I will be sadly departing with my 85 crx si and looking forward to purcashing a 95 to 97 maxima se with 5 speed. My question is what trouble spots should i look out for if any? Any preferences in years? Any and all opinions welcomed.


thanks
future maxima owner

 

The 95-96 Maximas did poorly in government crash tests. In 1997, Nissan reinforced the body structure for better crash protection, and added stronger bumpers. In 1998, the government retested the Maxima with the improved safety features, and the car scored much higher than the 95-96 model.

I would personally go for a 1997 model, for safety purposes.

As for reliability, there aren't any huge trouble spots. A few people have had alternator and starter problems, but it's not very common.

 

When you say the 95/96 did poorly...how bad is poorly?
Personally, if you've got the cash, I'd go with a 97+ over 95 for appearance reasons and safety also. Maybe that's an excuse for me to upgrade to a 97....5spd this time.

 

Oh your bugging!!!! The 95-96 looks much better than the 97-99's, especially with the stillen aero kit(without the grand prix looking grill) and clear bumper lenses. Drop that baby down some and your in there! Plus i recall hearing the 95-96 are a little faster than the 97-99's due to some emissions changes(so i heard). So far i've spanked every maxima i've gotten into it with 97-99 and the 2000. Of course all those guys had stock equipment like me. I haven't run into any of you supercharged, cattbacking, CAI dudes yet. Don't hurt me when i do... please!!!

 

A relatively stock 95 GLE (AUTOMATIC) beating all other Maxima's it's seen, hmm I'd like to see this.

 

That's right automatic. Hey, sometimes its not the equipment, its the driver. To this day my only loss was against an M3 which I had no buisness racing anyway.

 

I find it a little hard to believe. What happens when both of the drivers react the same?

 

An AUTOMATIC?
How much driving is involved in that? You Step on the gas real hard, end of story. I find it hard to believe that you've beat a 2000 and "spanked" the 97-99 models. I've raced two 2000's and I kept up with one (we were doing 80) and I lost to one (off the line, didn't lose by much). And I don't have a stock maxima.
Did these people know that you were racing? I mean in that case, I've beaten a viper and a vette in the same day...well, I passed them on the highway, but same thing, right?

 

As for the original question. I've had Zero problems with my Max, but I've only had it since June, but it has an extra 10,000 miles on it. I think the Maxima is a great car that is very dependable. I have two friends with fourth gens (95 and a 96) they both have nearly 100,000 miles and they have had no problems (except the 95 that my friend has had a faulty sensor, but nissan fixed it for free) It's a great car and I love it. Just get ready for a big power increase for your CRX.
If you mod it, I'd recommend FSTB and the RSB first, power is nice only if you can control it.

 

Let me add sumtin

Stock 95 se auto vs. stock 97se auto

The 95 is just a tad faster... you won't "spank" the 97 tho.. sorry..

this is assuming driver skill to be exactly the same.. in both cars..
however

95 se auto vs. 2k se auto..
now this would be close i'd give it to the 2k bye a nose


however 95 gle auto vs. 95-01 se,gxe manual

and i'm sorry to say but there's not chance
again assuming both cars are stock



Ant

 

Thanks for staying with the original question, it reinforces what i have heard and read. I'm glad i finally came across a great maxima website. One last question are the intials for front and rear strut bars.


thanks

 

No

FSTB = Front Strut Tower Bar
RSB = Rear Sway Bay

Not many people like(or recommend) the Rear Strut Tower Bar