ok im new to this all and will appreciate all suggestions. my parents are buying me a car (maxima ofcourse) once i graduate from high school and idk which gen 2 get. i really like the 4th gen so out of the se, gxe, and gle which car do you guys prefer as a first car for me. oh and i can drive both a five speed and auto. plz and thanks oh and im just 17

 

i'd say grab a 97-98 SE 5SPD and have fun!!!

 

definately considering it i love the black on black look

thankss

 

If you can find a 97-98 SE 5spd with lowish miles and in good condition, go for it. Maybe consider a 5.0 gen? If you're willing to risk getting an oil-burning 5.5gen you can go that route too and get the 6spd.

 

sounds good. and im liking your dash set up how much was it to get it all done?

 

No mod, it's all in the camera settings.

 

ohh ok now i see but still lookin nice

 

You should ask him how awesome his dash is during dawn/dusk lighting....
It's one of my reasons for not going back to a A33, if you go 5th gen go 5.5 (A33B) 2002-2003 models, it's just my opinion and the opinion of many who reside in the 4th gen section.

Also, any 4th gen 5speed with low 100k mileage is good in my book, if you find a 4th gen with 5 digits on the odo that's even sweeter.

If you search through here there's a thread that list the things to look out for on our body style.

Good luck with your auto purchase.

 

97-98; Do Not get a 99 unless your ready for some PITA emissions related problems.

If your comfortable driving a 5 Speed Do So; its worth the drive.. Just keep in mind this isnt just a toy; this is Your car and if your bad at driving 5 Spd, uncomfortable with driving it every day, or planning on heavily modifying the car; an Auto might be better.

These Engines are bulletproof; when i first got my max i saw that it had almost 180,000 Miles on it... I was Pissed. But now, at 260,000 Im glad I got my Max and not some POS Corolla or Camry. Oh, and she still runs Very Strong.

I will say this... I got my Max for 175$; put around 500$ worth of parts into her (Brakes, Tires, Knock Sensor(The Tires Were Needed The Brakes were just precautionary)) She was up and running. Since than, Ive gone through 4 Alternators, (DONT BUY REMANS!!! OEM FTW) a Starter, (was factory til 245K) a Battery (also factory til 245K) Outer Tie Rods, And Lots and Lots of Oil and Filters.. But over the course of 80,000 Miles. Thats No Big Deal.

Now, im not saying Your going to be as Fortunate; but thats why you should make sure you get the vehicle inspected prior to purchase.

 

thanks a lot im definately considering a 4th gen. question, how much times do you find your self in the shop? not modding but repairing

 

keep reading on this forum for a good couple weeks; youll find that most problems revolve around knock sensors, EGR (exhaust gas recirculation valves), Idle Air Control Valves, Throttle Body Cleaning, Bad Mass Air Flow Sensors, and Valve Cover Gaskets Leaking.. Knock out those when you get the car i bet you'll go on for a Good Long Time.

 

yea i've heard that about the 99. and wow i never realized how much work it takes in having a car. and unlike you im gonna try to aim for a maxi under 100k on it. i dont wanna find myself in the shop right away after i get it. but how do go with finding the right mechanic and trusting him?

 

WAT HE SAID!!

 

Hey all, just got my 99 SE 5spd one month ago and I love it. It felt like such a huge upgrade from the 2000 camry I drove before. The car just really makes me happy, maybe since I've never had a manual, much less a v6+stick. Driving is interesting again.

I always did like how the 5th gens looked too, but those were out of my price range.

That's kind of upsetting to hear. didn't know that before

 

black on black 98 se is definately my final choice. now gotta find one with low mileage

 

good luck finding a black on black se lol your better of grabing a black gxe in 5spd and swapping for leather seats lol

 

good luck man i like the 4th gen a lot too get leather!!!! i love my 5.5 gen but dont know why people say it burns oil. is this true? can someone fill me in on this im new havent had my car to long. thanks

 

After the initial repairs when I brought the car, very little. Since I've owned the car, I've put on 12,000 miles since June 1st. Since then this is a comprehensive list of everything I've done....

-Power Steering Pump
-Slave Cylinder Hose (Now replaced with a full SS Clutch line)
-Tires, tires... more tires
-Oil Changes
-Spark plugs
-TB, IACV, EGR, Air Intake cleaning
-Battery

Coming up soon.... Brakes probably, along w/ a fuel filter, also starting a clutch replacement fund, been hittin the track pretty hard as of lately, but then (hopefully) back on track to modding, this last clutch fiasco of mine (hydraulic related) had me running around town buying parts I didn't need and now I'm in the process of returning allot of them, also with bills coming up... ughh... but yes hopefully I can start February off right with some mods.

Besides that, she's been solid, I drive between school and my home in Houston, which is around 770 miles each way, I still get 26-28mpg on the highway depending on what I have in the car (I got 26mpg w/ car loaded to the ground from moving in/out for school).

In the end, my final advice... stay away from 99's (unless they're Crimson Blaze of Sterling Silver!) unless you like being an elitist (tool) like me, having the youngest 4th gens around is nice but not worth it for special 99 only parts -__- (ask why I don't have A/C in my car yet).

 

what are some things the 99 has that the 97-98 doesnt?

 

Extra emissions crap, special ECU (JWT thinks it is...) and apparently a different AC Compressor.

 

Mostly coils fail on it and you get get a misfire you may have to replace 1 or 2 here and there nothing extreme.

 

dude get a fully loaded gle and just convert to 5spd lol, but honestly ive had my max for about 2 years now, and havent had any problems, just stay on top of maintenance and she'll treat you right

 

get a 97 5speed, cant really go wrong with it, make sure you go SE, i wish i had a sunroof.

northern ohio 210k miles,
Lower radiator support shattered,fixed
knock sensor replacement.
Clutch line leak, resulted in my bad clutch. replaced with SS
total exhaust rebuild because of terminal rust.
headlight replacment, it was necessary.
had only one coil blow so far and iacv broke once.
just now my pressure plate went.
next up is struts because my passenger rear is going out.

i never had a problem with my egr because it somehow disappeared during my emmisions free 00vi swap.

 

I have a 99 with 150,xxx miles on it. The car has been in my family since 99 the thing runs strong and all the repairs i've done are down below. I love that car so much for the last 2 summers i spent about 2000+ in repairs and upgrades... mostly upgrades

 

i'd say get a 4th gen or 5th gen, both for FTW tho.. make sure its a 5sp or 6sp

 

yea im gonna go with either the gle or gxe but i want a sunroof with it. and since its my first car im gonna go with automatic just to get the feel for it and then convert later on.thnx

 

i would say a 97 98 gle. i have a 97 and love it. i was always a chevy camaro and monte carlo man till i seen mine in the back of a car lot bought it that day and will never have anything besides a maxima.the gle is nice with all the leather sunroof and different trim than the others but even with the extra weight it will still get up and go. but as long as its a maxima you cant go wrong.

 

Get an I30. They’re cheaper than the max’s now lol. And they’re comfy too. They’re practically identical except for the exterior and they are bulletproof cars too.


I got a 97 I30 Auto with 130K on it and I couldn't find a cheaper maxima anywhere.

 

if you think youre gonna want the 5 spd eventually, just get it now...assuming you can find one. i got my 98 se 5spd with 118000 about 8 months ago. best car ive ever owned. you never hear anyone complaining they dont like their 5 spd i just wish i got leather, oh well. happy shopping

 

True that. Especially since you're young, get the 5 speed so you can grow out of it later in life, cause it's going to be a really bothersome itch to have a 5 speed until you have one.

I got a taste of my first 5 speed with my KT3 A33 (2000 Maxima SE) for 6 months when I was 17 and the bevy of cars I've had in between now and then did not come close (well my 5 speed camaro came close but it was craaamp for a 6'2 260lb guy).

 

I30 has leather . And sun roof.

 

I30's are Nice i wish i had one, but it would definitely need some modifications.. I wish my Max had an Auto dimming Mirror... Literally, just for reference to those who dont know.. the I30 is the exact same everything minus the Body panels and minor options...

Same Power Plant and Everything.

Leather Seats are nice, But they do require upkeep... Mine are cracking a bit now.. Im Not Happy. Oh and when you get the max, do yourself a favor; buy some Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, Your car will never have been so clean.

The Bottom Line: 99's Suck all the emissions BS leads to problems.. and it has been discussed and a conclusion has been made.. 97-98 Maxima's are the best years. For Performance as well as cosmetics*.

(*Debated by some)

 

Maxima's are very reliable, how it's been cared for is way more important than miles. I have a '99 with '71K on it that I'm just going to pick up right now and pay $1,500 for engine work...

 

I havent had too many problems with my 99 se 5spd. I have replaced ball joints, sway bar end links, 2 coils, alternator the week i got the car when it had 70k on it, belts and all 3 o2 sensors. I now have 140k+ on it and have a few things on the list of replacement such as knock sensor, tie rod ends and both cv joints/axles, blower motor resistor, and e brake cables which is the last thing left that hasnt been replaced in the braking system besides the master. I am also gonna do a full tune up as soon as money allows.

For putting 70k+ on it, it has been a very good car and i plan on keeping it for a long time. The ecu is a bit picky on the 99's though, i have a catless warpspeed y pipe which throws a low cell count in the front cat code, but that really doesnt bother me much, my stock exhaust was rusted all to hell and i couldnt beat the price with a decent power gain as well.

My dad liked mine so much he bought a 97 gxe auto, which he frequently takes on long trips. he has around 140k on his as well. he has owned his for 4 years or so and has replaced the ball joints and tie rod ends. His currently needs a blower motor resistor and one cv joint/axle.

I have my eye on an i35 that is parked by my shop, but my g20 just wont die so i dont see a point in getting rid of it to buy the i35. I currently have 214k on it, original 5spd trans and engine. i agree with the person that stated the i35's are cheaper than maximas, it holds true in my area at least.

 

98 BLACK ON BLACK SE 5 SPEED!

 

i agree but not a 5 spd. i want a maxima not no infiniti! lol and black leather seats thats my dream first car and gonna mod it up like crazy

 

do the gle also come with fog lights?

 

SE 5 speed Manual 97 99 leather seat hmmmm

 

what part of bk u from?

 

Not many of the GLE's have foglights, that was a dealer option to install both foglights and spoiler. Most owners Just stuck with the SE because it can be optioned up as high as the GLE which is fully loaded.