The current Max produces 255hp, correct? What was the first model year the same motor with the same output was used in the Max?

What are the different letter designations used and what do they mean? SE, GXE, GLE, whatever, etc?

If somebody asked me for a website that offered comprehensive info about Buick Turbo Regals, then I would refer them to http://gnttype.org. It contains production figures, vendors list, detailed "how-to" articles and tech info, etc... Other than this site, what would your answer be to somebody who wanted a similar website for the Maxima?

The reason I'm asking is I'm thinking about buying a used Max. Thanks.

 

2000-2001 222 hp 3.0 v6

2002-2203 255 hp (allegedly) 3.5 v6

2k4 265 hp 3.5 v6

 

All of the 02 and 03 models have 255hp.. the 00 and 01s are a lot slower?

Kevin

 

Then I'll make sure I get a 2002 or newer. Do the 2002+ Maximas have 5- or 6-speed manuals?

 

2002-2003 6-SPEED manuals and boy do I love it.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Now that I know what to look for I just need to find one now.

Oh, and can somebody explain the trim options that are available for '02+ models and what they mean? Thanks.

 

IMO...get an 03 Titanium edition, it looks great....get the 6sp.

GXE...Base Model
SE...Sports Edition
GLE...Luxery Edition.

SE VS GLE...different rims and trim package. "Plastic" Wood grain vs titanium "plastic"

SE also has a different suspension pkg.

 

Thanks again. Looks like I'd prefer a SE.

 

yes depending upon what options you are looking for, the SE would be the way to go. The GLE comes with more standard, but is luxury like and doesn't have a sport tuned suspension.

If you get the SE, try and get the titanium package like me and some others on here; for the extra $900 you get a WEALTH of options, like Bose Stereo, titanium tinted wheels, aluminum door sills, side airbags, titanium stitched steering wheel/gear shift and some other ancillary items.

GXE's are base models, very hard to come by in the 02-03 vintage.

Good Luck!

 

 

I'm looking for a used one. So I don't know if I'll be able to get everything I want. Especially for a price that I want.

How much are these new (SE with all the frills and 6-speed)?

 

I paid $22k for my 03 Maxima SE, with auto, sunroof and titanium package with $1,500 rebate that expires 3/31.

Not sure about deals on used 02's or 03's, but the dealership near me had 50 brand new 03's on the lot that they were stuck with, so they worked me a good deal

 

However, the insurance companies have the SE classified as a "Standard Equipment" b/c that is what nissan told them it is. This allows the insurance to be a little lower than a "Sports Edition" rating.

This is what my insurance agent told me and that is why the "sport" edition Accord was a higher insurance that then higher valued and newer Maxima (which I got).

 

and the insurance companies actually believe this bull****

 

Brand new? If so, that's not bad at all. I thought they'd be in the high $20,000s, close to $30,000. But I guess that shows how much I know.

Where are you located?

 

I am in NY-bought my car in Nassau County if you are familiar with the area...yes it was new, 11 miles to be exact

 

Makes me happy. I don't really give a **** what the SE stands for except that it is "Sheer Exhileration".

Thanks Max00

 

got that right!!

 

Sorry, but I am not familiar with the area. I'm in N. Georgia close to a small city called Gainesville.

 

Actually never been to, but have heard of your area...

you should in all actuality be able to do better than me on your price simply because down south, they are starved for japanese car sales so dealers should want to work with you on price, but then again be that as it may their stock might not be as decent as up north here.

either way, good luck and for the extra couple $$, I'd say buy a new one not a used one

 

also, if you can find a 2k3, you can get the Titanium Edition (not availiable on 2k2) and that comes with a 6 disc in dash cd changer.

and there were a few "bugs" on the 2k2 that the 2k3 got rid of (6-speed tranny trouble in 3rd Gear) but there is still a little trouble even in the 2k3 Maxima's in regards to the 3rd gear on the manual tranny...

when driving hard, sometimes a downshift (or even upshift) into 3rd is accompanied by grinding...not fun. It doesn't happen ALL the time, but just whenever it feels like it...random grinding, mostly in 3rd.

good luck though...lots of fun to drive.

-vq

 

really? i thought the only gainesville was in fl.

 

so true!

 

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of interest rate did you get and what are your monthly payments?

One thing I like about getting a new one is I'll know how it was broken-in.

 

Just checked a couple nearby dealers online and it seems 6-speeds may be harder to come by. Each had a number of automatics listed, but no manuals.

 

not a problem....well to start with, I was quite upside down (negative equity) with my trade-in (2002 Altima 2.5SL)

ok so basically, put it like this...$2,000 down, $28k OWED on the 02 Altima, $22k buy out price on Maxima, $18,150 given as trade for 02 altima, leaves me with a finance note of $565 for 60months. (this is with a 2.9% interest rate-lowest available from Nissan- with the original interest rate on the Altima being 6.5%)

seems a bit hairy, but you need to understand I was upside down BEFORE the altima purchase. I had an 00 Hyundai Sonata that was worth crap!!! I owed ALOT more than I was given. So from there it just snowballed.

I plan on keeping this Maxima so I'm not worried.

 

So that payment is based on approximately $32K for 5 years, right?

Thanks.

 

about that yeah..I think it was $33k and change..

 

I see the recommended fuel for the Maxima is 91 octane or greater. Is there a way to monitor knock (or detonation, or pre-ignition, or whatever you prefer to call it)?

For example, I have a handly little tool called a Scanmaster for my other car. You splice it into the ALDL port and it tells you all kinds of nifty info. The default setting is O2 mV and degrees of knock retard.

The O2 mV tells you if you are running rich or lean. At WOT the system goes into "power enrichment" mode. After a WOT run you can hit the "recall" button and it will tell you the lowest value that occured (and at what speed). So you can tell if you need to adjust the fuel pressure more or less for optimal performace or to reduce knock.

The knock retard tells you how many degrees the computer is retarding the timing based on knock detected by the knock sensor. The recall button display the maximum value that occured (and at what speed it occurred if you choose to display it).

There are a number of additional parameters the Scanmaster will display, just as TPS voltage, Coolant temp, speed, RPM, air temp sensor value, load, air flow, etc...

It a very useful tuning tool. An image is attached.

Is there anything like this that Maxima owners use for tuning?

http://turboconnection.com/showcase/87gn/DSCN0213.JPG

 

and this is where is say, "HUH?"

 

What kind of ECM scanning tools are available for these cars to assist you in tuning them for optimal perforamnce?

 

no idea..I just throw 93 in there and goooooooooo!