First, let me introduce myself. My names Cory and Im from Houston Texas.

Im looking into getting either 2002-2003 Maxima however I cant decide if I should buy used or new..Based on some of your answers- I can make a better decision..

1) I have found a lot of used 2002 Auto Se's with no options, but Id like to get at least a sunroof, maybe leather. Have any of you had these put in aftermarket wise, and were you happy with the results? How much did it cost you ?

2) If you bought your 2002-2003 used, how much did you pay and what was the mileage ? (seems like most dealerships want 22 - 23k for these base model SE's and I can get the same one new, 2003 model for like 24,700 -25,000 !

Also, im torn between gray lustre, sterling mist, polished titanium (new color).. Any pro's/cons for any of those colors?

Ultimately, id love to get a polished titanium SE with leather, sunroof, but down south where Im at it gets way too hot (or so i think) to enjoy leather..

Anyways, Id love to hear your input. Please post here or email me at :
modernceo@modernperformance.com

Ps- Im buying this car with plans of modifying it

Cory

 

Hi Cory. I'll add my two cents worth regarding the mods issue. Aftermarket support for the 2002 Maxima is weak. It seems the Altima has stolen much of the Maxima's thunder, plus I imagine many companies are waiting to see what the 2004 Maxima turns out be before they committ to the 2002-2003.

Since the Altima will be around for awhile, with great aftermarket support, you might want to consider that. If you don't need a four door, you should also give some consideration to the 350Z. The aftermarket support for this car should be phenomonal.

Otherwise, you're due for a little disappointment and heartache with a Maxima as far as mods are concerned.

Not sure about the pricing on used 2002's, but you should be able to buy a brand new one minus leather interior for about $23K-24K.

 

i cannot think of anyone off the top of my head who had an aftermarket sunroof put in so i cant help you there.

aftermarket leather can be had from www.leatherseats.com for about $650 i believe. so far i am yet to hear a single person complain about their leatherseats.com leather. in fact, most people have nothing but continuous praise for their leather.

you might even be able to find a NEW 2002 maxima right now and get it for around $22,000 since dealers are trying to get rid of them. i say look for a NEW 2002 model before you look for a used one.


if you were to get a 2003 maxima i would have to recommend either Polished Titanium Sheer Silver (also a new color for the maxima in 2003)

 

Mystical - I know there isnt much support for the Maxima, Ive done a lot of searching around on it. In regards to modifying though, frankly I think I would be happy with the basics such as lowering springs, front lip spoiler, bushings, intake, y pipe, muffler and maybe a pulley.

I have owned many modified cars, including but not limited to a intercooled, turbocharged (built) 1995 Dodge Neon. It has crane cams, je pistons, crower rods, head work, pulley, clutchmasters stage 3 clutch, quaife limited slip, custom exhaust all the way back, volk 16'te37's in gunmetal and a lot more. Its a blast to drive as no one expected it to be so fast (with 6 psi it has 202 hp and 192 torque at the wheels on lower compression internals)

Pics :
http://www.modernperformance.com/cor...g/MVC-018S.JPG
http://www.modernperformance.com/cor...g/MVC-034S.jpg

I wasnt planning for nearly as much with the Max.. But, you know how that goes.. it always seems to sprout into much much more..

I really dislike the Altimas, and could never push myself to drive one . ..I just got back from a dealership near me and I test drove a 2003 SE with 6 speed and its growing on me..

I just.. now want to find one with helical slip, and bose stereo and I think ill be set.. (those seem to be pretty rare though ..)

Im pretty ****ed though, dealerships seem to think that everyone is just plain dumb as they try so hard to di#% you around on pricing.. I hate it.

Newman- thanks for the input.. The dealership I went to actually had some aftermarket leather interiors on the lot and it didnt look that bad.. I think ill stick to the cloth interior, manual se..

 

I picked up a 2002 SE Grey Lustre w/sunroof no leather no Bose....3 weeks ago for 1000 under invoice plus the 1000 rebate. It came out to about 21.5K I was looking at the Titanium 2003, but I would've paid paid at least invoice, plus I would have passed up the 1000 rebate. Not to mention that the only way to get Titanium is w/ Bose which I wasn't interested in. I think I was looking at about 27K for the 2003 titanium SE, so to me the car I got was perfect. It really depends on what left of the 2002 models though.

Tom

 

Anyways - so back to some questions I have for you guys:

1) Anyone have any pictures of a polished titanium, sheer silver or sterling mist lowered and or with wheels?

2) Anyone have any comments on the SE manual clutch pedal feel (long way before it engages/disengages compared to other cars - is it a hydraulic clutch?)

3) Whats durability like on the manual transmissions with modifications, and have any of you driven the manual with and without the helical limited slip? (Just curious of its effectiveness on launches)

4) When you replace the stock y pipe, and mufflers does it get much louder?

Id appreciate your input.

 

Gray2002ny- thats a great price. Is your car manual ?

Any reason you chose not to get the Bose or Sunroof ?

 

Gray Lustre SE with a Nav System, Leather, spoiler, moon roof, all power and the Bose system with 6,234 miles for 24,900. I snatched it up and never looked back. I was looking for a convertable for my wife to replace her Camry, but I ended up trading in my 93 Honda and I have'nt looked back. Dealers are too high!

 

It's an Auto. Didn't think the Bose was really worth the extra bucks... I read on another thread, that it really doesn't sound much better than stock player.. it's a shame because if it sounded significantly better, I would have added it.

 

I'd buy new.

The problem with maximas is that nissan discounts them so heavily when selling new. It is good when you buy it but bad when you try to sell it because of the increased depreciation.

In my experience - with both that I've bought - I could buy a new max for roughly the same price or just a little more than a 1 or 2 year old max. Why? Used car dealers won't haggle as much as a new car dealer trying to get rid of inventory.

But, you've got to buy it right. On both of mine, I walked out with fully loaded SEs for less than invoice. In both cases, all the taxes, etc made the out the door price just under invoice. Good deal in my book. You've just got to be willing to walk, convince them you don't really want the car you are looking at, and *** buy at the right time - end of month holidays when they are trying to get rid of inventory.

Also, getting the leather in the new model, when you buy at invoice has got to be less than aftermarket. Plus you don't have to deal with installation.

 

I have a 2003 Titanium 6 speed with the HLSD and Nav with black leather and all other options. I love it. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture, but it is definitely the best color. I like the HLSD. It comes with steel pedals, which is cool. I have not driven the non-hlsd, except for my 97 5 speed which is different. I can say that it still has wheel spin when pulling the clutch, including into 2nd. I can tell by the torque they I caould probably chirp 3rd maybe. I am waiting to put a few more miles on the car to really drive it hard, though.

One thing I can tell you for sure is that the tires do not spin when the clutch is not engaged. For example, without HLSD, at 5 mph if you floored it, it would peel out. With the HLSD, it does not. The Six speed, by the way is great. It puts you in a better point on the tach than the five speed, especially into 3rd and 4th.

Brent

 

UPDATE :

I am now the proud owner of :

2003 Maxima in sheer silver
Black leather interior
Helical limited slip
Sunroof
Titanium package
6 speed manual

Im loving it.

Ill be posting pictures of it here shortly !

Cory

 

sounds delicious. i wish they had Silver when i got my 2k2.

 

how much did u pay?

 

28,300

 

Those no sunroofed 2k2s are cars coming off of rental fleet service. I used to work for enterprise, and if they have 10-25K miles, they were definately rentals!!