2000 being the first year for the 5thgen, should it be avoided? Any weird problems, proprietary parts, anything that should make me avoid the 2000s?

I had made a longer post but someone apparently deleted it for some odd reason. I checked Search and the FAQs and couldn't find any info on this, so I don't see why it's not a valid question. Alas.

Thanks
Dope

 

u know.....it is a odd question to me....y the first year of 5th gen is not good??? i dont get it....2000 and 2001 r same cars..the only differences were maybe just several different options for 2001....2000 maybe offers fewer options....

but....there shouldn't be a difference.

 

It is actually a very valid question...and this coming from a man who stresses using the search feature!!!

Things that come to mind from reading posts for quite some time include: propensity for bad ignition coils, the cheap brake rotor problem we have all pretty much encountered, the lack of steering wheel radio controls, the bad paint we have all encountered. Not sure about other notable items for the 2000 vs. other years.

 

the 2003 is faster

 

100% agreed

 

Hmmm thanks for the reply. I've been reading about some of these problems. PAINT CHIPS PAINT CHIPS PAINT CHIPS is generally what I see, hehe. Are these specific to just the 2000 or is that ALL the 5thgens?

I really can't afford a 2001+, so I've been looking at 97-2000. Should I just disregard the 2000?

The lack of steering wheel controls is pretty crazy. Crap, my Camaro has steering wheel controls!

Dope

 

I dont see any reason to avoid the 2000 model. Personally, I love my 2000 SE fully loaded. Cars are not like software where the first version (in this case the first of 5th gen cars) have bugs. If you cant afford 2001+, go with the 2000.

 

I like the 2k SE, less computer controlled stuff, less electronic problem you have.

 

LOL. I dont think the 2000 Max has any recall either. There is really no difference in the 2000 and 2001 except the steering wheel controls are better looking and the 2k1 has volume control. Now its totally different with the 2k1 AE though. More body difference. Now 2002 and up. Well they got the bigger engine, but there is no room to stick a supercharger or anything else in the engine bay... Guage cluster is a bit different and shift console is different, HID's of course and little nic nacs.... But there is really no problem with the 2000 max as opposed to others except maybe a few had bad ignition coils like someone said above.

 

The paint chips plaugue all the 5th gens not just the 00 model. I have a n 01 SE and the only recall ice had done is the rear rotors being warped, and the wind noise which are both small things. Coils are fine, there is also a recall for the gas filler door. It needs a platic seal around the inside of it because it traps in too much dirt. AS for comp controlled stuff, same **** for 00-01 the 02-03 has drive by wire and variable timing so Id just go for an 03, well I am goin for an 03 soon!

 

I love my 2k. I've had no real problems other than the rotors.

 

Other then the 2K's having more TSB's then the 2K1 you can pick up a 2K for a pretty good price now

 

BTW, I went to Manheim auto auction in PA last month and 2k Maximas with 30k-50k miles were sold around 11k-13k.

 

Thanks for the input guys. The extra power in the 2002+ cars is pretty much useless to me as this car is going to be a winter beater - so it is not worth the price. I already have a plenty fast car for the warmer months (well, it's never fast enough, hehe). I'm just looking for something generic looking, reliable, can get out of its own way, 5spd, midsize (can hold 4 adults) and good gas mileage would be nice too. Max pretty much fits the bill, though I don't know how the mileage is. What do you 5spd guys normally get city/highway (real world)?

Dope

 

You may want to search on this...there have been tons of threads on mileage and the reasons for widely different numbers from people.

I drive 25 miles each way to work, am pretty spirited in doing so, and still get low to mid 20's.

 

a maxima as a winter beater?? HOW DARE YOU?!?
gas mileage is not that good.
and you would be suprised at the speed of the max. even a 2000. a 2003 could probably keep up with your "summer fast car"
sell the summer car and by a 2003 max. it will fit the bill for everything. carry 4 adults, reliable, AND FAST!!!!

 

I wouldn't say that the 2000's are generic or are a beater winter car. I love my Maxima. I'm a former Accord owner and the cars are night and day. I did have the TSB's done and have the extended warranty. I have the superblack with every option and put in woodtrim. I have had numerous compliments and the 2000 is plenty fast for me. Just my .02

 

Heh - my summer fast car is a modded 2000 Camaro SS automatic. Unfortunately you get used to the power, so even my 'slow' car has to be decently 'fast'. It's all relative - to a Civic driver, a Max would be crazy fast. My Camaro runs 12.8 @ 107 with bad traction issues and I still think that's too slow, just to give you an example of where I am coming from. I want to get a good daily driver to keep miles and wear off the Camaro as I will be getting into more major mods soon. I also am tired of risking someone crashing into me in the winter (I live in MA, some nasty winters up here) and also the salt damage is a big factor too. I am a big time domestic guy but I am giving the imports a shot. I think a Max will make a nice daily driver type car. I don't want to have to work on it, y'know? It'll maybe get some form of CAI, maybe some nice wheels (and use the stock wheels with snow tires). It'll be driven every day in the cold months, and maybe sometimes in the summer too (like when the Camaro is down for upgrades). If I like the 5spd enough I will probably convert the Camaro over to a 6spd too.

I'm surprised the mileage is so low though. I have a 3000 stall in my auto and I still get 18 in the city, 25+ on the highway. Typically 20 mixed, even with the mods. Oh well, maybe it's not the most economical choice but I guess you get what you pay for!

Dope

 

propensity for bad ignition coils, the cheap brake rotor problem we have all pretty much encountered, the lack of steering wheel radio controls, the bad paint we have all encountered

Valid Question.. My wife was a 2000 Volvo s80.. The first year 1999 S80's are to be avoided like the plague due to sooo many problems that were later fixed for later model years.. On the maxima however, the only problems I have had are: Replaced Rotors under warranty. replaced ignition coil ($150), replaced AC Blower motor (<$100).. The paint chips are a bother, but can be touched up easily.
Cheap for 3+ years use so far. Like most other Japanese cars,(i won't include my 94 RX7 TT in this category) this is a good car that should last a long time.

 

I've had no problems with my 2k in three years. And, IMHO, radio controls on the steering column is a useless addition when the radio itself is only inches away.

 

Not when you drive a stick they aren't.

Changing channels, volume, and gears without taking hands from the controls of the vehicle. I find them a very nice, and I don't exaggerate here, safety feature (as well as convenience).

 

Are you saying that you MUST change a radio setting at the exact same time you're shifting a gear? I've driven sticks for many years and never ran into that. I was always able to wait the extra second.

Now I'll concede those controls may be a convenience, but I wouldn't refuse a good deal on a used 2000 because of it.

 

Whatever.

When you drive over 18,000 miles a year, it is amazing how often it DOES happen.

 

how often do you really use it? just turn on the radio and leave it. or wait a second! listen my girlfriend can drive her 5 speed, talk on her phone, put on make up AND can still turn up the volume without steering controls if she needs to. if she can do it, then you can too
on my prevoius car i had an after market with a remote. i NEVER used it!!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jttaylor155
listen my girlfriend can drive her 5 speed, talk on her phone, put on make up AND can still turn up the volume without steering controls if she needs to.

This is the reason that cell phones should be illegal while driving. Period.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BiggD23

Quote:

Originally posted by jttaylor155
listen my girlfriend can drive her 5 speed, talk on her phone, put on make up AND can still turn up the volume without steering controls if she needs to.

This is the reason that cell phones should be illegal while driving. Period.

i agree and keep telling her that. but she is the best driver i have ever met. very impressed. can be crazy but is always safe

 

Where in MA are you from, I'm from Mansfield. Anyhow, just get a 2K for a low price. The ride is great, looks are good and it gets out of its own way with alittle extra on-tap.

 

You donot need to be looking at the 00 Max if your looking for good fuel economy and generic looks( have to disagree their),lol. You need to look for a 98-02 Accord 4cl 5spd, or 97-01 Camry 4cl 5spd those pretty much fit what your looking for although not fast. They hold 4 comfortably decent pick up and very economical.

 

And I wouldn't ever consider the Max for a winter car. Buy a Subaru. I live in Ma., and even with snows my car is like azz in winter weather.

 

Hmmm.

If I were looking at the car as a second car, I think I'd go with the least expensive version - a 95-96 5spd. A fully modded 4th gen (95-99) is just as fast as a fully modded 5th gen but the 95/96s weighed about 300 lbs less so they get the nod and are of course a bit faster.

I think that you will end up modding the car and you can do more to the 95/96 than the 97 up because it is obd I.

I like the interior of the 5th gen more but I like the exterior of the 4th gens (95-99) just as much (nice wheels go a long way). Really, the only feature the 2k has that is better than the 4th gen is the built in garage door opener. Of course, the 2k does not have the window roll down with the remote feature.

Plus, you can probably pick up a 4th gen for a steal. The cars are well lived and if you are into modding, you can probably do all the general maintenance.

Fyi - my wife's 96 has 160k on it and has only had one mechanical problem - a leaking oil pressure sending unit the 1st year we had it that cost about $100 to have the dealer fix (don't ask me why I didn't do it). And she drives the car hard believe it or not.

 

it cost me $30 back when i had my 4th gen.

honestly if i had to choose all over again i would not go back to a 4th gen.

1-quality is so much better
2-5th gen hauls AZZ on top end like u wont believe
3-they have less glitches.(i spent more money maintaining the 4th gen then i did my 2k max)
3-maximas are the best in world
4-did i mention how much azz 5th gen hauls on the highway?

 

try to go to dealer auto auctions, my friend picked up a 2000 gle fully loaded with 60k for $9500

 

Oh, I agree about top end in the 5th gen . . . look at my mods.

But, I have a buddy with a fully modded (except mevi) 97 and from a roll, there ain't much difference . . .honestly. The difference really doesn't show until the top of 4th. You can figure out what that is.

The 4th responds to mods better and the 2k/2k1's advantage is minimized by a 6500 redline. If we could get to 7200 like the early 4th, it would be a different story.

Quality in my 2k compared to my 96 - no difference. But I do like the interior better in the 5th. But if I put a nice aftermarket stereo in the 4th, I'd like it better.

I've spent far more money maintaining my 2k than my 4th gen. Of course, I'm harder on it, too.

 

I live in Wilmington MA. About 15-20 miles north of Boston.

I don't think any of you guys have any right to complain about driving in the snow, I've done it plenty of times in a 330rwhp RWD car with dry-only 285/40/17 tires all around. My 'real' winter tires are BFG KDWS on my factory wheels, smallest I could fit - 245/45/17. Been through plenty of snowtorms on those, never been stuck. Ever.

I think a FWD 6banger car with real snow tires will NOT be an issue.

Thanks for all the input guys. I guess what it'll come down to is what I can find a deal on. The 5thgens do look a little better, and do have a bit more power, so they are enticing. Like I said though, I wanted something generic looking, and the 4thgens fit that bill a little better. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Dope

 

thats where i got mine last summer for 18,600
daaaaaaaamn that price went down alot
But the only problem i had with my car is the MAF...and mad paint chips other then that the car is great

 

I have a 2K SE, 31,000 miles.

I love it. No problems apart for one episode of SES light coming on with a code indicating a "swirl valve" problem. The car drove just fine. (The problem was eventually diagnosed as a bad sensor input to the ECU, or something related, and the dealer replaced the ECU under warranty).

I get 20-22 mpg in the city, and 27+ mpg on the highwy. My best was 32 mpg on a long highway trip (from Bend, OR to Sacramento, CA).

 

2k Max here....warranty repair so far - warped rotors.

46k miles.

 

I have a stock 4th gen, 95 to be exact, and I raced my friend with a 2k from a stop 3 times. He has the full exhaust done, with the exception of a cat, and he has a CAI. Im stock. We were both automatic. I kept with him all the way through first gear, but he always beat me when we hit 2nd. I think the 4th gens (especially 95-96's) are faster than the early 5th gens, and IMO, they look a little better. Dont get me wrong, 5th gens look tight as hell, but I dunno, something about em.

 

this is generally a main concern with new generations but really more so with new models. It's not as big of an issue as it used to be, mainly in the 80's when all the new "electronics" were being tried out by GM and Ford. Their using the same engine theyve used for years, and such, yes there are new things, but I dont find it a problem. We bought our Durango the first year it came out (actually as soon as we could. had to buy it out of state because no instate dealer had any, also the out of state dealer is the largest dealer in the US for GM and Mopar. We knew we wouldnt have a problem with it because of it again uses the same drive train as theyve used for years, etc.

the honda pilot on the other hand..........


its good that you are doing research though, always goes in your favor.

MrGone

 

Who did you race now? Zach? Steve? Steve will pull on you quite a bit when you go into second. Same with myself, a stock 4th gen aut0 in th 15" blades tried me a few nights ago. I gave him the beafit of head start he took off like 1 sec be4 I did so he got a 1car jump off the line. By the time I was through 1st I was right next him and pulled 3 cars by the top of 2nd. The something that you dont like about the 5th gens is the tail lights Trust me!