Nissan Maxima

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Comments

  • pduboispdubois Member Posts: 73
    I agree with you, the Canadian Website is useless (at this time) and the sales people don't know much.

    I got the info about the LSD from direct contact with the head office of Nissan Canada.

    Pat.
  • cojonekacojoneka Member Posts: 10
    I too am deeply saddened by the recent events - I once worked in the WTC. I was on the verge of buying a Maxima or Altima (was probably going to flip a coin) but have decided, as many people will, to postpone my purchase. When I told the dealer why I wasn' buying, he didn't understand my logic - these scumbags are too much. As far as the car, the dealers really need their heads examined. I had a firm deal on a Max SE w/ everything except nav for 28,500 (sticker was 30,512). A fully loaded (everything) Altima SE stickers for 29,500, and the dealer would not move off of the sticker. This of course led me to the Max. I don't think you'll see too many loaded Altimas so they don't get near the Max. Again, though, with all due respect to the victims of the attack that brought on the uncertainty in an already shaky economy, let's hold out on these dealers for a few weeks, and see how fast they are willing to deal on any car, and will be backed up by Nissan with some great cash back or financing offers. Good luck.
  • rcman13rcman13 Member Posts: 13
    I am new to this forum as I am about to purchase a 96 maxima se 5-speed. It has 77k miles and recent 60k service including all 3 O2 sensors and new tires. i've heard several horror stories related to sensors/ wiring harnesses failing and quite expensive repair costs. I was wondering if anyone can comment on overall reliability...i.e..how long will the thing run before major service required? also, the guy is asking $10,500....is this reasonable? Any advice appreciated
    rcman13
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    Hopefully, my good experience with a 1995 Maxima SE 5-speed is not an anomoly. I am exceptionally pleased with the virtual absence of anything significant over the past 7 years other than routine maintenance. For the record, here is what my "log book" currently shows:

    Miles: 114,050 (75%+ highway / DC Beltway)

    Grand total maintenance costs: $3,812.44
    Includes: All regularly scheduled maintencance by Nissan dealer every 7,500 miles for first 5 years, every 15,000 miles for last two. Oil/filter changes every 4,000 miles (has been changed 28 times since new). Two new sets of tires ($830 included in above figure). New front brake pads at 90,000 mile service. Wheel alignment at 110,000 miles. Reset Airbag sensor ($75.00) at 110,000 miles. The only expenditures not included in above figure are 5 trips to "Dent wizard" to repair a few dings over the years ($550 total). I figure if the car is treating me this well, I ought to keep it looking new.

    Gas expenditures: $6,719.46 for 4,737 gallons = 24.08 miles per gallon since new.

    My experience between 77,000 miles and 114,000 miles has been as trouble free as when the car was brand new. There is no indication that anything imminent is on the horizon. Engine runs like new. Clutch and transmission remain perfect. By comparison, I spent over $6,000 attempting to maintain a previous Acura from 90,000 to 115,000 miles before I handed it to Salvation Army for a tax write-off.

    It's certainly hard to imagine having a more trouble free and relatively fun to drive car as the Maxima SE 5-speed. And, as I have previously posted, I believe the 95/96 Maxima SE 5-speed's feel quicker to me than the newer 00/01 generation cars.

    Good luck.
  • rcman13rcman13 Member Posts: 13
    WOW! Wasn't expecting such a detailed "log book" report. Thanks! I can tell you really love your car. Hearing stories like yours definitely boosts my confidence in the car I'm about to purchase. I know there are always lemons out there...but just to know people have seen a trouble-free run from 70k to 114k is reassuring (not sure my friend's Kia will do the same). Thanks for your help....it will definitely help me overcome that energy barrier to sign a fairly healthy check for a 77k mile used car.
    rcman13
  • cyranno99cyranno99 Member Posts: 419
    the car has only about 40k on it. It is an automatic. A daily driver for the mom. It has been great until recently. You can here a strange noise when starting the car, but it goes away after the engine has warmed up. There are quite a few paint chips on the front due to mostly highway driving near large trucks. In all, it is more reliable than our previous generation Maximas. The '91 and '93 had transmission problems - auto as well.
  • obiwankenobi1obiwankenobi1 Member Posts: 290
    I here where you are coming from. I work as an autobroker in Southern California and have heard through the grapevine that dealerships are really dead out here! My DMV lady told me that one dealership that sold 200 cars prior to Sept. 11th has only sold 7 since! That is really slow.

    The Nissan dealer who I work with (the one who also supplied my 02 Maxima SE), said that there were actually people buying cars on the day of the attack. She couldn't believe it.

    Also, GM now announces that they are offering 0.0% financing on EVERY one of their cars! So you KNOW that auto business is hurting.

    I think the benifit of being an auto broker is the fact that I sell all makes and models which doesn't limit my sales. Also, people can call for all the information over the phone instead of dealing with (sigh) salespeople on car lots!

    I totally understand where you are coming from. I'll just have to ride it out for awhile and see what happens. Believe me, if you had called ME and told my why you weren't buying, I wouldn't have had a problem at all.

    Take care!

    Obi
  • corkfishcorkfish Member Posts: 537
    I haven't decided whether I should get the WRX or the Maxima. In any case, I'm going to wait a while to see how the economy handles all of these shocks and if the stock market can stabilize.
  • bianca2bianca2 Member Posts: 78
    Don't look for the stock market to stabilize before next spring or early summer, but it WILL come. People who can afford to hang on - ie are not in debt up to their eyeballs - usually do very well by buying stocks in a downturn. Not necessarily by buying cars, however. This is a time to avoid taking on new debt, live within your means, and buy stock ONLY with money you can afford to be without for a while.

    I'm glad I bought my Maxima last year. No decisions to make on cars for a long time to come!
  • gamoongamoon Member Posts: 6
    I just bought a 2002 Maxima SE and after the 1st day all I can say is WOW what a car. Even though the car has an automatic it really has excellent acceleration. Highway cruising at 55 mph is almost impossible unless you set the cruise control. BTW I bought this vehicle after waiting months for the Altima and I was totally turn off by the Altima's cheap interior. The dealer told me that Majestic Blue is hard to find color on the Maxima is this true? I thought the color was killer on the Maxima, that along with the performance of the vehicle made my purchase very easy. If the mechanical parts of the vehicle holds true for this vehicle I will be happy for years to come.
  • bianca2bianca2 Member Posts: 78
    that whatever color you like the most is a hard to find color! Who knows. Usually, I think blue is around mid-level in popularity and probably is mid-level in production too. Enjoy your car!
  • nissanlovernissanlover Member Posts: 48
    Today morning, I just found out my ClearCorner Side Mark Parts are gone. They snatched out from my bumper, and leave all cut wires. My question is how much is light harness? I think I may need bulb socket which fit into side marker parts. I don't mind loosing clear lens because they are not that expensive these days, but damage in wiring system really frustrating..
    Does dealer sell socket and wire separate or I HAVE TO replace whole wiring system?
    How to make it secure next time? I see Camry and Avalon's SideMarker(looks same as 4th Gen Max) has bolt on. Does anybody have idea I can prevent this happening next time?

    Thanks in advance.
  • riezriez Member Posts: 2,361
    Stopped by local Nissan dealer to look at 2002 Altima. Dealer lot filled with '02 Maximas but hardly any '02 Altimas. Salesperson quickly tries to push Maxima. I crawl under rear suspension and note that the Maxima retains its minivan-proven non-independent beam axle. Too bad. Cheap and space saving, but not worthy of a real sport sedan. Thankfully the new Altima moves to a proper fully independent rear suspension. Couldn't imagine driving a serious sport sedan with the same rear suspension setup as my neighbor's minivan. Assuming Nissan will fix this with the next generation Maxima. No wonder the Maxima hardly gets mentioned in serious sport sedan competition any more. Remember the heady days back in early '90s when the Maxima was a 4-door sport car (from the label in the windows).
  • obiwankenobi1obiwankenobi1 Member Posts: 290
    The Maxima might have a solid beam rear axle, but I sure am not noticing any handling or performance problems with my 02 SE. The only time it bothers me is over speedbumps or similar bumps. Cornering is great in this car and I think on the street is has a VERY good feel. Acceleration? Don't ask! The thing kicks a*&! Plus, I have heard from many a person that the Maxima is still a better car than the new Altima.

    Also, I scorched an 02 Impreza WRX Wagon off the line TWICE last night! Either that guy does not know how to drive or the 2002 255 hp Maxima is A LOT faster than the 222 or 227 version.

    Plus, I have an auto not a 6 speed. MAN I love my car! :)
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Let's keep to the subject, please.

    Thanks.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans Message Board
  • gamoongamoon Member Posts: 6
    Just finished a 200 mile trip in my new SE and I still think I made the right choice over the Altima. Acceleration excellent for an automatic its got to be less than 7.0 secs 0-60. Handling is very good little or no body sway. Ride is smooth on most roads and just a little bouncy on bumpy roads but not any worst than any other vehicle with a sport suspension. Bose stereo a little bassy with the sub but probably the best factory system I have heard. Halogen headlights are excellent and a pain for oncoming traffic I had numerous cars flash me to dim my lights even though they were already dim. Comfort for 5 people was good no complaints from my occupants. Things I would like to see is lights on the steering wheel for the stereo and cruise control buttons. More Titanium trimming in the inside would be nice, maybe some aftermarket stuff will be available soon for the 2002.
  • obiwankenobi1obiwankenobi1 Member Posts: 290
    I also love my 02 Maxima SE. I didn't get the Bose, though (darn!). Sounds like a stereo I would like!

    Also, 0-60 has to be around 6.0 - 6.5 or else how do you explain running with WRX's? They supposedly run 0-60 in 5.3 - 5.7 seconds! Trust me when I say the new Max is fast. REAL fast!

    Obi
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    It seems this thing about the Maxima's non-independent rear suspension gets posted every month or so.

    I don't have a sophisticated engineering response. I do have a real world response. My 1995 Maxima SE can be driven close to the limits and in my opinion, outhandles any other front wheel drive car in its class. This includes anything by Honda, Toyota, Acura or Volkswagon. If you think otherwise, test drive the hell out of all of them and then decide. It's not a BMW 3 or 5 series, but then, no front whell drive car is.

    As I've noted before, I am likely to be moving up to a BMW 5-series this winter/spring. I have yet to hear anybody claim the 540i or M5 don't handle well because of their "improper" recirculating ball steering. As a mechanical engineer friend of mine said, you can't boil down the complicated dynamics of handling into one dimension.

    I respectfully suggest you spend more time test driving than crawling under the rear suspension. It will give you better results and keep your clothes cleaner.
  • gerapaugerapau Member Posts: 211
    habitat1: Although I agree that the Max will outhandle the cars that you mentioned most of the time, the Max's suspension does suffer severely when the curves get bumpy. The car is downright fun to drive 99% of the time but can be scary the other 1% of the time.
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    just wondering if you ever had a chance to compare Maxima against a 300M with Performance Handling Package.
  • gamoongamoon Member Posts: 6
    I drove a 300M about a year and half ago and the acceleration from a stand still was very sluggish. It did have one very large rear seating area and seemed well put together on the interior. Just my personal opinion the Maxima handles much better than the 300M with the handling package but they (Chrysler) could have improved upon their initial design since my test drive.
  • leonivleoniv Member Posts: 120
    Your post refers to a 2002 Maxima you drove, but you mentioned Halogen headlights. I thought all 02 Maximas came standard with Xenon lights, maybe I'm wrong. I have Halogens on my 01 Max and I can definitely say they're barely bright enough and nothing to brag about. Am I wrong in assuming you're refering to the Xenons on your 02 Max?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    All 2002 Maximas come with Xenon lights as standard equipment.
  • gamoongamoon Member Posts: 6
    I stand corrected they are indeed Xenon and they are very very bright. Sorry about that!!
  • fsu96fsu96 Member Posts: 4
    Does anybody know if the new 2002 Maxima's require the premium unleaded gas or can they take just the regular unleaded?
  • obiwankenobi1obiwankenobi1 Member Posts: 290
    I have only put 87 octane in my 02 Maxima SE. I think I will put 91 in every 6th fill or so. But no, you don't need premium. My performance has not lagged.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Does the manual say it needs premium though?
  • godeacsgodeacs Member Posts: 481
    according to CR and the dealer I was at today....
  • gooniesgoonies Member Posts: 24
    hi everyone, i own a 2001 gle and was wondering if the side sills extension(is that what thier called?)from the 2002 models added to the look of the car. it seems to make the car look lower. but does it look out of place and tacky? i know i have to see it in person to judge for myself. but i wont be able to go to a dealer for another couple of weeks. also any guess on price? thanx
  • sgrd0qsgrd0q Member Posts: 398
    habitat1 - yes, it’s funny - the topic of suspension comes up in this forum every once in a while.

    The suspension is always a compromise between handling and comfort. You can’t have it both ways. It’s true that the independent suspension is smother over bumps. However, the stiffer the independent suspension (as in many sports cars), the less independent the rear two wheels are. So in the extreme, a very stiff independent suspension (which will be good for handling) will cease to be independent.
  • teeveeboyteeveeboy Member Posts: 6
    I was very close to buying a Subaru WRX when I realized - I'm not a sports car guy any more - more of a luxury man. The WRX was very fast and responsive, but low budget on the inside and I think I'm done with a manual transmission. So, I wandered onto the Nissan lot and saw the new Altima and Maxima. I like the looks of both, but the Maxima seems to be an incredible value for all the luxury you get. My question is, what kinds of prices are you paying? MSRP? Close to invoice? Didn't want to pay much more than the 25K the Subaru cost, but I still want a GLE. Any answers?
  • tgif888tgif888 Member Posts: 351
    Well, carsdirect.com is selling $150 over invoice. So, you can go the site and enter your zip code and see what price you'll get.
  • mirthmirth Member Posts: 1,212
    You might be able to get a "stripper" GLE with no additional options for about $25.5K, but I'm not sure those even exist. I have a feeling that most GLE's come pretty loaded, which will put you more into the $27K range. You could probably get a pretty decent SE for the same price as a WRX.
  • gerapaugerapau Member Posts: 211
    sgrd0q: I don't think that many people here are complaining about the way the Maxima handles over bumps when you are going streight. As I have said before, the issue is how the Maxima handles when it hits bumps in the corners. You don't have to be going extremely fast to notice where the Max's non-independant suspension shows its weakness. When going streight, bumps just register as being uncomfortable where bumps taken when going around a corner tend to make me un-easy. My Maxima tends to bounce and make me feel like the back end is going to slide out. Luckily this doesn't happen too often.
  • willow25willow25 Member Posts: 2
    Hey everyone, I'm thinking about buying a 98 or 99 Maxima (bugdget allows). Is this a good move to buy a car that's almost 3-4 yrs. old? I know that Maximas are very reliable. Comments???
    willow25
  • amazing2uamazing2u Member Posts: 67
    OK, I whent to the dealer yesterday and decided it was time to order a car if I want it for begining of November (end of my current lease)

    I ordered a 2002 Maxima SE fully loaded (Leather, Bose & Sunroof) 6 speed Manual Black on Black.
    It's going to arive in mid to late October. :)

    gerapau: I'm 5 minutes from Ottawa.

    Thank-you all.

    Amazing2@cyberdude.com
  • bianca2bianca2 Member Posts: 78
    You should probably be able to get a decently loaded (sunroof, traction control, Meridien seats) GLE for around $26,300 or so, possibly less, if you can find an '01 model around. Do you have to have the '02?

    It's debatable which is the better choice financially speaking - an "old" model that is one year depreciated the minute you drive it off the lot, but on the other hand will have low miles in comparison to others of its year sold a year ago, or the latest model year which you'll pay more for, but which will take a bit longer to depreciate.

    If you're financing over 3 or 4 years, might not be too much of a difference in your monthly payment, so might as well go with whatever most turns you on.
  • teeveeboyteeveeboy Member Posts: 6
    What are everyone's thoughts on the Maxima GLE compared to a new Chrysler 300M, Infiniti I35, and Volkswagen Passat GLX? It seems to me that the Maxima has some options that aren't even found in $45,000 dollar cars, let alone one costing $29,000. I'm just surprised more people aren't paying attention to the new Maxima. It seems to be an incredible value. Also, anyone know when a redesigned Maxima will be released? And one more question - anybody have a 2002 Maxima brochure yet? My local dealers don't have them so far.
  • ukrickukrick Member Posts: 66
    You could get a lot of information on the new 2002 Maxima from the Nissan web site.

    www.nissandriven.com
  • teeveeboyteeveeboy Member Posts: 6
    I actually find the Nissan website to be a little lacking in info and pictures of the Maxima.
  • tgif888tgif888 Member Posts: 351
    Before the 2002 model, there is quite a lot difference between I30 and the Maxima. The navigation system, Xenon head lights are only available to the Infiniti. And the rear sunshade is also only available to the Infiniti.

    As the 2002 model start rolling out. The features had been almost the same between the I35 and the Maxima. The Maxima now comes with Xenon headlights standard and navigation system is now available to Maxima as well.

    And right now the Maxima obviously is a better buy. It is selling at invoice or $150 over invoice in S. Cal. while the I35 is still selling either at MSRP or the most discount I got quoted on is $1500 off MSRP.
  • obiwankenobi1obiwankenobi1 Member Posts: 290
    The I35 is going for more money. I think with the Maxima being basically the same car, it should be vice versa.

    I would never pay sticker for an I35! That is ludicrous!

    Obi
  • rickpctrickpct Member Posts: 71
    Do the newer Maxima's - 1998+ use a rubber timing belt? If so, what is cost to replace? $200 every 50K miles? Thx.
  • tgif888tgif888 Member Posts: 351
    Maxima is using timing chain on the newer models
  • cojonekacojoneka Member Posts: 10
    A dealer showed me the actual invoice for an '02 Max SE and it matched Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book to the penny except that the last item, listed as the "MA", or marketing assessment was on the invoice. So the salesperson gave me a dissertation on how that piece of each car goes to pay for Nissan's national advertising. Is this legit, or just another b.s. gimmick tho overinflate the invoice so the salesperson can appear to give you a better deal? Thanks for your input.
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    It's legit. You buying a Maxima or a Passat?
  • cojonekacojoneka Member Posts: 10
    Love the Max and the Passat. Passat styling is tops, but Max is roomier and killer engine. Max may be more reliable based on postings in these forums, but I'll be buying a 7 yr/100k mile warranty anyway since I put 20K/yr miles on the car. Fully loaded, not counting Max's navigation system, the cars are $200 apart sticker price. Maybe one of them will join Ford and GM and offer some great (0%) financing in light of the recent tragedy and economic downturn and that will sway me. That should tell you how undecided I am. Or I'll wait another month and flip a coin.
  • barrettx3barrettx3 Member Posts: 2
    I have a '98 Max GLE automatic. I have noticed that when accelerating after approaching a stop (without completely stopping), it takes a second or so for the car to find the correct gear. In essence, it appears the transmission will stay in 4th gear before realizing that it needs to downshift for acceleration. Has anyone noticed this? Is it normal or indicative of a transmission problem?

    The car is new to me, so I am not sure if this is a problem or simply a normal thing for my model.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    VW's are nice, but poorly assembled. If anything you know that the Nissan is near bulletproof.
  • corkfishcorkfish Member Posts: 537
    I haven't decided on whether I should get the new Maxima with a 6 speed and no significant options, or, the WRX. You can get a WRX for around $23,500 or $24,000. Any ideas on what the new Maxima will cost? I'd find it hard to believe you can get the new Max for less than $26,000.
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