Is the maxima the right car for me?
05-26-2002, 10:47 AM
#1
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 685
Is the maxima the right car for me?
I am 17 and i want a car that looks nice, is reliable, wont kill me on insuance, yet is still somewhat fast, has a decent aftermarket, and can be had for under 8,000 . Now i having been looking at 95-96 maxima SE's and GXE's (5 speeds), they all go 0-60 in around 6.6 secs and can be had for about 8,000 with around 70,000 miles on them (which should not be too much for a maxima). So do you maxima owners think this sounds like a ride that would suit what i am looking for?
05-26-2002, 10:49 AM
#2
yes get it, get it now! you won't be disappointed and you'll become an addict like everyone on here. there are so many things you will be able to do with it and make it your own. so look around at these pages www.custommaxima.com and www.maximadriver.com and you'll understand...goodluck
05-26-2002, 10:50 AM
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 160
Re: Is the maxima the right car for me?
Originally posted by Smithdogg1
I am 17 and i want a car that looks nice, is reliable, wont kill me on insuance, yet is still somewhat fast, has a decent aftermarket, and can be had for under 8,000 . Now i having been looking at 95-96 maxima SE's and GXE's (5 speeds), they all go 0-60 in around 6.6 secs and can be had for about 8,000 with around 70,000 miles on them (which should not be too much for a maxima). So do you maxima owners think this sounds like a ride that would suit what i am looking for?
I am 17 and i want a car that looks nice, is reliable, wont kill me on insuance, yet is still somewhat fast, has a decent aftermarket, and can be had for under 8,000 . Now i having been looking at 95-96 maxima SE's and GXE's (5 speeds), they all go 0-60 in around 6.6 secs and can be had for about 8,000 with around 70,000 miles on them (which should not be too much for a maxima). So do you maxima owners think this sounds like a ride that would suit what i am looking for?
GO FOR IT!!!
05-26-2002, 10:55 AM
#5
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Is there any problems that i should know and look for about when looking at them? Like something that 95-96 maxima's are prone too and would cost alot to fix? I have heard that they are very reliable which is good because if i spend 8,000 on a car i cant afford to keep spending more just to keep it running.
05-26-2002, 11:04 AM
#7
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 814
as costcow said, the 97+ were redesigned with better structure quality to hold up in crashes...and if i'm not mistaken, there have been quite a few knock sensor problems in the 95s (or maybe it was something else, can't quite remember)...but I'm 16, I love my max, insurance costs are low, and it is still faster stock than a lot of cars
05-26-2002, 05:23 PM
#13
Originally posted by Smithdogg1
BUMP, i need to know what this knock sensor problem that 95-96's are suppost to be prone too is. And how to tell if the max i am looking at has it.
BUMP, i need to know what this knock sensor problem that 95-96's are suppost to be prone too is. And how to tell if the max i am looking at has it.
-Cyrus
05-26-2002, 05:49 PM
#15
Originally posted by Smithdogg1
It only costs 110 (not installed i assume)? that not too bad at all. Do they usually go after a certian amount of miles or is it just random? O and nice max Vyrus, very clean looking!!
It only costs 110 (not installed i assume)? that not too bad at all. Do they usually go after a certian amount of miles or is it just random? O and nice max Vyrus, very clean looking!!
And thanks for the compliments bro.
-Cyrus
05-26-2002, 05:54 PM
#16
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Ok thanks for the info, i would oviously try to avoid buying a max with that problem but if i do buy one and the knock sensors end up going bad then it does not seem to be as big of a deal to fix as i thought it might be. If i buy one it will probaly have over or around 70,000 miles on it anyway so if they are not bad then, they will probably not go bad.
05-26-2002, 05:56 PM
#17
Knock Sensor price is higher
IIRC, the KS costs more like $180, but can be had with at least a 20% discount from the likes of courtesy nissan or other dealers on the forum.
Also, even though the ECU may be reporting the KS, it may also be reporting another problem, which causes a false alarm on the KS. It seems that bad o2 sensors can give a false KS problem. In my case, a coolant temperature sensor seemed to be causing a KS problem for me.
The dealer will want a ton of money for labor to replace the KS, though several people here found another way to do it in less than 20 minutes.
IMHO, the Maxima is a very good choice for you. I can't think of another car that I'd pick for your $8K mark. Especially if you wanted a 5 speed.
Also, even though the ECU may be reporting the KS, it may also be reporting another problem, which causes a false alarm on the KS. It seems that bad o2 sensors can give a false KS problem. In my case, a coolant temperature sensor seemed to be causing a KS problem for me.
The dealer will want a ton of money for labor to replace the KS, though several people here found another way to do it in less than 20 minutes.
IMHO, the Maxima is a very good choice for you. I can't think of another car that I'd pick for your $8K mark. Especially if you wanted a 5 speed.
Originally posted by Smithdogg1
It only costs 110 (not installed i assume)? that not too bad at all. Do they usually go after a certian amount of miles or is it just random? O and nice max Vyrus, very clean looking!!
It only costs 110 (not installed i assume)? that not too bad at all. Do they usually go after a certian amount of miles or is it just random? O and nice max Vyrus, very clean looking!!
05-26-2002, 06:10 PM
#19
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Join Date: May 2002
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Yeah the thought it was the fastest. Carstats.com says that the 1996 GXE does 0-60 in 6.5 secs and the 1995 SE in 6.6, I would think that the 1995 GXE and 1996 SE would be the same time as well. Is this really acurate though becasue that is really quick for a car in its class. Those where both times for the 5 speeds.
05-26-2002, 08:23 PM
#22
Originally posted by Smithdogg1
Are the autos considerably slower? Because if i where to find a max that had everything i wanted for a good price except a 5 speed tranny then i would probaly go for it.
Are the autos considerably slower? Because if i where to find a max that had everything i wanted for a good price except a 5 speed tranny then i would probaly go for it.
05-26-2002, 08:36 PM
#23
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 373
Re: Is the maxima the right car for me?
Originally posted by Smithdogg1
I am 17 and i want a car that looks nice, is reliable, wont kill me on insuance, yet is still somewhat fast, has a decent aftermarket, and can be had for under 8,000 . Now i having been looking at 95-96 maxima SE's and GXE's (5 speeds), they all go 0-60 in around 6.6 secs and can be had for about 8,000 with around 70,000 miles on them (which should not be too much for a maxima). So do you maxima owners think this sounds like a ride that would suit what i am looking for?
I am 17 and i want a car that looks nice, is reliable, wont kill me on insuance, yet is still somewhat fast, has a decent aftermarket, and can be had for under 8,000 . Now i having been looking at 95-96 maxima SE's and GXE's (5 speeds), they all go 0-60 in around 6.6 secs and can be had for about 8,000 with around 70,000 miles on them (which should not be too much for a maxima). So do you maxima owners think this sounds like a ride that would suit what i am looking for?
05-26-2002, 08:38 PM
#24
Originally posted by Smithdogg1
Are the autos considerably slower? Because if i where to find a max that had everything i wanted for a good price except a 5 speed tranny then i would probaly go for it.
Are the autos considerably slower? Because if i where to find a max that had everything i wanted for a good price except a 5 speed tranny then i would probaly go for it.
its all about controlling the car!
05-26-2002, 08:40 PM
#25
Originally posted by meccanoble
dont listen to these fools, 95 is the way to go! fastest out of the gen and just looks down right awesome
dont listen to these fools, 95 is the way to go! fastest out of the gen and just looks down right awesome
05-26-2002, 09:22 PM
#26
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 196
If you want a stick, then don't settle for less. I got a auto on my last car and hated it, it was a 99 grand am, I liked driving my old 87 Sentra better because it was stick. So now my new car (99 Maxima) I looked and looked until I found exactly what I wanted in manual. Even had to take a train for 10 hours, pick up the car, and drive back for another 6 hours. I love my new (used) car and am glad I didn't settle for an auto.
**disregard my comments if you want an auto in the 1st place, manuals aren't for everyone.
**disregard my comments if you want an auto in the 1st place, manuals aren't for everyone.
05-27-2002, 12:39 AM
#29
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Southeast FL
Posts: 2,270
Re: Is the maxima the right car for me?
Originally posted by Smithdogg1
I am 17 and i want a car that looks nice, is reliable, wont kill me on insuance, yet is still somewhat fast, has a decent aftermarket, and can be had for under 8,000 . Now i having been looking at 95-96 maxima SE's and GXE's (5 speeds), they all go 0-60 in around 6.6 secs and can be had for about 8,000 with around 70,000 miles on them (which should not be too much for a maxima). So do you maxima owners think this sounds like a ride that would suit what i am looking for?
I am 17 and i want a car that looks nice, is reliable, wont kill me on insuance, yet is still somewhat fast, has a decent aftermarket, and can be had for under 8,000 . Now i having been looking at 95-96 maxima SE's and GXE's (5 speeds), they all go 0-60 in around 6.6 secs and can be had for about 8,000 with around 70,000 miles on them (which should not be too much for a maxima). So do you maxima owners think this sounds like a ride that would suit what i am looking for?
)...GET IT BOY!!
05-27-2002, 12:41 AM
#30
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Southeast FL
Posts: 2,270
Originally posted by meccanoble
dont listen to these fools, 95 is the way to go! fastest out of the gen and just looks down right awesome
dont listen to these fools, 95 is the way to go! fastest out of the gen and just looks down right awesome
well, unless they were red/clears, then they look much better
05-27-2002, 06:12 AM
#31
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Well i think that i should try and find a standard then even though they are a lot harder to find i think it would be worth it. If it takes a sec or so off the 0-60 time then it def is. Plus a stick makes pretty much ANY car more fun to drive IMO.
05-28-2002, 07:44 AM
#34
I have a 95 gxe auto and I love it but I wanna get a 97+ stick in the future. IMO go with the 97+. The design is better both inside and out. There is nothing wrong with getting a 95-96 but if you can get 97+ for between 7 and 8k, GO for it. Maxima's are definetely the way to go!
05-28-2002, 08:23 AM
#35
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 196
Manuals aren't that hard to find.
This is what I did go to cars.com and do a search. I found 3 Maximas that fit what I want & color, called all 3 dealerships and haggled with them for 2 weeks going back & forth. I live in WI, and the cars were in MN, OH, & TN. Post the VIN# of the car here and see if someone can look up the carfax report for you. If that ends up okay and your happy with the pring call a local mechanic by the car and have them look at it (cost me like $35.00). The one in OH seemed like a better deal so I bought a train ticket for $40 bucks, rode their overnight and drove it home. Well worth the trip and it's always fun taking a road trip and driving home in a new car that is exactly what you wanted
Remember your paying a lot of money and will want to keep the car for a while so it's better to wait to get what you want then rush into a purchase and regret it.
This is what I did go to cars.com and do a search. I found 3 Maximas that fit what I want & color, called all 3 dealerships and haggled with them for 2 weeks going back & forth. I live in WI, and the cars were in MN, OH, & TN. Post the VIN# of the car here and see if someone can look up the carfax report for you. If that ends up okay and your happy with the pring call a local mechanic by the car and have them look at it (cost me like $35.00). The one in OH seemed like a better deal so I bought a train ticket for $40 bucks, rode their overnight and drove it home. Well worth the trip and it's always fun taking a road trip and driving home in a new car that is exactly what you wanted
Remember your paying a lot of money and will want to keep the car for a while so it's better to wait to get what you want then rush into a purchase and regret it.
05-28-2002, 09:45 AM
#36
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,362
It may take a while to find a good 5-speed but if you plan on keeping the car for a while it is definatly worth the time. As others have said expand your search outside your local area.
The speed difference between the different years should be pretty small, I would not let that be a big factor. If you are looking for a 'sports car' you will not be happy with the Maxima *cough*Eric*cough*. But if you want a practical car that happens to very quick for its class and actually competitive with some sports cars then you will be happy with the Maxima. I love My Max.
The speed difference between the different years should be pretty small, I would not let that be a big factor. If you are looking for a 'sports car' you will not be happy with the Maxima *cough*Eric*cough*. But if you want a practical car that happens to very quick for its class and actually competitive with some sports cars then you will be happy with the Maxima. I love My Max.
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