Hey guys,
I've been reading this forum for about a month now, and basically have come to the realization that the Maxima is not as good of a car as I thought it was. It seems that a lot of you are having major issues, whether it's convincing the dealers to get the car serviced under warranty, or the infamous paint quality problem, and now the missing 15 HP issue. In addition, some of you are saying that a lot of small things break too, and it's a hassle to get the dealers to fix them. Then there are "popular" Nissan service departments, which treat its customers like sh*t. So, here's my question: ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR 2000+ MAXIMA PURCHASE? IF YOU COULD DO IT ALL OVER, WOULD YOU BUY IT AGAIN? ARE THERE ANY CARS IN THE MARKET RIGHT NOW FOR UNDER $30,000 THAT YOU THINK ARE BETTER THAN THE MAXIMA?

Thanks.

 

Vito,

I can honestly say this the best car purchase I've made to date. I have a Y2K SE and LOVE IT! Though I don't have the increased HP of the newer models, I have no complaints. The paint chip situation is what it is....can't change it, I'm just more careful about putting on the bra when I do interstate driving (which isn't often). No, there is no other car out right now that I'd honestly consider buying if I were in the market. Actually, I'd only trade up to the '03 TE. Some of us have had service issues with our respective dealer, but who hasn't- with any car? My better half has had more problems with the Infiniti maintenance dept with their regular service of our G35 than I've ever experienced with Nissan.

JB

 

You're right about the problems. I thought the little things that went wrong with my Max were just my bad luck but when I plugged that into the "Search" engine on this site it turns out TONS of people have the same issues. Remember too that the reason that you are hearing about all these problems is that you have tapped a GREAT source of info. ALL cars have problems, but there are very few message boards that I have seen that give the kind of info this one does. If you are into modding your car, this place will be great for that. My friend was trying to get bulb sizes for his Honda Accord and could not find it on his message board!

That aside, I love this car. There is no car that I would have looked at in this price range. It is luxurious, sporty, and classy. The other one that I was considering was the BMW 330Ci Coupe. It's a very nice car, but I think that the Max offers more bang for the buck. My next car will either be another Nissan, BMW, or Toyota (if they come out with the new Supra )

Would I buy it again??? Absolutely!

 

The Max isn't the best car I've owned, the 96 I30t I had previously was a gem, but I've been very happy with my 2k SE too. It's not a perfect car, there's more wind noise than I'd like and the tranny doesn't shift like a Honda or BMW but the whole package is hard to beat. I would buy another Nissan if it's still made in Japan but unfortunately most new Nissans are going to be made in North America.

 

Interesting thread....

When my lease ran out on my 99 I tossed around the idea of a 2K2. But after reading the 5th gen forum I baught my car from the leasing company instead of turning it in for a new one.

I love the Acura TL-S, but the tranny nightmare makes me scared to buy one. There's no way I'll buy another Nissan, not because of my own experiences, but from the 5th gen crowd. It's obvious that Nissan's quality of workmanship has gone downhill. I'm more then pleased with my 99 SE-L. I absolutely love this car, but there's no way I'd buy another Maxima unless some serious changes are made in the quality workmanship area at Nissan.

Just read the 4th gen forum and the 5th gen forum. It's pretty much a no brainer which car was built better.

 

I have a 95 GLE and a 2000 SE, so my answer is yes, i am extremely happy with my cars. My 95 has 202,000 miles on it and still runs like a champ. The 2000 SE is sweet as well. Of course I've had some of the "problems" that are common among maximas, but I definately wouldnt trade.

 

vito, when it gets down to it, most of the people here love their cars (I do). Also, most of the people here hate nissan service (I don't). The service issue really has a lot to do with the individual dealers, so if you're considering buying a Nissan, carefully check out the local dealer in case you need to visit.

You will also see on this board a lot of people who are trying to make the car into something it isn't, so a lot of frustrated posts about that, too.

But, to answer your question, there are no cars that come close to the Max in the same price range. You say "under $30k" but we've seen over and over people are getting them fully loaded for less than $26k (mine was $26.4k). If you're looking at a left-over 2k2 you can probably get it even less than that.

If I had $35k it'd be a different story (volvo s60R) but at this price, if I had to do it over I'd definitely buy the Max again.

 

Vito, I don't write much but I lurk a lot. My 2000 GXE 5 speed w/ Maxspeeds, Tok's, FSTB, RSB and Dunlop SP Sport 5000's is, without any equivocation, the best car I've owned.

Paint chips on my Super Black nose? You bet. Crappy glass? Yup. Poor weather seal in the rear? Uh-huh. Lackadaisical dealers? What's new.

Minor issues for a sub-$20K (hey, got it before anyone liked its looks) big, 4-door with a "Wards-ten-best" V6, 5 slick forward gears, and an interior close to (now I said "close to") some of the best in the biz. Not only can I run the canyons with some of the best in my neighborhood, I can load my family of four into it for a cross-country jaunt without them screaming. And my 16-year-old son can't wait until I pass it along to him and he can sell his Honda Civic EX.

As a "statement" car, forget it. As a plush Audi-like driving environment, nope. And don't even think you can be a junior BMW in it. It is what it is; exceedingly competent, reasonably priced, unbelievably reliable, and once you've had one a while, even handsome.

You might think of looking for a one or two-year-old used one here on the Maxima.org site (no, mine's not for sale) with some of its warranty left. These things, unfortunately, depreciate like ice in the Mojave, even though most of them will live very long lives. And there's no way a dealer can hold anything close to MSRP in a new sale, so they're reasonable new if you shop hard. Either way, you'll have a strong, quiet performance car that doesn't attract a lot of unwanted attention and will serve you well for many years. Seeya.

 

I am very happy with my Max. Almost 2 years trouble free. Clear bra takes care of most paint problems. Dealer experience has been very positive, also. I was skeptical, but they've been great. I would buy another Maxima (good price for power, style, size). Don't think Maxima quality/service is that much different than other cars. There are horror stories with other makes as well (kind of individual). IMO

 

Well...at least we have HIDs!

 

My only regret is that I didn't get the stick shift. I too have a 00 SE Auto and what I like least about the car is the Auto tranny. It robs the Max of it's true power potential by a solid 20%. If you don't drive rush hour then get the stick!!

Besides that, here's my complaints.
-Wind Noise, there's too much for a 30K car, period.
-Squeak/Rattles, I have a few creaks and ticks that are bad when cold, this may be because I have a very early built 2000 which is when they did the major changes.
-BOSE sub in rear decklid rattles out hugely, makes nasty vibration sounds when base hits that totally demotes the system to about as good as most stock systems.

My experience with Nissan service has been so-so. They snuffed out several big creaks/rattles (7 trips to same dealer) for free under warranty. They didn't even complain that much about my repeat appearances. I just kept saying "hey, for 27K or 500/mo I don't deserve to be listening to rattles/squeaks/creaks!!!". Anyway, service is always hit or miss so when you find a good place you stick with it. I plan on keeping this ride for 100K+ miles for sure so longterm reliability will tell the tale for me. I'm at 40K now with no probs besides minor annoyances.

 

I love my car.

I hate Nissan Service.

If I had to do it all over again......the only thing I'd change is
the transmission.

I should have gotten the manual tranny.

Am I happy with my Maxima?
In a word....."yes"

 

yes there are problems
but somehow I love my car more & more each day

 

i am glad i got my maxima......i like the look and everything about it.....i have not had to many problems at all..it will be 2yrs this coming march that i would have had it.....its is fun to mod..i just WISH there was more aftermarket support for the maxima...if it was...i would have so much more done!....to make my maxima more fun....i always just had more mods and i am happy again....i love my car

albert

 

Well everyone on this loves their car, or else they wouldn't be here. I think a major problem is that people want a car that is similar to a 35k + price tag, for 26 or so.

Example, many of the 5th gens come with 17's. We
b!tch and complain, asking for 18's. I mean jeez, if it came with 18's we'd want a package for 19's.

So we like to ***** because we didn't get more than our money's worth, but we got exactly what we really knew we would get.

When i started my new job this summer and found out i was getting a car allowance, I immediately started shopping for what is my 2nd maxima. It's the only car i wanted.

 

i go to tech also!

 

I LOVE my 2001 Maxima SE (Auto)! I bought it new in June 2001, and spend a lot of time with my max (about 43,000 miles worth of time). It is a very comfortable car and has been very reliable. I love the power it has and only slightly envy the newer models. Would I buy my Maxima again absolutely! I enjoy driving the car, it has a certain feel to it! Yes I'm not at all impressed with Nissan service, but I wasn't inpressed with Chevy service either. I've had my share of problems, I had the notorious warped rotors from day 1. But nothing a nice pair of sport rotors from Stillen couldn't fix! I look at it this way; The Maxima was a great purchase, yes the newer ones are faster and have this and that. But that's marketing and all successful manufacturers are the same. So you'll always want the newer model regardless of make/model. That's my .03 cents!

Robert

 

Well, I wasn't really asking whether you'd like to move up to a newer year. I just wanted to know whether you were happy with the purchase, and whether you're still happy with. Basically, I've been doing a lot of reading on this post for about a month now, and have noticed more and more people having serious complaints, almost to the point where they make it sound like they regret buying the car. So I just wanted to know people's opinions about how satisfied they are with the car--so far so good,everybody likes it!!!

 

I'm really happy with my 2002 SE. I have small problems, like everyone else, but it helps to know that it's a common problem that is "normal" and can be fixed by Nissan

I'd be more scared if I was having problems that no one else has heard of, and had to rely on the dealer's diagnosis.

It's really a solid car, and you'll always find a website with people who are having problems. You just have to put that into perspective, and also keep in mind that the website usually represents the "Fanatical" people who love their cars and pay close attention to detail (Like me). The "typical" Maxima owners that I've met, don't even notice the Wind Noise, Cracks in the Sunroof Shield, or Paint Chips.

Grey2002

 

I've been very pleased with my 2K2 6 speed. I have not had the number of issues that other 2K2 owners have had, but mine was a later production date, which I'm thinking might be the difference.

I have a good dealership. They have been very accomodating so far...Pretty cool senior tech. We've shot the sh*t about mods on a couple occasions!!

Yup, I'd but another one!!

 

I have to agree that while the car does have issues (as stated by other members on the board) I am having a blast with mine.

I am a little miffed about the 15 hp thing...when you say 255 hp I expect to be close to 255 hp (+/- 5 or so) not 240.

Also show me one car forum that DOESN'T have it's members complaining about one thing or another...everything from SVT Mustangs to new M3's have had their share of problems.


So I take that I got a good carr at a great price and leave it at that. If Nissan is willing to do something about the HP and paint issues I'll wait on line to get those fixes, if not I'll enjoy my car for what it's worth.

 

Yeh, I'm like that too with attention to detail. Even though the car is considered the most bang for your buck, spending anywhere between $25 and $30Gs, you'd think the service would at least be a somewhat pleasant experience (or at least not a horrible one). I'm really looking forward to getting it sometime within the next month, so maybe if I pick up a later production model, some of the small annoyances will be eradicated. But, keep the opinions coming. It's very helpful to know what issues/probs I might be running into.

And, also let me say that this board is DA BEST! A lot of knowledge over here, and unlike some other boards I've visited, everyone HERE is respective of others and not a lot of flaming going on here. I think this board is a great asset to any Maxima owner of any year (and perhaps to any car owner, unless it's a competitor of Max's, in which case there IS flaming... ), and I'm sure you all feel the same way. Let's keep this board like this.

 

I'm happy with my car though it's been thru several TSBs within past 3 months. Everything works out great expect for the wind noise.
You got what you pay for and there is no doubt that this is the best bang for the buck. Love the ride!

 

Love the car. My favorite car I've owned so far. I think, like others have pointed, the fact the you found the org means you came across a huge amount of info say all the max's flaws are very evident. Plus the fact that org members are for the most part enthusiasts that pay far more attention to their car than the average owner so they are more aware of the Max's problems. I also think that most of us drive our cars harder and mod the car more than the average owner which could lead to some problems that might not otherwise occur.

I've talked to several people who own the Max before buying mine. These are the type of people who would think I'm a freak for talking about CAI vs HAI and probably wouldn't know the difference between 15's and 17's. ALL of these people have had zero problem with the MAX and love the car.

That's it. Can't beat the total package for the price.

 

I definitely see what you're saying about us being enthusiasts and paying closer attention than the average Joe. But, problems such as paint chipping when a mosquito hits the car is really unacceptable. Since the paint is what gives your car most of the look from the exterior, I don't think we should have to fear driving on the highway or having someone lean against our car because the paint may chip. I haven't heard any Honda owners complain about their paint issues (please don't start saying "yeh, but the Honda sucks because ..." cause I know it sucks when it comes to power, looks, and lack of *personality* ). But then again, you win some you lose some, so I'm thinking this car is still the best buy for the money, which is why I'll be getting one shortly.

 

I had an 89SE 5spd and loved the car. I have an 02SE 6 spd and the car is absolutely better in every aspect (except turning radius which is slightly worse). I had the recalls but each time my dealer worked very quickly to resolve them (so dealer experience does vary). I do not regret my decision at all but my criteria may not be the same as yours. I seriously considered other cars (330i, A4 3.0l, S4, etc.) but every time it simply came down to cost. You can get a better car but you have to pay quite a bit more to get it. IMHO, the only car that comes close is the Acura TL Type S and that costs more.

 

The cars you mentioned (330i, A4 3.0, S4) are MUCH MUCH more expensive than the Max. Well, the A4 3.0 is prolly around $35-37K (loaded, correct me if I'm wrong...), but the S4 and 330i are already in the $40K range, so unfortunately that's outta the question for me. Also, I think the Max is good also because it's got room in the back seat, so if you have some friends you want to haul, the 330i, S4, and A4 are pretty cramped in the back seat.

 

I have had at least 12 Datsuns>Nissans since my fist new 510 in 1969, so do I like them, yes and I will probably buy another. Problems are few compared to the competition.

 

Sure I have had my fair share of issues with my car, particularly with the Bose radio, but all things aside, I am happy with my Max. Every car is going to have some type of quality issues and the Max certainly has some but I seem to enjoy my car more and more each day despite some of the quality issues. It is just plain fun to drive, especially with the 6 speed.

 

I've got a 2K. I flew half way across the country and drove it back. All cars have their issues. You deal with them and move on. I've had mine a little over a year and I still get a rush when I turn on to an empty freeway on-ramp.

 

overall, i am happy with my 2k2 GLE. i agree with most others that every car is prone to its issues...people who are on a car forum, by definition care more and are more attentive to their cars. we are able to detect and actually try to fix a problem that someone else may just ignore.

i am a bit irked by this 15 hp thing...i mean, materially it isn't a huge issue, but i can't help but feel a bit cheated.

 

Absolutely right, all of these cars cost anywhere from 8-15k more than a Max when comparably equipped. That was my point. A 330i (~10k more) is cramped but a 530i (~15k more) is very close but then you are talking more money and a slower car. The S4's (~14k more) are cramped but they do have AWD and are significantly faster than a Max.

The only car I tried that performed as well as the Max but was even more cramped was a Acura RSX Type S. Very fast car, and costs less (~5k less). But the interior seemed like half the amount as the Max.

 

I absolutely love my 2K2, only slightly more than my 2K1 I traded in. I’ve had it for 10 months now and I still feel excited walking out to my car. I can’t say I would definitely buy my 2K2 again in hindsight because the call of the G35 coupe gets louder as the days gets shorter, but take the G35 out of the equation and I would definitely buy it again.

 

Max. What I like:
- The glorious engine
- The slick gearbox (i've a 5-speed)
- The huge interior
- It looks handsome in black/black, lowered, etc.
- Reliability....apart from the transverse link recall & my rotors which were turned once under warranty -no questions asked
- My dealer who has provided first-class service

What I dont like:
- The road noise -which I intend to make dent on this weekend with 70 square feet of Brown Bread noise damping material.
- The harshness over small, sharp bumps

Is it a Bimmer? No, but it is a supremely competent, comfortable car for the $$$..one which can humble lesser drivers in much more expensive cars? Definitely

 

I have no wind noise, no rattles but have experienced paint chips, brake judder, etc. I have a nose bra for trips, put on Stillen X drilled rotors and fixed the brake problem, have FSTB & RSB. This car (2K1 SE, 5SPD) runs and handles wonderfully at 30K miles. I have never had a service issue, other than the ones noted that I fixed myself. For the money, it is a great car.

 

If I could do it all over again I would have saved the 4 grand extra and got a used Audi S4. I was unhappy with the automatic 00 maxima, so I thought that a 02 6speed would make me happier. I had transmission problems in my 00 and again in my 02. oh well.

 

Howdy!

I love my Maxima. I have a '01 SE, and have had very few problems with it. I'm inching my way toward the 50K miles mark, and all I've really had to deal with was a SES light that was fixed in about an hour with a TSB when I was still under warranty. I have the warped rotors issue, but I plan on replacing those with 3rd-party ones anyway when I replace my front brakes.

I've done my own engine oil and filter changes, air filter changes, auto tranny fluid drains and refills, and patched flats on my tires. I've gotten rid of the crappy OEM tires when the treads wore away enough for me to justify a change. I put on a FTSB, and will soon add an RSB. I bought a complete Colgan Custom bra and mirror covers to better protect the paint for long trips, and I don't have an insane amount of paint chips anyway. I also wash and clean my car almost weekly to keep her nice and shiny.

I go to work extra early and leave a bit later so I can avoid the bulk of rush-hour traffic AND to let me drive the car faster. I love driving...period. And the fact that I have such a nice car to drive in makes me love driving even more. The Maxima opened my eyes to Nissan performance so much that I traded in my old '93 Civic DX for a '02 Sentra SE-R for my girlfriend to drive, and we both love that car too (it's a blast to drive!).

There are plenty of cars better than the Maxima, but the list dwindles down a lot when you go under $30,000. The Maxima has always been, and, hopefully always will be, a great value. Would I buy the Maxima again? When it goes full-sized in 2004...maybe not because that's a bit on the big side for me. But if I had to do it all again, yes, but this time I would go for a '01 Anniversary Edition since that is the perfect 5th gen in my eyes.

I still love and agree with that previous Maxima slogan...Cars Like It: 0

 

I've had my 2001 Maxima for 9 10 months now and I have the following to say:
1) Quite interior
2) Very comfortable big seats
3) Lots of room
4) Great excelleration if floored (since I have auto- obviously not as responsive as a manual)
5) Solid body
6) Great looks
7) Composed handling

On the down side:
1) Some interior stuff like the dashboard is easy to scuff kind of on the cheap side
2) Car is kind of heavy which doesn't inspire spirited driving on the windies. The fourth gen was a lot more fun to drive.
3) Resale value.

All in all, I love my Maxima, just wish I had the 2002 Maxima with more horsepower or chose the manual trans to begin with.
So, lets say if I could do it again, I would have bought the 2002 Maxima for a little more or 2001 Maxima with manual.
I am still a very happy owner. Very reliable unlike my previous Mazduh 626 v6 which doesn't even perform like a v6 and even some four bangers can beat. The Mazduh also had very violent shift action from the automatic. If resale value of the Maxima was better I would have nothing to regret whatsoever. But, I have been paying an extra 200 dollars per month towards my loan so I'll be way ahead.
Once this Maxima is paid off, it will probably be a decision between Honda and Nissan because I think that Hondas upping the horsepower- example: the new Honda Accord w/ 240 horses. Honda also has higher quality interiors.

 

Dang, I love the few and far between discussions when we actually have a thread where everybody's showing love for their max, rather than bashing it.

 

43k miles on a 2k SE 5-spd. What can i say the car fits me well. before i bought it, i was looking at 2k/2k1 passet's and max's. i guess nissan is in my blood, two z's ('84 & '88) no longer own and now '00 Max.

problems, yes! nothing major so i'm happy. plus, finding a forum like this has helped me out so much. with any car you buy u'r gonna have some problems, small or not.

i can honestly say that overall the max was a great choice for me. i've found a nissan service department that i can live with. turns out that the service manager went to school with one of my best friends. lucky me! he knows that i have handling/performance modding in my future. so once i start, and can't find what i need here, i will give him a call. i know some of the tech's there are into the aftermarket tuning scene.