I'm looking for a 2nd gen Maxima. If anyone has one for sale in the MD/DC/PA/VA/WV area, I might be interested. How common are the fully loaded models with the digital dash, sonar suspension, climate control, keyless entry, etc.? I'd much prefer one with all the options. Was it possible to get one of those with the manual tranny, or is it only available in base models?

I have an 88 turbo Thunderbird with a similar setup to the sonar suspension. I really, really like it. Unfortunately, auto shocks are no longer avaiable for those cars so to replace them you need to unplug the suspension computer and use conventional shocks. Is it the same situation with the Maxima? Aside from that, how well does that system work?

What are the hotspots with these cars? I read that a lot of them break exhaust studs. Is this only when you're trying to take the manifold off for some reason, or do they like to break on their own? Also, will the engine self-destruct if the timing belt breaks? How do the transmissions (auto and manual) hold up? Are they easy/cheap to work on yourself? I've never owned a FWD car before; how do the CV joints and stuff hold up?

Sorry about the barrage of questions, but I'd really like to learn more about these cars. Thanks!

 

For ones currently for sale, check autotrader.com or cars.com. Sonar Suspension was only available on '88 GXE (3rd gens too for a couple years) though a different electronically controled suspension was standard on the SE's. The sonar suspension used a sonar sender to "read" the road ahead and adjust the suspension accordingly. Recalling a road test from an '88 GXE, Motor Trend said there were some benfits, but also said it was easily fooled. The adjustable suspension on the SEs used a switch to adjust damping rates--no sonar sender. I don't know about the availabilty of replacement parts cuz my car doesn't have them (91 GXE) so I've never looked. The engine is known to be long lived if it is taken care of...Expecting 200K+ is possible. The engine will self destruct if the timing belt breaks--it's an interference engine so the pistons will crash into the valves if it breaks. Severity of damage is variable--bent valves at the very least.

 

You may want to check ebay, usually they go a lot cheaper than a dealer would sell them for, but you don't know what your getting until you pick it up.

I'd go with a standard analog gauge cluster and the standard suspension if I were you. If something on the digital cluster goes, you'll have to replace the whole thing. Plus, I think the analog cluster looks much better, too. Digital clusters are relics of the 80's. As for the suspension, if you get the adjustable one and you have to replace it, it's really expensive, something in the neighborhood of $2000. I'd get one with a standard suspension, and then upgrade it with KYB shocks and struts, and a set of ST or Intrax springs.

To get a 5 speed, you'll probably have to get an SE model, which is the sportier version. It also comes with black trim, a black grill, a front air dam, a trunk lid spoiler, and cut-out headrests with sportier seats. The GXE comes with too much ugly chrome trim, a chrome grill, and more posh seats. You can only get the digital gauges in the GXE model.

As for problem areas, the automatic tranny is known to start to give out usually around 150K if it's been driven hard or driven a lot of city miles. Most of the other problems are routine and comparable to a 14+ year old car with higher mileage. The body's usually hold up really well, mine doesn't have a spot of rust on it. Also, there is some aftermarket support for the car, you can get some engine performance parts, a body kit, wood dash kits, and exhaust upgrades, though there isn't nearly as much as there is for newer cars, but it's still better than a lot of other cars from the late 80's. Also, if you got a big bankroll, you can upgrade the car to a turbo since it's basically the same engine used in the 300ZX.