rubman

My question is directly aimed at those of us whose first Nissan has been a 5th. Gen Max and are contemplating getting a 2K3. I love my Max, even thou it's an autotragic, had crappy Potenzas, crappy Bose stereo, sh$@#tty brake rotors, poor paint and even worse, a very poor quality windshield. I love the way the engine roars at 5K RPM'S, WOT Stillen Intake screaming, y-pipe opens it alive. I am considering either getting a 330CI or a used 2001 M3, they can be found for excellent prices, slightly used on ebay. As much as I would like to get a 2K3 Max, I'm skeptical about all of the quality control issues that we all here have faced with 2K and 2K1 Maxs. Logic would say that 2K2's and 2K3's would not have any of our problems, but it seems that their TSB issues make ours look like nothing(Fuel cut-off problems, 6spd. trannies blowing out, etc.) I also love the 2K3 G35 coupes, but the engine seems so new that, I'd be concerned with dropping $35k on a possibly defective car. Please respond.

NYC2SD

I am on my 2nd 5th Gen. My first was a 2000 SE, and now my 2K2. I almost went the route of the Acura CL-Type S, but I am hooked on the value of the Max. I never had any of the above issues on my Max (maybe a slight rotor warp after 20K. So far, I've had nothing but luck!

Eric

The wife and I started off with a 2k SE 5 spd. When the time came to buy another car to replace our Ford Contour, we shopped around and looked at several different cars. We just kept coming back to the Maxima, so last December we picked up at 2k2 6-spd to complement our 2k in the garage.

maximadave

iTrader: (10)

Hey, me too!

MaxSEima

I have a buyer for my 2K1 and will use the money to buy a used 2k2. My current car is fully loaded but I don't mind getting a used 6speed with lesser options. I can't wait....

pvaudo

Me too, too!

After trading in my wonderful 93 SE, I found I was a little disappointed in the 2000 SE. No cornering lamps, poor headlight beam pattern, no clock reset button, butt-ugly rear, other minor nuances. It just didn't seem as nice a car, but what really killed it for me was the fuel-cut issue. The car was NOT fun to drive with this problem.

The 2002 GLE is the first automatic I've had in many years and a nice one at that. The overall feel and level of satisfaction I have with the car is a lot more like the 93. I do miss the independent rear suspension though. Hoppiness through curves is something I don't remember in the 3rd gen.

(ok, the 93's VTC problem did suck, but it never cost me anything)

Green 2kSE

You know, I thought along that line too... but a couple of days ago I parked next to a silver mist 2k2 SE and went to look at it. After driving a loaded car, a base SE with no leather, no sunroof, no Bose seemed unnaturally cheapened. I'm sticking with my (troublefree) 2k SE.

MaxSEima

I guess it's cuz I have plans for it once I do get a 2K2. I have a MP3 player,an amp and 2 10's ready to be installed. I'm not impressed with the Bose on the Max. I think the Altima Bose system sounds better than the Max Bose system. There was no rattling and deep bass sounds good at higher volume settings.

I'm going to get hooked up on leather seats. I've only used the sunroof 2 times since I bought the car. The only thing I will miss are the heated seats and the auto climate control. Other than that, I think I'm good.

Axel

iTrader: (3)

I'm starting to consider a new car as well. I've had a trouble free 2k SE which I race (so I've done some mods) and I love it, but the FWD is starting to really bother me as well as the lack of power (yes, it's powerful compared to many other cars on the road but seriously, 222 hp isn't THAT much). I'm thinking of a used S4 at the moment (2000). AWD, twin-turbo (250 hp stock but easily modded cause of the t-turbo). Although it is a lot smaller, it's still 4 doors. It is a lot more expensive though. (A used 2000 S4 is still more expensive than a new '03 SE).
I keep changing my mind back and forth. But the FWD is the biggest issue I'm dealing with on the Max.

Sigh....decisions...

SHPatel

iTrader: (1)

I have a 91 maxima that we still use and I love it. When I got my 2k2 I was hoping for more of the same but have been quite dissapointed. The wind noise problems, minor rattles, sunroof leaks, and overall quality and feel of the 2k2 have led me to reconsider getting another nissan. To me the 3rd gen has been together much better.

mykmar10

I traded my 2K GXE for a 2K3 SE three Weeks ago. I also looked at the 3 series BMW and th Acura TL-S, But you acan't be the dollar for dollar value of the Maxima. The handling really is not that bad compared to other cars in its class. What other car can you buy new that compare with power, eminities and the price Of a new Maxima. Besides the brake judder problem my 2k Max was flawless, and I am much happier with my 2K3 SE. I also like the option of no leather seats.