1983 Maxima / 810 wagon - learn me!

I'm almost embarrased to ask about this, considering I was a moderator for 5 years on the biggest Maxima forum...but I never really looked into or read much about the early-generation cars until I came upon this ad:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/1563259324.html

I know it's RWD, engine is essentially a 240z setup so there are some options for go-fast parts using old z-car stuff.

I kind of miss my 2000 maxima and would be cool to get back into that scene with something vintage (vintage plates!) and fairly rare.

What do you guys know? There are very few of the OG early-80s maxima guys on the forums to talk to these days (and yes, I've posted up there as well)...

280ZX with a wagon body, except Nissan often put a beam axle in their wagons when a sedan would have had an IRS. I only ever worked on a couple 810's, and thats a looooong way into history now.

Buy it, and write the go-to manual for the interweb. You'll be famous.

ugh...I had heard elsewhere that the waggy got a beam axle instead of the sedan's IRS. That is indeed unfortunate....hm.

I only said they OFTEN put in a beam axle- 810, I really don't know, I've never seen a wagon in the flesh. Just go buy it- You know you want it.

Yeah, I do. I really do. But unfortunately the GT6 and my wife's car are taking up the garage and as much as she humors my car hobbies, she has entirely nixed the idea of having an old station wagon (which she describes as ugly) sitting in the driveway or street. It took her all of 2 seconds after I posted this thread to comment on it, haha....

I really hope someone picks this thing up locally so I can help them work on it. Or offer me their garage to keep it in surrepticiously....

In the meantime, I just ordered a new rocker cover for the GT6, as well as Canley's CV axles to replace the rotoflex originals. This is how I get over the disappointment of not getting a new project car. Use the money I would have spent on something else

That is indeed unfortunate....hm.

Oh poop, thats the same stupid setup as a 2000 maxima!!

I looked into em a bit many years ago but decided a cressida wagon was way cooler in the same vein, if a lot less stealthy (though still off most people's radar).

I actually like the 2nd gens a lot.. perfect size.. just needs a more interesting motor :)

Your wife is crazy. How could you call that ugly? I want that so badly...

I had no clue they made that generation of Maxima in wagon form. That has to be a rarity! I miss my old Maxima too ( I had an 89 SE).

Wow. that is cool and i agree. not ugly.
Buy low and sell high on the maxima board that you know so well.

buy the darn thing and rock it as is. Throw on some starquest or supra rims and maybe lower it a touch.

Its freaking sweet.

Kinda reminds me of a scaled down chevy malibu wagon

Vigo wrote:

That is indeed unfortunate....hm.

Oh poop, thats the same stupid setup as a 2000 maxima!!

I had a 2000 maxima....it did ok, at least the inside lifting wheel doesn't go positive camber as it comes up...

Interesting that there's another black nissan 4dr in the background.

Ive been pimping torsion beams for like.. 9 years now, on probably more than 9 cars. I have no complaints. If it was the drive axle, id have complaints, but its not :)

First time i ever picked up the inside rear on the street in my torsion beam dodge Dynasty jaws literally dropped among bystanders. lol.

In reply to Vigo:

And another black nissan 4rd with a beam rear, to boot!

as to lifting the inside rear...

About all I can say it it takes about 12 hours to change the heater core. I had a friend who had a 83 sedan.