I have an '03 SE with about 80k on it (OK, I drive a lot). The only mods I've done is an Injen intake and Micheline Pilot Sport tires (STRONGLY recommend them. My Max will hold corners like a Porsche now! Well worth the Deneros). I only have two complaints; first off, Nissan needs to get a new paint supplier! I've already had the front repainted, but I think the problem isn't the paint, it's the primer or the coating on the steel below 'cause even my new stuff chips (had a great friend who happened to own a kick-*** body shop in Gaithersburg, MD who was known for his work on several show cars). The other complaint I have is tranny slip. I want it to go, but damnit if it don't stop going around 40 and then at 80! I would've killed a Boxter all around if it weren't for the slippage! I still got him at 130, though... he wasn't very happy either!

Any recommendations on the slippage? I've given up on the paint and bought a bra (doesn't look toooo bad...)

 

have you done a tranny oil flush or at least a drain and refill yet?

 

ya, had it flushed and filled. Still had the same problem. I'm thinking it needs heavier tranny fluid

 

Did you ask your friend about the paint/primer? If he used a different paint than Nissan I would not blame Nissan for having defective paint. I believe that if the primer coat is bad, the whole paint job will eventually fade away in short order. And you surely do drive a lot.

 

He used the Nissan paint. I was looking at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov and saw a few complaints about the paint on this. All in all, I've thrown up my hands on that front. Still wondering about the tranny slippage, though. I saw a few notes about it in other years, but nothing on the '03 with automatics (I should've bought the SE w/ the manual!).
The milage is 'cause I drive about 40k a year for work. I'm a manufacturer's rep, so I'm limited to the mods I can do. Don't want to flash too much bling in front of the guys buying stuff from me or else they may not think I need the cash!

 

Is it slippin or hesitating? There are TSB's out for hesitation and a tranny that "abnormaly shifts" if you have a fax I'll send you the tranny TSB. Although with 80k on it it may be out of warranty.

 

It doesn't want to shift out of first or second when under heavy accelleration. I guess it would be considered hesitation. I'll ask the dealer about the TSB if you can tell me the number. The dealer I use is pretty honest and will work with me if I bark loud enough.

 

The TSB is NTB04-035 dated March 10, 2004. For a copy go to the technical service bulletin thread. It's in there. Bark loud and let me know what the outcome is.

 

didn't look that way at the autocross...

 

HAHAHA! Backindanoobiedaze!

 

wow!!!
holy grave digging!!!