I am looking to buy a 3rd generation maxima. Something seemed to just catch my eye at how damn sexy it could look after some modifications, (primarily bmw headlight conversion) woo woop. Ok first of all, are 3rd generation Maximas pretty reliable? Are they are reliable as the 4th generation and 5th? Too many damn people have the 4th and 5th gens and so on. Another question was does anyone get tired of that damn seat-belt? I feel like It would **** me off going up automatically every single time you close the door and ****. Does anyone know if it is possible to have that removed and replaced with any form of a regular seat belt set up. Behind the ear, pull it down yourself when you want, you know what i mean. Also, what is probably the best year for a 3rd generation. I was thinking of going with a '94 just because its the newest of them and the best ones i have seen are 94s. If anyone would answer me some of these questions I would be very greatful. Thanks.

 

I've had 3 maximas 94 gxe no problems except when you would hit a tree the bumper couldn't withstand the impact and it pushes into the engine, then when the tree falls on top of the hood it dents it bad enough to total it..... Who knew. My other maxima was a 91 se 207,000 miles and it ran good when I sold it. My third maxima another 91 se is still driving around my town with 196,000 last time I bumped into the guy. I replaced alternators and starters but I also delivered pizzas and had a hell of a stereo. I just bought a 92 se and it has 170,000 miles. All in all I think they are pretty reliable. Buy one and you'll never get another car that satisfies like a MAX

 

I agree. I've had two 92 SEs and few problems. Worst was the water pump on this one and it wasn't that bad. My VTCs tick, which is irritating, but it has 145K. My first had 160k when I traded it in and the only thing I had to do was replace the slave cylinder, no ticking or anything. (I should have kept it!) I have never had a leak or any kind of smoke from the exhaust on either car.

I've driven 4th Gens and they seem to be less sporty (in stock form), especially in the suspension. Probably just a touch faster and I know the reliability on those is fantastic, too. Haven't driven a 5th gen, but the price difference between a 3rd and 5th is substantial.

The Maxima is a great blend of luxury and sportiness. Not many cars can be had for under $5000 (talking mostly about 3rd gen now, usually even cheaper) that you can drive across the country, go 140+mph and seat four adults comfortably, plus put in a system and still have room in the trunk.

The seatbelts you get used to after a while (I did, anyway).

There are some quirks, like the crappy bose stereo system and the probability that you will be replacing at least one of your window regulators.

I highly recommend a Maxima

 

i agree with you completely i originally bought first 92 se because it had the power of the ve behind which many people didn't know about only a small few knew of this car capabilities and i was one of them after spanking lots of cars with my 92. i gained the rtespect of many 4th gen and fifth gen owners . i see a fourth gen max every corner with a stillen lip and clear corners look factory .dare i say maxima are becoming common in brooklyn like civics . ethier you drive a honda any one or a maxima in brooklyn. damn if i 'll drive a honda. any way i love my max when my first one was hit i went out and bought another one and built it of scratch new motor, tranny, exhaust , intake ,springs, rims and black leather interior . i love the 3rtd gen not just because i own one it becoming rare to see one hooked up and also kicking ***.

 

i have 90SE 5spd. 181k mi. have replaced lots of ****, but itz old. the seatbelts unlock, btw. you push the button on the auto-slide part and the belt disengages. you can lay it in the seat when you park so the damn thing doesn't nab you on the way out of the car. i hate them, too. one of the most annoyingly stupid things ever done -was a good idea on paper in the early 90's. and gas mileage is not very good. other than that, car is great. i love the car.

 

i don't own a max either (yet). its hard finding a 5spd se anywhere. but i was under the impression that they got relatively good gas mileage (25-29mpg). Am i wrong??

i'll get one either way though

 

I have a 90 GXE with 176K. I think in general they are very good cars- echoing above posts in terms of power and comfort. Pretty good all-around car, but it has it's issues like any other. Most cars you find don't go 200K plus miles on a regular basis, though, so to me that is a definite positive. Gas mileage isn't great, but then it's a V6, so it won't be as good a little 4-banger. One recomendation, though- get the 5 sp if at all possible....just had to rebuild my auto for $1800..

 

Gas mileage? The gas mileage for a 190hp, V6 is great IMO. Easily, I get 23-25mpg in the city and around 26-28 (or more) on the highway. And that is with both of my cars.

My fried has a '00 Lincoln LS V8. Even if I could get one for free, I still would rather drive my SE. If anything, I would rather take the monetary value of the LS and sink that money into my 5spd.

Admittly (sp),I am biased since I am a Nissan fan. Especally of the 3rd and 5th Gen Maximas.


This is my GXE (I don't have a good pic of my SE yet).

 

i agree about 3rd and 5th gens. i have discovered that 3rd gen fans like the 5th and would consider having one. but would not really consider the 4th as much. 3rd and 5th favor each other more i think. i'd like one SE 5spd of each, please!

as for gas mileage, 23-25 is not that great IMO. generally, the maxima drinks gas, especially in town. you get "miles to the tank" more than "miles per gallon." it is geared primarily to be a cruiser, and does get better mileage on the highway, but not much. the car is a HEAVY **** with a V6. but i love it.

 

nice car, darhaw...love the color. Mine is pearl, which is OK, but I don't like my burgundy interior..anyway, I digress. If I get 23-25 in the city, then I am OK with that, just haven't been able to check since my odometer isn't working all of the sudden. Just seems like it's always out of gas...(tune-up time) My 92 Stanza only gets 21 in the city, and it's a 4 (KA24E)- wasn't rated for much more than that. So, 23-25 in the city on the V6 would be pretty good. I stand corrected..

 

Thanks for the compliment The car is bone-stock with the exception of the PepBoy's special (wheels), MP3 head unit and NGK spark plug wires.

Pearl . I have always loved that color. I wish my SE was pear instead of the charcoal grey .

Now, the mileage super sucks with the AC running while driving in the city. I might as well take the gas and pour it out on the street.

 

I wondered if those were the wheels at PepBoys...I saw those a while back and was thinking of them for my Stanza. Nice, especially for the price, as I remember. Gotta agree on the AC comment, although still better than my Stanza. It hates to run with the AC on, which is pretty much all the time here in Texas. At least with the Max I don't lose 500rpm..

 

I actually disagree.
The 3rd gen maxima has something really special about it. the combination of comfort and sportiness was only topped recently by acuras release of the tsx according to car and driver.
i don't really like any other gen maxima. i like going to meets and checking out the 4th and 5th gens. but i doubt that i'd ever own one. i'm definately gonna have my 3rd gen for as long as possible. it has been a great car for me to work on and modify. i still have a lot of work to do but for the year and a half that i've owned my 92 gxe it's been lots of fun.
my advice is to get a 5-speed maxima. i didn't, so it's on my list of mods to be completed.
but whichever model or tranny 3rd gen you get, you'll be impressed.

 

I will agree with everyone on here. I have a 93 Se, and i don't see a ton of them around here. I am also biased towards mine because i have the Aztec re, which i have only seen about three others in the entire state of UTAH. But i must say i love the ride of the 3rd gen. my bro. has a 96 and the ride on mine is much nicer. but good luck with whatever you choose.