My starter on my 95 maxima went bad and both Nissan and Autozone have the parts in stock but the cost difference is about $120 (obviously Nissan is the more expensive of the two) with a lifetime warranty coming with autozone's. I read that the original starters had a problem that isn't fixed with the ones that you buy from autozone (or companies like it), and that a replacement needs to be bought from Nissan. Anyone have any insight into the matter.

Thanks in advance.

 

I never had a problem with autozone parts on the 4th gen that I used to have. That's about all of the input I can give. Maybe someone else with more knowledge on this issue will chime in.

 

go with the autozone.. They stand by their parts.. 100% warranty if they go.. I replaced my rotors and pads for free...

 

As long as the brand is decent, and youve got a good warranty, you should be fine. I just replaced my starter with a usa industries starter about 2 weeks ago,it comes with a year warranty, i spent about 130 not including the core charge and it seems to be working fine, GOODLUCK,

 

I have had issues with Auto Zone's alternators...but not their starters. For $120...I would definitely give Auto Zone a chance. Worst case you'll just have to take it back and get a new one should it go bad. But luckily its easy to get to and replace.

 

Well...i got a new starter like 6 months ago from autozone....with discount from friend and other things, came down to like 80 with core and the only thing i notice is the car will have a slightly different starting sound. But with warranty.....you cant go wrong.

 

Have you thought about regreasing your original?

 

I buy lots of parts from Autozone. Unfortunatley I did have an Autozone starter go bad on my Maxima. It lasted about 3 years, and was under full warranty. Most of the parts I get there are decent quality, the bad starter was an execption.

good luck.

 

I put an advance auto parts starter in my buddy's maxima. It has a lifetime warranty I would just get the parts store starters just because of the warranty. Price is cheaper as well.

 

IMO a starter is a starter, the VQs are notorious for going through some starters, i have a Advanced auto one on mine and havent had a problem with it in like 3 years, i wouldnt spend extra money for a nissan starter honestly.....

 

For an update, I replaced the starter with one I bought from Autozone. Seems to work fine now, but we'll see how it stands the test of time.

 

go with autozone. i had to replace mine after a year but it still had the lifetime warranty. i walked in andthey didnt even ask for a reciept! they just gave me a new one. the end.

 

cant get any better.

 

I replaced a starter in my wifes '95 automajic with an autozone.It turned out that the starter they sold me was bad.I told the guy at the counter and he gave this stupid response saying"somebody else said the same thing".I thought to myself,"why did they even resell it"? but anyway the next one was good though.

 

That makes me suspect of the employees knowledge and honesty.

 

So is there a way to check whether the starter is working before the install? Connect it to the battery?

 

the autozones we have here in nc are crap..none of use go to or use them..its a waist for car parts..they go repeatedly within the same week..mostly with the alternators and starters..we swear by advanced and oreillys auto parts..

 

+1 OReillys

Also NAPA for specific parts

 

I have had an autozone one in for 5 years with no problems. I did notice it had a shaved down nissan emblem on the case so it was basically a remanufactured nissan starter.

 

i work at autozone lol but i wouldnt recommend it beecause i had 1 it lasted 2 months lol

 

Had mine for A year from AUTOZONE no problems so far

 

Original went out, went to Advance using a coupon. Put it in and started working only about half the time after a week, went back and got another this one was doa (spun, but no solenoid engage). They tested both and said okay??? Not sure what that machine really does, but it DID NOT work correctly in the car.

Went back and the third time it worked, but man I am not sure it was worth it to not go oem. Not too bad since the starter is so easy to replace. If the alternator had done this though I would be really mad, go oem on hard to replace parts is the moral of the story.

 

When needed, I buy all my electrical parts from autozone and enjoy lifetime warranty. Id rather spend 30 minutes to swap a started again than pay $200 for another one.

When my OEM went out on my 4th gen, I bought one from autozone, which started acting funny in two weeks, went back and got another one, worked for over 3 years no problems. I still have the receipt so if my 5th gen starter goes out down the line, i can still swap it for free.

dealer? nahhh

 

wow, auto powned is notorious for crappy parts. advanced or napa, allthough i got an alty from napa that went bad in 8 months, took it back and got it replaced, free. with anything rebuilt and the age of our cars, they tend to make even oem parts half-a$$ sometimes.

 

You don't need the receipt as long as they have your phone number and name

 

I've always had a good experience with AutoZone, solid warranties on mostly every part I've ever gotten from them