing that sticks out on the altimas in my region anyways is a rotted radiator support.