How reliable are Maxima's
10-31-2004, 03:56 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2
How reliable are Maxima's
I'm looking to possibly get a 4th or early 5th gen max but I need this car to last! Would it be better to get a manual transmission or do the automatics hold up pretty well? Also is any year better than the other? Thanks in advance!
10-31-2004, 04:03 PM
#2
Originally Posted by toefungus
I'm looking to possibly get a 4th or early 5th gen max but I need this car to last! Would it be better to get a manual transmission or do the automatics hold up pretty well? Also is any year better than the other? Thanks in advance!
The maxima is more reliable than any other car you could buy for the same or less money. Also, when it does have problems they are fairly easy to solve.
Part of that comes from lots of experience collected on forums like this one!
If you can find a 4th of 5th gen. used that has been a one owner car...it will last you forever.
10-31-2004, 05:23 PM
#5
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 238
My '98 Max has 96K miles and has never had a problem. Not even one. The alternator was replaced because of a recall, but I think that's the only time it has ever been to the dealer except for routine maintenance.
10-31-2004, 05:35 PM
#6
I think a Max with a manual is a great combo for long term purchase. The engine runs forever and the manual tuns the car into a very fun car to drive. If you drive a manual tranny correctly, it will last as just as long as the engine!!
10-31-2004, 09:00 PM
#12
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 112
Drove mine from NYC to Mexico in 5 days, didn't even do any major stuff, just did the brakes. Drove the thing at 115 MPH once I reached the border, for 12 hours...The CE light went on, in Tenessee, then it went away a week later, after diconnecting the batt. the car drives great and use it every day.... 
a work in progress....
a work in progress....
11-01-2004, 05:18 AM
#15
Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 42
I have a 97 Nissan Maxima with 172,000 miles on it. True to form...the car is very reliable. Yes, all cars need routine maintenance...oil changes, periodic tune ups etc. With the Maxima...all mechanics that I have talked with say it is one of the easiest cars to work on. I have never had a major issue with the car. I will buy another Maxima in a heartbeat.
I CANNOT say the same thing about Ford...I used to own a Taurus...junk...absolute junk...tranny rebuilds, engine rebuilds...utter nonsense...a rolling money pit.
I CANNOT say the same thing about Ford...I used to own a Taurus...junk...absolute junk...tranny rebuilds, engine rebuilds...utter nonsense...a rolling money pit.
11-01-2004, 06:04 AM
#16
i agree oceancrest, my gf has a '96 Contour, the thing is a piece.. has less miles than my car and she already had the front axle replaced and the mechanic says her cat. converter is gonna die in a year or so. i told her to sell it and get a max.
11-01-2004, 06:08 AM
#17
i know this is off topic, but hey phatmax, i checked your cardomain cus i noticed you have the same exact car as me, and you have an aluminum dash kit.. how do you like it?? i was thinking of getting an aluminum one also
11-02-2004, 12:24 PM
#20
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 12
Toe, I have a standard tranny 1999 SE Limited Edition going on the market right now. I live in Albany NY, not to far from Harrisburg, PA. Here are some details and we can talk if you are interested. It has every option offered by Nissan in '99, except the burlwood dash. Security and convenience package: sunroof, keyless entry, security system. Also Delux seating package:side air bags, heated seats. Also SE limited Leather package: leather seats, climate control. The car has ABS (option in '99) and Bose sound system. I am the only owner and I love the car. It has 106,000 well cared for miles and the color is Mahogany Pearl (maroon).The car is in outstanding shape. We are asking $8950. My telephone # 518-399-8271 or email mackinno@crisny.org. Hope we can get together. Macol
11-03-2004, 06:50 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 874
The Nissan A32 Maxima/I30 is a masterpiece of engineering. People who I've let drive my car can't believe she has 196,000 miles!!! The automatic trannies are excellent, if well taken care of (mine's original). If I needed another car as tomorrow for a daily driver, it would be another 4th Gen Max (although it's time for a 5 speed for me).
11-03-2004, 06:57 PM
#22
I ran into a million problems, still got 3 more to fix... the car is a 95 has 101,000 miles on it and runs great looks flawless and everything just my brother didnt give a **** about it on the last 20k miles and decided to drive it and give it to me with all issues.... so im still not sure if i want this car anymore..
11-04-2004, 05:59 AM
#24
Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 42
Like I said before...all cars...all of them require routine maintenance and upkeep. With the Maxima...the car is so reliable. When I bought mine (used 97 GXE) it had 82,000 on it. I had a choice at the time...between a Chrysler Concorde with 21,000 on it and the Maxima. I called my mechanic and asked what he thought. He said "I hate to say it but I would buy Japanese, go with the Maxima". He said that even with 82,000 on the Maxima, the engine was still breaking in and would last a long long time...he said the car was so well engineered it was and still is incredibly easy to work on. The Chrysler was over engineered, complicated and not all that reliable...any problem would cost an arm and a leg to fix.
11-04-2004, 06:58 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
My experience
I've had my 1996 SE since new. It's been a great car.
I had almost no problems for the first seven years. The car required oil changes, filters, radiator flushes, wiper blades, new tires and a new battery. I even got fair warning the battery was going. The car never left me stranded. It seemed too good to be true.
In the past eighteen months the car has required a bunch of maintenance:
- I began to get MIL codes. The knock sensor, evap cannister, and evap valve had to be replaced.
- Windshield washer pump went out and was replaced.
- Major tune-up with new spark plugs, filters, etc.
- Shocks and struts wore out. I replaced them with Tokico Illuminas and put in H&R springs at the same time.
- Exhaust system was totally shot. I put in the Warpspeed Y-pipe and a custom exhaust with new catalytic converter. Of course, the car was just past the deadline for the manufacturer's emmissions equipment warranty.
- Brakes front and rear totally worn out and one rear caliper frozen. Doing complete overhaul with new rotors front/rear, new calipers in rear, new pads all around. Using Brembo solid rotors and Akebono ceramic pads.
- Trunk lock froze up and I still haven't fixed it. For now, I can use the electric trunk release.
Sometimes I wonder if I am doing the right thing by keeping the car, but it is fundamentally very solid and reliable. There is nothing wrong with the drivetrain or the body. I have no car payments, but still have to spend money on maintaining the car. You have to face the fact that things wear out and need to be replaced. My approach has been to upgrade components as they wear out. The car is being improved even if it is getting a bit old.
In theory, I could keep the car going to 200,000 miles and 15 years. That's about as far as I would want to take it. I think new cars are so expensive, I am happy to drive an older car as long as it is reliable.
What's next? Will it be the starter, alternator, water pump, clutch? Soon it will be time to replace the drive belts. We'll see. That's life with an older car.
Oh, if you are going to get a Maxima, I'd advise you to get the manual transmission. It transforms the car and makes it feel much more lively.
I had almost no problems for the first seven years. The car required oil changes, filters, radiator flushes, wiper blades, new tires and a new battery. I even got fair warning the battery was going. The car never left me stranded. It seemed too good to be true.
In the past eighteen months the car has required a bunch of maintenance:
- I began to get MIL codes. The knock sensor, evap cannister, and evap valve had to be replaced.
- Windshield washer pump went out and was replaced.
- Major tune-up with new spark plugs, filters, etc.
- Shocks and struts wore out. I replaced them with Tokico Illuminas and put in H&R springs at the same time.
- Exhaust system was totally shot. I put in the Warpspeed Y-pipe and a custom exhaust with new catalytic converter. Of course, the car was just past the deadline for the manufacturer's emmissions equipment warranty.
- Brakes front and rear totally worn out and one rear caliper frozen. Doing complete overhaul with new rotors front/rear, new calipers in rear, new pads all around. Using Brembo solid rotors and Akebono ceramic pads.
- Trunk lock froze up and I still haven't fixed it. For now, I can use the electric trunk release.
Sometimes I wonder if I am doing the right thing by keeping the car, but it is fundamentally very solid and reliable. There is nothing wrong with the drivetrain or the body. I have no car payments, but still have to spend money on maintaining the car. You have to face the fact that things wear out and need to be replaced. My approach has been to upgrade components as they wear out. The car is being improved even if it is getting a bit old.
In theory, I could keep the car going to 200,000 miles and 15 years. That's about as far as I would want to take it. I think new cars are so expensive, I am happy to drive an older car as long as it is reliable.
What's next? Will it be the starter, alternator, water pump, clutch? Soon it will be time to replace the drive belts. We'll see. That's life with an older car.
Oh, if you are going to get a Maxima, I'd advise you to get the manual transmission. It transforms the car and makes it feel much more lively.
11-04-2004, 07:12 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 296
although i bought my max in late july, i have had to replace the knock sensor, o2 sensor, thermostat, and am about to change the evap canister and purge valve. But i know the car is very reliable, unlike my 88 honda prelude or my 92 olds cutlass. plus, the manual trans is a blast to drive. even though ive had to put the money into it, and its got 94k mi, it still drive brand new and shifts like butter. wouldnt trade it for the world.
11-04-2004, 08:45 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Originally Posted by Mr99Maxima
Hey MilesA, just curious - how many miles do you have now?
11-04-2004, 09:04 AM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Originally Posted by Mr99Maxima
I have 134k on my '99. I hope I get lucky and not have all those things go out at once 
11-04-2004, 09:23 AM
#32
Originally Posted by mendon99
in a recent issue of "Consumer Reports", they said that the 96-98 Maxima was one of the most reliabable used cars on the road, especially for the price. good enough for me.
good enough for me too.
my car has been beaten down from SC'd to just everything. and i did have problems. but its all because of the beating. after i took out the boost, im just n/a now, and after fixing whatever i needed, the car still runs like practically new now. just take good care of it, it will last a long time!
11-04-2004, 09:32 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 114
'95 GXE Auto with 111k miles, just overhauled (rebuilt) the transmission. It wasn't taken care of. Make sure you all change your ATF EVERY 30k! Don't pawn off your **** onto an unsuspecting buyer!
Other than that, the car is fantastic. Hopefully my 3month/1,000 (All city)miles synthetic oil changes will help make up for any abuse the motor took before I got ahold of it.
Other than that, the car is fantastic. Hopefully my 3month/1,000 (All city)miles synthetic oil changes will help make up for any abuse the motor took before I got ahold of it.
11-04-2004, 11:56 AM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Montreal
Posts: 742
MIlesA:
My '98 is at same mileage as yours. Me too I question myself alot about keeping the car or trade for a yonger one.
Strictly economicalyl speaking, in my estimation the least expensive yearly average cost of ownership ( mostly made of depreciation, capital cost, maintenance) is reached when buying a used 2 to 4 year old car, and keep it till it reaches app. 8 years old (cost excluding gas and insurance, which would not vary much anyways across this range of age).
The maintenance work you did on your max is pretty much normal for a 7 yo car.
I'm sure you are still ahead than buying a younger car. Thing is, your car gradually loses reliability, increasing the risk of being stranded. This intangible factor is a bit more difficult to factor in the economical equation. Let alone life sometimes has other plans for you and your vehicules. Or emotions get in the way.
My '98 is at same mileage as yours. Me too I question myself alot about keeping the car or trade for a yonger one.
Strictly economicalyl speaking, in my estimation the least expensive yearly average cost of ownership ( mostly made of depreciation, capital cost, maintenance) is reached when buying a used 2 to 4 year old car, and keep it till it reaches app. 8 years old (cost excluding gas and insurance, which would not vary much anyways across this range of age).
The maintenance work you did on your max is pretty much normal for a 7 yo car.
I'm sure you are still ahead than buying a younger car. Thing is, your car gradually loses reliability, increasing the risk of being stranded. This intangible factor is a bit more difficult to factor in the economical equation. Let alone life sometimes has other plans for you and your vehicules. Or emotions get in the way.
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