Well, the time has come for a new car. I'm selling my SHO as my daily driver, and I've decided it's time to move into a Maxima for a daily driver.

I definitely want something between a '95-'99. Has to be an SE, and has to be loaded. I also haven't decided between auto or stick yet (I love stick, but my knees are going bad and driving it everyday is killing me now, plus I have my nice weather car which is stick. . .) But I don't know enough about these cars, other than what I read. I'd like to get something with low mileage, so I'm figuring closer to '99, and I know there were some design changes around '97ish.

So, my question is, are there any especially good or bad years between '95 through '99? And what were some of the changes from '95 through '99? Anything substantial? I know it was mostly for looks, no difference in engines. Any information is much appreciated!

 

95-99 was basically the same with a few emissions stuff addes to the newer models. 97 SE has 16" wheels (95-96 have 15"). They also slightly modified the injection ports on the newer models. But the hp is rated the same all years and the tranny/suspension remained constatnt also. 95s had some minor glitches like bad O2 sensors, etc... But they should have surfaced and been tended to by now. The 95-99 Maxs seem to lose their muster over 6000rpm and the new models 2000+ are happier and more powerful evving high. I mention this b/c from what I understand of the SHO they are high revving with much power in the upper rpm band-so you may like that type of vehicle response. All years are good, 5 speeds are somewhat rare but noticably quicker (in my opinion). Good luck!

 

Go with the 97-99 I had a 1996 before my 1997 the 96 I had when the clutch went out so did the gearbox, but when they replaced it (under warranty) the car was slower for some reason, a guy I used to smoke on the interstate could now beat me and that I did not like, but the 97-99 look a little better on the outside and will definatly have lower miles, and I like the steering wheel on the 97-99 alot better,, Oh and wait to find a 5-speed it is worth the wait

 

I am thinking about selling my max. where do you live? My 97 has 65k miles cold air intake, muffler, custom 2 tone front vinyl seats and the trim pieces are painted to match it. It has a custom trunk with holes for 2 15's(which I no longer own) and an amp rack and custom ground effects on the back. let me know if you might be interested. By the way I live in KC.

 

Keep this info in mind when considering the years of the Gen 4 maxima;

The 97-99s look exactly the same on the outside. The SEs all have the same SE star wheels, too.

On the inside there are subtle differences;

98 debutted the digital Odometer, and also a newer auto-climate control unit.
The fuel gage changed direction, it faces in as if the fuel gage and temp gage are looking at each other, nice symmetrical look.
Side airbags became an option in 98 as well.

99s have the same stuff as the 98s, plus these other goodies;
99s have the limited editions (99 SE-L)which have the same equipmemnt and more standard equipment, and some color/feature changes like titanium tint SE wheels and gages, and special floor mats.
Also, a slight change to the engine, the 99s apparently have the most restrictive exhaust, but that is easily fixed with a y-pipe. Also, Nissan was apparently testing production for the Gen 5 max and some of the 99s came the newer Gen 5 alarm system.


I don't know much about the 95-96es except that they were faster, there's been much debate as to why. I think it's simply because the 95-95 SE's came with 15" wheels whereas the 97-99 SE's came with those beautiful start 16" wheels.


Hope this helps.

 

do a search of 95 - 99 maximas, you will find all the information you ever wanted and more. I would have to say go with the 95- but do a forum search

 

do a search of 95 - 99 maximas, you will find all the information you ever wanted and more. I would have to say go with the 95- but do a forum search.

 

I would recommend a 98 Se Auto, sure the stick is more fun but if you have a stick that is a fair weather car then stick with the auto for the daily driver. The 98 has the best options for the price and is a great car and looks better, IMHO, than the 95-96. Yes i know i have i 95 but i would like a 97-99 conversion in the future. Have fun and get the newer styling like on the 97-99, you'll be happy.
________
Live sex

 

If safety is one of your concearns, go with at least 1997 because the 1995-96 was rated POOR and the 1997-99 was rated ACCEPTABLE. Here are the links:

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/95012.htm
http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/97024.htm

 

Typically (in theory at least) the 95 would have more "bugs" that would need to be worked out of the design and other area,s. I personally own a 95gle but if I could have afforded it would have gotten a 99 SE mainly as a personall preference for the interior such as design and the gauges look cool too! Plus a 99 should halve less miles, less problems, less flaws and less wear and tear. Most changes were cosmetic though and not too many (if any) differences with the engine/tranny. Nothing substantial.

 

Looks like most are steering my towards the later years, as I guessed. I'm thinking at least a '97, preferably the '98 is going to be my year. Something about that digital odometer that does it for me (Hey, it's the little things!) plus I'd like to see the new climate control system used in '98. Looks like some test drives this weekend!

Anyway, thanks for all the info thus far. Anyone else have anything for me to look out for?

 

Pat, I was in the same situation a month ago. I drove a number of maximas including both 4th and 5th generation cars. I live in downtown Toronto, a quick subway ride from work, so I decided that I couldn't justify shelling out for a 2001 that would sit in the parking garage most of the week. I decided that I would purchase a 1998 and began to look for one with reasonably low mileage.

I found that there were alot of 98s on the market coming off 3 year leases that seemed to be a reasonably good value. A dealer was able to find me a fully loaded black SE 5-speed with only 23,000 kms (14,375 miles). The car had been owned by someone in the same position as me, primarily being used on weekends.

The car drives like new, looks fantastic and cost me less than US$16,000. Good luck in your search.

 

98 is supposed to be a better bargain cuz they reduced the msrp for that year. good luck

 

Well, you don't know how thrilled I am to hear MSRP dropped for '98 and the fact that someone was able to find a loaded one for under $16k! Thought this might break the bank - apparently not. Then again, I'm also right on the expensive part of the east coast, so who knows?!

And very true - most 98s are coming off of leases. Hopefully that will make finding one that I want easier.

Still lost on the manual vs. auto issue. I can remember reading when the '95s originally came out, the clutches didn't hold up long. Any truth to this? They straigthen it out later in the Max's life?