And I've got some questions. Forgive the noob stuff...

I've been a Honda guy my whole life. 86 Prelude, 92 Accord, and '00 Prelude.

I may be trading in the 00 prelude for an '01 max se with 20000 miles.

Everything I have read about the car has been great--One of the best V6 made.. handles great.. decent mileage. I wanted to know what weak points or wacky things with the car I should check before signing on the dotted line. How is the insurance?

Anything you would tell a noob to the Maxima world? maintenance costs?
etc..

Thanks in advance..

Bones.

 

First off it's not "one" of the best V6 engines...it's THE best V6 engine out there. Nobody (including the 3.5 VQ) makes a smoother, more refined motor.

As far as insurance goes, it should be cheaper because it's a sedan not a sports coupe. I get a pretty decent deal through State Farm...just over $800 a year.

I used to be a Honda guy too (a long time ago, a civic, integra and prelude) but the max is the s..t, am on my 5th one!! Max all the way man.

Good luck

 

advice....get an 03 max. they seem to have fewer problems than any other year 5th gen.

 

I don't have problems that can make me headache with my 5gen either. Still on original coils, MAF, and routinely rev pass 5000rpm on daily basis. Dont know why so many 5gen guys have those problems, but anyway should carefully check the car for those problems before signing the paper.
Agree with 03blk6mt, the 3.0 in the 5gen is the most refined and the best V6 ever.

 

He's in the NYC area so I wouldnt recommend a 5.5G (Bones, that's the 2002-03 model) unless he has a garage, given the HID theft problem that does occur sporadically.

In his place, I'd shoot for a 5MT AE. (Bones, that the 2001 Maxima Anniversary Edition.)

As for V6 smoothness, IMO the J-series (Honda Accord/Acura CL-TL) is about as smooth and refined as the VQ-series. But who am I to argue with Ward's.

 

The Max suspension takes getting used to. Keep in mind it is a solid rear axle design versus the independent design on the hondas. If you have not done so, I would make sure to do a thorough test drive to make sure you like the way the car rides. I owned a 97 Prelude and Audi A4 before moving to a 5.5 gen Max. Completely different handling characteristics.

 

Went from a 1994 Prelude to my 2002 Maxima and still miss the handling on the lude. The Max makes me feel like I am the captain of a ship. It is a totally different car though and is extrememly comfortable and has a lot of nice features that the lude didn't have. Overall the Max, IMO, is a great car and you will like it. Just don't expect super quick, razor sharp handling like the lude.

 

That is the biggest difference I noticed as well. On rough twisties the rear dances a little. Not enough to upset the handling or make you nervous, but you can feel it. That all can be solved with a decent set of struts and springs coupled with FSTB and a RSB (read front strut tower bar and rear sway bar). Definately NOT a reason to buy something else...just something to note. Whether you get a 5 gen or 5.5 gen...it's a Max man, do we need to say anything else??!!

 

Same here...and the 99 Accord sedan I came from is hardly at the pinnacle of handling. But, the 5G leans (pun?) towards SUVs in handling characteristics. (I even feel that the Murano handles better.) However, the straightline performance more than makes up for it, with the 5.5G at least.

 

Get the max. I just recently purchased mine and I love it. Work the suspension a little bit and you'll be set. That's the only complaint I have with mine. I have the Anniversary Edition so it's hard to complain much about anything else. Beautiful cars with silky smooth engines.

 

I would personally pay a little more and get the 02/03 instead....it has bigger engine along with hid which i like...depending on where you live at be careful of hid theft...

 

I just picked up an 01 AE about a month ago and couldn't be happier. I was coming from a 94 Civic that I would have to say felt a little more stable at higher speeds, but its also a much smaller and SLOWER car than the MAX. The MAXs stock suspension takes a little getting used to, but I think some bigger wheels and better tires would help alot -that's coming for me in the spring. Comfort and smoothness-wise, the MAX is great. One thing that you should definitely prepare for and check out on a testdrive is the HUGE turning circle, especially coming from a Honda. The MAX turns like a truck and you definitely have to be careful in tight parking lots until you get used to it. Other than that, it's all love. By the way, with the 3.0 engine, I'm getting 350 miles from a tank in mixed driving in NYC, better than I expected even though you have to use premium. I don't know if the 3.5s do that well, but at least you get the extra power.

 

My minivan has a tighter turning radius.

 

Maintenance is cheap on the Maxima, do air filters for AC and engine every 30K miles, plugs are good to 100K miles but I change mine out every 60K. There is no timing belt to change, brakes are fairly cheap. Get the 5spd and you will not regret it, its a COMPLETLY different car with a manual vs automatic. 3.0L is not a torque monster off the line but shines in overall feel and smoothness, its top end power is supperb. J Series Honda engines have quite a few more internal engine problems than VQ series engines- who you to ask, I work at Acura Drive Nissans only. Enjoy the Max.

 

I purchased 01 Max AE with aprox 65kMiles. I can't believe that the engine on this stil purrs. Handling is a bit off and may be due for strut replacement. Interior is great and was well taken care of by previous owner. The color is Pearl White.

I don't jump off when I start, rather I ease the max to cruising speed of about 70 Miles. When I need the passing speed, it still kicks in with just a little whine that you can hear. I'm keeping the car basically stock and added Motegi MR7's gunmetal that I picked up here in Toronto for about 125.00 ea. I kept the stock wheels for winter use.
I also converted the lamps to HID plasma white. It still gives a little blue color but real bright. I'm addind the front strut bar soon and am thinking of the body kit.

I'd probaly end up getting another one in say three years. I'm hooked on this car.

 

agreed...
though the 2k2-3 has the extra power and the HIDs, the 3.0 has a few advantages
-no HIDs (to get stolen)
-MUCH lower insurance (HIDs and smaller engine)
-the engine is truly smooth.

I love the maxima...and I also came out of previously a 92 Accord coupe and 87 Integra....

Edit...with all the suspension stuff I've done, it holds the road/handles almost as well as my bro's stock 96 Prelude. Once new rims/tires are on...solid. The STOCK suspension setup is a little more of a "large sedan" feel than a sportscar.....

 

Go for it, you won't regret the Maxima. I was a former 99' Prelude owner and traded in for the Maxima. From my experience, the ride is much better than the Prelude on the SE suspsension. Additionally, you get good power band from the low RPMs and not to mention, it's a V-6 that get good gas mileage as the Prelude. Just remember that it uses Premium gas just like the Prelude. have i mention it's a V-6
Never had any problems, with 38k miles on it and counting still no signs of failures.

 

If you get a body kit for your AE I would love first dibs on your side skirts and rear lip for my 03.

 

ok!! things look good. I carfaxed the car and everything is checking out!
Now I have to get myself into negotiating mode.

Time to be a bad-***!!! Tomorrow is the day! maybe!

 

Bring your Kelly's Blue Book info (www.kbb.com) as well.

 

01 Max with 20k miles? Wow, that's barely broken in. I say go for it. I'm 4yrs and 35k miles into my Max with virtually no problems. I love my AE and not every other car is a Maxima. A little more individual. That's my .02.

I did a carfax on my own Max and found this.

Overview: Review:
Review: If you can find a well cared for Maxima - any Maxima - buy it and ask questions later. This is one of the best car lines ever sold in this country, and this was the last model before a major redesign would come along for 2002. It had just about everything you could want in a sedan; a stylish yet unpretentious shape, one of the best engines in the entire industry (and winner of many awards), an attractive, roomy interior and first rate build quality. It was fun to drive, especially the SE version, and even offered decent fuel economy. You'll have to venture into Lexus-land to improve on this car, and then only partially.
Best Features: Great looks; Exceptional handling; Fine brakes; Very durable; Comfortable seats; Nice interior materials; Lovely 5-speed manual gearbox
Worst Features: None to speak of
Reliability History: Much better than average
Depreciation: Better than average
Potential Trouble: None

This 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA GXE/SE/GLE/20ANNIV review was provided by UsedCarCritic.comTM. Don Vorderman, editor and publisher of UsedCarCritic, is an independent automotive journalist who has been writing vehicle reviews for over 30 years. He is best known for his work with Automobile Quarterly and Town & Country Magazine.

 

100k miles and still no major problems. Get the 3.5. More power = more fun! with an intake and headers, you can hit 230 whp (that's about 280 at the crank!) with no problem. Another thing that is crap on them are the stock tires. If you buy the 01 and it still has the Craptenzas (Potenza for the layman), invest in tires immediately! Other than that, enjoy the ride brotha!

 

He's in the general NYC area (although a bit further out on the island). If he goes into the city (or outer boroughs) often enough, HID-theft could be a concern.

Aside from that, a 3.5L 5G is hard to pass up even considering the rarity of the AE. Especially given that they have similar retail.

 

I am a new Max owner myself(well the bank owns it, I just drive it and pay them every month) Great mix of power, comfort, price, safety and class. How many 222hp cars that you know of get 28mpg. Max's have great excelleration across the entire power band and If you really want to enjoy your self, do what I did and get the 5 speed manual.

 

I just got back from the dealer.

Unreal..Other places were giving me $9000 for my prelude..

The dealer with the Maxima I was looking at is giving me $12,650 for it!

Holy christ!!!

I took pics of it...spoke to the woman about it....

Maybe a test drive tomorrow...and................?????

Stay tuned!!!!

 

damn dealer offered me only 13,500 for my car..

 

You'll enjoy the max... i redline my bish everyday 6x a day every trip lol and it runs smooth except for the little kinks and what not... but the engine still feels as strong. I have 141k on my 2000 and i dont regret putting any of those miles on it.

 

Done!!!!

Got it! picking it up tomorrow!! 2001 Maxima SE, Charcoal, 22140 miles. 3yr warrantee.. It does need tires though. The OEM Potenzas are on it. Ill have to find some good allseason tires.

A sad day though...My beloved Prelude is going away. I'll miss driving her...keeping the rpms up and downshifting into VTEC range...hmmm

But thats ok...also having an alarm and remote start installed. Saving more money on insurance too. Bring her home and then go over the car with a fine tooth comb! Polish..wax..vacuum...standard deal!!

Get ready!

 

welcome to the max community! you will love it....post pics when you get it!

 

I know you miss the Lude, but look at the bright side: no more rice jokes! Anyway, start modding immediatly. You won't regret it. Get an intake first. Then exhaust, suspension, rims, breaks, FSTB, ground kit, front lip, painted grill and engine cover (like me!), angel eyes, ect, ect. By the time you're done with it, you may have invested 10k in a 15k car that's now worth 9k, but you'll have more fun with it than with a drunken college girl (well.... maybe not.).

 

I agree. Your first mods would be suspension. NOT sway bar but Springs/Sturts. The 3.0L max has great usable torque down low. Muc h more that the 3.5L. The top end of the 3.5L crushes the 3L though IMO. If you want low end power go for the 3L. IF you want crazy high end power and want to run with any car in high RPM flogging go with the 3.5L.

 

actually the 3.5L has more low end torque and high end power than the 3.0L. some say the delivery isn't as smooth and linear as the 3.0L

 

I will put it this way. At around 2500K rpm in 2nd gear (when test driving a 01 5 SPD) I broke the tires lose. On my 3.5L w/6SPD at 2500K RPM I cannot break my tires lose.

 

Are you high or are you serious? I hope you are high. What a response.

 

breaking the tires loose? ...you can't be serious. is that how people measure performance nowadays. lol. in general the stock 3.5L has more low end power than a stock 3.0L. several dynos have been posted in similar threads which prove this.

 

I am just speaking from experience from test driving a 3L. I own a 3.5 6 SPD. It may have been at 3500 RPMs. This was a year ago, so my memory is kind of fuzzy.

 

gbauer---LOL---alot can be done with a hot school girl..but that is another thread...


I don't plan on modding anything. I bought the car b/c I got TIRED OF FRIGGIN' SHIFTING, and I needed more room. Space is one thing the Prelude doesnt have.

The Max has tons of room. Moves. Good handling. And has auto. Good V6. Great reviews. A good car for me and the future Mrs.

But that is CERTAINLY another thread..PICS TO FOLLOW!!!

Also...I will drive in Snow...but I dont want to change tires. what is a good all season which wont break the bank?

 

Continental ContiExtremeContact

These things are awesome tires, problem is they are in such high demand that almost all sizes are on backorder at this moment. These are Ultra High Performance All Season tires, I have them in the back of my Maxima and they rock compared to Potenzas that I had on there with Blizzaks in the front. I'm talking snow traction here, can't compare dry traction or hydroplaning resistance just yet- I have Blizzaks on the front. I can't wait till winter is over so I can put on some really aggressive rubber on my ride.

Congrats on the car, but if I was you I would invest in some better than OEM brake pads- HAWK HPS from tire rack rock the house. Say bye to warped OEM rotors, Hawks dust very little, and have really good stopping power- especially when fully warmed up, life expectancy is about same as OEM. I would get a rear sway bar, and a Ypipe to spice things up just a hair. You will definitally feel a difference with the Ypipe. I would leave the rest of the car stock. If you don't wanna mod it then thats cool, some people just want their car to be in top shape and not breaking down all the time cause of POS aftermarket products on their car. - Read Cattman Ypipes blow.

 

mdloops

You are wrong, 3.0L 5spd isn't a torque monster the 3.5L is off the line, but if you look at the dyno charts of a stock 3.0L and stock 3.5L you will see at red line 3.0L is usually like within 5HP of the 3.5L. 00-01 Max has really good top end power, its power is much more turbine like as it just continues to climb from idle to redline with no jagged dyno plots. 3.5L dyno looks like some 16 year old got a hold of a piggy back S-AFC or Emanage and just phucked it all up. Look at the dyno charts, butt dynos aren't always the same. My friends 01 Audi S4 6MT feels really strong cause of the "turbo rush", but get him on the highway from 75MPH roll on and hes dead, even with a chip hes got a really hard time with my Max, and it ususally depends on who gets the jump 1st. I belive alot of the 3.5L seat of the pants fast feeling is from its torquey low end behavior, where everyone whos driven a 00-01 Max will tell ya it moves but there aint really nothing KICKN in or anything. Just seemless power delivery from 750 to 6700RPM.

 

....if you're ever in the NYC area let me know. A 70-90mph PT sprint in my 02 4AT will show you there's more than just low end torque at play.