I've been looking for a 1997-1999 maxima for a while now wanting the 5speed but willing to settle for the auto. I test drove a 1998 SE auto fully loaded 94k. Everything was nice but the acceleration was horrible it is not supposed to be like that is it? The trans was shifting at 5000 and it hardly could go faster then 70. My 1994 Grand Prix with 160hp seemed much faster then the maxima. Is this what it's supposed to be like? Oh and the salesmen said it had 87 in the tank i wasn't happy about that.

 

That's definetly not right!!! The max pulls very strong and 70 is nothing...it tops out at 140+. Is the CEL on? If not you might have ghost codes. In the stickies there should be a how-to on checking the codes yourself, unless there's some way for you to check the car (from the dealer or autozone etc). The knock sensor might be a problem there but it shouldn't be the way your explaining. The tranny is ok? it was shifting at 5k when you were flooring it?

 

when i got my 98 maxima it had a knock sensor that needed to be changed but it wasn't shifting at 5000. And I don't think having the 87 would effect the car that much to make it shift like that either. Better keep on looking for a maxima. Got mine for $6000 at 76000 miles GLE. pretty sweet deal.

 

honestly, shifting at 5-5500 with 87 isnt uncommon, depending on where you go. but the other stuff...plugs?coils?knock sensor? dirty throttle body? lol any of this crap could be it. if you like the car, bring it to the mechanic and have him see wtf is up.

 

How much is the ride? There is obviously a problem. And 87 octane will make it feel sluggish.

 

15 seconds or so sound about right to 60 mph? I think that's about what the stockers should run. It's been so long since mine was stock I forget... and I'm 5 speed. The auto's are a little slower due to the torque converter.
Throttle body probably needs cleaning, spark plugs replaced, fuel filter, knock sensor, iacv cleaning, air filter, tranny fluid change, fuel system cleaner, oil change, and some other things I'm probably forgetting...
The previous owner might have had the check engine light pulled and then if you try to pull codes yourself... you'll come up with nuttin. Sometimes a shady used car lot will do this also... be careful and have it independantly inspected.

 

I dont think 0-60 is in the 15 sec range lol. maybe im not understanding right but my max gets to 60 in about mid 6 sec or so. (Not Stock)

 

hahah stock 15 seconds? are you kidding? stock auto does about 7.9 sec to 60.

 

If it is revving up that high and barely pulls, perhaps the clutch might be slipping. Beware, see if you can find out who the previous owner is. If it is a teenager, I'm willing to bet you that this car was probably beat on. Common wear and tear would be transmission because they try to drive the automatic like a manual and that kills the tranny fast.

Also, try to pull codes from the ECU. Maybe an O2 sensor or knock sensor is out. Check the air filter. Pull some plugs out and see if it is fouled up, too much oil in the plugs could mean that the valve cover gasket is going. Check for leaks, check the cv boots. These are common items that will probably start needing repair at that many miles. Save your money, don't go crazy on mods. Be prepared to go thru some maintenance and repairs. Your not exactly buying a new car although Maximas are reliable cars. Mine is still very reliable at over 165k miles, but I have replaced many worn out parts and she's still going very strong.

 

test drive another one. I test drove 2 back to back (99 Se 54k and 98 GLE 71k) and the gle was so much smoother and pulled harder. Also the 98 gle was debadged + tinted so i was afraid that the previous owner beat on it, but it runs very strong.

edit: not implying anything about models or years, but i'm just saying that the max you test drove is probably very sick.

 

Well stock 0-60 is 7.9 auto and about 6.9 manual I've heard as low as 6.6 for manual though. But that car wasn't even close to that. I'm going to test some other ones hopefully they are faster.

I didn't think 4th gens could have a lot of problems to make them lose power besides knock sensor.

 

trust me, you're gonna wish you bought a manual. I bought an auto first then ended up buying a manual and they are two very different animals

 

2500 - 5000 rpms in 2nd and 3rd gear pulls really hard on a 5 speed.

 

sorry, I meant in the quarter mile. 0-60 should be a lot quicker.... duh.

 

Tru dat. It's a beast in that range.

 

buy a manual dude, if you "settle" for the auto you will regret it every day after you buy the car. And If the car is messed up don't buy it

 

i regret not getting a 5 speed..but im alright with that..i'm hoping for my mom to get her 5 speed civic coupe soon..

 

Unless you're in FI, Indy, Lemans or Rolex, any car that shifts at 5000 RPM's in regular driving is a car best left alone.