Wondering if there are any known differences in performance/reliability between a 97 and 98 Maxima. Consumer Reports seem to indicate that the 98's are a bit better but I wanted to see what people in this org had to say.

 

As far as I know, there are very few (if any) differences between the 97s and 98s... Consumer Reports are usually pretty swayed by the year and how long the car has been around anyway...

Usually the 4th gens are clumped into 3 groups; the 95-96s, the 97-98s, and the 99s. I think it'd be pretty safe to say that 97 and 98 are VERY similar if not exactly the same besides being a year apart.

 

from a hands on point of veiw there is no difference other then options in the two and comestic differences. my roomate has a 97 gle and i have a 98 gle. performance wise they are the same when we raced each other b4 i won but i just drive better then him.

 

97 - mechanical odometer with #194 bulbs
98 - digital odometer with #74 bulbs

 

What are these? Only cosmetic differences were in 96-97 on the exterior. On the interior the 97 had an anolog odometer, and the 98 was the first digital odometer.

From a performance standpoint, one can have an ECU upgrade and the other can't using a 95/6 ECU. but I do believe there is one or are a few other guys running a 95/6 ECU in their 98's with no problems, beside a CEL.

From a reliability standpoint, none, both seem to be identical.

 

Pretty much no differences.

 

That issue has been resolved

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=350138

 

98's had an alternator recall

 

'97 and early '98 had the alternator recall

IIRC it's all feature differences b/w '97 & '98 .. besides the digital odo & the inversed fuel gauge for '98, '98 also saw the debut of side airbags & Sterling Mist