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Comments
.02
I think what most are complaining about are the little buttons for the radio and air-conditioning. Could be bigger, but after driving the car for two weeks, I an quite used to them.
Maybe a monochromatic grill would help the front. In any event, I hope the car is a success because the Maxima has always been a reliable alternative to the boring family haulers that we otherwise would have to choose from.
There are many people who have imported their cars from Canada; there are some people even on this board who have done this. If I remember correctly there was a guy who imported a Pathfinder some time ago.
You may save a lot of money, but then there are some drawbacks - warranty work may (or may not) be denied in the US as manufacturers generally don't like this practice of importing cars to save money. Getting a bank to finance the loan may be problematic as you are buying a foreign car. Even if you get a loan the interest rate may not be competitive, thus negating some of the savings. If you have the cash though, it is not a problem. Also, the odometer is in KM. You may therefore have problems re-selling the car, and if you change the odometer to miles, again, you end up with problems explaining why the odometer was touched. Again, if you plan to keep the car for 10 years +, this is not a problem.
one other factor, is that nissan knows that canadians have less disposable income after taxes than americans do, therefore, lowering the price on a few cars sold in canada may make the difference between selling 10000 and selling 1000.
Not true. There is a 1.5% duty on cars imported from Canada. Small change, really.
Still can't decide if I like the Radiant Ember color...I like the similar LeMans Sunset on the 350Z...
It will be an "C" (11th position) from TN plant.
Regarding the Maxima, it is a new model and now is made in the US, so there isn't much history to go on. I noticed the SL automatic is a 4-speed (pretty behind the engineering times). If you must go with an automatic, the SE has a better performing, more fuel efficient 5-speed auto.
I am a Honda fan (own an S2000), but if I were replacing my Maxima with something other than my first choice BMW 530i, it wouldn't be with a TL-S. Probably another Maxima or G35.
In case it helps, I drive mostly highway miles and plan to keep the car for about 200k miles. I'm inclined to get all the service done b/c I just don't know any better.
Sorry that some of these aren't very specific...
1) Emissions service...something about keeping an EGC valve (or something like that) from getting clocked.
2) Throttle assembly cleaning..they say it's sticky and will get worse in the winter.
3) Power steering fluid flush...they say it's dirty and will save a potential $1,500 pump replacement down the road.
4) Transmission flush...they say the fluid is dirty.
5) Rear brakes...no issue here, I knew this was needed. After 60k miles with no brake problems, I'm satisfied.
6) In-cabin microfilter (as part of the 60k service package). Since it costs $50, I said "wait until it clogs to replace it."
Thanks.
keep in mind: there are lots of maintenance items that wont be listed in your owners manual....it doesnt tell you when to replace tires, brakes, battery, wiper blades, etc... some of the things you mentioned are no different. the microfilter should have been done at 30k miles anyway.
Also, he recommended changing the air filter to a Nissan filter since they are "oil charged" and therefore provide better performance. I have been using Fram filters and the car seemed to perform just fine. Does the Nissan filter really make a difference?
Walter 3rd: I am in a similar situation as you--additional services being pushed by the dealer. For what it is worth, I would pass on the power steering pump fluid flush. I have owned many cars with over 100k miles and never even changed the power steering fluid. I would have done the cabin air filter instead. Good luck!
I have been fortunate to have a dealer that appears trustworthy about not suggesting extra services when they are not needed. In the past, I have not been so fortunate and it's obviously difficult for a lay person to know when they are getting hosed with a "throttle assembly cleaning".
I would have the brake fluid changed instead - it is hygroscopic and will absorb moisture over time. You can check for yourself just how "dirty" your power steering fluid really is. I do not see how it would get dirty in such a short time unless you had dirt in the system to beging with or somebody contaminated the fluid on purpose. I never changed power steering fluid on any of my cars (and I kept some for eight years and well over 100K miles) and never had power steering problems or leaks.
Just a comment. I traded in my 2001 Accord VP with 130 ponies. The Max is FUN to drive, after being in the accord you can imagine how much joy I get overtaking other cars.
I too, bought a rental Max. mine had 9.5k miles and was less than 5 months old. It now has over 38k miles and is still as solid as the day I bought it. Only problem has been a new O2 sensor that went out a week ago. Great car! Good luck!
I have owned Toyota's (2 Supras), Hondas, Acuras and a couple of other brands and my 1995 Maxima experience has been the best of all, especially given the amount of mileage I've put on it. I have not heard as positive things about the 2000/2001 model.
Good luck.
Thanks in advance.
I have a 95 Maxima SE 5-speed and a Honda S2000. One of them is a sports car and can make good use of $200+/- tires and the other, albeit very good for its class, is a FWD sedan. And the fact that you have an automatic suggests, perhaps wrongly, that you probably aren't trying to wring every last ounce of performance out of the car.
It's your money, but I really question the prudence of putting $1,000 per set tires on a 2001 Maxima. I have driven the 00/01 models and do not feel any difference in handling or suspension over the 95-99 4th generation. With my 95, I have replaced the original tires twice in 143,000 miles (about every 50-55k) thanks to regular rotation and balancing. Both replacement sets cost between $400 and $500 with taxes, recommended as the best at the time by a highly reputable tire shop that handles truly high performance cars.
P.S. Even the "W" rated ultra high performance Bridgestone Pole Postition S03 tires for the Honda S2000 are under $850 per set installed. Just what in the world are $1,000 per set tires on the Maxima supposed to accomplish?
They are a significant step up in performance from the factory Potenza's, particularly in wet conditions. They do make more noise at highway speeds so take that into consideration.
I paid around $180 each from Tirerack.com (2 years ago) and they are listed there now in 225/50/17 for $191.
As to whether it's smart to spend that amount of money on your tires, well it's your money and if you want the Michelins, then go for it. They were the first Michelin's I've ever bought and there is a difference.
I would also suggest that you monitor your tire air pressure a little more frequently, especially if your going to spend that much on tires. The fact that your current tires are showing consistent wear patterns on the outsides suggests your running them under significantly inflated.
You'll reduce your gas mileage, your tire life, and your handling with this practice. The only thing you gain is a little softer ride.
I am interested in the Maxima.
Anyone remember any of the pkgs available on the 1997-1999 Maxima?
Thanks in advance
1. Convenience package (8-way power driver's seat, Homelink garage door opener, remote keyless entry, security system)
2. Automatic transmission (5 speed manual was standard equipment)
3. Power tilt/slide sunroof
4. Bose stereo system (includes casette/CD player). Standard stereo was AM/FM/casette
5. Leather seat package: (leather seats, power passenger front seat, climate control A/C system)
6. Several individual options, such as floormats, sunroof deflector, splashguards, trunk cargo net.
"you mean i have to get the car I LIKE?!?!?!?!"
I, on the other hand, was pleased to get a Honda S2000 for $880 under MSRP a full 2 years after the vehicle was introduced. And I almost fell off my chair when a neighbor brought home a new 2003 BMW 530i at $3,000 under invoice thanks to the first ever incentive offered by BMW on the car to make room for the new model. Had I been ready, I might be driving one myself.
I got a reasonable discount on my 1995 Maxima SE 90 days after the new model was introduced in mid-1994. But 2-3 months later, the price had dropped to $xxx over invoice. I don't think I would ever pay anywhere near MSRP or even much above invoice for another Nissan, given that they do not control the volume the way Honda has on the S2000 or BMW does on many of their models. They will saturate the market with as many vehicles they can sell at invoice or less. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you have a long history of doing this, consumers will come to expect it.
wet and dry traction.....considerably better than
the oem Bridgestones. However, they are also sig-
nificantly noisier than the Bridgestones, especially at interstate speeds. The noise factor
alone convinces me that I would NOT repurchase this
particular tire. Just my two cents.
berbel
nissan's goal, actually, is to emulate honda's inventory practices, and move steadily away from the incentive game. the only nissan rebates right now are on xterra, sentra, frontier, and pathfinder.
"Name one new model by Nissan or Infiniti that hasn't had incentives or significant discounting within 6 months or less of introduction."
actually, i can name a few. ready?
1. murano
2. 350Z
3. G35
4. altima
5. maxima (debuted in 3/03)
6. FX35 & 45
there may be more, but im not sure yet.
altima offers 1.9%, but lots of banks have 2-2.5% now, so i dont consider that an incentive.