So I went to Serafini Nissan in Binghamton to get a spoiler installed on my car (OEM Nissan one). The Nissan body shop guy told me something interesting when he handed me the keys back to my car...

He said when he put on my spoiler, that it didn't have the wiring in the trunk like every other Maxima has, and he thought it was pretty odd and suggested that it was a Canadian spec max but when it was sold in this country the dealer I bought it from had it's gauges, lights and anything else remotely canadian switched out for American spec ones. I told him I ran a carfax report on it and that it never said anything about the car being in Canada before I bought it, but he told me that carfax can easily be bypassed. Any theories on this one? Should I do anything? Are canadian spec maxes that different? Should the dealer have indicated anything to me when I bought this car? Is this kind of practice even kosher? Any input would be appreciated...

For reference, I purchased the car at Amity Nissan, on Long Island in NY.

He ended up getting my spoiler to work by using a wiring harness from a 98SE, but I'm still a little bothered by this. Hmmm...

 

hmm that sounds odd but it doesnt really seem like foul play. would it be impossible that it could be a manufacturing mistake?

 

hmmmm...if i remember correctly, your car was a rental car? maybe they got it in canada because it is cheaper......hmmm.......or a dude rented it in canada and drove it into the states and returned it there. The didn't want to ship it back up or someone didn't drive it back up and they decided to convert it to american stuff?

 

I don't know...I feel kind of uncomfortable knowing that the car had its dash, its lights, wiring, and various other parts ripped out before I got my hands on it. I mean, those cars run on kilometers and stuff, and they got daytime running lights, so the wiring must have been changed and stuff. I mean, everything works fine and I'm not complaining, but my main concern is that in the future for any mods I do, will the wiring be different, and is there any power differences?

 

Don't Canadian Max's also come with Spoilers as well? Don't you think the wiring would be EXACTLY the same for USA or Canadian?

Come on people, use some common sense here.

 

The body shop guy said that whereas American GXE's have wiring for a spoiler, the Canadian GXE's and GLE's don't - only the SE's. I know that around here, all of them are wired for spoilers wether they have them or not.

 

No.

 

Nope, only our SEs have wings, and the G?Es that buy them.

 

Why would Canadian Max's be so different? do they not have the spoiler option for GXE/GLE? I think it was just chance, or he just couldn't find the harness. Don't worry. Especially don't worry that "they run on kilometers and stuff." Those freaky Canadians.

 

Beats me, though i envy how their pre-2k2's have VLSD for Automatics.

 

beh shattap freak

We have the option of adding spoilers to GXE/GLE's - thought I'm not sure about the wiring. All SE's include spoilers. Why on earth would they convert "canadian spec" to "american spec"? The costs involved would be ridiculous.

The major difference that they wouldn't be able to change is the VLSD. You can try to find out if yours has it or not; if it doesn't they're BSing and it's american..

..but entertaining the possibilities they converted it : the computer would have to be switched, the speedo, the DRL's, not sure about TCM, then import fees etc.. just for starters.. I'm not sure what else they may have done.

Another question; if the car has drl's, why not keep 'em. It's not illegal to HAVE them and it's more of a pain to get rid than it's worth (unless you unplug the diode)

And a last idea : give me your VIN number. I'll call Nissan Canada for you and ask 'em if they can look it up.

 

DRLs (on other cars) are GREAT and a LIFE-SAVER when you are a pass-o-maniac. Caught in sunlight, fog, you can always see the DRLs.

But it would make sense that G?Es don't have the harness to the wing, as they have none stock. In the effort to cut every cost, instead of putting an extra harness for only 10% of the cars, they just don't put them and they include it in the wing package.

Maybe it's the first time the dealer did s 2K+ and is used to the harness being stock on 99-s

Check the front of the car to see if there are sled-dog hookups.

 

check for a block heater plug. if memory serves me correctly, all Canadian-market maximas came with a block heater standard.

also, body colour mud guards by the wheels.

 

Is the harness located in the trunk lid, or inside the trunk? Maybe your car got bashed in the back, and when they repaired / replaced the lid, they didn't put the harness back in.

 

I'm sure SE's make up more than 10% of the Maxima's sold in Canada. Also, spoiler is a popular option. Which costs less, having a robot put 10 cents of wire into every car, or having a mechanic do it for $90/hr after the fact for everyone who decides they want a spoiler? The mechanic also has to pull the car apart to run the wires. If it's there already, he just plugs it in and away you go. You'll find most of your wiring for all the options you didn't get are in your car. Heck, wasn't it landrover that even had the heated seat pads in every seat? So all the dealers had to do was plug in the switches. Of course, the owners found that out and started buying the switches themselves.

 

Nope. Mine didn't, nor did my father's.

 

Hey Kojiro_FtT, we always stated that the Canadian max are faster, when the US maxima goes 60 we're at 100... He he he, your right USA is in MPH and canadian are in KPH.

Cheers

AA

 

I thought I read in the owner's manual that the Canadian models also came with a full size spare tire. Is this true?

 

4th gens: yes (with the same rims as the rest too)
5th gens: no

 

well, the guy who installed an OEM-style spoiler on my car said there is no wiring either...but he was lazy to look in the right place.

As far as the US dealer selling you a Canadian-spec used car, your best bet is to check with someone knowledgable, like Office of State's Atty, Consumer Protection Division. They would tell you if your State requires the dealer to disclose the vehicle history, including the conversion to US Specs. Obviously, if the car meets all US specs, it seems the dealer was right to put the car on the lot. You can also call Nissan North America and give them your VIN, see if they will say your car is made for Canada. Worst case scenario is that you will be able to sue the dealer and he will take the car back...

 

Yes it's true; but not for 17" wheels.. the 2k/2k1 GLE/GXE had full size spares, the SE's didn't fit if you got the 17" wheel option.

Not sure whether they bothered with 2k2+ since most GLE/SE's come with 17's anyways..

 

A manufacturing mistake? You mean like my SE coming with three body colored door handles and one chrome one ("I thought SE's came with body colored handles, but I guess not...what the hell?!?") Naah, that couldn't happen

 

The more and more I'm starting to think about the more and more I'm thinking it's just a defect. Wouldn't be surprised, considering the other quality issues with the car. I guess I'll find out for sure when I call Nissan North America on Friday and have them run my VIN.