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Comments
Other than that I love my Max.
hesitate and even cause the steering wheel to vibrate
when I accelerate, especially at lower speeds. When
I am going faster, it's not as bad.
Thanks
Leon
My problem was a bad fuel injector. The dealer arrived at this conclusion after they checked a few other things (i.e. tune-up, ignition wires, etc). Hopefully you just need a tune-up 'cause an injector job can cost some bucks. How many miles?
I have only used Premium fuel in the tank. Usually Texaco 93 Octane or Exxon 93 Octane. I think the Texaco gas may be better. Colleague of mine has 2001 Maxima DE and switched from Exxon to Shell and seen a huge difference. The car is usually driven at highway speeds 50-75mph. I was getting about 22 MPG. I since replaced the air filter with a I&N air filter and noticed an improvement in gas mileage 25 MPG. The I&N filter breathes much better than a paper air filter and as it gets dirty it still breathes well, whereas a paper filter loses performance quickly. I have to admit that I tend to have a lead foot and believe these numbers are fairly decent. I hadn't tried Sunoco's Ultra 94 since I don't have a Sunoco close by me. But when I had a 5.0 Mustang and Sportbike, Ultra 94 was worth the extra money, gas mileage and especially performance.
Thanks to the Spell Check,
SE not DE.
Car dealers these days are desperate to sell, so you be the boss......name your own price and stick to it. The dealers are realizing that the internet is basically killing their profits! They have no choice. I got my 2001 GXE for below invoice, plus $500 back from the dealer (w/3.9% financing). And I don't worry about the dealer not making a huge profit either! They created the problem by overpricing their cars to begin with.
If not, it's your word against his and he won't get very far (unless he's an a--h--- attorney).
I had once such situation where someone hit me in a parking lot. Stupid enough, that person parked in the spot next to me and it was obvious by the paint that was traded. Although there were no witnesses, I did call the police and they were able to re-enact the situation and prove that it was the other person.
Unfortunately, it looks like Nissan's timing to give the Maxima some serious engine upgrades is coinciding with $2.00 + gas and a return by some to MPG concerns. Mercedes' timing was equaly poor in dropping their turbodiesel version of the E-class in 2000. A buddy of mine has a 1999 and is gloating over his 32+ mpg on diesel costing 30 cents a gallon less than premium. Not to mention he could sell his car with 30k miles for more than he paid for it new in late 1998.
By the way, I have averaged exactly 24.15 mpg over my 107,800 miles on a 1995 Maxima SE 5-speed. I have gotten as high as 30-31 mpg on a 400 mile highway trip at 70-75 mph. Worst case is 19-20 mpg for mostly city driving in the winter.
--2002 Maxima New Features/Content
(01 C&C package contents, with the exception of sunroof, are standard on all GXE and SE models for 02)
-STANDARD Features on ALL Models
-MECHANICAL-
-New 260HP 3.5L V6
-Gated A/T Shifter W/Titanium Finish Surround
-Brake Assist
-Electronic Brake Force Distribution
-Engine Cover
-STYLING-
-Side Sill Spoilers
-4-Bulb xenon HID Headlights
-Redesigned Front Grille and Front & Rear Facias
-New Seat Styling
-Redesigned Audio Faceplate
-Titanium Finish Inside Door Handles
-COMFORT-
-8-Way Power Drivers Seat
-Solar Glass
-Leather Wrapped Shift Lever/Knob
-CONVENIENCE-
-In-Meter LCD Trip Computer
-Outside Temp
-Variable Wipers
-Driver & Passenger Seatback Pockets
-Microfilter
-RDS
-Homelink
-Auto-Dimming Mirror
-Cargo Net
-Audio Steering Wheel Controls
-Speed Sensitive Auto Volume Control
-MODEL SPECIFIC-
-GXE-
-Auto Tranny Standard
-16" Alloy Wheels
-Premium AM/FM/CD Audio W/6 Speakers
-SE-
-6 Spoke 17" Wheels W/p225/55R17's
-New Suede Like Seat Cloth
-6 Speed Manual Tranny
-GLE-
-Drivers Seat Memory System
-Drivers Sear Entry/Exit System
-7 Spoke 17" Wheels W/p225/55R17's
-RDS
-Upgrades Bose Audio With 6 CD Changer
-Speed Sensitive Auto Volume Control
-SE/GLE OPTIONS-
-CD Based Nav Unit (Requires BOSE, Leather & Sunroof)
-Heated Steering Wheel (Part of Meridian Ed.)
-Side Airbags Offered As Stand Alone option
-Drivers Seat Memory System
-Helical Limited Slip W/Drilled Pedals (SE M/T ONLY)
-COLOR & TRIM-
-Tungsten Blue REPLACES Satin Blue Pearl
-Glacier Pearl REPLACES Icelandic Pearl
-Majestic Blue is a NOW STANDARD COLOR
-Sherwood Green DROPPED
Sherwood Green DROPPED - what a pity - I think this was my favorite color. I wonder why people rarely get it. I didn't get it either.
What's interesting is that the new GLE looks like it will be almost identical to the current I30, just like the new Altima will be very close in features and size to the current Maxima. So what is Infiniti going to pull out of its bag of tricks to make the new I30 stand out?
They're right to drop Sherwood Green. Like you said, a very poor seller. I thought it was attractive enough when I saw one on the lot, but it was a little too yellowish-green for me, I like the greens that go towards blue a little better, or else a true emerald green. (Anyone wants to give me true emeralds, I'll take that too! )
Anyway, if you find dealers not willing to honor this, call 1-800-NISSAN1 and speak with a Nissan North America customer service rep. They should be able to tell you if it is a regional, elective or nation-wide rebate program (by the commercial, it seemed nation-wide). There is always the chance that a dealer is trying to rip you off - they are still very good at that!
Bottom line, if you can buy a Maxima for around invoice minus $1000, you're doing very well! Then there is 3.9% financing for up to 60 months.
The Washington, D.C. region definitely does have a $1000 rebate until 5/31 (at least). Depending upon where you live, it may be worth a trip - or at least can be used to negotiate.
You should not pay a fee for locating a vehicle - please read through the Edmunds boards to see more background info on swaps. Basically, they don't incur many expenses for a swap - with an "order" they actually make more money - some people pay less when they wait...
Anyway, I'll use my Maxima purchase as an example (purchased Maxima SE in April). VOB Nissan in Rockville, MD was willing to sell me any Maxima for $750 under invoice (actually only $350 under because they added back $400 for advertising). They easily had three dozen Maximas in stock including Anniversary Edition versions. There was no rebate at the time - I had just missed a $500 factory to dealer incentive.
Since there were no incentives then and there are now, I'm assuming - and maybe too much - that you could reduce it another $1000 since it is Nissan authorized (paid for).
Basically, very few people have paid too much over invoice in the recent past (assuming they tried to negotiate) - judging by this board and others. Now your price should be comfortably under invoice.
Two more notes;
One way to reduce the price further, which I did, is to make sure to request a color or color combination that they do not have in stock! I was very insistent on gray with black leather, but I had already driven the lot and saw the car I really wanted (and bought), black on black.
I kept saying I wouldn't take the black one, I had them try to locate one, then I asked about ordering one. They were so pissed, they went to $900 under invoice (or $500 under invoice plus advertising). I could have pushed for more, but I liked the salesman and VOB treated me very well - and has since the purchase as well. Give it a try.
The second note is that you should not worry too much about a deal now, they only get better with time. Especially if the Max is getting more powerful and/or luxorious.
Good luck and be tough.
Final note: I started with Autoweb.com - they sent my name and car choice to VOB, and VOB called me and then faxed me a copy of the invoice with my "special" pricing. It was a very smooth procedure and VOB never tried anything funny, no documentation fees, pinstriping, ADM, extra options - and gave me 3.9% without a hassle. It was surprising.
I have been following the conversations here recently and have found alot of good information.
My wife and I test drove the 20th anniversary edition Maxima today and are very impressed. We are thinking of maybe going back to the dealer and seeing if we can't strike a deal this car.
The car we drove was a 5 speed manual and I noticed that when accelerating the sifter seemed to "float" (for lack of better word). It felt like it would move back slightly or move forward slightly depending upon if you were speeding up or slowing down.
My wife also said that she notice that while cruising an a nominal speed (around 45 mph) that the car would kind of skip every now and then. I did not notice this when I drove it, but I have to admit that I put the 227 horses to good use and did cruise while I was driving.
Has anybody else notice any of these two things. They are just slight issues as far as I am concerned, however I want to make sure that this isn't a sign of bigger problems. The car we test drove had about 1K miles on it so I am wondering if this might not be a sign of some abuse.
Any insights would be terrific, this would be our first Nissan and I just want to make sure I am not missing something here.
Simple:
Tell the salesman lack of profit is something he and/or his boss can reconcile.
Detailed:
Well when buying a car there are several underlying assumptions that should be obvious and consistent - if you think about it long enough - they include (we'll use the Max as an example);
1) You want a Maxima and already realize it is a good deal just becuase it is already priced well and offers a fantastic combination of room, power, luxury, style, value, reliability, sportiness, panache, you can fill in the blanks...
I personally, think that the car I bought, at full list price, $29,222, was priced well, and if market conditions were such, would have paid that (or close to it!) Luckily, I paid over $3,500 under sticker.
2) You want to pay as little as possible.
3) The salesman wants you to pay as much as possible.
4) You lie.
5) The salesman lies.
These are the underlying variables/presumptions of this transaction/negotiation.
These days, an "educated" consumer knows this. That is why we go in armed with as much knowledge about price and financing as possible.
So, with all this in mind, I'd tell the salesman who asks about his profit (or lack of profit) that he does not have to sell me the car. Then I would follow it up with "before I am willing to pay more, I am going to shop around." There are so many incentives that manufacturers give dealers that we can't possibly know the true cost to a dealer for any one car. And I would expect that hidden or less traceable profits would occur due to the increase of the informed consumer. Frankly, if I worked for a manufacturer, that is exactly what I'd try to implement - overprice cars and let buyers think they getting great deals, then reward dealers based on volume or some other variable.
Bottom line, I feel our responsibilites to the dealer/salespeople are limited to our word on agreements. And I feel we can and should be able to hold them at their word on agreements. For instance, if I say I will buy a black car if we can agree upon price, and we do agree upon a price, then I should buy it. Just as he should sell it to me at that price. But if I say I'm also considering BMW's, but really I'm not, my conscience is still clear. Just as when he tells me that Nissan probably won't make any more gray and black SE's, he lying, but I really don't care.
Very bottom line, they don't have to and won't sell you a car unless there is some upside for them. We may never know what it is, but you should rest assured, you did not put the dealer out of business.
All Maximas are a good deal.
Chilly1 - You have a lot of catching up to do - please see the Edmunds board called Maxima 5-Speed Problems.
I have a 5-speed, 2001 SE, it's fine now after a fix (computer reprogramming, about 30 minutes) from Nissan, but almost all 5-speeds start with this problem, that is the smooth acceleration problem, the shifter movement is normal for all 5-speed cars, at least the last five that I have owned and dozens that I have driven.
I'd have the dealer perform the TSB so you can test drive it again before you work out the price - which should be one to two grand below invoice, considering the miles and current rebate. Good luck.
my question is that this 97 maxima SE did not have ABS (anti lock brakes)... isn't that supposed to be required for all cars?? i'm lost!! how much would it be (if we bought the car) to get it installed!! is it dangerous to have lock assisted and not ABS?
number 2 question....aren't all SE's equipped with Bose stereos and a sunroof??? i'm only asking because i've seen it mostly on these maximas and this one didn't have it..
anyone can help me??
Thanks!
The Bose stereo and sunroof are both options. Because they are very popular options, a lot of cars do have them, but they aren't standard. You can install an aftermarket sunroof, though. Go to a good place and you can get one with more features than factory standard. Will cost you maybe $800 - $1000.
I was just checking out those discussions on the Owners Board and there's not much happening in them. I'm sure we'd all love to see pics of your cars and hear more about who you are.
Check 'em out - you can get to them easily by following the link at the top of this page. If you haven't already, you might want to "subscribe" to the whole folder by using that option at the bottom of the Maxima Owners Club main discussion list.
Pat
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