Hi everyone,

I am new to this board and dont yet have a maxima but am planing on getting one soon. The help i need is i am looking at a used 2000 though 2003 and the way i understand is the 2000 though2002 SE comes with a 3.0 and the 2003 comes with a 3.5. My question is, is it worth the extra money to get the 3.5 over the 3.0? Please let me know thanks everyone.

 

If you have the money it's definitely worth the money. By the way the 2002 and 2003 both have the 3.5 engine.

 

yup yup, if you dont want to spend a lot of money, get the 2000-2001 (AE edition preferred), but you just have to decide if you want a gas guzzling 3.5 vs a semi gas guzzling 3.0. =)

 

i was also planning on getting an SE is that a good buy

 

Yes it is. SE has more of a sporty feel to it. I bought a SE over GLE and GXE

 

if i knew what i knew now i would have bought a 2k2 or a 2k3 se. for sure for sure. regardless people have a tendency not to mess with max's.

 

The HP increase is definetaly worth it IMO. Night and Day

 

Year for year...the SE has the same engine as the other trims (gxe & gle) and the same auto tranny as well. SE and GXE both come in 5-speed manual and this is only for years 2000/2001. For 2002/2003 only the SE has a manual tranny option and it's a 6spd.

The 2002/03 is worth the extra $. It has factory HIDs, nicer looking steering wheel, gated shifter for the auto, and a bunch of other goodies.

Get 02/03...you'll be happy

 

If you're power hungry, the 3.0 just won't do.

 

SE MAX are great cars... I have to admit, after owning a camry, beating my friend's honda accord all the time, and renting the E class sedan occasionally.... I find that MAX well worth the bucks.

Something I dont get is that a lot of people say that MAXIMAs has a greater depreciation in value when you are trying to sell the car back..... I dont think so........ people on the ORG would pay more knowing its potential

 

I agree with 6spmax. Also, knowing what I know now, I would definitely have gotten a 3.5. Regardless, I'm happy with the Maxima. I've had no problems and I love the car. Look for a loaded SE (leather, meridian, manual, etc.) you won't be disappointed.

 

The 00'-01' is a 3.0. As for the 02' and beyond is a 3.5. I'm satified with my 01'. I would love to step up to the 3.5 but there are a few things are different on the 02-03' SE from the 01'. That is the guage on 00-01's is all white face. The 02'-03 only have the white face on the speedometer and the tach. The gas and temp gauge are black. Not to mention that it has chrome rings and the 00-01' does not. I already got the chrome rings for mine that you can put in yourself.

 

i think i will have to get the 3.5 and i heard the the se has a 6 speed option i will defentlly go with that i will let all you guys know what i get and post pics for sure thanks again and i update you guys when there is news

 

Depends on your price range. Id rather buy an "expensive" 2000-2001 than "cheap" 2002-2003. Reason is that you get what you pay for, and free cheese only in a mouse trap. And dont trust carfax.

 

That's what I did. Mine is fully loaded with leather and a 5 year 100,000 mile bumper-bumper warrantee. I could have gotten a 2002 auto stipped with a small warranty for the same price but I'm happy for what i got.