Ask the Car People.SM


Nissan Maxima

8981 messages,  Last post on Feb 09, 2011 at 1:37 PM

You are in the Nissan Maxima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Maxima, Sedan

Messages Page 713 of 899

#7119 of 8981 md4_cow by habitat1

Jul 14, 2003 (8:14 am)

I bought my 1995 Maxima from VOB Nissan in Rockville, MD. I have been generally pleased with the customer service since.
 
Interestingly, they had many 2004 Maxima's in stock and pushed me to take one for a test drive. When I asked for a SE 6-speed, they didn't have any and indicated that those versions will be produced in even lower volume/percentages than the outgoing 2003 due to "limited demand". If that is the case, either the "sport sedan" market is shrinking (doubtful) or the Maxima has become less appealing to those buyers (more likely).
 
This morning my wife asked me what I would replace our Maxima with if it were crushed by a tree tomorrow. (A distant neighbor's old BMW suffered this fate a week ago). I was unable to immediately respond. A 530i sport is my first choice, but it's $43k+/- and going through a model changeover. The $38k 330i is a bit tight for our family. In the $30k price range, the G35 sedan may be a decent choice, but I am not a fan of it's looks, inside or out. The Acura TLS is dated and boring - and besides, I don't know how to drive a so called sport sedan equiped with an automatic transmission. There is almost nothing that pops out in the $25k price range that wouldn't feel like a performance and/or quality downgrade compared to our 9 year old Maxima.
 
Needless to say, I'm not parking under any trees in a storm.

#7120 of 8981 m4d_cow by cheerioboy26

Jul 14, 2003 (8:47 am)

Nissan reduced their expected sales of the Maxima when the new Altima came out. Last I hear the target was 75-85K per year. They are currently producing 1,790 per week in Smyrna (acc. to autonews.com)

#7121 of 8981 1999 Nissan Maxima SE advice please by icebladepod

Jul 14, 2003 (2:59 pm)

Hello, I'm about to enter college, and I think I've decided on the right car. I currently own a 1991 Nissan Maxima SE, and I love it, but it burns more oil then gas, and I really don't trust it on long distance trips.
 
I'm thinking about going for a 1999 Nissan Maxima SE. I know the styling is a little more..."bland" then the current model I have, and looks "generic" among its peers, but at this point, styling isn't really high on the list. The "generic" styling will change a bit if I add the Skyline body kit anyway.
 
I'd really appreciate anyone's opinions on this model, or if you feel like I'm going in the wrong direction, a suggested different course would be welcomed. I basically want a sedan with lots o' punch, good gas milage, and decent reliability. Thanks in advance. - Matt

#7122 of 8981 1999 Maxima SE by p100

Jul 14, 2003 (6:23 pm)

Based on my positive experience with a 98 SE, this should be a good choice. With 5 speed manual I get about 27 MPG on premium fuel in combined driving with A/C on. The car is extremely reliable.
 
One negative: These cars are very sensitive to correct wheel/tire balance. And it is increasigly more difficult to find a place that can balance your wheels properly.

#7123 of 8981 Still Can't Leave My 95GLE by vmaturo

Jul 15, 2003 (3:41 am)

I just can't warm up to the 2004. And I've tried. Too expensive & interior is too "artsy fartsy" for me. I give them credit for doing something different though.
 
I bought the 89SE when it came out and loved it more than I thought possible to love a car. Never should have traded it in. But I just had to have the 95GLE I saw in the showroom.
.
.
And now that I just completed 9 years with my 95GLE, I think I may never let it go. I absolutely love this car more than when I first got it. Especially the interior. And the reliability is ridiculously fantastic. It simply is not possible for any car to be as reliable as my 95 has been.
 
I guess......"If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

#7124 of 8981 Habitat1 by bksward

Jul 15, 2003 (7:08 am)

If my Max were crushed tomorrow, my choices in the sub $30k range would be TSX, 6, or a used 3 or 5 series.
 
At least one review I've read suggested that the TSX, despite being a 4 is akin to the 4dsc days of the Maxima. Haven't driven one yet though...

#7125 of 8981 TSX or 6 by mirth

Jul 15, 2003 (8:43 am)

Yeah, I'd probably get a TSX or 6, too. However, a beemer is too small for my family requirements.

#7126 of 8981 Regarding 99 Maxima SE advice by kvsm3

Jul 15, 2003 (9:32 am)

I have a 99 5 speed Maxima SE and am very happy with the car. I am the original owner and the car has been trouble-free since I purchased it. My only expenses have been oil changes, alignments, and just got new Michelins to replace the Goodyears. I am still on my original brakes. The car is quick, roomy,reliable, gets very good mileage, (30-31 mpg hwy) 24 combined. You can't go wrong with the car!
Just make sure u check the car that u want to buy on www.carfax.com to make sure the title is clean.

#7127 of 8981 Maxima alternatives by habitat1

Jul 15, 2003 (10:08 am)

Although I haven't shopped them, I think I would have a tough time with the TSX or Mazda 6 as a replacement for my Maxima. Although Acura has a good reputation, the idea of a 4 cylinder with 35% less torque per pound of car than my 9 year old Maxima is not appealing. That's even less "relative" torque than my Honda S2000. Which is OK for a 240 hp, 2,800 lb roadster with a 9,000 rpm redline, but not what I want in the family sedan.
 
The Mazda 6 is likely too downscale. Back in 1995, I considered the Maxima, Accord, Camry, Altima and Mazda 626. They pretty much finished in that order. I may be biased, but I have also never seen Mazda rated anywhere near Honda, Toyota and Nissan in terms of long term reliability. That seems to be reflected by the fact that three year old Mazda's have resale values considerably below their Honda/Toyota counterparts.
 
Which leads me to another point. I have 142k miles on my 9 year old Maxima and the 3.0 V6 is running as stongly and smoothly as the day I bought it. We had our Trooper in for service at an independent shop yesterday and I took the opportunity to ask the owner what he thought of the Maxima. First words out of his mouth: "Best V6 engine this side of a Mercedes, without the maintenance requirements of the Mercedes". The only other engine he considers as "durable" is the 2.8/3.0 liter BMW I6's. He thinks Nissan's V6 is better than either Honda's or Toyota's. He also strongly recommended against a 4-cylinder engine in any 3,000+ lb car, even the stalwart Honda Accord. Claimed that the added weight and stress will likely take it's toll after 80,000 to 100,000+ miles.

#7128 of 8981 RE: cheerioboy26 by monte4

Jul 15, 2003 (12:07 pm)

You are correct Nissan(I work for Nissan as an engineer) predicted and new that Sales from the 02 year and beyond would be lower for the Maxima due to the new Altima and the upscaling of it. For 02 and up sales would be under 100,000 units per year and actually 02 was the first year for the upscaling of the Max by adding such things as Memory seats, Nav, heated steering wheel etc. which the Altima doesnt offer. The 95 Max which since you go off mag test times is 7/10th of a sec slower than the 03 Max and traps some 7-8 mph less in the 1/4 mile which is a lot(the best 04 tested so far is 4/10th of a sec quicker and trapped 5-6 mph more than the 95), and also consider the car has gained weight since 95 some 400-500 pounds. Also in the automatic versions 03/04 SE vs 95-99 the acceleration adavantage is greater auto to auto with well over a sec quicker to 60 and 1/4 mile times are over a sec quicker as well which is alot. The 04 is slower than the 03 and I think that the 03 was the last of the great/deal/value packed Maximas, and I have driven the 04 SE extensively, I prefer my 03 and my 350.

Messages Page 713 of 899

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement