Newbie 4th Gen questions
06-21-2002, 12:48 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 15
Newbie 4th Gen questions
I think that I've decided to buy a 4th Gen Maxima, if I can find the one I want, that is...
From what I've read on this website and others (along with quite a bit of searching on alt.autos.nissan.maxima) I think that I want a 4th Gen SE w/5-spd & leather. (I know, good luck finding one...)
I'm looking for some advice:
Should I avoid the '95 (1st year after redesign)?
Are the '95-96 cars really faster than the '97 model?
Are there any particular known issues that I need to look out for?
Exactly how rare are SE 5-speeds w/leather?
(Tell me if I'm wrong: GLE is Automatic ONLY, GXE w/Leather is probably REALLY rare - as you can tell, 5-speed & leather are more important to me than the SE designation)
Are any particular colors more durable (fading, etc.) than others?
Any mods to avoid?
Is there a Used Maxima Buyers Guide somewhere that I haven't been able to locate?
Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom G
From what I've read on this website and others (along with quite a bit of searching on alt.autos.nissan.maxima) I think that I want a 4th Gen SE w/5-spd & leather. (I know, good luck finding one...)
I'm looking for some advice:
Should I avoid the '95 (1st year after redesign)?
Are the '95-96 cars really faster than the '97 model?
Are there any particular known issues that I need to look out for?
Exactly how rare are SE 5-speeds w/leather?
(Tell me if I'm wrong: GLE is Automatic ONLY, GXE w/Leather is probably REALLY rare - as you can tell, 5-speed & leather are more important to me than the SE designation)
Are any particular colors more durable (fading, etc.) than others?
Any mods to avoid?
Is there a Used Maxima Buyers Guide somewhere that I haven't been able to locate?
Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom G
06-21-2002, 12:53 PM
#2
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 211
Re: Newbie 4th Gen questions
Originally posted by tomncora
I think that I've decided to buy a 4th Gen Maxima, if I can find the one I want, that is...
From what I've read on this website and others (along with quite a bit of searching on alt.autos.nissan.maxima) I think that I want a 4th Gen SE w/5-spd & leather. (I know, good luck finding one...)
I'm looking for some advice:
Should I avoid the '95 (1st year after redesign)? haven't heard anything bad about them
Are the '95-96 cars really faster than the '97 model? if they are, not by much
Are there any particular known issues that I need to look out for? the tranny
Exactly how rare are SE 5-speeds w/leather?
(Tell me if I'm wrong: GLE is Automatic ONLY, GXE w/Leather is probably REALLY rare - as you can tell, 5-speed & leather are more important to me than the SE designation)
Are any particular colors more durable (fading, etc.) than others? sterling mist is nice
Any mods to avoid? stickers and neon
Is there a Used Maxima Buyers Guide somewhere that I haven't been able to locate?
Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom G
I think that I've decided to buy a 4th Gen Maxima, if I can find the one I want, that is...
From what I've read on this website and others (along with quite a bit of searching on alt.autos.nissan.maxima) I think that I want a 4th Gen SE w/5-spd & leather. (I know, good luck finding one...)
I'm looking for some advice:
Should I avoid the '95 (1st year after redesign)? haven't heard anything bad about them
Are the '95-96 cars really faster than the '97 model? if they are, not by much
Are there any particular known issues that I need to look out for? the tranny
Exactly how rare are SE 5-speeds w/leather?
(Tell me if I'm wrong: GLE is Automatic ONLY, GXE w/Leather is probably REALLY rare - as you can tell, 5-speed & leather are more important to me than the SE designation)
Are any particular colors more durable (fading, etc.) than others? sterling mist is nice
Any mods to avoid? stickers and neon
Is there a Used Maxima Buyers Guide somewhere that I haven't been able to locate?
Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom G
06-21-2002, 12:54 PM
#3
Welcome...
From what I've heard... only 10% of Maximas were 5-speeds... so I would imagine with leather, it's even more rare.
95-96 is faster (in general) than 97-99. Aside from the mileage/age issue, there's only the personal choice to the minor cosmetic changes (front/rear bumpers).
From what I've heard... only 10% of Maximas were 5-speeds... so I would imagine with leather, it's even more rare.
95-96 is faster (in general) than 97-99. Aside from the mileage/age issue, there's only the personal choice to the minor cosmetic changes (front/rear bumpers).
06-21-2002, 12:59 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,277
Don't worry too much about the leather. You can get a conversion kit from Leatherseats.com for ~$700. The leather is much better than factory (I know, I replaced the factory leather in my car with theirs) and you can get it 2-tone, preforated and embroydered.
95 and 96 are faster, 97-99 have much better bumpers and better front bumper styling. I think reliability is about the same, i.e. excellent.
95 and 96 are faster, 97-99 have much better bumpers and better front bumper styling. I think reliability is about the same, i.e. excellent.
At least compared to the rest of us 
06-21-2002, 01:25 PM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 15
Originally posted by sinewave
Don't worry too much about the leather. You can get a conversion kit from Leatherseats.com for ~$700. The leather is much better than factory (I know, I replaced the factory leather in my car with theirs) and you can get it 2-tone, preforated and embroydered.
95 and 96 are faster, 97-99 have much better bumpers and better front bumper styling. I think reliability is about the same, i.e. excellent.
Don't worry too much about the leather. You can get a conversion kit from Leatherseats.com for ~$700. The leather is much better than factory (I know, I replaced the factory leather in my car with theirs) and you can get it 2-tone, preforated and embroydered.
95 and 96 are faster, 97-99 have much better bumpers and better front bumper styling. I think reliability is about the same, i.e. excellent.
How easy/difficult was the conversion?
06-21-2002, 01:32 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 196
I plan on doing the leather install myself soon. From what I hear it takes a professional shop about 4 hours to install leather, and about 12 hours for someone who's never done it before. Here is a link to instrucions: http://www.leatherseats.com/pages/installation.htm
I would just concentrate on getting a low mileage 5 speed, then looking for one w/leather. Leatherseats.com is cheaper & better than factory and you can choose your own color combos, etc.
I would just concentrate on getting a low mileage 5 speed, then looking for one w/leather. Leatherseats.com is cheaper & better than factory and you can choose your own color combos, etc.
06-21-2002, 01:48 PM
#9
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 265
Originally posted by JR_Anders
I plan on doing the leather install myself soon. From what I hear it takes a professional shop about 4 hours to install leather, and about 12 hours for someone who's never done it before. Here is a link to instrucions: http://www.leatherseats.com/pages/installation.htm
I would just concentrate on getting a low mileage 5 speed, then looking for one w/leather. Leatherseats.com is cheaper & better than factory and you can choose your own color combos, etc.
I plan on doing the leather install myself soon. From what I hear it takes a professional shop about 4 hours to install leather, and about 12 hours for someone who's never done it before. Here is a link to instrucions: http://www.leatherseats.com/pages/installation.htm
I would just concentrate on getting a low mileage 5 speed, then looking for one w/leather. Leatherseats.com is cheaper & better than factory and you can choose your own color combos, etc.
06-21-2002, 01:55 PM
#10
'99 SE limited, 5-spd, leather...
I would rather have factory leather seats. Just because it's "factory". Adds rare-ness(is that even a word?) to the car. My car is somewhat modded, but for some stuff I'd like to stick with factory. Hence, Nissan OEM rims rather then going to aftermarket rims.
Good luck on finding your Max!!!
I would rather have factory leather seats. Just because it's "factory". Adds rare-ness(is that even a word?) to the car. My car is somewhat modded, but for some stuff I'd like to stick with factory. Hence, Nissan OEM rims rather then going to aftermarket rims.
Good luck on finding your Max!!!
06-21-2002, 02:31 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,277
Originally posted by tomncora
Are the pics in your sig of the DIY Leather Job?
How easy/difficult was the conversion?
Are the pics in your sig of the DIY Leather Job?
How easy/difficult was the conversion?
06-21-2002, 06:18 PM
#12
Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 45
Hi, I have a 99SE 5-speed (Sterling Mist) that I purchased three months ago. It's fully loaded with leather & sunroof, even came with painted splashguards and woodgrain dash interior. It had 100,000 kms. (60,000 miles) and was $17K Canadian ($10,500 US). I searched on Autotrader.ca for about a month when this finally appeared. My wife and I love this car (my wife compares it to our old RX-7).
I opted for a later 4th gen model, wanted the additional safety features such as side air bags, chipped security key, 3 point safety belts in all 3 rear passenger seats, as well as the revised bumpers that were introduced in 1997. I'm a 46 year old father of 2 so these things are important. However, I'm not totally against performance upgrades as I'm looking to upgrade my rims to 17" versus the current OEM 16" wheels.
The leather was in excellent condition. I had a 91 SHO with leather and the seats in that car became quite tired after a while.
I opted for a later 4th gen model, wanted the additional safety features such as side air bags, chipped security key, 3 point safety belts in all 3 rear passenger seats, as well as the revised bumpers that were introduced in 1997. I'm a 46 year old father of 2 so these things are important. However, I'm not totally against performance upgrades as I'm looking to upgrade my rims to 17" versus the current OEM 16" wheels.
The leather was in excellent condition. I had a 91 SHO with leather and the seats in that car became quite tired after a while.
06-21-2002, 06:26 PM
#13
Originally posted by el_aurens
Hi, I have a 99SE 5-speed (Sterling Mist) that I purchased three months ago. It's fully loaded with leather & sunroof, even came with painted splashguards and woodgrain dash interior. It had 100,000 kms. (60,000 miles) and was $17K Canadian ($10,500 US). I searched on Autotrader.ca for about a month when this finally appeared. My wife and I love this car (my wife compares it to our old RX-7).
I opted for a later 4th gen model, wanted the additional safety features such as side air bags, chipped security key, 3 point safety belts in all 3 rear passenger seats, as well as the revised bumpers that were introduced in 1997. I'm a 46 year old father of 2 so these things are important. However, I'm not totally against performance upgrades as I'm looking to upgrade my rims to 17" versus the current OEM 16" wheels.
Hi, I have a 99SE 5-speed (Sterling Mist) that I purchased three months ago. It's fully loaded with leather & sunroof, even came with painted splashguards and woodgrain dash interior. It had 100,000 kms. (60,000 miles) and was $17K Canadian ($10,500 US). I searched on Autotrader.ca for about a month when this finally appeared. My wife and I love this car (my wife compares it to our old RX-7).
I opted for a later 4th gen model, wanted the additional safety features such as side air bags, chipped security key, 3 point safety belts in all 3 rear passenger seats, as well as the revised bumpers that were introduced in 1997. I'm a 46 year old father of 2 so these things are important. However, I'm not totally against performance upgrades as I'm looking to upgrade my rims to 17" versus the current OEM 16" wheels.
06-21-2002, 07:23 PM
#14
Moderator who thinks he is better than us with his I30
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 9,335
Hard to find a 5spd Max with leather? You have no idea how long it took to find my I30t 5spd. Only 3% of I30 came in a 5spd. Less than 1% were the t model with a 5spd. Every weekend for 6 months.
06-22-2002, 10:03 AM
#15
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 265
Originally posted by Tifosi
'99 SE limited, 5-spd, leather...
I would rather have factory leather seats. Just because it's "factory". Adds rare-ness(is that even a word?) to the car. My car is somewhat modded, but for some stuff I'd like to stick with factory. Hence, Nissan OEM rims rather then going to aftermarket rims.
Good luck on finding your Max!!!
'99 SE limited, 5-spd, leather...
I would rather have factory leather seats. Just because it's "factory". Adds rare-ness(is that even a word?) to the car. My car is somewhat modded, but for some stuff I'd like to stick with factory. Hence, Nissan OEM rims rather then going to aftermarket rims.
Good luck on finding your Max!!!
06-22-2002, 01:40 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 661
the other option is to buy the leather seat used. go to the junk yard and get some seat from some GLEs or I30, but not really cheap ($400~1000). or if you have patience, check the .org or ebay for them. even though they are not cheap, you don't have to install the leather yourself. and hopefully you can sell your cloth seat. I agree I like the factory leather seat better cuz they match the car.
06-22-2002, 10:38 PM
#17
Originally posted by dobiegillis
I agree with you, Tifosi, although certain aftermarket modifications (like clear bumper lights) can make your car unique without looking too modded--it just depends on your taste. For example, I'm not a fan of things like aftermarket stereos--I like OEM equipment--also with rims. However, since 4th gens didn't come with 17" rims, I opted for a 17" set from the 2k2 Altima. Still factory look and unique since few people would think to put Alti rims on a Max.
I agree with you, Tifosi, although certain aftermarket modifications (like clear bumper lights) can make your car unique without looking too modded--it just depends on your taste. For example, I'm not a fan of things like aftermarket stereos--I like OEM equipment--also with rims. However, since 4th gens didn't come with 17" rims, I opted for a 17" set from the 2k2 Altima. Still factory look and unique since few people would think to put Alti rims on a Max.
06-23-2002, 08:51 AM
#18
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 265
Originally posted by Tifosi
Good idea! Never seen 2k2 Altima rims on Maxima before, from just imagining it in my head, looks pretty cool! Got pics to share?
Good idea! Never seen 2k2 Altima rims on Maxima before, from just imagining it in my head, looks pretty cool! Got pics to share?
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=pparis&AID=200203
06-23-2002, 06:47 PM
#19
[QUOTE]Originally posted by dobiegillis
Sure! Personally, I like the new Altima rims better than the new Maxima rims. These pics are a few months old:
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=pparis&AID=200203 [/QUOTE
Oh yeah! That looks real good! Anyone wants to buy my 2k2 Max rims?
Sure! Personally, I like the new Altima rims better than the new Maxima rims. These pics are a few months old:
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=pparis&AID=200203 [/QUOTE
Oh yeah! That looks real good! Anyone wants to buy my 2k2 Max rims?
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