Guys, I'm in the market for a Y2k-2K3 Max. However, I have a few questions before I start negotiating with dealerships and alike..

1) What's the difference between a SE | GXE | GLE [Price, Performance, Options etc etc]

2) What should I look for when buying a used Maxima i.e. problem areas ?

3) What are the most common problems with 2000-2003 Maximas i.e. how does the tranny hold up? Suspension ? etc etc...

4) If I buy a 2000 year model, can I install the HID lights ?

5) Of these years 2000-2003, is there any year model I should avoid ? If yes, why ?

Finally, I found a dealership of used cars selling a 2000 Black GLE [leather, Bose, Sunroof, Auto, Spoiler, Tints, Heated Seats, Power everything..] with 69K miles for $10,900 .. Is that a good price ?? I'm sure they'll lower the price further if I offered cash. The only concern is they won't let me take the car out to a Nissan dealer to have it checked. However, they are okay with me bringing in a mechanic to do a diagnostic..

I'm not too knowledgable on Maximas, so I don't really know what to look for [ I am somewhat mechanically inclined on domestics...just sold my quite modified 99 Pontiac Grand Prix GTX [GTP with SLP Package] ] the car does look clean inside out.. the leather's a bit worn out, but everything seems to be in order... It has an aftermarket alarm [ no biggie ]

If this is a good buy, what should I look for [trouble areas, or signs of modifications by previous owner..]

Please post and help!!

Thanks!!

 

[QUOTE=BlownGTX]Guys, I'm in the market for a Y2k-2K3 Max. However, I have a few questions before I start negotiating with dealerships and alike..

1) What's the difference between a SE | GXE | GLE [Price, Performance, Options etc etc][quote]

se - stiffer suspension and better handling
gxe - base model, but also the lightest
gle - "luxury" model. wood grain and chrome if you're into that.

paint, coils, rotors, wind noise and other common tsbs.

see above.

yes

if any, the 2002. lots of bugs it seems.

not a bad price, but a big red flag on the no go to the dealership. talk to the local nissan dealers. they might know something that you don't and they don't want you to.


why? dealers make money off of financing cars. it's all cash in the end.

that concerns me too.

oh, btw, don't look for an easy or cheap way to mod the max like you could with the 3.8L sc.

 

[QUOTE=BlownGTX]Guys, I'm in the market for a Y2k-2K3 Max. However, I have a few questions before I start negotiating with dealerships and alike..

1) What's the difference between a SE | GXE | GLE [Price, Performance, Options etc etc]
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GLE's are Sexier


2) What should I look for when buying a used Maxima i.e. problem areas ?
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Mentioned already; additionally, if it hasn't been fixed already, on 01 & 02's there may be hesitation between gears 1 and 2 OR 2 and 3. Another MINOR problem is the rear deck rattle from the subwoofer; unfortunately, i think this is with all 00-03.

If you like it, take it. I have an '00 GLE. Great car after the bugs are fixed. The only major problem I've faced were ignition coils; when failen, they make your luxury car drive like crap.

 

Walk away...there is something being hidden if they dont want you to take the car to have it inspected. There is only so much an on site inspection can give you.

There are tons of Max's around...keep looking.

 

GXE-avalible in auto and 5spd for 00-01 model, no sunroof, no bose availible. 5spds didn't come with alloy wheels, no power seat, 4 speaker AM/FM tape stereo. They have the same engine, same transmissions as all Maximas ( but the Aniversary 2001 model - 5spd has limited slip differential in the tranny ). They had all the basic features as power windows, locks, mirrors, remote keyless entry alarm, ABS, dual airbags. They had the all red tail lights and no badges on the back- GLE or SE had those on there. The Maxima badge is still there ofcourse. 5spd GXEs where the lightest 5th gens, and often put out 200WHP at the wheels stock- look around the forums to see peoples dynos on 00-01 GXE 5spds.
02-03 GXE came with only automatic trans and the "255HP" 3.5L engine.

I belive the 3.0L Maximas are the least problematic ones out of all Maximas. Watch out for warped rotors- pullsation on breaking, wind noise from rear windows- there is a technical bulletin on that from Nissan. Ignition coil problems on lower mileage 3.0L 5th gen Maximas might exist. MAFs tend to puke out alot- usually at higher mileage or when the car has been modified.

I belive this is all the info U might need on a GXE, since I own a 01 5spd GXE I know all bout GXEs. Only upgrades SE and GLE have are- power seats, leather, sunroof, BOSE stereo, diff tail lights on the SE, heated seats etc.... basically stuff that just is worthless and in the long run breaks- as in BOSE, and leather wears out semi quickly- requires conditioning etc. I chose a GXE cause it was the cheapest, plus I was going to modiffy it anyways so fancier stereo or still soft to my liking SE suspension woulda gotten ripped out anyways.

 

if it was me, i'de get the 2k2+ because it has a few nice refined touches over the 2k-2k1. i would recomend a 2k2+ with the 6speed hlsd tranny. nissan doesn't make great auto trannies at all.

 

Very interesting information guys!! Thanks!

I'm gonna let that 00 GLE go unless they agree to let me have it checked out at a Nissan dealership.

Now, the 00-01s have the 3.0L 200 HP / torque ? engine and the 02-03s have the 3.5L 255 HP/ torque ? engine. Is that correct ?

BlackBirdVQ: you're right on with the Leather requiring a reconditioning. I thought the previous owner didn't maintain it well that's why it has all those wrinkles.. but now that you mentioned it...

lol.. that would've been like icing on the cake!!

Ouch!! I don't plan on modding this car at all [.. for now lol] I hope the tranny will hold up to 15% granny driving / 35% spirited driving / and 50% normal driving

Finally, on my way back last night, I saw a 2000 SE / Auto / leather / Bose/ Roof.. etc etc.. with a FS tag. So I pulled in to check it out and the asking price was $14,500... That's fine, but I noticed one of the headlight capsules [driver's side] had condensation Is this a known issue ? At first it looked like the capsule was spider webbed, but I saw water ..

 

well my 2k tranny just blew out, and my car is pretty much stock. i say the best way to find out which one u like better is to rent a maxima for 3 days

i drove the 2k2 as a rental and i would hafta say that the minor upgrades do make a huge difference.

 

I haven't seen anything about people's trannies going on them. The only thing I've seen is the tranny slip, but that's TSB'd. How many miles did you put on the thing. Did you ever flush your tranny?

 

Cool, another former GTP(x) owner.

I had a 97 gtp, 3.4 pulley, stb, etc.

Totalled it last june and bought a 2k3 max. Of all the 5th gens, the 2k2 and 2k3 have the most hp. I really missed the hud for a few months but got used to not having it.

Then again, the recent years ALTIMA has dual exhaust and a nice 5 speed with the same 3.5l engine as an option. its cheaper and there are more mods out for it.

 

No, 00-01 has 222 hp/217torque. And btw, all this an more is in the FAQ-U section at the top of the forum.