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Nissan Maxima

8982 messages,  Last post on Jun 05, 2013 at 4:45 AM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Maxima, Sedan

Messages Page 889 of 899

#8879 of 8982 1997 Maxima - What Trim Level? by thegraduate

Aug 09, 2006 (11:03 am)

Hello. I'm not normally around the Nissan segment of these boards, but would appreciate a little insight. A close friend of mine recently (as of yesterday, actually) bought a 1997 Nissan Maxima. Problem is, nobody knows what trim level it is. I guessed that it was a GXE because it had plastic wheel-covers instead of alloy wheels. Here's all I know, and I hope it helps decide the answer:
 
It's white with a tan cloth interior
It has PW, PL, Cruise, no sunroof, power driver's seat
It's an automatic (I don't think that matters, but oh well)
It looks like this, except for the fact that it is white
 

 
Isn't this a GXE?

#8880 of 8982 Re: 1997 Maxima - What Trim Level? [thegraduate] by pat

Aug 09, 2006 (11:13 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Aug 09, 2006 11:03 am)
Do the specs on Edmunds help?

#8881 of 8982 Re: 1997 Maxima - What Trim Level? [thegraduate] by just_phil

Aug 09, 2006 (12:11 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Aug 09, 2006 11:03 am)
The wheel covers say it's a GXE. SE had 5-spoke alloy wheels, and GLE had a different style (7 spoke?) alloy wheels.

#8882 of 8982 Re: 1997 Maxima - What Trim Level? [just_phil] by thegraduate

Aug 09, 2006 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: just_phil (Aug 09, 2006 12:11 pm)
Based on the wheel covers I too assumed GXE, but wanted to make sure before confirming the information from my friend. I'll check out the Edumunds specs too, but more and more I think GXE. In 1997, there was no XE on the Maxima, right?
 
Thanks so much guys!

#8883 of 8982 Re: 1997 Maxima - What Trim Level? [thegraduate] by just_phil

Aug 09, 2006 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Aug 09, 2006 1:18 pm)
There was no XE in 97. While the wheels could've been swapped from another car, here are some other things that are dead giveaways.
 
The SE, and only the SE, will have white gauges AND body-colored door handles. It can be cloth or leather.
 
Both GXE and GLE will have black gauges and chrome door handles, and GLE will ONLY have leather, while GXE can have either.
 
SE will always have the spoiler, but GXE and GLE can have it too. In the later case, though, there will either be the 'regular' center high mounted stop light, or the cover that closes the hole where it used to be.
 
Do you want more?

#8884 of 8982 Re: Finally the nightmare end..... [kennyg8] by maximafan

Aug 09, 2006 (9:54 pm)

Replying to: kennyg8 (Aug 08, 2006 9:16 pm)
kennyg8, I agree that the TL is a very
comparable replacement for the Maxima and should be an even better car all around. In
regard to the '02-'03 harsh ride of the Maxima's, I also have to agree with you on that
one. This was the main thing that was starting
to get on my nerves towards the end there when
driving my Maxima. Everything else was great.
So is it the twist beam axle that's causing all
of the ruckus so to speak? It really did
nearly jar my teeth whenever I drove on uneven
road surfaces or streets with potholes and
railroad tracks. I really started to notice
it after driving an Altima 4-cylinder rental
for a day while having the car serviced for the
rear 02 sensors. The Altima definitely soaked
up the bumps and such better than my Max did.
 
All and all it's been a great car though, even
after 60,000 miles. I'm still waiting to hear
from the insurance company whether the car will
be repairable or totaled out.
 
I wasn't sure if I was reading right. Does
your '03 Max have only 17,000 miles on it?
Wow!!! I bet that is one mint-conditioned
Maxima.
 
By the way, I test drove a TL this past Saturday. It drove fine except for some
pronounced wind noise coming from the windshield area on the interstate. I'm thinking of seeing if Acura will let me spend
a day or overnight with the TL on my own with
no other distractions, such as a salesperson, so I can give the car the benefit of the doubt.
 
I also test drove the Lexus IS250, ES350 and RX350. I ended up liking the RX the best because of the flexibility and it seemed to have the best power of all three.
 
I test drove the IS250. It was a nice car, but a little underpowered and really too small,
and the suspension was pretty stiff, although
a quiet car otherwise. I was a little disappointed with the ES350 after reading so
many rave reviews from buyers on the Lexus
forum. So, yeah, the RX is up there on the
list too.

#8885 of 8982 Re: 1997 Maxima - What Trim Level? [just_phil] by thegraduate

Aug 09, 2006 (11:24 pm)

Replying to: just_phil (Aug 09, 2006 2:46 pm)
Do you want more?
 
Haha, no, but that is EXTREMELY helpful, and I thank you so much for your time and effort into that post. It has cloth, black gauges w/white numbers, chrome door handles, and no spoiler. Definitely a GXE. Thanks so much for your help again! (and for helping out a Honda guy=me with a Nissan-guy=friend!)
 
Best Wishes
 
thegrad

#8886 of 8982 Harsh riding Maximas. by perna

Aug 10, 2006 (10:47 am)

I bought some Turanza LS-Vs to replace the Potenza RE92s on my '03 SE, and it honestly is a whole new car. The handling isn't quite as tight, but it soaks up bumps.

#8887 of 8982 Re: Finally the nightmare end..... [maximafan] by kennyg8

Aug 10, 2006 (4:42 pm)

Replying to: maximafan (Aug 09, 2006 9:54 pm)
Maximafan, yes it is the rear suspension of the Max that I dislike the most, while everything else is fine to great, and I can live with the not so impressive Bose audio system trumpeted by Nissan.
 
And yes, my 03 Max GLE only has 17k miles and it is in mint condition, as it is always garaged when not in use and I take good care of it.
 
However, new car fever is biting me recently. So, I have been looking at the Acura RL ($3k incentive) and the TL ($1k incentive), and even the MDX ($2k incentive). I may sell my Max (I'll probably get about $17.5k for it) and apply the proceeds toward the new ride.
 
The RX is nice, but expensive, when compared with the MDX, which is being deeply discounted lately.

#8888 of 8982 Re: Harsh riding Maximas. [perna] by kennyg8

Aug 10, 2006 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: perna (Aug 10, 2006 10:47 am)
Perna, I spoke to Tirerack about new tires for my Max GLE, and Turanza LS-V tires do not seem to fit the car, for whatever reason.
 
The OEM Bridgestone EL-42s are not that bad, although its tracking power in snow could be better ... thank goodness I have traction control on my Max. The ELs still have a lot of tread, so I may not need to replace them yet. If I sell the car, it is not going to be an issue for me anymore.

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