This question stuck out to me as it's a very good one.

I have been let down by Nissan's styling after nearly ever iteration for the last ten years. Exceptions being the Zs and some of their off road stuff we don't get in America.

The Maxima has been dead in my mind for some time and it pains me to bestow this opinion. I currently have an 03 SE 6SPD, and had two Max's before that (90 SE 5SPD & 98 GLE 5SPD). I still love my 5.5 but the VQ oil burning and known transmission failures have made me look elsewhere for my next car.

Acura's latest TL, albeit polarizing in looks, now carries an AWD option as well as a 6-speed.

If only Nissan would listen to their true fans and not the bottom line.

On to something Euro for me, hopefully AWD.

 

I recently bought my 02 Max over what my wife considered, "newer and better" cars. Seven years ago I had a fully built 88 CRX HF with a B18 swap (boosted), SI tranny, VTECH controller, and so on... $7k into a $400 car, thought I was the s*** running high 12's. Well one day I had a 5.5 gen Max start revving at a red light next to me. My laughter soon turned into shock when I was passed shifting into 3rd.

After our 4th and 5th children (twins) I sold the rex and bought a mini-van (exciting huh). I've been driving my wife's Camry until four months ago. Found this 2002 Maxima GLE for $3k. Auto, so the wife can drive it too. Can fit three of my kids in the back for school so all is well. Oh, and it's quick as hell and worthy of a few bolt-on mods!

Will I buy another? Now that I finally have the 5.5 gen I've wanted, not sure that I'd get rid of it anytime soon. But I'm definitely staying Nissan vs. Honda or domestic.

btw, bought the Max over an 05 Acura TSX and an 07 VW Wolfsburg Jetta. Half of what we saved buying the Max is going right back into it.

 

My 4th gen will mostly be my first and last. Don't get me wrong they are nice cars to drive and work on, definitely better than a civic. But, my next project has to be either a rwd or awd turbo monster (mk4 supra, z32, fd rx7, etc).

 

nothing new, i've got a few grand into the max and i'm not even boosted, damn....

 

I probably won't. They're increasingly absent from the Consumer Reports lists of good cars to buy, and I don't have the expendable income to do the cool stuff you guys do to them as these puppies age. 'Course I'm answering this as I'm sitting here car-less for 5 days now because my 95 Maxima wouldn't pass emissions, so it had to go to the shop. So maybe I'm just cranky! Miss my 240sx. That was a great car. Sigh.

 

never

 

Sold my baby yesterday after 6 great years But I'm sure I'm done with any 4th gen. In the market now for a 5th gen.

 

lies!!!!!

 

yeah, last year i barely passed emissions and had to replace the cat. they have to stick the old tester up maxy's pipe to test and told me that they won't be doing it much longer! bs!!!

 

We agreed that half of what we saved (over the other vehicles) goes into the Max. Started with some of the basics (intake, exhaust, suspension) and some cosmetics (new wheels, oem spoiler). I have to wait on the s-afc and NWP mods (vias and spacers) for now, already over our agreed "budget." Plus I need to do some minor work on our Excursion.

 

Well I DID buy another Maxima. Had an 02' 6-speed back in the day. Sold it for a Nissan Titan. Ended up not like 15mpg; sold it and got a 99' Maxima 5-speed. As far as ANOTHER maxima is concerned. I could see myself buying another 02-03 6-speed if I found one.

 

^^^ invader zim, lol

 

The guy is actually correct. My emissions can no longer be done with the tube as they gave it up in NY and since they cannot plug into 95's, they can visually inspect brakes and thats it. Past two years have been without pipe as long as your check engine light is off, it will pass.

 

if i find a 04-05 w/ the 6 speed and black with black leather, yes. otherwise im going back to audi, either another monster aeb (a4) or go nuts with a apb (s4)...leaning more towards the s4 cuz iv ben there done that to the a4.

 

I keep trying to leave Maximas in the past. Then I just keep turning around and realizing that for the money, when it comes to used cars, there is no better combination of what I want in a car than a maxima and I end up buying another one.

I've owned twelve Maximas and one I35 if you count cars I bought to flip and parts cars in the mix. There's currently a black on black SE auto 3rd gen in my driveway right now I bought to flip, plus I sold a white GXE yesterday....

So yeah I probably will buy another. And another and so on... Unless I I finally come across the elusive VE 5 speed car I've always wanted, then I will probably buy that and keep it forever...

 

Ive owned 4 maximas what makes you think im going to stop?!?!?!?!?

In all seriousness though i just bought my brothers 02 6spd(115k) and i love it. Im driving it until i do my rad support on my 4th gen. Although i have always wanted a 5.5 gen and it is a blast to drive, I still miss my 4th gen.I would consider a beater max just to make my current 98 a project car.

 

I'm on my 2nd 1998 4th gen. I was trying to find a Maxima but found this I30 that just sat there.....almost calling me. Now that I have it I really love it now. The 97-99 Maximas are still the best looking IMO, with the Crimson blaze 99 SE-L 5MT with black leather being the holy grail, but this I30 is rare.

It's a completely fully loaded 5 speed, has VLSD, was not beaten on (grey poupon factor) The front looks pretty cool, the side with the chrome touches actually looks better than the maxima's side profile, and rear end? Meh, Maxima tail end has it beat by a country mile. But I still love it cause it is a maxima on the inside

I just realized that the car is pretty much stock, except for H&Rs and KYB-GR2s and I'm loving it. I've got headers and 00VI waiting to install so it will take this car I already love to another level.

 

Probably not. I got 01 and 02 6 speed at the moment. I do not want newer than 5.5 gen Maxima

 

just got rid of my 99 5sp and picked up an 04 6spd a few weeks ago. After this 04 though unless Nissan comes out with something really special or I warm up the CVT, I will probably get an A6.

 

I have been keeping my eye open on the Infiniti q45 for quite some time (97-99). In fact, rather than a Maxima I would eventually look into an infiniti. The only thing with the q45 is if you go to any salvage yard they are hard to come across. And I like having a vehicle (like a maxima) that is easy to come by in the yards in case I need interior parts. I have gotten a lot of parts from Infiniti I-30 interior and my max just looks so much more refined.

I have gone to rental car lots 3 times this past year when I am on vacation or need a car to travel. I seen the inside of the 2013 Maxima, drove the 2013 Altima and drove the 2013 Chrysler 300. Comparing the Maxima side by side with the 300, The Chrysler had so much more luxury to be in the same rental car class as Maxima (premium vehicles). The new Altima is a nice car for what it is...All these newer vehicles get good fuel economy.

In an attempt to avoid getting a car that has payments, I'd probably only qualify for a maxima up to the 2003. So, something like a 98 q45 would be nice for me. But factoring in even less gas mileage and it being a RW drive in a place that snows alot...I've held on to the max. With a good set of tires, the Max can dig thru deep snow, mud and ice and it just claws itself out. Of course I'm running 16" 2009 altima steel wheels.