realmac's 2003 Black Auto Maxima SE
04-23-2005, 06:21 AM
#1
realmac's New 2003 Black Auto Maxima SE
On April 8th, I purchased a Black 2003 Nissan Maxima SE from Legend Nissan. The car has been good for the most part except for a few things.
-Small speck on my front windshield. Not sure if it was there when I bought it. I'm just hoping it doesn't grow to the point where my whole front windsheild cracks.
-One of my fog light casings is cracked. I can only tell upclose though.
-Small rock chips on the hood / some paint starting to wear away near the door frames. Wonder if I can convince nissan to repaint it or just touch it up. I could theoretically do it myself but I don't want it to look like crap afterward.
-Needs a new fuel tank. A few days ago driving I smelled gas. Then the service engine soon light came on. I tried to do a manual ECU reset, using the ignition / gas pedal method but was unsuccessful.
You may be asking yourself why I got the auto instead of a stick. Well one of the reasons was availability. The only manuals I found on Long Island were not from nissan dealers. That and I'm just more used to an auto..
-Small speck on my front windshield. Not sure if it was there when I bought it. I'm just hoping it doesn't grow to the point where my whole front windsheild cracks.
-One of my fog light casings is cracked. I can only tell upclose though.
-Small rock chips on the hood / some paint starting to wear away near the door frames. Wonder if I can convince nissan to repaint it or just touch it up. I could theoretically do it myself but I don't want it to look like crap afterward.
-Needs a new fuel tank. A few days ago driving I smelled gas. Then the service engine soon light came on. I tried to do a manual ECU reset, using the ignition / gas pedal method but was unsuccessful.
You may be asking yourself why I got the auto instead of a stick. Well one of the reasons was availability. The only manuals I found on Long Island were not from nissan dealers. That and I'm just more used to an auto..
04-23-2005, 06:48 AM
#3
Welcome to the org.
The speck on the windshield probably won't get bigger. I have a few small chips on mine and they have not gotten bigger. The glass is 'soft'...expect to get a few more.
Speaking of soft....that describes the paint, too. You can expect a lot of stone chips on the front end. Maybe your dealer would touch them up as part of the sale if you went back and told them you noticed the chips when you first washed it. Best thing to do is get a clear bra for the leading edge of the hood. The chips will be much less noticeable on your bumper cause it's black.
Wow, split seam on the gas tank? I've not heard of that happening on such a new Max. For sure a warranty repair. I have no idea how much an OEM tank costs, though.
How many miles on it?
The speck on the windshield probably won't get bigger. I have a few small chips on mine and they have not gotten bigger. The glass is 'soft'...expect to get a few more.
Speaking of soft....that describes the paint, too. You can expect a lot of stone chips on the front end. Maybe your dealer would touch them up as part of the sale if you went back and told them you noticed the chips when you first washed it. Best thing to do is get a clear bra for the leading edge of the hood. The chips will be much less noticeable on your bumper cause it's black.
Wow, split seam on the gas tank? I've not heard of that happening on such a new Max. For sure a warranty repair. I have no idea how much an OEM tank costs, though.
How many miles on it?
04-23-2005, 06:51 AM
#4
nice ride. dont feel bad if you have auto, theres more auto owners in this org than you think. fuel tank should be arould 120-150. my windhsiled has a very small spec/chip too, but it hasnt gotten any bigger, so im not too worried, just go to autozone or pepboys and get wind shield fixer. my fog light is cracked after a year of owning my car, and my front hood has two big chips where you can see bare metal, do you have bose? if you do you might want to change it to aftermarker HU, my speakers go in and out, sometimes muffeled. but other than that, i love my max and im sure you will too. 
04-23-2005, 07:31 AM
#5
Originally Posted by Bluesbrekr
Welcome to the org.
The speck on the windshield probably won't get bigger. I have a few small chips on mine and they have not gotten bigger. The glass is 'soft'...expect to get a few more.
Speaking of soft....that describes the paint, too. You can expect a lot of stone chips on the front end. Maybe your dealer would touch them up as part of the sale if you went back and told them you noticed the chips when you first washed it. Best thing to do is get a clear bra for the leading edge of the hood. The chips will be much less noticeable on your bumper cause it's black.
Wow, split seam on the gas tank? I've not heard of that happening on such a new Max. For sure a warranty repair. I have no idea how much an OEM tank costs, though.
How many miles on it?
The speck on the windshield probably won't get bigger. I have a few small chips on mine and they have not gotten bigger. The glass is 'soft'...expect to get a few more.
Speaking of soft....that describes the paint, too. You can expect a lot of stone chips on the front end. Maybe your dealer would touch them up as part of the sale if you went back and told them you noticed the chips when you first washed it. Best thing to do is get a clear bra for the leading edge of the hood. The chips will be much less noticeable on your bumper cause it's black.
Wow, split seam on the gas tank? I've not heard of that happening on such a new Max. For sure a warranty repair. I have no idea how much an OEM tank costs, though.
How many miles on it?
I was looking at some articles on 3M's protective bra. The results are impressive.
04-23-2005, 08:05 AM
#6
Originally Posted by humble_max
nice ride. dont feel bad if you have auto, theres more auto owners in this org than you think. fuel tank should be arould 120-150. my windhsiled has a very small spec/chip too, but it hasnt gotten any bigger, so im not too worried, just go to autozone or pepboys and get wind shield fixer. my fog light is cracked after a year of owning my car, and my front hood has two big chips where you can see bare metal, do you have bose? if you do you might want to change it to aftermarker HU, my speakers go in and out, sometimes muffeled. but other than that, i love my max and im sure you will too.
I would like to hook up my iPod to the Max also, yet retain usage of the steering wheel controls, cd player & tape deck. I really need to run a search to see what kind of solutions everyone else has used. That windshield filler / spray really works?
04-23-2005, 12:08 PM
#9
Originally Posted by 04BlackMaxx
Looks like you kept that Old car mint!
04-23-2005, 01:22 PM
#11
realmac, go to pepboys and ask for a windshield fixer, its not a spray, its this glue type epoxy filler, where if you have a crack, it fills it up so that the crack doesnt run further, it also works on chips. i dont remember the name though. for the gas tank, my old 240 needed a gas tank and it was 150. i think it was from a junk yard. so i guess you can look around. how is the gas tank 500? its just a piece of metal, that goes underneath your car. it doenst take any reaserch to make a freakin bowl for fuel...
04-24-2005, 12:12 PM
#16
Yesterday it was raining and I was turning off Jericho Tpke into the parking lot at work. A woman in a BMW X5 was where I was trying to turn and wouldn't move, even after I waited a good 15 seconds and flashed my high beams. I didn't want to get rear ended, so I tried to quickly manuever my vehicle, but scraped my left right rim. My heart sank as I heard that abrasive scraping noise. Here is a pic of the damage to the rim and tire. Suggested course of action? Ignore it, try to get it repaired at a place in Farmingdale, buy a used rim?
04-24-2005, 02:15 PM
#18
that damage is easily fixable. i did the same thing notto long ago to my 19's heres a link of how to fix it: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=368420
04-24-2005, 08:22 PM
#21
Originally Posted by Park2670
wow i was feeling so special finding my black maxima. And now it seems there are a lot of people on the org getting new black maximas... i felt different until now, oh well nobody around me has one like me! 
05-01-2005, 08:38 AM
#22
I've been waiting over a week now, Legend Nissan still doesn't have my part in stock. While I'm waiting, does anyone have an idea why a 2003 Maxima would need a new fuel tank so early in its lifespan. Some friends / family members said it may have been hit before, but I see no visible damage. The car's carfax report is clean too.
05-01-2005, 04:49 PM
#23
Originally Posted by PearlWhtMaX2000
that damage is easily fixable. i did the same thing notto long ago to my 19's heres a link of how to fix it: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=368420
05-01-2005, 06:17 PM
#24
Originally Posted by Park2670
wow i was feeling so special finding my black maxima. And now it seems there are a lot of people on the org getting new black maximas... i felt different until now, oh well nobody around me has one like me!
of course, I have more chips on the car than anyone else on the org, I would bet 10 bucks on it.....
05-01-2005, 06:19 PM
#25
Originally Posted by realmac
Here's another pic of the wheel just not zoomed in as much
one thing I suggest though, is GET RID of those Potenza tires. As anyone here will tell you, they are about the worst tire in the world, especially if it rains or someone spits on the road in front of you.....try taking a fast wet corner with those and you'll have more damage than just curb rash.
05-01-2005, 06:33 PM
#26
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
Originally Posted by irish44j
a black maxima is just a maxima that will show all the stylin' paint chips more noticeably!
of course, I have more chips on the car than anyone else on the org, I would bet 10 bucks on it.....
of course, I have more chips on the car than anyone else on the org, I would bet 10 bucks on it.....
the chips on my glacier pearl probably show up better than yours thanks to the black primer (or bumper, i'm not really sure what it is) ... but i'm sure you have the most chips on the .org judging from your home page 
Originally Posted by irish44j
one thing I suggest though, is GET RID of those Potenza tires. As anyone here will tell you, they are about the worst tire in the world, especially if it rains or someone spits on the road in front of you.....try taking a fast wet corner with those and you'll have more damage than just curb rash.
05-01-2005, 06:49 PM
#27
Originally Posted by whazzzzuup
You will not be able to fix your wheel with the same process I used for the rims in that thread. Your wheels are powdercoated, whereas the rims that I fixed are polished aluminum.
06-26-2005, 10:16 PM
#29
Is there a way for me to tell if the car had its 30,000k check-in / maintenance done and/or gain access to other service records? I mean I could ask the dealer, but I'm not sure if I trust them entirely right now. From my last service with another dealership (presumably the previous owner brought their vehicle there a few times), I found out about the following with that has been done to the car...
10/02/03 15113 miles - Body / Trim work
08/07/03 11931 - L/F Window Inop
08/07/03 11931 - Suspension
08/07/03 11931 - Complete Detail
10/02/03 15113 miles - Body / Trim work
08/07/03 11931 - L/F Window Inop
08/07/03 11931 - Suspension
08/07/03 11931 - Complete Detail
06-27-2005, 04:09 AM
#31
Yo dude congratulations on your new max. I have two Black Maxima's 01 & 02. In the 02 you can feel the difference in the power that is why I now drive the 02 and my girl drives the 01. I have to take more pics for the summer
http://members.cardomain.com/lhercules1
http://members.cardomain.com/lhercules1
06-27-2005, 04:18 AM
#32
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 342
Yeah. I live on Long Island and have a black on black 02 with Meridian in a 6spd. I actualy wanted white or silver but finding a 6spd loaded is not an easy task. I had to drive to ALbany to get my car from a guy who lives in Syracuse. I found the car on Ebay for 13,400 and it was in excellent condition.
06-27-2005, 05:16 AM
#33
Congrats on the new Max. How did you know you had a fuel tank problem? Could you see the split or was it between the car and tank (not visible from looking)?
I have had a strong smell of gas in my garage the last week or so. We chalked it up to the jetski/lawn mower but now I'm not so sure. Could you possibly get a pic of the damage to the tank?
Anyone know if this would be covered outside the 3/36?
I have had a strong smell of gas in my garage the last week or so. We chalked it up to the jetski/lawn mower but now I'm not so sure. Could you possibly get a pic of the damage to the tank?
Anyone know if this would be covered outside the 3/36?
06-27-2005, 07:22 AM
#34
Hey man congrats on the Max 
... it looks real good... as far as the chips go in ure windshield and fog light cover, I don't know if u fixed it wit some windshield fixure stuff but if u haven't, I heard if u put a couple of coats of clear nail polish where the cracks are, that will def. stop it from gettin bigger, and it will also stop water from gettin in to buy u some time until u completely remove the cracks...
To be honest I doubt they will cover it but if u talk to the salesperson u dealt with and try to somehow butter him up
u might be able to convince him to at least discount the repair a bit... but I really don't know 
, that would be somethin you could try though
... it looks real good... as far as the chips go in ure windshield and fog light cover, I don't know if u fixed it wit some windshield fixure stuff but if u haven't, I heard if u put a couple of coats of clear nail polish where the cracks are, that will def. stop it from gettin bigger, and it will also stop water from gettin in to buy u some time until u completely remove the cracks...
Originally Posted by 2002 Maxima SE
Anyone know if this would be covered outside the 3/36?
To be honest I doubt they will cover it but if u talk to the salesperson u dealt with and try to somehow butter him up
u might be able to convince him to at least discount the repair a bit... but I really don't know , that would be somethin you could try though
06-27-2005, 08:18 AM
#35
Originally Posted by 2002 Maxima SE
Congrats on the new Max. How did you know you had a fuel tank problem? Could you see the split or was it between the car and tank (not visible from looking)?
I have had a strong smell of gas in my garage the last week or so. We chalked it up to the jetski/lawn mower but now I'm not so sure. Could you possibly get a pic of the damage to the tank?
Anyone know if this would be covered outside the 3/36?
I have had a strong smell of gas in my garage the last week or so. We chalked it up to the jetski/lawn mower but now I'm not so sure. Could you possibly get a pic of the damage to the tank?
Anyone know if this would be covered outside the 3/36?
07-04-2005, 10:11 PM
#36
Took out my incabin microfilter last night. The lack of its replacement leads me to believe that the 30k maintenance checks were not performed. I notice no problems with the car while, but do want to keep it in tip-top shape...
Ordered a replacement from Courtesyparts that will hopefully get here by Friday. In the meantime I'm driving without one and rolling down my windows. Also, I dropped one of the screws that holds the glovebox in place down in the hole between the metal frame and what appears to go down underneath the carpeting. I doubt I'll ever see that screw again. Think Home Depot would carry the same screw?
Before you jump down my throat, this is the first type of work I've done myself on either my Cutlass or the Maxima. The labor cost for the dealer to do it is close to what I paid for the part. Gotta learn new things eventually...
Ordered a replacement from Courtesyparts that will hopefully get here by Friday. In the meantime I'm driving without one and rolling down my windows. Also, I dropped one of the screws that holds the glovebox in place down in the hole between the metal frame and what appears to go down underneath the carpeting. I doubt I'll ever see that screw again. Think Home Depot would carry the same screw?
Before you jump down my throat, this is the first type of work I've done myself on either my Cutlass or the Maxima. The labor cost for the dealer to do it is close to what I paid for the part. Gotta learn new things eventually...
07-05-2005, 12:44 AM
#37
I also made a short 18mb semi-corny Quicktime movie.. http://www.therealmac.net/lj/max.mov
08-19-2005, 09:54 PM
#38
I've posted some high resolution pics of the car on my Flickr Pro account . Here are a few of the said pictures...
http://photos27.flickr.com/35504797_0cc922185d.jpg
http://photos23.flickr.com/35503781_785c87d3da_o.jpg
http://photos30.flickr.com/35503915_47ba15db18.jpg
I have about 39000 miles on what seem to be like the OEM tires. When would you guys recommend I change them. There still seems to be enough tread life left to last me through fall and winter, though the potenzas in snow kinda scare me.
Also, do you think a detail shop would be able to fix or lessen the appearance of spots where I tried to touch-up but still look sloppy and touch up other areas where there are noticeable scratches that don't go away with wax. Thanks in advance.
http://photos27.flickr.com/35504797_0cc922185d.jpg
http://photos23.flickr.com/35503781_785c87d3da_o.jpg
http://photos30.flickr.com/35503915_47ba15db18.jpg
I have about 39000 miles on what seem to be like the OEM tires. When would you guys recommend I change them. There still seems to be enough tread life left to last me through fall and winter, though the potenzas in snow kinda scare me.
Also, do you think a detail shop would be able to fix or lessen the appearance of spots where I tried to touch-up but still look sloppy and touch up other areas where there are noticeable scratches that don't go away with wax. Thanks in advance.
I couldnt agree more.