Everywhere I go, 1 out 5 cars that I see are Maximas (particularly 4 gens). This has also pushed me to decision to get this car. That, and the fact that it looks great, and runs very well. I was just wondering what has given the Maxima its great reputation?? I love the car, and hope that I get one for my 17th b-day in January. I’m really hoping to get a 97 SE!

 

It's engine. The VQ30DE is powerful, refined, and strong all in one.
-Cyrus

 

you just answered your own question

 

you are in luck baby

the 97 Maxima was voted by JD Power & Associates as the most reliable car in its class for that year

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=156842

 

Japanese/Euro cars (non-turbo)= reliable

Japanese $ < Euro $

Nissan = best J V6, perhaps the best in the world...look at those 300zs runnin around...

Honda/Toyota V6 = slow, overpriced little brats

 

it's defenately the vq30de,190 hp and 205tq,

 

despite the fact that some people on here complain about their cars, generally most problems with cars are due to DIY mechanic failures or mods gone wrong. The Maxima is a very reliable car, especially compared to all cars in and around its class.

 

...as well as some cars way "above" its class (from personal experience).

 

I've had my 97 for 2 1/2 years of pretty abusive driving. It has only failed to start and leave me "stranded" once. It was the starter, so if I really wanted to I could have popped the clutch to get it going, but I was at home so I just changed it.

 

another reminder, when you get your 97, make shure your alternator is checked because they have recalled them for that year.

 

Hello...

(this is my first post)
I recieve that letter that nissan sent out about the 97 and 98 models having a recall becuase the alternator may contain a damage diode.
I have no time to go to the dealer and just bought my car fed 02 and ran great ever since. was wondering if you guys know how i can check it myself, you know so the engine wont blow up or anything...

thanx

 

You can call Nissan's customer service and tell them your VIN, and they will tell you if it falls under the recall. It's up to you whether to get it fixed. IMO it's worth the couple of hours at the dealer for peace of mind.

 

even if theres no problems now, you still should get it replaced because it will eventually go out sooner or later if its bad. Before the recall, my diode burned up and made the alternator have a loud whining sound all the time. Im still waiting for nissan to approve me so I can get my money back because I had to pay for the alternator since it wasnt recalled at the time it went out.

 

I have the last 15 years worth of Consumer Reports April (car) issue.
And here's how the Maxima placed against the Camry & Accord in the last 10 years ( that's when CR started to actually show how cars placed against each other.

1993 thru 2002. A total of 10 years, but each car is represented only 9 times. CR does not include the year a car has it's big makeover.

Maxima.........(1st) 6 of 9 times......(2nd) 1 time ....(3rd) 2 times
Camry...........(1st)3 of 9 times......(2nd) 5 times....(3rd) 1 time
Accord.........(1st) 1 of 9 times......(2nd) 4 times....(3rd) 4 times


I find JD Powers interesting, but remember they refer to the first 90 days. Consumer Reports covers years of data.


This is how Maxima/Camry & Accord placed agains each other, but in their catagory (Mid/Family) of CR reliability ratings, only one car company has placed FIRST in EVERY year of the last ten. It is Nissan/Infiniti.

The only car that does better than the Maxima is Infiniti (almost any of them).


I think that speaks volumes about Maxima/Nissan reliability ( not that I'm keeping track).

 

And infiniti is the same car, generally. ^_^

Known issues in 4th gens: knock sensor, e-brake cables/rear pad shims, alternator recall.

 

The VQ power plant is the truth!! A award winning motor. it's just a great car to own...

 

On the other hand if you look at what the conusmer guide has to say:

http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/u...fm/id/2214.htm

Look under Trouble Spots, 95-97 maximas had more problems than 98 -99.

One problem just specific to the 97:
Automatic transmission: The original automatic transmission (model F04) shift solenoids allowed slipping and premature wear. (1997)

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=156842

 

Do you want this forum to self distruct or something?? You've got this link to that other discussion of the same topic and you posted on that topic linking to here. Got people going round in circles.

DW

 

Yeah, my bad. I posted that thread before I saw this one...

 

From my personal ownership experience, my 96 GXE has been with me since new and just turned 6 years old at 60K. I can sing it's praises all day as I am so attached to the damn thing. I can say without exception that nothing, absolutely nothing has gone wrong or failed. My only concern is of course the auto tranny but she is still running strong coupled to that VQ miracle of an engine.

 

Mark - what is the model of your K&N? Is it conical? I'm looking into doing this but the Stillen setup isn't cheap...

 

Our 97 Maxima Auto has been through 4 winters and 5 summers and still has yet to break anything at all... The only and i mean ONLY thing (other than aftermarket) money spent on the car has been gas... The dealer even comes, picks up the car and does oil changes for us... Customer service A++...

BMW on the other hand doesn't do jack **** for us, don't return their calls, offer discounts on anything and yet the car from them is nearly 2X the price... Guess it's because it's a BMW and they expect the name to sell itself