How realiable are Maximas? 3rd gens.

 

If you get a 5speed, then you only have to worry about a few small things. The engines last FOREVER! Im on 241,000 miles and its running great!

 

like what are they main/basic probs...and yes 5spd

 

CV Joints go bad, exhaust studs break....thats all i can think of off the top of my head.

 

window regulators go out, that's a common problem.

They are generally extremely reliable cars. I have had two 92 SE 5-spds. The first I traded in at 160k and I have 146k on my current one.

The first one had only one problem -- the slave cylinder went out. I bought it in 96 with pretty low miles (40 or 50k, I think) and it was phenomenal. Best car I have ever owned.

My current car I bought from my brother, who got his in 97 or 98 with around 50k (I think). The worst problem I've had was the water pump went out just a couple of months ago. The clutch pedal bracket broke (cost $140.50) Also a window regulator went out and now my y-pipe is rotting out. My VTCs also tick, but that isn't really a reliability issue yet. Just a couple of weeks ago I drove it 400 miles in one day and raced an RX8 in the process (he beat me, but just barely).

they are great cars. Just ask anyone on this board

 

They are very very good cars. I wanted to find a 3rd gen (back then) but they are very hard to come by to buy one.

 

I ran mine to 160k miles before I sold it and who knows how many I could have actually gotten out of it. The 3rd gens are tanks, but window regulators broke way too often.

 

3rd gen maximas are great cars except for THOSE DARN EXHAUST STUDS!!!

 

is the exhaust stud problem on the VE or the VG. cause my VE dosent seem to have that problem..however it needs vtc's and a knock sensor real bad !! if i replace the knock sensor and the vtc's still tick will that cause the knock sensor to retard the timing again ? will it ruin the knock sensor (the new one ??) should i do the vtc's first ? whos replaced them here if i just buy new ones is it hard to do . im not stupid with cars find my post of mods to my old car (trans am) that will give you an idea.

 

exhaust studs are problems with both ve and vg and you also have to watch out for the BOSE audio

 

been there done that. the back has pioneers in it for now till i get to the interior. im still working on the motor. i want her just the way i want first. then ill be redoing the interior, then some nice body work. but engine comes first. thats why i need to know about the vtc's and the knock sensor. will the ticking more like clacking vtcs ruin a new knock sensor ??

 

Aren't tranny's a big issue too?

 

i have to go with the exhaust studs cause mine are bad and i want to fix it but i also want to add more goodies to my car

 

yes the AUTO trannys typicaly go out between 100k and 150k if not properly cared for ie ragular trany friud change which most dont do

 

Don't about anyone else but my '89 has had the damn clutch fixed 4 times. I have around 200K on the engine and it still runs fine. The clutch is the only major problem that it has ever had. Yeah and those stupid window regulators.

WSS

-Friends don't let friends drive Hondas.

 

What brand clutch were you putting in? My oem clutch lasted 130k and only then was it showing signs of slipping. I could have gone another 10-20k.

 

I have 170K miles on mine and no major problems. I just replaced both CV joints, but I could have gone longer on one of them. I also replaced the fuel injectors at around 130k.

My VTCs are going, but as mentioned that is not critical. All of my sensors and computer check out great, though I am planning on replacing the knock sensor on general principal. Perhaps the O2 sensor also.

I have an auto, no troubles, no repairs, works great even with 170k on it.

Oh, yeah, the window regulators. I've lost two so far. But does that really count? I mean ~$60 in parts and ~30mins of work per window? Minor really.

Still looks great, still runs great, still leaves the chins of souped up honda drivers on the floor.

[edit]
Oh, yeah, my right rear Bose speaker is going out but that is going to get replaced before too long.
[/edit]

 

80k miles and this is my list

-wheel hub bearing replacement
-passenger window regulator replacement
-power steering pressure hose replacement
-valve cover gaskets leaked (never got around to fix it)


1990 GXE VG - sold it this past august. I loved it and I really miss it.

 

so can anyone answer my ques ? will the vtc's damage a new knock sensor ?

 

Sorry, forgot to respond to that bit.

I have to admit that I am not certain about this, but I don't think it will. At least on my car, (93 SE - same as yours), the knock sensor is on the other end of the engine from the VTCs. I would not think that the ticking of the VTCs would interfere with or damage the knock sensor, there are six cylinders of noise and countless other things between the two.

But still, I am not certain. I am after all only a "shadetree" mechanic.

 

My 89 SE AUTO has the "Maximum Tuning" valve body mod and a Tranny cooler installed right after a full nissan rebuild so i'm hoping i will have a good aount of time with this unit!? so far iv'e put over 30k hard miles since and just maintained the fluid and it is still as good as new... (my 2 cents)

 

Doubt it. The KS is calibrated to detect high frequency noises. I would think VTC tick is a much lower sound and out of the piezoeletric's sensor range. Otherwise like the other gentleman said, it would be pickup up other engine noises(ie. injectors/belts/lifters/valve train etc...)

 

WOW :...My 91' SE has been in our family for 10 full years...be brought it in 94' with 31K on the odomeather, and I've never had a window regulator problem, or exhaust manifold studs, CV Joints or fuel injectors... some of these issues are new to me but others are common. When my Max was totled it had 227,800 Miles on her, and all that I've ever had go wrong was
1. Auto Transmission (once)
2. Bose unit
3. Water Pump (twice) purchased at pep boys
4. High Pressure PS hose (once)
5. Left Front ABS wheel sensor (once)
6. Master Cylinder

And the majority of those things happend after the car got over 170K
So yes, Maximas are VERY VERY reliable...but everyonce and a while you'll find a lemon...every manufacture makes a few each year...**** happens. But those and the window regulators are the things I would look for...esp the Manifold studs...those can get expensive to replace.

 

I've replaced the whole thing twice and parts twice. All but the last time it was Nissan parts. I think the problem is that the car orignally belonged to my mother. She thinks she can drive a standard but in all reality that isn't close to the truth. She had it for 125k and gave it to me within a week of having it the clutch broke for the third time. At that time I think we only replaced some bearings and the pressure plate. It lasted for another 50k and then we replaced the whole damn thing. The mechanics at Courtesy Nissan tell me that there was a problem with the '89 that they didn't fix until later and that it isn't uncommon for the clutch to go out. Maybe they are yanking my chain but I love the car to much not to fix the clutch everytime.

 

As for reliabilty, you can't go wrong. However, like all other cars, the 3rd gens have some idosyncrocies.

 

I have 2 3rd Gen's and my 90 se has 328k on it with no probs, and my 91 has 120k with no probs...Very reliable cars if u get 5-speeds.Once the automatics go bad ur screwed, at least in my area. No one knows how to fix them. And amen to the window regulators!!!Horrible Design there!!!

 

damn i clicked on your pic of the totalled max.... what happend i bet it was a heart breaker.

 

It was a heart breaker...I almost lost my life because the other driver wasn't paying attention. He failed to yeild and I was going thru the intersection and so was he, and I hit him head on. We both had to be flown to the Baltimore Shock Truama center...I was on my way back to work from lunch.

 

mines at 190000 and running strong.

 

oh my god ! you lived thru that ? seems the max holds up good in a crash. good to know and glad your ok !

 

mine's at 158,010 miles and running strong. tranny rebuilt at 148k.

 

Thanks...I should be going back to work soon...the accident was back on June 26th

 

everything's been stated, there are little things like the clock going out, and the locks screwing up, but both are cheap and easy.

Regulators, Regulators, Regulators, I've replaced 5 total, back ones twice each, and driver's side. Kind of scary to come out of a movie or something and see no window there!

I also have alarm issues, i have to unlock my passenger side first and open the door, close it, and then open the driver's side, if I don't the alarm goes off

I have 176k on a 92 SE, VTCs are an issue for me too

 

dang man i read your reply glad to know your ok feel bad you can get another max and it wont be the same. i have had lots of times where i was gonna buy another max cuz mine was messed up but couldnt do it. you plan on stayin in the 3rd gen family and getiin another one??

 

Nah...I'm thinking about moving into the 6th Gen or the 02-03 5th Gen. But I can't do anything until I take my case to court as the other guys insurance is denying suit.

 

i notice the bent up strut bar in the pic what all did you have doen to your max (performance&appearence)?

 

As far as performance...Just the strut bar and a drop in K&N Air Filter and Advanced Timing. But the best thing about my max was my audio system...it wasn't overdone...but it was just right. I seemed to have matched all the components up perfectly. And the best thing about the 3rd Gen Max...it don't rattle...so not one bit of Dynamat was needed anywhere.

 

mine is an 89 se
i vouch on that i have 3 pioneer premier 12's not to much rattle. and as far as performance i have a matrix air filter setup a strut tower bar 2" drop with sprint springs 17inch loco wheels wrapped in 215 40 zr 17 falken's custom interior(had
the opportunity when i worked at a upholstry shop) clear corners warpspeed y pipe Wfull 2.5 inch tubing with no cat and a greddy muffler pretty quick next i wanna do the timing advance. wanna post pic soon for you guys

 

Check out my Cardomain site by the link in my sig...

 

hella oil leaks, i got to sell mine cause of it...