Well if any of you check the 5th gen forum, you could find the story but basically and accident, and raising car insurance will probably have me downgrading to save money. So guys i got a couple questions. Should i be looking out for a certain year, obviously newer is better but any special editions, and are there any changes in the 4th gen engine in the different years? Hopefully black on black 97-99 though is what im going to be looking for...



thanks
Brandon

 

engine is pretty much the same, except for some wiring issues w/ the '99 SE-Ls.

If your not going to do anything major all the drivetrains of the 4thgens are pretty much alike

97-99 has a 'refreshed' exterior and some interior additions.

99s are a little heavier, so for speed go for 97-98.

 

Yeah, 99's are a little heavier, but I like mine...except for my ignition coils which suck tremendously and should have been recalled. Watch out, you'll have prob's with ignition coils no doubt. I've heard that 95-96's have tranny problems so watch out.

 

don't look at it as a downgrade. you'll like your 4th gen, believe me. the majority of people posting on this forum love their car.

just like any car, problems are on a person to person basis... there's no real proof of any significant severe widespread transmission problems with 95-96, though there might have been some cases. mine is fine.

good luck and enjoy..

 

how many miles??

There's enough people who have the same problem with their differential bearings to say there's something up with the transmission. This problem isn't limited to the 95/96... plenty of 97+ cases.

 

try to get a SE, manual 99/98

 

nadir, my car's a '96 with ~86K on it.

I know that's still very young, but I was basing my statement more on the feedback of all the people with working high mileage trannies in a few of the recent poll threads rather than my own experience... which has been pleasant thus far I must say. =p

I understand what you're saying though.

 

Well Brandon, 4th gen are awesome in every way, BUT...

I would say watch out for 3 things, which I observed break down most frequently:

...ranked from breaking down most to least

1) Although some might say otherwise, IGNITION COILS (especially for the 98, but even more the 99 models). I will be going through my third coil and I only have 59k miles, bone stock.

2) O2 sensor (especially the rear one) again on the 98/99 models gives out way too frequently. I bet half the people here had it changed before 50k miles, and half of those who did not don't know it because they bought their car used.

3) The famous KNOCK SENSOR - some would put that #1 or 2, but I think it only needs replacing once, at around 60-80k mile range. Also, if you think about it, you only have one knock sensor that costs you in the range of $80-130 as oppossed to SIX freakin coils priced at $70-100 a piece. Either way, I can guarantee you that many members here have gone through more coils than knock sensors.

These are just things you have to watch for. Not to say that it will happen all the time, no! 4th gen is a great car, only with minor defects. I say minor with comparison to what other vehicles out there go through. In any case, what I think is most important in a Maxima is not that stupid knock sensor, coil, or O2 sensor, which you can replace yourself in no time, but rather, the great VQ30 motor, which pretty much defines "perfection".

 

don't for get to add the week alternator & starter.

the 4th gen is a great car.

 

what are you going to do with the car ?
1. nothing, just drive around and be cool
2. go fast
3. big pimping
4. show/cosmetic

that will help the gang figure out which max will be best ! and sorry if i missed it but what year 5th did you have ?

 

I'd get nothing newer than a 97 because that will leave your options open if you want a MEVI/JWT ECU (the ultimate NA mod).

There does seem to do a differential bearing issues with some later model 96s and most of the 97-98s 5 speeds. My late model 96 is completely fine with 150 1/4 mile passes and 102K miles. Whatever car you buy, get underneath it and inspect the CV axles and where the axles go into the tranny. Look for leakage at the tranny case/axle point and yank on the both both in/out and up/down. If there is more than 1/8" in/out movement, look at a different car. If there is ANY up/down movement, look at a different car.

Over the course of 5 years ownership on a 7 year old car, it's needed:

Gas
Spark plugs
F/R brake pads
Fluid changes
Front/rear O2 sensors at 100K
Knock sensor
Degunking of the Evap canister valve
Various light bulbs
Front rotors at 101K


Dave

 

I get my 97 5 speed 1 week from today and I cant wait!

 

I am going for a show big pimping thing more than speed. I have a 2000 maxima. Shes in the body shop right now getting worked on. It was 6g's worth of damage. I appreciate all of your responses, and from what it seems like all maximas have problems with coil's except for 2k2 on. Thanks again for all your information guys