I'm soon to be buying either a 00 or 01 Maxima so I can stop dreaming and start playing! My big question is there any real difference between the 00 and 01? The body is the same but what about the grill, or dash clusters? Anything I should know or care about? Also, if I plan on supercharging my Max, does it matter on buying an stick vs. auto (can the auto handle the extra torque?)?

Thanks for any insite, and I hope to soon be wise and almighty as you to help others along the way.

 

They're essentially the same, no differences that I know of, and autos can be s/ced too.

 

The only thing I can think of is the availibility of the 17" 6-spoke SE rims, they weren't availible for much of 2000.

 

I'd get a 01 for a couple reasons, probably not 100% logical-

1. It's a year newer. Hey, why not?
2. Different intake plenum from the 00 -- isn't the 01 metal or something? The 00 is plastic, and I just have a distrust for plastic engine components.
3. (kinda applies to a lot) Some of the "kinks" are worked out. Have any 01 owners had the O2 sensor probs some 00's have (which I have not experienced yet, thankfully)? I understand the coil problem is still there, but oh well. Some 2k2-2k3(?) owners also use the 2k1's MAF sensor as a replacement, since it can be purchased as a single module.
4. The 01 can be had in the Anniversary Edition. That has a lot of cosmetic trinkets. Plus it can be had in VLSD too (look for the metal drilled pedals)

Alas, I have an '00, and I like it. It's a 5-speed manual, and it has the leather interior, sunroof, auto climate control, etc. (plus my own sound system). I just wish it had an LSD or Quaife, a tighter clutch (gonna put a stage 1 in there after the stock one goes), some lighter wheels, and my planned suspension mods (Tokico Illuminas, stage 1+2 SFCs). The wheel hop is a pain in the **** too, but I'll see how that is after the struts are replaced (someone said the Illuminas help with wheel hop??)

 

The only thing is that in 2001, nissan offered the 20th anniversary edition which came with a sweet body kit, 5 more horses, and little AE doodads. By the way a s\c auto wont be as much fun as a manual. You wont be able to use it to its full potential! Hope this helps man, good luck!

 

The tail lights are different too...00 have a ugly all red lense where as the 01's have the carbon fiber look to them....Go with a Loaded 01 SE youll like it...or the AE with a stick

 

ugly red lense only applies to gxe/gle's... doesn't matter what year 00 or 01

pick the 01 simply for the fact that they had an extra year to fix small problem in a new design. if you closed the doors on a 02-03, you can tell they build quality is better than the 00-01 (IMO)

 

True...good call....

 

Yeah, my '00 SE has black "carbon-fiber-lookalike" taillights.

 

01 has a nicer steering wheel then the 00 with steering wheel radio controls and the Dim rear view mirror which helps a lot. The climate control on the 00 only goes up to 85 while the 01 goes up to 90. The 01 is just simply a little bit more reliable since they had a lot of bugs on the 00. I think even the 01 is lighter because they took out some kind of metal in the front for saftey(not sure though).

W/E you do, get MANAUL. 2000/2001 Maximas with auto tranny SUCKKK, get the stick for really good performence especailly if you are planning to add a supercharger(you'll get A LOT more out of the manual)

Oh, also, get an SE since the suspension is wayy too soft on the GLE/GXE and plus the SE tail lights look a lot better

 

I agree with most of you with the SE is better. I didn't know that 01 is better than 00. I know of that the 00 didn't have audio control on the steering wheel and yet 01 has it

 

I love mine, never had a problem with anything execpt for the window regulator on the driver side had to be replace when it was rolling up very slowly. That's all I had.

 

well this is some insight on why my car has 16", I couldn't figure out why someone whould load a car up then get the smaller wheels, but I guess they would if thats all that was available. My car was built in May 1999, so it was early in the year, now I know!!!

 

Were did you get this information?? My 2000 Maxima's Climate goes up to 90!!! My 2000 was also built in 1999 and it came with the 17" 6 spoke wheels.

 

That's weird, my 2K only goes up to 85F... not sure when it was built though

 

The 17" 6 spokes were offered as an option for the '00 SE. As far as the climate control, mine only goes up to 85, too. I will have to check when mine was built as well. Hmmm, that's odd that yours goes up to 90.

 

my 2k SE has the 6-spoke 17's and has the black tails. Where do you guys get your information? The red tails were on the GXE/GLE on 2k. Blacks/carbon on the SE. And 85 is plenty hot on the climate control. I've never had it set above about 78. 90 would be hot as hell (literally)....

Just get an SE 5-speed if you can...tighter suspension and joy of a stick shift. Then add a rear sway bar and you will be happy with the handling with minimal investment (100-200 bucks)

If you are going to SC, plan on spending 3-4K on the SC'er....but the max has plenty of power without the SC. If you have this extra 3-4k sitting around, why not just get a 2k2 with the bigger engine?

 

Auto is ok as long as you don't go to high on the boost. Then you will have problems. I have been thru 2 auto tranny's in less than a year. So now I am going with a custom built auto tranny.
I like auto better for eveyday driving. That's why I stay with auto. I can drive, read a map, eat a taco, and drink some soda all at the sametime with the auto but they are not completely reliable.

Other than that. The 2000 are the same as the 2001

 

Automatics are SOOOO boring to drive though! But ill admit sometimes its nice to have when your stuck in traffic! But id never drive anything but a manual.

 

The 00 SE was suppose to have 17" but they only became available in Sept-Nov '99 before that everybody got 16". (I think 5th gen went on sale in June)

 

I was more referring to black tails, I know the 17's were not on all the 2k SE's. But thanks for the dates.