My dad has a 1996 Maxima that he loves - he bought it new in 1996 and has only 42000 miles on it. He is devastated that his automatic transmission has died and he is paying $2200 for a new one. He has been so happy with the car until now- he recommends them to everyone he can. I can't believe a car that is driven so little could have such a severe and costly problem. I told him I would research to see if anybody else has had the same problem ( he doesn't own a computer). If anybody has any information they could share, I would really appreciate it. I am obviously a newbie!

Thanks,
Liz

 

Well every car isent going to be made sound, i raced, and i put so much stress on my 96 tranny, and it sill hasent given me any problems now with over 100,000 miles...but like i siad, these things are hand made, and not every 2 maximas are going to be the same ya know....and im sorry your dad has such a big bill but for that price he should convert it to a Manul, if u read around alot of people are changing there autos to 5 speed, i dont know what your dad would rather have...but if he needs a trany i know where he can get some used ones, that will probly be less on price and help out on his repar bill


-ChRi§

 

Liz that can happen to anyone. I drive the bejezzzus out of mine and it holds together, so a lot of the time I think it is the luck of the draw. Some folks can do anything and nothing happens and others just drive to church on Sunday and everything breaks. I don't think your Dad's problem can be diagnosed as symptomatic. The Max auto isn't bullet proof but its not prone to breaking real easy either. Tell your Dad to keep up the faith and write it off to as just a freak happening I don't think its typical of the auto.
Jim

PS Can you really tell I am pro auto?

 

um mine died at 125k miles...when i first had it i abused it alot...but after i grew a couple of years..i started treating my car a lil bit better...tell ur dad dont' pay for a new tranny...tell him to play his luck with a used auto tranny....call around junkyard...

 

With 42,000 miles on it, thats like a new car. The new tranny is money well spent. It will give your father many more years of good driving pleasure.

 

There are many people selling Auto trannys w/ low miles due to 5 speed conversions. They are looking to get signifigantly less than $2200 I think they are will to sell for $450-$600 area.

 

My sister's 1995 GXE auto has 174,000 miles on the tranny. She drives HARD and fast. She beats the **** out of that thing, and it still shifts good. The 1-2 shift is a little hard, but all in all it still works fine. Mine has 64,000 miles on it and it shifts silky smooth.

Everyone disses on Nissans transmissions but ours have been nothing short of great.

I am converting to 5-speed soon, and will be Ebay'ing my auto tranny for like $500 bucks. Don't pay Nissans price of $2200, that is rediculous.

 

$2200 installed isn't such a horrendous price. Sure, from a dealer that might be the average but it's also top-notch work. A reputable tranny place (avoiding AAMCO) or quality garage could do it for less with decent quality.

The labor is the killer part of the equation; the transmission might only cost a third of the total bill. I would suggest your dad contact some foreign-car specialists to see if they do tranny swaps themselves or if they recommend someone. A little leg-work could save him several hundred dollars over what the dealer wants.

Good luck.
TOM

 

um i think 2200 is for a brand new tranny only...and they do cost that much...well atleast nissan's...