#### I don't really pay much attention to this part of the site, I'm not sure if this post should go elsewhere ####

Hi garage people. I'm thinking about selling my car and, having never done this before, I'm in need of some advice.

It's a 96 Maxima GXE with about 140,000 miles. It has been well taken care of by both myself and the previous (original) owner. There are a few minor dings and a small crack in the bumper but no significant paint or body damage.

There are a few problems, though. The major issue (I think) is somewhere in the fuel system. For the first six months or so after purchasing the car, I put mid-grade gas in it, not knowing that it was recommended to use premium. I'm not sure if that's what caused the problem, but shortly after switching exclusively to premium, the check engine light came on. I pulled the codes myself and it came back that the knock sensor was buggin' the fuck out. I have no idea what a knock sensor is and there were no immediate issues other than the check engine light. Over the past several months, though, it has occasionally stalled and/or been difficult to start; but as long as I keep the needle off empty, it fires up every time. My uninformed opinion is that for some reason, it isn't getting fuel and misfiring.

Other than that, the car runs great. It needs new tires and new speakers, but is otherwise in great condition.

So, my question to those who know about these things: The KBB value is $2700 in fair condition, is this a fair asking price or should I go higher/lower. Should I try to take care of the engine/fuel problem before selling or sell as-is? Also, where's the best place to try to sell?

5/21/2008 9:06:13 PM

changing the fuel filter and the knock sensor would be easy, and relatively cheap. This would probably cure the CEL, and get you more money.

I would check on prices first of course before I threw a single thing at it.

5/21/2008 10:52:09 PM

Fuel filter was changed about 6 months ago. I think I'll probably just drop the money on the knock sensor. In my opinion, that should bump it into the "good" category, which is listed at about $3200. Does that sound like a reasonable price?

5/22/2008 12:08:35 AM

yes.

5/22/2008 12:10:00 AM

that stalling issue sounds like fuel pump on its way out or 1 or 2 coils are going bad

5/22/2008 7:55:01 AM

the knock sensor code is a ghost code and will not trip the CEL...so thats not causing your light to be on. All a bad ks does is tell your engine to use a more retarded timing map which gives you less power but that's ab it.

you can change the knock sensor relatively easy yourself (~30 mins) if your somewhat mechanically inclined. You can get the ks for 60-70 dollars on ebay.

5/22/2008 7:31:01 PM