Folks,

I just bought a 2001 Maxima GXE automatic, that came with 16" alloy wheels. I noticed, much to my concern, a distinctly harsh ride than I thought the Maxima should provide, everytime I drove on the freeway and hit a little pothole. Also, with every bump, I can hear a jarring noice from either the A- or the C-pillar. Is this normal, or should I get the car looked at by a mechanic?

HELP! This is my first new car out of school, and it's pretty depressing that the car should behave like this.

TalkUIntoIt.

 

I've got a 2000 GXE & mine rides great. When I 1st got it the tires only had 28psi in them & it rode mushy. I aired them up to 38psi & felt every little ripple in the road so I backed them down to 35psi which seems to be a good compromise. On a recent businees trip to Austin I had 3 people in the car with me and they were all impressed with how smooth the Max rode. Do the 2001 GXE's have different springs or struts?

 

I think they have the same springs and struts as the 2000s. I just checked the air pressure now - they're all at 30psi. Theyre 16 inch Toyo's. Anything else you can think of, like a faulty suspension, or something like that?

 

Compared to other cars, I've noticed that the max does have a rougher ride... Not VERY rough, but rougher than many other cars in its class... (I test drove a LOT before buying)..

Personally, I don't mind... I'm still captivated with the performance.... :-) Patting myself on the back for how much "bang for the buck" i was able to get...

-Tom

 

Go back to your dealer & drive another GXE on their lot & compare the ride. If it feels different, have the mechanics check out your suspension.

2K GXE - Automatic
Icelandic Pearl
K & N Drop In

 

I have a 2001 GXE 16 Toyos and the ride feels a little rough to me too (new with 400 miles). Although when I first picked up the car the pressure was at 38, but then I had the dealer swap the wheels with another car that I thought drove better. They wouldn't admit it, but my original wheels I think were bent or not balanced right due to getting the shakes on the highway. These new ones ride better, at factory pressure (30/33) but it's still a stiff ride. They say it's just meant to be this way. What people have to be careful of, as I found out, that when test driving the car, make sure you check the tire pressure, because a low pressure will make the ride feel smoother and I don't think the dealers check the pressure, especially when it has been on the lot for a while.