I'm looking at some 95-96 maxima SE's (5spd of course) between 85-100k miles. Just wondering if you guys can give me some ideas on things i need to check out/ask the owner (ie. potential problems, maintenance issues). Any help would be much appreciated...thanks!

 

I'm looking for 95/96 SE 5 speed as well, i have a 95 auto and want stick so selling mine or trading in for one...this thread would be useful for me as well

 

get the vin number of the car and check its history at carfax.com .......check the interior and make sure everything matches up (sometimes rebuilds have parts from other maxima trims)....have a mechanic check it out

 

Thanks, but i kinda meant if there were any specific problems/maintenance issues related to the 95-96 maximas of that mileage....and yeah, carfax is damn helpful--already helped me avoid 3 salvage-titled SE's

 

Depending upon mileage - 75K and up - ask if a tune-up (plug repacement is not cheap) has been done recently, and what, if anything has been done to keep the injectors clean. Injectors on 95/96 Maximas can get gummed up (lots of $$$ to clean once they're dirty) if not taken care of.

Mark

 

ericdwong has a sticky about bearings.

 

The Most common is,

1.Starer
2.O2 sensers
3.Knock senser

 

Get a 97' or a higher model, they're much more safer!

 

Also the oil sending unit usually leaks and check the CV joints. Mine went bad pretty early. Otherwise it has been a great car and there is no way I'll ever get rid of it. Since you're buying a stick test the clutch to make sure it doesn't slip or is on its way out. Good luck with the decision.

 

Read the entire FAQ thread up above. I would not recommend the 95-96 for the life of me. Check out www.iihs.org for crash tests high and low speed and you'll see what I mean. Problem areas include transmission bearings going up on 5 speeds, the leaky oil pressure sender unit (no big deal). Other then that it should be pretty reliable. Also, be wary of squeeks and rattles as well as less then average quality paint, a cardboard sunroof cover and fake leather seats, if that stuff bothers you. Be sure to take the car on test drive over bumpy roads, as the twist beam axle suspension isnt exactly the best out there. I dunno how much you are into performance, but there really isnt that much available aftermarket wise for the maxima and most of the stuff is expensive.
Also check out www.motorvate.ca. You might want to check around for other cars, personally I feel there are better choices. The maxima has bad depreciation and may be relatively expensive to insure.

 

wait, u saying that for all maxima's (95-96) or just stick maxima's? cause my maxima has given me no problems except the one's i've caused and i've put 20,000 miles so far....if u are implying that they are the same as the AUTO's then i don't care about the problems but if u r saying that the sticks have these axle problems and stuff, then u will worry me

 

Damn..i saw the pics of the crash tests--why were 97-99 Maximas so much better? I thought they only changed the tailights/grill/and other minor stuff.

Also, has anyone had lots of problems with transmission bearings? This car that i'm looking at was basically driven by an old married woman--so i doubt she did any really hard driving in it. I had pretty much made up my mind on a 95-96 SE 5spd(can't afford 97+)...u guys think this transmission bearings problem is big enough to make me get another car? or try to find some cash for a 97 with lower miles?

 

Umm, I wasnt really followin what you were sayin. I dont know about the autos, seeing how you have a GLE you have one. you probbly dont have to worry about it.

 

Well they changed stuff under the bumpers too. Do a search for "transmission problem" and you'll find the many threads and a few polls for the transmission. The transmission problem IS big enough to worry about. Its probbly at least a $800 repair and appears to affect a significant amount of manual transmissions, namely between 95 and 97 with 60k or more miles. Check to make sure the shafts have no play and the tranny is not leaking at the seals. Also check for noise.