How reliable are the 4th gens?
10-10-2005, 07:56 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 49
How reliable are the 4th gens?
Was looking at them since I am going to be buying a new car soon. They look really nice and all but one thing I noticed is that it is extremely difficult to find one with low miles on it. So this brings me to my question, how reliable are the 4th gens? Especially with 80k + miles on them? How many miles do they usually go for? Thanks.
10-10-2005, 08:06 PM
#3
hmmm well since nissan motors and vq motors are some of the best engines in the world what do you think ??????? 
... yuove been here since 04' .. dont you read around .... these motors go well over 300,000 with proper maint. ... there should be a screening to get on this org. ... questions like this are just absurd 
... yuove been here since 04' .. dont you read around .... these motors go well over 300,000 with proper maint. ... there should be a screening to get on this org. ... questions like this are just absurd
10-10-2005, 08:10 PM
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 61
There is a post that asked how many miles on your max. Take a look at the replies. BTW our 1996 has 174K, engine is still strong. It has had what I would concider normal maintenance. There are many that have a lot more miles than this.
Before the 96 I had an 87, it had 210K when the auto trans went south.
Before that I maintained a B510 for a friend (but that may age me)
In my opinion Maxima is one of the best values for the $.
Before the 96 I had an 87, it had 210K when the auto trans went south.
Before that I maintained a B510 for a friend (but that may age me)
In my opinion Maxima is one of the best values for the $.
10-10-2005, 08:21 PM
#6
seeing how there are still '95 and '96 models rolling around smoothly, I planned on keeping mine for at least 200k miles, which is pretty normal around here. I just hit 100k and the only things I worked are the brakes and reg maintenance. you're gonna love the maxima
10-10-2005, 08:23 PM
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 49
Yeah, I'm still debating on whether I should go for a 98-99 SE or a 2001 SE. Do you guys think I would be able to get a 01 SE with about 40-50k miles for 13k or so in good condition? I really like the 4th gens. Oh well, I'm going to test drive both soon.
10-11-2005, 07:20 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 207
Get one that suits your needs man...if you like the 4th gen, then thats the one, just choose year. If you are looking for reliability alone then look around for low miles. But if style and speed are another issue then it may take a little longer but will pay off in the long run. stay away from 00-02, as they are the slowest of them all.
I have a 95' GLE that was not taken care of in its younger age, but i have brought it up to almost as good as new.
I have a 95' GLE that was not taken care of in its younger age, but i have brought it up to almost as good as new.
10-11-2005, 10:07 AM
#10
Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Richmond, KY
Posts: 186
i have around 247,000 with an auto and it still runs fine. tranny overdrive light blinks every now and then. no slipping though this is a 96. i also had a 92 5 speed that had 292,000 and the only reason the engine blew is i dragged it for two years on 8 degrees advanced timing. the vtc's were rebuilt once as well it was the ve motor. 4 th gen is the way to go.
10-11-2005, 10:12 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by latinmaxima
i have around 247,000 with an auto and it still runs fine. tranny overdrive light blinks every now and then. no slipping though this is a 96. i also had a 92 5 speed that had 292,000 and the only reason the engine blew is i dragged it for two years on 8 degrees advanced timing. the vtc's were rebuilt once as well it was the ve motor. 4 th gen is the way to go.
When the OD light flashes it's about to go. I think there is a dionastic check you can do with that light, like the one on the eng light. You might want to check on that, our auto trannys dont last that long...
10-11-2005, 10:23 AM
#13
Originally Posted by 95MaxRB26-DETT
When the OD light flashes it's about to go. I think there is a dionastic check you can do with that light, like the one on the eng light. You might want to check on that, our auto trannys dont last that long...
thats bs. thats the way it throws codes.
99grnmax, resize your pic
10-11-2005, 03:22 PM
#21
1 of few unmodded 4G Maxs
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Commerce Twp., MI
Posts: 2,828
Originally Posted by DaOne
Also what are the differences between the SE and the GXE or any other trim?
95MaxRB26-DETT My 95 has 367,000+ and no engine trouble. The auto trans is a little crappy, but the engine is top notch. If the one you are looking at has 80k, as long as its been taken care of, it has a LOOOOONG life left.
10-11-2005, 04:18 PM
#22
Am I the only one who thinks that a higher mileage car is actually a better deal? Chances are, the really low mileage ones were used as errand runners, short trips here and there, whereas a higher mileage Maxima probably spent the majority of it's time on the highway. And from experience, cars that spend most of their time on the highway tend to last longer, as the engine is working at the optimum temperature, with less stop-and-go wear. On really cold days, I could probably drive to work (about 15 minutes and 15 intersections away) without the engine getting up to the best temperature, then drive home at the end of the day 10 hours later without the engine getting to the best temperature. I hate to buy a car that spent all it's life doing that kind of driving.
10-11-2005, 04:48 PM
#23
a maxima will last for a lonnnng time...of course there are things you run into that need to be replaced after so many miles...just little things like sensors and cv boots shocks, ball joints, alternator, starter..etc
mty car is definatley reialbe tho...163,000K running strong even though my KS and rear 02 sensor is out...no big deal
mty car is definatley reialbe tho...163,000K running strong even though my KS and rear 02 sensor is out...no big deal
10-11-2005, 05:18 PM
#25
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 89
I echo the other comments made here. The 4th gen is very reliable as long as you maintain it. My 99 has 174,700 on it and she runs like a champ. I hope to keep her until she turns at least 300,000...which the way I drive should be in 2011. By that time my oldest child will be driving and maybe I can pass my Max on.
Buy what you want...but maintain what you buy.
Good luck
Buy what you want...but maintain what you buy.
Good luck
10-12-2005, 06:26 AM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 269
Originally Posted by 95jr6708
Get one that suits your needs man...if you like the 4th gen, then thats the one, just choose year. If you are looking for reliability alone then look around for low miles. But if style and speed are another issue then it may take a little longer but will pay off in the long run. stay away from 00-02, as they are the slowest of them all.
I have a 95' GLE that was not taken care of in its younger age, but i have brought it up to almost as good as new.
I have a 95' GLE that was not taken care of in its younger age, but i have brought it up to almost as good as new.
10-12-2005, 08:02 AM
#32
Originally Posted by randy021186
i thought the some 02 was good???isnt't that the 3.5?
10-12-2005, 08:21 PM
#33
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 15
Sounds like I'm the unlucky one. My 97 only has 83,000 miles. But, I am in the process of changing the EGI harness, due to a stalling/rough run problem. The part alone is $1,900. This apparently has happened enough for Nissan to issue a technical service bulletin (see stickies). My mechanic tells me Nissans are expensive to fix when they start getting up in mileage. When I asked him what might go next, he suggested the timing chain and tranny. What I am reading here anyway suggests the future may not be so bad. I was hoping to get another 50-60,000 miles out of it - if not more. But, I don't want to pour money into the thing to do it.
10-12-2005, 08:23 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,190
Originally Posted by tomandre
Sounds like I'm the unlucky one. My 97 only has 83,000 miles. But, I am in the process of changing the EGI harness, due to a stalling/rough run problem. The part alone is $1,900. This apparently has happened enough for Nissan to issue a technical service bulletin (see stickies). My mechanic tells me Nissans are expensive to fix when they start getting up in mileage. When I asked him what might go next, he suggested the timing chain and tranny. I hope what I read here from everyone's experience is more close to the truth. I was hoping to get another 50-60,000 miles out of it - if not more.
10-12-2005, 08:37 PM
#35
Originally Posted by tomandre
Sounds like I'm the unlucky one. My 97 only has 83,000 miles. But, I am in the process of changing the EGI harness, due to a stalling/rough run problem. The part alone is $1,900. This apparently has happened enough for Nissan to issue a technical service bulletin (see stickies). My mechanic tells me Nissans are expensive to fix when they start getting up in mileage. When I asked him what might go next, he suggested the timing chain and tranny. What I am reading here anyway suggests the future may not be so bad. I was hoping to get another 50-60,000 miles out of it - if not more. But, I don't want to pour money into the thing to do it.
whoa, I'm a bit sleepy and my eyes must be seeing odd number but $1.9k for one part? Is that price from the dealers? please check junkyards, for sale section (people with wrecked cars there parting out) or www.car-part.com
10-13-2005, 01:58 PM
#37
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 89
Originally Posted by tomandre
Sounds like I'm the unlucky one. My 97 only has 83,000 miles. But, I am in the process of changing the EGI harness, due to a stalling/rough run problem. The part alone is $1,900. This apparently has happened enough for Nissan to issue a technical service bulletin (see stickies). My mechanic tells me Nissans are expensive to fix when they start getting up in mileage. When I asked him what might go next, he suggested the timing chain and tranny. What I am reading here anyway suggests the future may not be so bad. I was hoping to get another 50-60,000 miles out of it - if not more. But, I don't want to pour money into the thing to do it.
Ouch!!!!!!!! I hope he kissed you first
I think you mechanic is a little off base. For $1,900 you could get a replacement engine and trans.
My Max is great. I drive her hard and she seems to love it. A lot of others here at the .org feel the same way about their cars.
Our timing chain can last for many, many miles...its not a Honda with a timing belt that needs to be replaced every 60K. Find another mechanic!
10-13-2005, 02:13 PM
#38
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 7
I just picked up my '95 Max the other day. It's running just fine (minus the new suspension it needs), but today the check engine light came on. It has about 113k on it, and it seems to be running fine. Anybody know what this could be? 
10-13-2005, 02:15 PM
#39
Sounds like someone reset the CEL before you came to get the car 
Pull the codes, look in the FAQ, it tells you how, or you can go down to schucks/autozone etc and use there OBD reader to pull them.
Pull the codes, look in the FAQ, it tells you how, or you can go down to schucks/autozone etc and use there OBD reader to pull them.
10-13-2005, 02:15 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,190
Originally Posted by SLPRMAX
I just picked up my '95 Max the other day. It's running just fine (minus the new suspension it needs), but today the check engine light came on. It has about 113k on it, and it seems to be running fine. Anybody know what this could be?