Hey Guys,

I'm looking for an early 90's Maxima as a daily driver for my wife and I. I'm leaning towards a 92 SE over the GXE and pre-92 cars due to the extra 30 HP. I'm not ruling out the 160 HP versions though. It depends on the condition of the car, maintanance, etc...I can overlook the HP (I'll drive my WS6 for that )

I'll take any advice you can give me on what to look for (common problems, etc). I've read about the windows giving out (plastic clips that break?) and falling into the door. Other stuff?

Do these V6's have a timing belt or chain? I'm pretty sure it's a belt, but I've read both somewhere. If belt, what's the recommended change interval? How long have some of you run on the stock belt? One car I found is a 91 and it's got 90k miles, 1 owner, nice car...but she said that they hadn't done a belt to her knowledge. What's a timing belt job normally cost?

Help the newbie!

Thanks guys!

 

the 92-94 have vtc problems, there is a cheap rewire for them,if u take it to the dealer it costs a lot, the 89-94 gxd and 89-91 se have exaust studs that fail, these are also expensive from the dealer

 

Thanks for the tips...

From Carpoint,

http://carpoint.msn.com/Vip/UsedSing...axima/1992.asp

it looks like there are a bunch of sensor issues...

 

http://members.csinet.net/tisch/maxima/comparison.html
http://members.csinet.net/tisch/maxima/problems.htm
http://www.geocities.com/craigbraceg...e/compare.html

 

Thanks for links! Printing...

 

just get a 91 and an it will all be ok.

 

find a nice 92 93 or 94 SE...so far in my 92 SE ive gotten only little stupid problems like my power antenna, blown fog light bulb, and window regulator. Almost 6 digit mileage on it too. You just gotta find the right one, when i looked for a car i was lookin for 3rd gens and alot of them were crappy, not taken care of. I was just lucky to finally find a good one that i now own (nice Trans Am btw)

 

Thanks...I'll keep the 91's in mind also. I've got a couple to look at...

I love the Trans Am and would LOVE to drive it every day, but I drive 80 mi/day for work + roadtrips. 9000 miles in 3.5 months is a little much I plan on keeping the car and I've always liked Maxima's, so why not? Can't have enough cars

 

Can't have enough money either.

 

Unfortunately I can only afford to spend about $3500 on a car. I've got several to look at in that range this week...

 

i think you should also consider differences between 89-92 and the 3rd gens after 92. I have a 92 and i found myself upset several times that i just missed by a year for certain things. I had totalled my max, and when i rebuilt it, i baught a new front end, had the unibody rewelded and replaced the front of the car, including the radiator. Which in late 92, Nissan changed the motor specs for the fans for a longer lasting radiator. The refrigerant i think i found was changed to the newer at that time. And i think 93-94s (depending on trim) were changed to chains. So Nissan worked out a few things later in 92 for the 93 and 94 models...maximaniacs and moderators can pounce on me if im wrong...

otherwise...proud to be a 92 owner!
John

 

As far as I know, 92-94's are all the same (other than the VE/VG thing) except that they changed to that crappy CFC-free refrigerant in 93 from R-12.

I'm also fairly certain all years/engines of Maximas suffered from weak exhaust manifold studs.

 

Whatver you do get a manual transmission. The automatics in these cars suck, they did improve them in 1992 but they are still horrible. If I had it to do over again I would have got a manual transmission so look hard and find a nice one in good shape.

 

I prefer a 5 spd, so that's good

Nobody said anything about timing belts?

 

Timing belts should be replaced at 60k miles, however there were reports of nissan upping the mileage to like 90k for the 92+ GXE's. HOwever I wouldn't chance it because when the belt goes 95% of teh time the motor goes. Assuming you bought all the neccessary parts like T-belt, drive belts, water pump, thermostat, front crank oil seal, camshaft oil seals; labor should be in the $200-500 and the parts about $150-300.

 

3rd Gens with the VG30DE (slow ones) are very reliable. However, they are hella slow. (especially auto) A properly maintained 3rdGen with the VE30DE (fast one) with a stick shift is quick. My advice... save up for a 4th Gen 5spd. By the time you buy a 3rdGen, do all the maintenance it needs, modify it, fix any body blemishes, you could have almost had a enough for a really nice VQ30DE. (the best engine)

 

Thanks for the info man...

 

The 92-94 SE has a timing Chain, not a belt, so there is another plus for the VE.



Get a VE 5-speed, you won't regret it.

 

No $hit!!?? I drove a 93 SE automatic last night. I assumed it was a GXE until I got there and saw the dual tips, white gauges, etc. I asked him about the timing belt and he said he hadn't changed it out, but needs to. Maybe I can use the fact that he thinks it's got a belt as a bargaining tool

You're POSITIVE about the timing chain??

VE??? I thought there was GXE's and SE's??

EDIT...I figured out what you mean by "VE" VG30DE is the 160 HP motor, VE30DE is the 190 HP motor...gotcha

 

actually VG30E is teh GXE engine, not VG30DE
and teh 92-94 SE is VE30DE
I'm pretty sure the D represents variable timing IIRC

and yes, VE does have a timing chain for sure

 

Thanks for the clarificaiton Craig...you're the VTC re-wire guy right? Did you see my other thread?
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....threadid=93262

So 92+ SE models will have a chain, or just 93+?

I'm going to look at a 92 GXE with 90k miles tonight (assuming it's not an auto SE...older lady). Belt has never been done so she already knocked $500 off her price...