My 91GXE has about 138k miles on it and still going strong. This is a good reliable car, clean inside and out, and in great shape overall. I've kept it mostly stock (see sig) and it has been gently driven all the years it's been with me (since '95). I just put new brakes on it all around and would like to keep it for several more years.

I'm concerned about the transmission though. No real reason, but a major repair like this would sour me on the car quickly. I just shelled out $3600 for a new tranny for my '95 but the reasons for that are obvious (see sig). The '91 runs smoothly, shifts normally, and doesn't complain or slip or anything else that would indicate anything other than all is well.

But I have to ask: How many miles did you get out of your tranny? Is your car modified? How hard was the car driven? Also, how much did a new tranny cost you?

Jim

 

When I had my 89GXE auto, the previous owner had the tranny rebuilt at 160K or so. I dont know for sure if this was the first time or not because I didn't have any records beyond that. But I dont think they did a very good job because the tranny died on me at about 190K and then I moved on to my VE 5spd and haven't had any tranny problems with it. The GXE was stock and I drove it moderatly hard. Didn't take it to redline very often and never manually shifted or neutral-dropped it.

Get a tranny cooler to be on the safe side. I'm sure you've seen all the posts about them. It can't hurt and it's about $50 or less

 

Ours lasted 180k miles before we had it rebuilt and that was since it was bought new back in 1987. We did all the 60k ATF changes, I guess that is why it lasted so long. Usually the tranny will give you about 5-15k miles of bad running before going completely dead. If that happens just rebuild the stocker for $1000-1500 and keep on motoring.

 

my tranny cooler cost only 36 bucks at pepboys I hve the 404 model.

 

Ours lasted 180k miles before we had it rebuilt and that was since it was bought new back in 1987. We did all the 60k ATF changes, I guess that is why it lasted so long. Usually the tranny will give you about 5-15k miles of bad running before going completely dead. If that happens just rebuild the stocker for $1000-1500 and keep on motoring.

 

my tranny cooler cost only 36 bucks at pepboys I hve the 404 model.

 

My maxima that I own has 198000 miles on with a used engine put in at 182000 but the transmission is still running strong had the fluids changed and a system done in the recent years. The car is stock. It is an Automatic.

 

My car still goes to shows (Carlisle, Nopi, etc.) very clean and in great shape mechanically, but I tore mine up at around 93K. Rebuild cost $2K.

 

I just got my car. The tranny is dying as we speak, I've got a rebuilt one coming in about a week though. 143,000 automatic. Bone stock. I'm doing the swap myself.

 

My 90 GXE has 95,000 and the tranny is jerky at shifting. Is that normal? anyone know? I don't believe I have a cooler but when driven for a while (about an hour) the tranny shifts better. I changed to Mobil 1 synthetic a few months ago and didn't notice any improvement. I heard a lot people talking about Redline. any one know if changing to Redline will help shifting? That's the only thing I hate about my Max. Other than that the car is real smooth. Thanks for any comments

 

It seems like a dumb question, but mabye you've just overlooked it. Check the power switch next to your coin holder to see what it's set to. If it's on power, then it's obviously gonna shift a bit harder. Mine is set on power and I have noticed that it shifts hard when it's still cold (and usually in a low gear - i.e. 1st -> 2nd). If it's not supposed to shift hard when the power switch is on, I think I may be in trouble. Also, if the person who had it before you (asuming you bought it used) drove it hard or shifted from Reverse to Drive without coming to a complete stop, then he's warn the tranny down. Only one solution - rebuild. Unless of course the damage is minimal.

 

The A/T switch changes the transmission's shift points. The power switch shifts at about 300 rpms higher than usual into every gear. So, it shifts harder because you're actually revving higher than you normally would when you shift into the next gear. The comfort setting does the opposite, 300 rpms less than normal.

 

If that doesnt work check your motor and tranny mounts. On your question/poll my 89 5spd went 225,000 before she went south on me had to replace it w/ a remanufactured tranny that we modified.

 

BTW, the car is an Auto...this is a pain not having sigs.

Thanks for all the feedback...keep it coming!

Jim

 

I think it really depends on how well it was maintained, and the driver. Mine has been to hell and back without major problems yet. Since I only have 125K o my car it's still young, but for what it's been through(3 or 4 6K RPM neutral drops, 1.5 years of autocrossing with torque braking starts, and my very heavy foot) I'm supprised it hasn't blown up yet.

By the way my car is for sale if anybody is interested

 

I think it really depends on how well it was maintained, and the driver. Mine has been to hell and back without major problems yet. Since I only have 125K o my car it's still young, but for what it's been through(3 or 4 6K RPM neutral drops, 1.5 years of autocrossing with torque braking starts, and my very heavy foot) I'm supprised it hasn't blown up yet.

By the way, my car is for sale if anybody is interested

 

Gamezilla, I tried different modes and didn't really notice the difference between power & comfort so now I just leave it at normal mode.

I drive fast on highway but very easy on the car at accelerating or slowing down. that could be the reason why the tranny hasn't died on me yet. or the way it is right now could be something very simple (I'm optimistic here) that can be fixed easily. any more comments?

 

I had approximately 90K miles on my 1991 GXE when my transmission gave out on the way to work. I was closest to an AAMCO (Pasadena, CA), so I took it there. THEY TOOK ME TO THE CLEANERS. They first gave me an estimate (over the phone) of $1,300 to rebuild it -or- they could put it back in my car broken and only charge me $600. They ended up putting a rebuilt tranny in my car... and charged me $3,400. (Yes, they saw me coming). That was 3 years ago. The car now has 145K and I just had to have another tranny put in this month. (Needless to say, I didn't go to AAMCO this time). This time it was $1,400 for a re-conditioned tranny. My mechanic said the trannys for the Maxima's run a little bit more ($) because they're so popular. I don't know if he meant the CARS are so popular, or the transmissions. LOL

My car is not modified, and I don't drive it hard. Just in a lot of stop and go traffic. Hope that helps!

 

ok... i have a 90 stock maxima with 192k on it. if u get your tranny checked now, have them run a magnet through it. if they find metal chips in it, you should replace your torque converter. and if there is excessive damage to your clutch cavity caused by the metal chips being pushed out of the torque converter which eats away at the walls in the clutch cavity will lower pressures making it impossible to shift out of 2nd. im getting mine fixed as we speak, its costing me $2300, so u better get yours checked before its to late.
and for you others, the strong shifting could also be caused by a loose wire above the transmission which lowers the pressures in the clutch cavity allowing smoother shifting. if it is dissconnected the pressures will rise, and make shifting harder.

 

ok... i have a 90 stock maxima with 192k on it. if u get your tranny checked now, have them run a magnet through it. if they find metal chips in it, you should replace your torque converter. and if there is excessive damage to your clutch cavity caused by the metal chips being pushed out of the torque converter which eats away at the walls in the clutch cavity will lower pressures making it impossible to shift out of 2nd. im getting mine fixed as we speak, its costing me $2300, so u better get yours checked before its to late.
and for you others, the strong shifting could also be caused by a loose wire above the transmission which lowers the pressures in the clutch cavity allowing smoother shifting. if it is dissconnected the pressures will rise, and make shifting harder.

 

I bought my car at an auction, completely oblivous to what a Maxima was, and the tranny went out about a week later, at about 155k miles. The replacement cost 1000 bucks (400 for the tranny + 600 labor) which was a total rip off, and I had to wait FOREVER for them to do it, and to top it off, the replacement was also junk. Luckily it was under warrenty, but still...you'd think they'd test that sort of thing.. When I rule the world, cars are going to move with magic, instead of trannies. And auto mechanics will be hooked up to lie detectors whenever they tell you something about your car.

 

me and my bother and law brought maxima's he brought a 90 se
and i brought a 93gxe he's tranny went at 100,000miles and mine was slipping around 105,000 we both had them rebuilt for around 1,100 i hope they last at best a few years