Okay boys,

Since i have owned a 2k2 for almost 8 months (and smashing it, see sig below) and having driven my new 2k3 for about 1.5 months, i would like ot tell you what i have found. BTW, my 2k3 has a DECEMBER 2002 build date meaning its the LAST maxima ever built in the 5 th gen body

Similarities between 2k2 and 2k3
--------------------------------
- 6 speed trannies in both model years SUCK. THey really grind, and feel very notchy.
- The on off throttle in traffic still sucks in both. Car jerks when you let go of the throttle and then re apply almost as if the car bucks.. I wonder if that ECU update cures this
- Chrome silver looks a lot nicer than sterling mist

Why 2k3 is much better than 2k2
-------------------------------
Brakes:
When i had my 2k2, after 1000 kms, my brakes were WARPED, or i was getting severe pulsation. then about 10,000 kms it went away, then came back at 15,000kms and sucked all the way up to 30,000. Funny thing is a week before the accident, i had the rotor turned. In the 2k3, even after hard braking and 5,000 kms, no brake warpage. Nothing, brakes are flawless. I believe nissan used different rotors on the 2k3 or one with improved materials.

Instrument cluster:
2k3 NO LONGER HAS DIMILY LIT SES LIGHT.. A problem that plagued my 2k2 and was virtually unrepairable from the eyes fo the retard dealerships, is now GONE FOR GOOD..

Materials used/fit and finish:
I noticed yes the 2k3 has nicer finished materials and the nice 2k1 style anniversary edition side sills. BUT.. I really noticed that my 2k3 was MUCH BETTER PUT TOGETHER than my 2k2. How do i know this? well I installed my audio system replacing the entire bose system in my 2k2, and all the panels were so easy to pull apart. IE. door panels pulled out easily. On my 2k3, when i removed panels and dash parts, it was REALLY HARD to pull apart. It appears that much care was used int he 2k3 to ensure everythign was on TIGHT, infact SUPER TIGHT.. NO dash rattles reported here.

Fuel Economy:
I noticed that my 2k3 w frankencar APEX intake had much better fuel economy over my 2k2. At first i thought i was just dreaming but i noticed that it was true ( I mark every gas receipt with the number of kms travelled) and i noticed i am getting consistent better fuel economy over the 2k2. BIg thumbs up with the large increase in fuel prices from last year


OVERALL:
---------
I am sort of glad i destroyed my 2k2 and got a 2k3. Much of the things i complained about are non-existent in my 2k3. I am living proof that you should NEVER buy a car in its first produciton year.

Only gripes I have now is sloppy handling (to be fixed), grinding tranny (hmmm i don't know what ot say), and on off throttle jerking..

Good bye

ED

 

I have an 03, and the tranny doesn't grind. Are you getting sporadic grinding, or is it only when you do certain things?

 

Realize that the sample size is too small for a comparison so I'll take your comments with a grain of salt. Glad you are enjoying your '03.

 

I agree with him because alot of the things people complained about in the 02's people with 03's arent complaining about!

 

But their are differences in early v late build dates even in the same MY. My car has not one rattle and the brakes have been great. I do have the dim SES light, but a few with 2K3s have complained about this too. I couldn't be happier with my car...BTW build date is Jan/02.

 

The ECU update does not cure that particular on/off problem, unfortunately. But it did get rid of my hesitation, acceleration is smooth now.

 

IMHO your tranny and drivability problems are user related.

Glad to hear you're happier with this car though.

 

Mr. SR20DEN..

How did i not know that you would make such a comment!! Hahha

Yes i do enjoy my 2k3 alot more.. But i guess i am just so used to driving a maxima in general, that my 2k3 doesn't feel new at all..

As for the gear grinding, yes it is SPORADIC (<== i think thats the spelling) because sometimes it shifts so silky smooth.. But in the end, out of the 3 2k2's + 3 2k3's i have driven in the past year, this is what i found is that the 6 speeds are all like that..


VQ35DE POWER

ED

 

Your 2k3 will have the same dim SES light. I have 18000 miles on mine and its there. Sorry to ruin the fun.

 

I see none of your 2k2 problems in my car.. I guess it's just the luck of the draw ...

 

Remember, mine is a DECEMBER 2002 BUILD.. the last of the 5th gen maximas..

ED

 

The shifting in the 6 speed is garbage, especially compared to the 5 speed I had in my 2001. One thing remembere here. We have climate changes every 15 minutes. When my car is cold, or colder, it hates going from 1st to 2nd. When its warm the car, it shifts like butter. My experince has taught me, play with the gears 2-3 times, before you head on your way. Loossen things up.

FYI, even when my 2001 was cold, it had no problems going in and out of gears...

 

Many people have reported the notchy shifting when cold have disappeared when they swapped the tranny fluid with redline synthetic. I am doing this this weekend, so I let you know my results.

 

Yes, any good aftermarket oil seesm to have rave reviews. What grade oild does teh tranny require? I may do the same ASAP.

 

75W-90

 

Is that stock Grade? Does everyone who does aftermarket tranny oil use stock grade? Also, does it matter how much mileage u have?

 

You cant really say that first year of production cars suck and have problems....I have a 2000 base SE, one of the first built and I have been virtually problem free, so basically yea it is just luck of the draw.

 

why do you think this? 2002s were still being built in Jan 02 and Feb 02. i would think that 03s would also be built in Jan 03.

 

I've got a '03 SE, and besides the lousy shifter and the on/off problem, I haven't experienced any other problems so far(then, again, I've only got 4,400 miles on the car). But can anyone tell me, how I would be able to tell whether or not I got stuck with the "dim SES light"? I've always thought that it can be brighter, but I don't have anything to compare it against. Thanks.

 

Nissan changed nothing about the 03 Maximas. The build quality is the same. The dim ses light also affects the 03. As far as brake rotors I have a 02 and my brakes are flawless. I really don't think Nissan invested any money in improving the quality between 02/03. But are greats cars only difference between the two is the year.......

 

Nissan changed nothing about the 03 Maximas. The build quality is the same. The dim ses light also affects the 03. As far as brake rotors I have a 02 and my brakes are flawless. I really don't think Nissan invested any money in improving the quality between 02/03. But are greats cars only difference between the two is the year and the option packages...........

 

I am pretty sure Nissan is using same crappy rotors on 2003 Maxima. My rotors went bad at about 18K miles, until that there were perfect.

Also, what is that dim SES thing people talking about?

 

Hey MiniRX7...I'm curious as to your MAF....I noticed you put on the frankencar the day after you took delivery on the 03...has ur sensor blown yet?

my build date is 9/02 and am worried if it will fry...I bought the stillen pop charger and I got 400 miles on the car

 

I think the problem with Frankencar intakes is if you're not extremely careful during the installation, you can have the oil from the filter drip on the MAF, and this will cause it to fry. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

most people that buy the frankencars buy them with the Apexi filter which utilizes NO oil

 

Alright, my bad. I could've sworn I read that somewhere though.

 

that was a theory. but i think its been proven that even the non-oiled filters (like the dry Apexi filter)are causing MAF failures too.

 

hes right. it wouldnt make sense since the new model was coming out soon anyways. no need to spend money on the old version. no company does that. its a matter of luck in getting a better car plain and simple

 

I have the apex-i filter, no problems yet... Put on 5000kms with it, still no problems.. REdline shifting, WOT, no problems.. But knowing my luck, i think my MAF might go..

Crossing fingers though..

And let me put it this way.. BUILD DATES do matter, because I have the NEWEST MAF... Plus what ever tsb's were apparant in previous years seems to have been done to this car.. but i could be wrong..

I just feel like this 2k3 is built better than the 2k2..

I had all sorts of crap happen to my first 2k2. but NEVER ONCE took my 2k3 in even after 5000kms..

ED

 

Your 2K2 WAS A LEMON, can you understand this simple concept? ALL 2K2's do not give trouble like yours did. And honestly i think i speak for a lot of Org members Thank goodness your 2K3 isnt a lemon so we wont have to see all your complaints.....still cant believe you bought a another max after all you said about your 2K2.

 

You got my curiosity up...where and how do you determine the build date.

I want to check mine at lunchtime.

thanks

Vic Vogel
2K3
NEW SPOILER JUST ATTACHED!

 

drivers side door