Well, the 03' SE is actually my wife's car. It is a Gray Lustre with an automatic transmission, which my wife absolutely hates, but we got such a good deal on the car we couldn't pass it up. We were driving a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport, so I ain't complaining. Anyway, this car started it's life at a Hertz rental car place in Georgia and we are the 2nd owners of it. I don't know if this thing has had the crap run out of it or what, but I will tell you this, this car kicks serious a$$! It had 25,000 miles on it when we bought it and now it has 42,000 miles on it. The only thing that has went wrong with the car has been a power window switch on the driver's side, that's it. Well anyway, these cars rock, but I wanted to let you all know that we got a good one, and I hope all of yours are good too. I will definitely buy another Nissan.

 

I must have rented a couple of dozen 02-03 Maximas. Had my foot in them quite a bit but never beat on them. They are great for the money especially at the price you paid. Chi area Hertz $15.9--16.9K

 

Glad you like it! Overall i'm pretty damn happy with mine as well, a few mods and exterior changes and you'll get many looks and compliments

 

I guess you got lucky w/ that rental Maxima. People usually treat rental cars like crap.

 

Well, if they treated this one like crap, I will have to thank them. This car will stay with my 92' 5.0 Mustang that is making over 300 hp on motor until I hit 3rd gear. The Max actually pulls out ahead of me and I have to play catch up.

 

I dont know about NA Maxima beating a 300HP stang

 

I didn't say it would beat it, I said it will jump out on it, by the time I hit 3rd in the Tang, I am about a car length past the Max. I wouldn't tell stories about my own cars unless they were true, and I have to give praise to Nissan for building an awesome Family Sports Sedan! It is our first Nissan, but it won't be our last.

 

Maybe you just worded your previous thread wrong. I thought you said you had to play catch up in your mustang because your Maxima pulled ahead.

Either way, Maxima is a sweet car!

 

No, I worded it right, the max does get out ahead. automatic max vs 5 speed tang, nothing but tire spin if you launch agressively, but yeah, i am giving the max praise, it is an awesome car.

 

Yeah the 02/03's can out launch and maintain the lead on alot of cars, if you can launch it right its a rocket for what it has and is. Lots of people in my car when I launch hard are like damn this car can move and when I punch it from a roll it moves out as well.

 

I've beat the crap out of every rental I've ever had. I run over trash cans, do neutral slams, fart as much as I can in them, and pick my nose and leave the boogers on the back side of the steering wheel. J/K

Glad yours is holding up so, true test of quality. nissan

 

what was the problem with the driver side window?

Why does your wife hate the max?

 

I've seen dealers sell those same ex Rentals for 17-21K or more, especially if they are on an Infiniti or Nissan lot. Prices actually seem higher now as quantity is decreasing.

 

The switch had a short in it and became inoperative. And she hates it because it is an automatic instead of a 6 speed. She likes the car, hates the tranny.

 

I had the same experience. Bought an ex-rental for my wife and am tricking it out. I've found it much easier than I thought to talk her into mods since it's "her" car. Got it with around 30K on it, up to 34K now. Had the full warranty service done, purrs like a kitten. I'm a bit concerned about some of the TSBs (hesitation, etc) but have no evidence of any problems, so hoping all is good after the warranty runs out. Got it for around 17k.

Bless the org for teaching me the best ways to make it a truly sweet ride while avoiding the rice look.

 

How about paint chips, blown MAF, crappy tires and sucky customer service? I guess you got lucky huh?


~limsandy

 

She doesn't like the "automagic", huh?

 

Me love the auto tranny. But want the 6speed.

 

You want a stick in Chicago? I couldn't imagine all that shifting while driving around in the city. My first two Maxs were 5 speeds. My 02 has the 4 speed auto. I am getting to the point where I don't like shifting in city driving and stop and go traffic. I still have a 5 speed KingCab though.

 

Hey just FYI, after 50K miles my 2000 Max really benefited from a fuel filter replacement... I'd recommend getting that done at the dealer

(did it myself, uhh, check my thread below or on the 2nd or 3rd page... it was a nightmare)

 

Hey guys thanks alot for your support and questions/comments. Yeah I love the car and it is whole lot better that a Crapolet Cavalier, even with an automatic. But who knows, maybe her next car can be a 6 speed new body style max, we'll just have to wait and see. Whatever it is, you can bet it will have a manual tranny.

 

how do you launch yours?? do you power brake at 1500 rpms??? glad you're lovin the car Jimmy, welcome to the fam..

 

Well to tell you the truth, I just hit off a dead idle. I have tried it both ways and it still has the same results, tire smoke. But when hit off a dead idle, the torque converter flashes up real quick and once it stops spinning it is hauling a$$.

 

Nope I just feather it then gun it, I will usually get 10 mph and gun it and I have had some impressive launches that way. Or I will push it half way down for a sec then gun it that works well to, no powerbraking at all.

 

i've done it both ways that you've said and got little to no tire spin but a lovely launch. i just like to see h ow people launch these beasts. i think feathering it has worked the best though. thanx man.

 

Okay.....that is just plain gross....now I am not going to rent a car because who knows what people have done in the car.