How can you tell what model your car is by looking at the VIN number?

 

read the sticky

 

The fifth and sixth character of your VIN tell you it's a Maxima (A2).
The tenth character tells you the year. To find the trim level, you will need the model number.

 

How can I tell by the model number? Is it a six digit number?

 

if your guages are white its an SE, if not than you have a gle or gxe

 

I think you can tell the model by lookin in the driver side door jam, if it doesnt have an emblem on the back its either an SE or an GLX, GLE is the only one w/emblem on back 99% sure, call Nissan

 

The 4th gen Maxima was offered in three trim levels for the US market:
GXE "The essential Maxima"
SE "The Sportiest Maxima"
GLE "The luxurious Maxima"

All trim levels have the same engine, so performance differences between them are pretty much nil. The best way to tell which trim level you have is to decode the VIN Plate. This is due to much part swapping and trim upgrading, even transmission swaps that can be done.

TO DECODE THE VIN PLATE:
Raise your hood. Look for a shiny metal identification tag fastened to the passenger side of firewall. The top row is the Vehicle Identification Number, starting with J. The second row is model information. The first five characters are BLHUL. The sixth character is the trim level designator, defined as follows:
E = GXE
G = GLE
V = SE

There are some feature differences that can help you determine the trim level on site. Keep in mind that most of these can be changed aftermarket by the owner, but as we know the VAST majority of Maximas on the street are bone stock...

GXE
Black guage faces
Cloth seats
Basic stereo
No sunroof
Chrome outer windwow trim and door handles
5spd or Auto trans
No spoiler
No fog lights
Steel wheels with hubcaps
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C


SE
White guage faces
"Sport" Cloth or leather seats
Basic or BOSE stereo
May have sunroof
Body color outer window trim and door handles
5spd or auto trans
Spoiler
Fog lights
15" blade-style (95-96) or 16" 5 spoke (97-99) alloy wheels
Body color grill on 97-99 models
Manual A/C or climate control

GLE
Black guage faces
Leather seats
BOSE stereo
Sunroof
Chrome outer window trim and door handles
Auto trans only
No spoiler
No fog lights
15" honeycomb (95-96) or 15" blade-style (97-99) alloy wheels
Chrome grill on 97-99 models
Fake wood color dash and door trim
Fuzzy A-pillars on some years
Pop-out drawer (not flip-down) below radio on some years
Climate control only


Other options like heated seats, traction control, ABS and the like were offered on more than one trim level, so they are not a reliable indicator.

 

are you serious with the three peddles?

 

I also have 3 pedals and dont know why... I have a stick shift thing. I just slam it into the right slot and it seems to work. Its really hard tho. My car makes funny noises.