Bought a "new" 1997 Maxima GXE, after dumping a money-sucking '93 Taurus. As you can tell, I'm somebody who likes to drive used cars a long time.

Though I've only owned the Maxima for a few day, I'm already thrilled with the sporty feel and the powerful engine - despite my old Taurus' 3.8L engine, I never felt safe passing on a two-lane highway. With the Maxima, though ... FREE AT LAST.

That being said, I'm a total babe in the woods when it comes to owning Maximas, or any Japanese car. Any recommendations people have, re: troubleshooting, things to watch for and, perhaps eventually, modifications, would be greatly appreciated.

 

You shouldn't have any problems if it was well-maintained. Time to mod!

 

Welcome..

my advise is to watch this forum and read through the posts. A lot of questions you may have may already be answered... but just change you oil and do your maintance and you'll be fine. BTW if you use synthetic oil, you don't have to change it ever 3000 miles.

-Shing

 

Things to watch for: flashing blue lights in your rear view mirror. Seriously, the Maxima is so smooth and quiet you can easily go faster than you intended. Be careful.

 

I hear that. With three tickets already (even in my old horrible Taurus), I'll definitely need to heed your advice. Already, I've started to unleash the djinni in the bottle: On the day I bought this ride, some punk in a newer Honda Accord blew by me on an on-ramp to the Spaulding Turnpike (in Seacoast N.H.). I said, "Negative, friend" and essentially caught him and blew his doors off at about 87 mph, with no effort.

Irresponsible, I know. Still....

 

Quote:

... caught him and blew his doors off at about 87 mph ....

You are going to learn the hard way.

 

Who says I'll learn?

Seriously, I'm setting the cruise to 70 when I'm on the highway from now on. I can't enjoy my ride from behind bars.

 

Heh, I dunno if my Maxima can even do 70 MPH steady. It's easy to do 60, and it's easy to do 80. But keeping your foot to just go 70 isn't that easy.

It might be just me, but I think the pressure on the gas pedal was calibrated for the maxima to cruise at 75-80.

 

It might be just me, but I think the pressure on the gas pedal was calibrated for the maxima to cruise at 75-80.


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I'll keep it in mind, thanks. 75 still keeps me under the "arrestable" speed on New Hampshire's 65 mph highways.

 

Well congrats effjay..


75-80mph

geez i wish .. my stupid max sticks to 80-85
and for some reason when it sees a rice machine..
oh boy ...then it likes to cruise at triple digits..

dam i need Z rated tires

Ant

 

Especially my 95 GXE. Fast as hell- 100,000 plus miles..
Still scares me to hold it to the florr for more than 10 seconds. Lots of fun.
1st. -get the front strut brace.
2nd get some shocks/ springs.
The car will ride essentially the same but better.
Then get yourself a Valentine.
Proceed to have fun.... That's all there is to it.

 

Used Cars are the only way to go. Just gotta make sure you know what you are buying. Anyway, welcome to the Maxima family. Time to get started getting that car of yours going with upgrades. You think it has power now. Just wait.

 

I myself just dumped a 95 Taurus for a 95 GLE a month ago. Oh what a relief. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

 

Wow! Lots of great advice so far; feel free to keep the spigot on and flowing, fellow Maxiamen and Maximawomen! Though I'm still wet behind the ears, I'm already loving it. At 6'3", I've found the Maxima still has plenty of room, and the engine - as many have established - just can't be beat. I put about 40k a year on a car (I've got a 70 mile commute to work - 90+ percent highway, though) so I needed a nice, relatively smooth and fun-driving car. I had thought about opting for the cushy and squishy ride of a Buick Century or something, but then I realized that I'm not quite ready for the rocking chair, yet.

Then I thought about the Dodge Intrepid - sweet engine, maybe, but I needed dependability and decent gas mileage (see above for explanation). It seems, based on what I've read on Maxima.org, and on the CarTalk web site and other places, I may have gotten the best of all worlds. At least until I can afford a Mercedes.

Thanks again. Before long, I'll try out some of the mods, and turn my '97 automatic GXE into a head-turning street rod that gets all the chicks (or at least my wife).

 

A BMW gets girls.
A Mercedes gets women.
A Maxima gets speeding tickets!