Are there any major differences in the '97 and '98?
06-17-2002, 11:01 AM
#1
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Are there any major differences in the '97 and '98?
Hey, I have recently returned my 1998 Maxima to the dealership ( http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=1 ) and now I have to start the car search all over again. I know that I want a Maxima SE around the 1997-1998 year... are there any differences between these two models? The only thing I really noticed from looking in the window is that the 1998 has a digital odometer and the 1997 does not. Are there any significant differences in the two years that would make me want to pick the '98 over the '97?
06-17-2002, 08:17 PM
#3
Re: Are there any major differences in the '97 and '98?
Originally posted by swcello
Hey, I have recently returned my 1998 Maxima to the dealership ( http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=1 ) and now I have to start the car search all over again. I know that I want a Maxima SE around the 1997-1998 year... are there any differences between these two models? The only thing I really noticed from looking in the window is that the 1998 has a digital odometer and the 1997 does not. Are there any significant differences in the two years that would make me want to pick the '98 over the '97?
Hey, I have recently returned my 1998 Maxima to the dealership ( http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=1 ) and now I have to start the car search all over again. I know that I want a Maxima SE around the 1997-1998 year... are there any differences between these two models? The only thing I really noticed from looking in the window is that the 1998 has a digital odometer and the 1997 does not. Are there any significant differences in the two years that would make me want to pick the '98 over the '97?
06-18-2002, 08:30 AM
#4
Re: Re: Are there any major differences in the '97 and '98?
Originally posted by erty67
I believe that the 98 came with side impact airbags, but the 97 did not.
I believe that the 98 came with side impact airbags, but the 97 did not.
The '98 GLE model came with side impact airbags.
06-18-2002, 11:18 AM
#7
I KNOW this one
98 Maxima, as oppsed to the 97s have;
Digital Odometer with 2 trip meters.
The newer and more reliable auto climate control system with optional outside air temp, a button you can add for like $10 if it doesn't already have it. The 97 auto-climate control is somehwat notorious and un-reliable.
Side airbags became an option for the 1st time in 98.
Plus a very small detail that is usually missed but not really important anyways;
The 97s have the feul gage and temp gage facing the same way, both facing left.
The 98s and beyond have gone for a more symmetrical look to the gage cluster, they face in towards each other
Enjoy the ride
DW
98 Maxima, as oppsed to the 97s have;
Digital Odometer with 2 trip meters.
The newer and more reliable auto climate control system with optional outside air temp, a button you can add for like $10 if it doesn't already have it. The 97 auto-climate control is somehwat notorious and un-reliable.
Side airbags became an option for the 1st time in 98.
Plus a very small detail that is usually missed but not really important anyways;
The 97s have the feul gage and temp gage facing the same way, both facing left.
The 98s and beyond have gone for a more symmetrical look to the gage cluster, they face in towards each other
Enjoy the ride
DW
06-18-2002, 11:38 AM
#8
Originally posted by dwapenyi
I KNOW this one
98 Maxima, as oppsed to the 97s have;
Digital Odometer with 2 trip meters.
The newer and more reliable auto climate control system with optional outside air temp, a button you can add for like $10 if it doesn't already have it. The 97 auto-climate control is somehwat notorious and un-reliable.
Side airbags became an option for the 1st time in 98.
Plus a very small detail that is usually missed but not really important anyways;
The 97s have the feul gage and temp gage facing the same way, both facing left.
The 98s and beyond have gone for a more symmetrical look to the gage cluster, they face in towards each other
Enjoy the ride
DW
I KNOW this one
98 Maxima, as oppsed to the 97s have;
Digital Odometer with 2 trip meters.
The newer and more reliable auto climate control system with optional outside air temp, a button you can add for like $10 if it doesn't already have it. The 97 auto-climate control is somehwat notorious and un-reliable.
Side airbags became an option for the 1st time in 98.
Plus a very small detail that is usually missed but not really important anyways;
The 97s have the feul gage and temp gage facing the same way, both facing left.
The 98s and beyond have gone for a more symmetrical look to the gage cluster, they face in towards each other
Enjoy the ride
DW
I believe another minor difference is the needles on the gauges.. My 98 has red needles..
06-18-2002, 01:08 PM
#14
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so, basically, the major difference (the only thing that really would even possibly matter) is the climate control and the side air bags. The climate control thing isn't an issue for me, since I'm looking for an SE and most of the SE's don't have it (plus I don't care about it anyways). The side air bags are kind of nice, though. And that digital odometer is a nice thing, but it's not a huge deal - not a feature that would make me purchase one over the other if the '97 had more of the features I wanted.
06-18-2002, 03:08 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 741
Originally posted by swcello
so, basically, the major difference (the only thing that really would even possibly matter) is the climate control and the side air bags. The climate control thing isn't an issue for me, since I'm looking for an SE and most of the SE's don't have it (plus I don't care about it anyways). The side air bags are kind of nice, though. And that digital odometer is a nice thing, but it's not a huge deal - not a feature that would make me purchase one over the other if the '97 had more of the features I wanted.
so, basically, the major difference (the only thing that really would even possibly matter) is the climate control and the side air bags. The climate control thing isn't an issue for me, since I'm looking for an SE and most of the SE's don't have it (plus I don't care about it anyways). The side air bags are kind of nice, though. And that digital odometer is a nice thing, but it's not a huge deal - not a feature that would make me purchase one over the other if the '97 had more of the features I wanted.
Gotta love having a fully loaded SE. Dont forget the 3 garage door openers in the visor. Do 97s have that?
06-19-2002, 06:46 AM
#18
Ahhh, yes, HomeLink. My 98 has that. Do 97s? Not a major feature, but a nice touch
Also, to clarify hte needles issue, every 4th gen Maxima has 2 sets of gage clusters, the standard black ones which are on the GXE/GLE, and then the special SE ones with white face gages. The standard GXE/GLE clusters all have red needles, I beleive, no matter what year. The issue of the needles I think was only concerning the SEs.
97 and before Maxima SEs had White face gages with Black needles. 98 and later Maxima SEs have white face gages with red needles.
DW
Also, to clarify hte needles issue, every 4th gen Maxima has 2 sets of gage clusters, the standard black ones which are on the GXE/GLE, and then the special SE ones with white face gages. The standard GXE/GLE clusters all have red needles, I beleive, no matter what year. The issue of the needles I think was only concerning the SEs.
97 and before Maxima SEs had White face gages with Black needles. 98 and later Maxima SEs have white face gages with red needles.
DW
Originally posted by AdMax98
My 98 SE has climate control too
Gotta love having a fully loaded SE. Dont forget the 3 garage door openers in the visor. Do 97s have that?
My 98 SE has climate control too
Gotta love having a fully loaded SE. Dont forget the 3 garage door openers in the visor. Do 97s have that?
06-19-2002, 07:09 AM
#19
Originally posted by dwapenyi
The standard GXE/GLE clusters all have red needles, I beleive, no matter what year.
The standard GXE/GLE clusters all have red needles, I beleive, no matter what year.
06-19-2002, 09:33 AM
#22
Originally posted by dwapenyi
What's up Ian,
feeling the SC yet?
White needles?? Oh brother, I can't keep up with Nissan.
DW
What's up Ian,
feeling the SC yet?
White needles?? Oh brother, I can't keep up with Nissan.
DW
Boost guage
Belt
MAF
Ambient Air
Vacuum hoses
Fuel Pressure
Piping
BOV
No luck whatsoever....
I'm only getting 231hp with a 3.25" pulley (Without the MEVI)
With the MEVI on, however, I am getting 269fwhp. I should be getting somewhere around 300 however.
IanS
06-19-2002, 09:57 AM
#23
Well, before your SC, your car was dynoing kinda low. Maybe the problem lies there, not related to the SC at all. Have you checked your plugs? Maybe an ignition coil is bad or a feul injector may be suspect. Those are rare.
DW
DW
Originally posted by iansw
I'm only getting 6 lbs of boost, I should be getting 9.....I've checked everything I can think of, and everything that's been suggessted:
Boost guage
Belt
MAF
Ambient Air
Vacuum hoses
Fuel Pressure
Piping
BOV
No luck whatsoever....
I'm only getting 231hp with a 3.25" pulley (Without the MEVI)
With the MEVI on, however, I am getting 269fwhp. I should be getting somewhere around 300 however.
IanS
I'm only getting 6 lbs of boost, I should be getting 9.....I've checked everything I can think of, and everything that's been suggessted:
Boost guage
Belt
MAF
Ambient Air
Vacuum hoses
Fuel Pressure
Piping
BOV
No luck whatsoever....
I'm only getting 231hp with a 3.25" pulley (Without the MEVI)
With the MEVI on, however, I am getting 269fwhp. I should be getting somewhere around 300 however.
IanS
06-19-2002, 10:00 AM
#24
Originally posted by dwapenyi
Well, before your SC, your car was dynoing kinda low. Maybe the problem lies there, not related to the SC at all. Have you checked your plugs? Maybe an ignition coil is bad or a feul injector may be suspect. Those are rare.
DW
Well, before your SC, your car was dynoing kinda low. Maybe the problem lies there, not related to the SC at all. Have you checked your plugs? Maybe an ignition coil is bad or a feul injector may be suspect. Those are rare.
DW
How would I check to make sure a coil is not bad? Wouldn't I have blown my engine by now riding around with a bad coil?
Wouldn't I at least have thrown an CEL, or at least gotten a Code upon checking the ECU (I check for hidden codes regularly, where the CEL does not come on, but you put it in diagnose mode and you get a code)
Right now my ECU reads 0505 - All Systems OK.
IanS
06-19-2002, 10:08 AM
#25
You may not get a CEL for bad or suspect coils, only when the coil has completely failed, but then, by that time you would know How did your old plugs look like? Did they wear evenly, or was one quite a bit different from the others? They could tell a story abut what's happening in your combustion chambers.
DW
How did your old plugs look like? Did they wear evenly, or was one quite a bit different from the others? They could tell a story abut what's happening in your combustion chambers.DW
Originally posted by iansw
Just put in 1 step colder plugs.
How would I check to make sure a coil is not bad? Wouldn't I have blown my engine by now riding around with a bad coil?
Wouldn't I at least have thrown an CEL, or at least gotten a Code upon checking the ECU (I check for hidden codes regularly, where the CEL does not come on, but you put it in diagnose mode and you get a code)
Right now my ECU reads 0505 - All Systems OK.
IanS
Just put in 1 step colder plugs.
How would I check to make sure a coil is not bad? Wouldn't I have blown my engine by now riding around with a bad coil?
Wouldn't I at least have thrown an CEL, or at least gotten a Code upon checking the ECU (I check for hidden codes regularly, where the CEL does not come on, but you put it in diagnose mode and you get a code)
Right now my ECU reads 0505 - All Systems OK.
IanS
06-19-2002, 10:49 AM
#26
Originally posted by dwapenyi
You may not get a CEL for bad or suspect coils, only when the coil has completely failed, but then, by that time you would know How did your old plugs look like? Did they wear evenly, or was one quite a bit different from the others? They could tell a story abut what's happening in your combustion chambers.
DW
You may not get a CEL for bad or suspect coils, only when the coil has completely failed, but then, by that time you would know
How did your old plugs look like? Did they wear evenly, or was one quite a bit different from the others? They could tell a story abut what's happening in your combustion chambers.DW
A slight amount of carbon buildup at the plug, but they all looked the same.
IanS
Sorry, just trying to get back on topic. Anyways, I can't really suggest anything else.
06-20-2002, 02:32 PM
#28
not a big difference but the circuit boards on the rear power window switches is different on the 97's and 98's, i did the color conversion on the switches on my friends 97 and they where different from mine.
06-20-2002, 10:14 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 131
Taillight lenses??
Did anyone see any difference between the taillight lenses on 98 and 97 or 99? I know the 95-96 is a different shape from the 97-99, but it sometimes seems that my 98 has something different about the lenses compared to 97 or 99, maybe the other one(s) is slightly tinted or something?
06-21-2002, 06:35 AM
#30
Re: Taillight lenses??
97-99s are exactly the same. Completely interchangeable.
DW
DW
Originally posted by sgmax
Did anyone see any difference between the taillight lenses on 98 and 97 or 99? I know the 95-96 is a different shape from the 97-99, but it sometimes seems that my 98 has something different about the lenses compared to 97 or 99, maybe the other one(s) is slightly tinted or something?
Did anyone see any difference between the taillight lenses on 98 and 97 or 99? I know the 95-96 is a different shape from the 97-99, but it sometimes seems that my 98 has something different about the lenses compared to 97 or 99, maybe the other one(s) is slightly tinted or something?
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