Hi,
I'm going to look at a 2001 maxima with 46000 miles this weekend. I currently own a 1995, and am not familar with the Gen 5 cars. I was wondering if there are any specific problems areas that I should pay attention to on this car.

 

MAF, Coil packs,

Read the stickies, FAQ's and TSB's

 

They have issues with cat inefficiency codes, still haven't figured out a fix.

I have an 01
5 Speed.

Dealer says it is the Cat, so they could stick it to me for $850.00.

The other thing is the ECU reprogramming required, that is supposed to fix this problem, I had it done, and still have a problem.

There you go.

 

biggest things for would be warping brake rotors, bad wheel bearings and tranny slipping if its auto.

 

Just out of curiosity, how much are you being asked for that '01 with 46k miles?

 

So far 80k on my 01 SE auto car.. and no major problems... the alternator..which is a problem with alamost all cars and the rotors which is a big dilema on Max..... other than those two things.. nothing.....

 

My '01 SE 5spd has 106k easy highway miles. Bought it new. Here is what I have experienced:

* Warped rotors - 3 times
* P0420 SES Code - ECU Reprogram didn't fix. Had to replace cat at 79k. Got Nissan to pay for 1/2 (after a huge fight).
* Front-right wheel bearing failure @ 90k
* Headlight and fog light bulbs don't last more than 6 months
* Climate control bulbs all out

Certainly not the most trouble-free car I have ever owned. But, it is now paid for and fun to drive.

 

My '01 SE has about 105,000 miles on her and she runs great. I've never had a major issue with her.

Minor things have been:

- ECU reprogram to take care of an SES light when the car was still under warranty.
- Warped rotors, so I switched to slotted Brembos.
- Battery went out after three years, so I picked up a Sears Die-Hard.
- The SES light came on again once or twice a week about two months ago with the code indicating a possible catalytic converter problem. I cleared the code, changed the air filter which was really dirty, and the problem has not come back for almost 4 weeks now.

I've never had a problem with my MAF or ignition coils.

The things I regularly do myself to keep her happy:

- Oil & filter change
- Air filter change
- Spark plug change
- Fuel injector cleaner
- Transmission fluid drain and refill
- Tire rotation
- Fluid top-offs
- Keep her washed and clean

I've been very happy with my car. She runs just as well as when I first bought her new about four years ago. My entire family buys Nissan with my dad owning a '93 Altima GXE, my sister a '02 Pathfinder SE, her husband with an '03 G35 sedan, and me with my '01 Maxima SE and '02 Sentra SE-R (before my girlfriend totalled it - oh well). All great cars, and I'll probably end up with some other Nissan years from now.

Peace.

 

i have an 01 anniversary edition and i have not had any major problems.

few small things:
-MAF went out because the guy who owned it before me didnt oil his stillen air filter ($300 with parts labor and ECU reprogram)
-right now (72K miles) the driver side trans oil seal is leaking (5-speed) ($250 parts and labor) ($11 for parts to do it yourself)
just recently the MIL came on and telling me "high voltage on downstream O2 sensor" so i will probably replace that soon ($100 parts, easy install)

i bought the car 18 months ago and have put 25k miles on it. i love it to death. its so much fun. get the rear sway bar, it changes the entire dynamic of the handling. (best $130 i have ever spent)

spankloads of power and even more potential, great handling, pretty good fuel efficiency, all in all another wonderfully balanced and "fun"ctional car from nissan. buy it. you'll love it.

Maximize passion

 

• warped rotors (turned under TSB but eventually upgraded to PowerSlot)
• MAF blew (my fault, over oiled K&N, but still got fixed under warranty)
• both O2 sensors blew (covered under warranty)

Other than that I've had no major issues that I can recall. I've kept up with regular maint. and kept the fluids clean and have been happy overall.

 

I have been meaning to do this for a while. I went ahead and compiled a list of items and/or services that I have had covered under warranty. The list is HERE on my cardomain site for anyone interested.

 

100K on my 01 GXE 5spd.

On my 5th MAF sensor- all due to the vibration from the CAI piping and soft motor mounts.
Coil packs- repleaced them cause I got a killer deal on new ones- threw them on while putting in new spark plugs.
Rear wheel bearings- my fault aftermarket wheels didn't fit over the dust caps and I drove around with no dust caps thinking that the center caps will keep most of the stuff away from the rear wheel bearings- WRONG.
-need to fix-
VIAS is totally broken, won't work at all.
Front wheel bearings are completly shot.
Perform BG total engine clean.
Front brakes need to be repleaced- 5th time- I drive extremelly hard
Need new clutch- in the Trunk- going on 4th clutch- once again EXTREMELLY hard driver.

-engine runs like new, it loves to rev, and even with a bad VIAS just had a little stop light run with a G35 sedan auto driven by a Nissan salesman who saw the azz end of my spoiler less Max- by 2 cars to 80MPH, I don't need no 3.5L.

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate the advice. Hopefully this car will work out.


Galo FYI - The asking price is 15. But blue book is around 12500-13000 depending on the condition.

 

I dont see this listed.
SES light - Various 02 sensor codes top the list, especially for me.

 

i had p0140 which is a secondary o2 sensor. it was included in my list of warranty stuff but maybe i should post up the code as well.

 

Nearing 40K miles on my 01 5spd. Zero problems yet.

 

I had the 'check engine soon' (is this an 'SES"?) come on at 21k, and got a free re-program. The light come again at 49 k, and a catalytic converter was needed (free for me). Then at 51k the light came yet again and this time the coils needed replacing. My cost was $50 deductible under the extended warranty and $150 for new plugs. The brakes were odd in that at 45k the REAR pads were worn and those rotors needed turning ($150 at Midas, since I hate my dealer).