Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
-three wheel lug nuts on each wheel
-glued on wallpaper for headliner
-single button instead of a door handle
-cloth seat cloth so cheap that it fell appart on the rear seats just from rubbing against the front seat backs when the rear seat was folded
-spare tire located in the engine compartment on top of the engine (my brand new spare fell apart as soon as I used it becuase the engine heat completely drytotted the rubber)
-large rubberized canvass sunroof that folded up like a harmonica in the back of the roof
-radio mounted vertically in the console
-transaxle with an oil drain plug located in front of the engine.(I mistakenly drained the transaxle instead of engine crankcase first time. Fortunately I caught it before I drove the car because I added additional four quarts of oil into the engine)
-longitudinal torsion bar front suspension and transverse torsion bar rear suspension
-hood hinged in the front for lousy access to the engine
-radiator cap required a wrench to open
Wouln't you like to see some of these innovations find their way into a new Maxima? Especially three lug wheel hubs.
THE BRAKE CALIPERS ON ALL 4 CORNERS OF MY 26,500 MILE SE HAVE SURFACE RUST. I HAVE CHECKED EVERY MAX I SEE INCLUDING DEALER LOTS AND HAVE NOT SEEN ONE WITH RUSTED BRAKE CALIPERS. I WILL TALK TO THE SERVICE MGR. BY PHONE, CHECK TO SEE THAT HE WILL IN FACT, BE THERE WHEN I COME OVER THERE TO SHOW HIM AND SET UP APPOINTMENT FOR REPLACEMENTS. I WILL GET REPLACEMENTS, RIGHT? THE RUST WARRANTY SHOULD APPLY HERE, I WOULD THINK. BY THE WAY, BRAKES ARE FINE BUT THE CALIPERS LOOK LIKE CRAP. DO YOU THINK I'VE GOT A CASE HERE?
OH AND, I WASN'T YELLING - HAD THE CAPS LOCK ON. SORRY.
anyone have aftermarket rotors on their maxima's? any recommendations?
Yes! No more trying to figure out the cross pattern to use when tightening the lug nuts! Just do them sequentially!!
Seriously, though, the new Renaults are pretty decent. And quite popular in Europe which is a very competitive market.
I think he sold that one in record time. When I talk cars with him today, the LeCar always comes up. He always is nostalgic about every single car he's ever owned.. with one exception. "If we hadn't been so poor at the time, I would have driven it into the middle of the cornfield, doused it in accelerant, and watched it burn" I think he said once.
My Maxima's rotors do get some surface rust after it's been raining. It disappears pretty quickly, though. Didn't notice any on the calipers.
Well, I've had my 03 since early March, and this car is definately a long-term keeper. While it is nice ride, I can tell already it is going to give me fits in the winter. Those Bridgestones just pray for death. A neighbor has an old Honda Accord he uses pretty much exclusively for toting his kayaks around in the summer, and he offered to let me drive it in the winter for a beater. Has anyone ever done this before? I assume I would insure it during the winter, and he in the summer.. but would the ins co give me trouble because the title isn't in my name? Maybe I should give 'em a ring...
they're selling it for 29 and free shipping.. im ordering mine this week....
Hit 90K miles in my 2000 SE. Man, this car is great. I have had only small issues that have pretty much been resolved, but I do have to say that this car will last me a long time.
The engine (although it knocks sometimes when I use less than premium, don't knock me!) still pulls like day one. I never owned a car that could fly like this one (and it is only 222hp). The VQ is the best V6 out there.
Last month was the first time I had to really put any money into the car (besides tires at 50K and general maintenance). Just had to have brakes, and almost all fluids changed. That was it.
The best part of the car is:
Engine
Seats
Gas mileage
Reliability
The worst part (and no surprise)
Paint (lot's o chips)
Trans (nothing major, just could be smoother)
Thinking about giving the wife the car and getting a 350Z or FX35. Man, something about the LeMans Orange and Liquid Copper
Nissan could easily put themselves at the top tier of automotive quality if they would just take our opinions and make some changes.
Take care!
IF the Potenzas last two winters, however, it will be a miracle. I HATE those tires.
I brought it to the dealership (oil change and to fix this vibration)
Apprarently, two of the rims are bent (one being the main cause of the vibration) I asked what it would cost to get ONE rim replaced and they told me......$663 - I can't beleive this - The shiny wheels are nice and all - but I don't think i can bring myself to spend that kind of money on ONE wheel. I was thinking it would be cheaper to just buy 4 new rims - that way when she bends them again (it's only a matter of time given the roads here in Rhode Island)- it's only going to run me $150 each.
Do you think there could be a market (ebay, etc) for my two good wheels? If so, where?
also - can anyone tell me the bolt pattern for the Max?
Thanks,
Also, there are companies out there that specialize in repair of bent and damaged alloy wheels. They may be able to fix your rims at a reasonable cost if they are in fact bent. I agree that the cost of new rims is absolutely outrageous. I remember back in 1978 when my father replaced all wheels on his 76 Olds 98 coupe (the last of the giants with a 455 cu in engine) and paid $ 80 for four new steel wheels (yes, $ 20 a piece). The wheels were so cheap that most people bought extra wheels to mount their winter tires on. I guess not too many will be doing this on new Maximas.
I know this has been discussed before but perhaps someone might be kind enough to tell about their experience as to the reasons and resolution.
Thanks ... Norbert
The first time it happened, I called the dealer immediately from my cell phone to make sure driving the car was safe. He inidcated that as long as the engine appeared to be running smoothly and the temperature was normal, I could continue to drive the car.
The most common suggested cause is failing to securely tighten your gas cap after filling. However, I think this is an urban legend. I always turn past a couple of "clicks" and have never used less than premium octane gas. My suspiscion, which my dealer concurs with, is that the sensor is very sensitive to fuel mixture, etc. and will occasionally come on by itself.
If I were you, I'd give it 4-5 weeks to go off by itself.
P.S. As a corollary, I've also had the "airbag" light come on three times over the last 2-3 years. First two times, they didn't find a problem after a $75 diagnostic check and reset it. Last time, found I needed a new master control unit at roughly $1,000. I said that I would wait and, lo and behold, after 2 months the light went out. I had a different dealer check it out for $25 as an add on to a free inspection promotion, and he found no problem.
These "check" lights appear to be very sesitive and have a mind of their own. Or they are somehow wired to go off when the service manager decides he needs a bigger boat.
Can you or anyone else recommend any "reconditioners" for these wheels?
Also, you mentioned back in '78 wheels were $20 a pop. sounds kinda high- just 3 or 4 years ago (while i was still in school) when I was driving like an [non-permissible content removed] and hit something in my '86 cutlass, drove down to a local yard and bought 2 used wheels for $50 (front and back pass. side) - that car was so cheap to fix....
BTW, I have been using the regular Costco gas quite a bit so I suspected-erroneously-that it could be the cause. I also checked the gas cap before I went to the dealer. It was OK, too.
I think if you are trying to go down the memory lane of your Chvy Impala, you should consider doing so in a RWD car. I assume you considered the G35?
I guess my point would be better illustrated by relative competititon. When I bought my 1995 Maxima, the BMW 328i w/ 189 horsepower was almost identical in it's acceleration ratings. Now, 9 years later, the 265 hp Maxima is not as quick as a similar weight 225 hp 330i. And it's way slower than the previous generation 240 hp M3.
I agree with p100, that the Maxima is a good balance between performance and practicality. But if you want to really push the performance dimension, you will get a lot more bang for your additional horsepower buck by going to RWD. Not to mention better weight balance and handling.
This doesn't diminish my respect for the Maxima as one of the best FWD sedans available at any price.
so I guess I'm gonna have to fix it afterall....
Can I get away with putting 16" rims on a 2003 SE?
from eyeballing it, it looks like the brakes would have adequate space - but I wanted to check - Tire Rack didn't show anything less than 17" - I think with a little more meat on the tires, it may protect the rims from the harsh new england roads.
any thoughts?
Some companies also offer new factory alloy wheels at substantial discounts. One option is also to buy two used factory wheels from a wrecking yard at a reasonable price. Try www.silverstarrecycling.com. But I would make sure that I need those rims first. 2003 Maximas come with notoriously lousy Bridgestone Potenza tires. They probably require frequent rebalancing - something like every 5K miles, and it must be done correctly.
As an aside, how frequently (mileage wise) should one rotate the tires? One of my Max (with 38k miles) needs a new set of tires. The original stock 16" Potenza RE 92 tires are quite bald and the garage recommends Yokohoma tires (a set of four costs about $350). Any thoughts?
: )
But 0-60 disputes aside, my point was simply that the Maxima is either at or damn close to the limits of what a FWD setup is capable of in performance. Putting more horsepower into that setup would be like me taking 5 Flinstone vitamins every morning. It might make me think I "feel" better, but in reality, I'd be peeing most of the extra vitamins down the toilet.
Again, just my opinion. If you think FWD is the ideal setup for a true performance sedan and the more horsepower the better, that's up to you. Fair enough?
did you try adjusting the temperature control knob
down to something like 68 degrees. Take the climate
control system OUT of AUTO (to manual) and set the
temp in the mid to upper 60's and see if anything changes. As noted above, if the outside air temp
is 88 degrees you will probably get 90 degrees
coming thru the vents as you'll pick up SOME hot
air from the engine compartment. Give this a try
and good luck!
berbel
I am thinking of installing the K & N air filter for my 2002 Maxima SE.
I got a hold of Nissan and they say there is not a inlet-outlet vent on the box as before,thus the freshair passes by the heater coil before entering the cabin,,,and there is not a fix for it at this point...I did notice when the mode is set where it is blowing at your face level,,,rather than the face and feet level it somewhat cooler....minor problem I guess...other than that I love the car...handles and rides like a dream....having the XM system installed shortly ,,anyone else have the satellite radio ????...
Thanks for your input. I am trying to see if the majority has any problem with this air filter.
I am not expecting any boost in the hp. If I do, I will install some CAI system. Have u cleaned & re-oiled the air filter so far ? Do u see any increase in mileage ?
Thanks for your input. I am trying to see if the majority has any problem with this air filter.
I am not expecting any boost in the hp. If I do, I will install some CAI system. Have u cleaned & re-oiled the air filter so far ? Do u see any increase in mileage ?