Got my 2003 Maxima GXE in September and love the car. Since I moved to this car from a 1997 Honda Civic HX, maybe it takes some getting used to. I put over 100,000 miles on my Honda and hope that I can do the same with the Nissan Maxima. Sometimes it seems the car does not handle very well. It seems that the alignment is a little off so I am going to ask the dealer about it. As well there seems to be a little hesitation upon some take offs from dead stops. Maybe its me and getting used to driving a different car and a bigger car.

I was at first very interested in the Altima 3.5 and had my mind set on getting it. When the dealer had me test drive the Maxima, I fell in love with it. Hopefully I made the right decision.

 

You will for sure be able to put 100k+ on your maxima with just general maintenance. My neighbor put over 200k on it and never had a problem but the normal wear and tear items.

Dixit

 

The hesitation problem is on both the Altima and the Maxima.

 

You'll definitely be able to go 100k. My 90 was at 140k and kickin strong, and the secretary at my office has had two maxes, one went to 200, the other to 300.

As a side note, please enjoy your car and don't fall into the recent rash of complainer syndrome that is circulating around here.

Zog

 

Hi,
Got my 03 Max on Oct 29 after looking at everything from a Sunfire to an X5 - traded in a loaded 99 Durango. When I first drove the Max I knew it was something exceptional. Here in Winnipeg there is very little selection available (city of 600,000 - two dealers) and as a result no 6 speeds to be had so I ended up with the auto. I would have liked a 6speed but on the plus side with 255?hp even with the auto this car moves pretty good and handles very good for stock. In my more carefree days I had a Z28 back when they ran on leaded fuel and used cubic inches and fuel flow for power - loved the 4 speed manual.
I have the GXE model - a demo the dealer had with less than 4000 miles on it that he wanted to move (the discount on MSRP was good) and he was the only one that would give me a half decent trade in for the Durango so I think we both won on this deal. He thru in a few things at his cost one of which was the 6yr/160,000km/100,000 mile extended warranty.
If anyone knows where to get the FTSB&RSB for an 03 and could pass that info along that would be great. It's a great car and it's nice to find a site like this where people enjoy their cars and driving.

 

www.cattman.com / www.stillen.com / www.customaxima.com Stillen is very expensive, but their FSTB is very thick and made very well as most of their parts. RSB's have been tested by members here owning both the stillen and the Addco and addco seems to be the favorite. The addco is only $120 compared to the Stillen which is almost $300.

As far as the reliability is concerned, I have a coworker that has a 1990 Maxima that still runs like a new car. The only rust on it is where it had been repainted after an accident. Otherwise the car looks fantastic. I asked about the reliability and he said that he's only replaced normal wear and tear items.

 

Welcome to the fold man.

Make sure you keep up on the TSB's for your year Max...its worth free stuff...just do a search on TSB for 03 (if there IS any yet) and you will eventually find some things you can get fixed for free.

 

Same here normal wear and tear items with the minor exception of an oxy sensor. All in all my 95 maxima has 202,000 miles and is still currently my day to day driver. We like the care so much my wife has a 2000 maxima as well.