Hello, I am a former american car owner, been there done that to death. I have now seen the light and bought a Maxima, 95, 100 000km.
Very good shape. What I want to know is what kind of problems should I expect from this car. Any parts that I should change as preventive maintenance? Sensors, gages, what can I expect to break?
Help me make my first japanese car trouble free.

 

Welcome to the org, Bluecar! I'm just at 80,000km and I haven't had any problems. The only problems I've heard of is with the alternator so that's one thing to check out.

 

Welcome to the Org. As a former musclecar owner also, I understand your concerns The 4th gen Maxima (95-99) is EXTREMELY reliable. JD Power & Associates labels the Maxima as the most reliable car in it's class. I've had my 96 since early 98 and it's NEVER been to the dealer. The car is now almost 7 years old and has 90K mile. The only that's gone wrong with the car is a emissions component thru a code. I ended up cleaning the part and no problems since. My car also has over 100 1/4 mile passes under it's belt with the stock clutch. The only problems you hear about are tranny problems (mostly autos that are raced), bad starters and alternators, knock sensors, and O2 sensors. You never hear of engine failures, spun bearing, thrown rod, etc because the motor is stone-reliable.


Dave

 

i been modding the car since 36000 miles i am on 85 k..


no problems what so ever..

 

I'm one also loved my Camaro for the speed, but had to mature to a quick 4 door Sedan.

The only prob with my Max is it runs rich and stalls, I pulled the code of the computer, sure enough its the knock sensor. Other then that and people callin me a ricer, couldn't be happier

Doug D

 

Have fun with your new maxima. It really is a great car.

SuDZ

 

Welcome

Picked up my 99 just 9 months ago at 43k and now have 62k on it. Not a single problem, and I expect to have many more trouble-free miles.

I do NOT drive the car slowly either.

 

Welcome! The Maxima is my first Japanese car as well. I had a Chevy and a Pontiac before the Maxima. Both were pretty crappy, broke down on me more than I can remember. I bought the Maxima new in 1996 and haven't had any major problems to date.

 

what kind of muscle did you have? My boyfriend has 2 classics, but he respects my car as well, although I guess he could just be being nice!

 

I have a '97 with 140k miles. The only things I have replaced are belts, hoses and tires . Still drives wonderful and always starts. Oh yeah, I had to get a new battery last year. I do not baby it either.

 

Wow Fred's alive

The only major thing here was my drivers side axle seal (twice). Everything else is just maintenence items: belts, fluids, filters, etc.
-hype

 

me ('98) and my bro ('97) received a letter from nissan saying that 97-99 alternators were faulty, and should be replaced. i haven't changed mine yet though, and we got that in the summer. i love my max. the ONE AND ONLY THING i wish was different was that it is stick. but i can't complain, it's an awesome ride.

 

You should go for it. They only took an hour to do mine.

SuDZ

 

Not anymore??........I wouldnt go that far

 

Sounds like my previous dodge. The thing practically disinegrated on me performance / condition wise.

SuDZ

 

howdy, welcome to the ORG

check out the FAQ's, it'll answer most of your questions

 

The max is a reliable car but you might want to prepare for:

I crank my car, all the lights come on but it does not crank to start.
----> Starter problems, easy solution, roll your car about 2 cm or so and re-crank it.

Few rattles.....
O2 sensors....

...and I think that's about it. However, like said earlier..... things are very reliable with this car.

(Used to help my uncle maintain a 1970s Camaro. The car caught fire when we were driving I-605 in LA).