I am considering buying an 85 to 89 maxima, and i was wondering what to look out for. I know they have timing belts and to see that it has been done avery 60k. Any other issues I should know about.


John

 

The transmission seems to be a pretty weak link. Also the steering racks go out a lot and that can be expensive.

 

Does the tranny issue only relate to the automatics, or do the manuals have problems as well ( aside from having to replace the clutch)?? How long should the steering rack last?

 

My car has 192,200 miles on it and the tranny is excellent. I put in a new clutch about 40k ago, but the tranny is perfect. I would imagine that the transmission longevity would have much more to do with how it is driven than manufacturing.

I would check underneath the car for torn boots. Check the boots on the CV joints, the steering/tie rod linkage, and the shift lever. I have had to replace those on mine. Also, check the outside of the transmission for oil to see if the oil seals are good. If you can, take out a spark plug and check it- spark plugs tell you a great deal about how the engine is running. Other than that, I would say go for it. My '88 Max is the greatest car I have ever owned and I will never buy another vehicle. I am sticking with Maximas from now on. Good luck and happy hunting.