1995 Nissan Maxima GXE is it worth saving?

Whether or not it's worth "saving" depends on how much money you have ;) and how much money you make (among other things).

Nothing you mention is what I would consider a problem worth discarding the car for. Brakes are a regular maintenance item. At 100k, replacing the struts (front) and shocks (rear) is probably abuot right, a burnt wiper motor is not a big deal and I assume you need to replace the axles because of torn boots (which itself is not a big deal), and common at your mileage.

So all in all - your problems (other than tranny failure) are par for the course. Not sure what you mean by steering column rattle - is it a "trim" type rattle, or a linkage rattle (worn bushing for example).

The tranny is the big one - and you can pick up a working used auto tranny from a junk yard and have it installed - I would trust that over a dubious rebuild.

As for cost- it all depends on where you go and what parts you use. Call some local mechanics and get some estimates.

Cheers, Nirav

A shop may charge:

1. 2500$
2. 400$
3. 300$
4. 500$
5. 150$
6. 600$

Correcting those issues is 'sound investment' if u keep the car for 'next five yrs'.

The engine condition: cam chain/guide, injector, coilpack, starter, alt, waterpump ... might dictate the economics. Typical change/repair needs arise after 150k.

Its costly to fall in love into good looks :) I guess youre better off with a younger [mile-age] max -or- older which has most of these things already addressed.

How long are you going to keep the car?

60K miles. Sure. Why not?