So, I know the 02 is more powerful etc, but how does it stand in reliability compared to the 00-01 maximas? Is the 3.5 Engine reliable? compared to the 3.0 and other japanese brands like toyota and honda? I am thinking to get one but now im not too sure since i seen the rating on cars.com ?

All your thoughts are welcome, and i'm not just talking about the engines that have 30,000 miles on them, i want to know how the higher milage (70,000+)engines run.

 

per consumer reports, the engines in the 2k2 and 2k3 are just as reliable if not more so (in a few examples) as the 2k and 2k1's

 

01 3.0 with 93K miles... and going strong..... no problems whatsoever...... none.....

 

My 2000 has 232,000km on it. runs great.

 

I am on my third Maxima, and I have been very happy with all of them. If you are looking for a sporty, affordable, durable four door car I'm not sure what is really comparable to a Maxima. A used Acura is the only thing I can think of. They aren't necessarily better but comparable.

If you are not interested in a sporty car then a Camry may(?) be more reliable. This is strictly speculation as I have not owned one. I do carpool with someone who has two Camrys and it "appears" to be a good car.

Gears

 

...and I'm sure you have the links to these reports, correct?

 

sorry, I get the books in the mail, nothing to link to, sorry no web cam for me to set them up in front of...will see if scanner still works.

 

2k @ 63k and going strong.

 

If you are going to mod your car the 2000-2001 has mor peformance mods than the other 2.

 

For smoothness of engine, smooth MT shifter, and no losing of a quart of oil every month, 00-01 (VQ30) > 02-03 (VQ35)

For sheer raw power, 02-03 > 00-01.

 

My 02 actually has 120k on it now (yes, really) and I have had no trouble with it since it came into my possession. The VQ35DE is formidable and worth every dollar

 

^^ nice...

 

i have 125k on my 2k and the motor still runs great.. the weak part of the maxima isn't the motor it's the tranny, mine blew at 97k and i swapped to a manual.

IMO get the 2k2+ alot of little refinements that you'de appreciate over the 2k

 

I owned an Infinity J30t with 3.0 and loved it. I sold it with 120,000 miles and no problems with the motor. I currently own a 02 max, and haven’t experienced any problems with the motor. As far as oil consumption it uses less than a 1/8 of a quart per oil change, and I drive it like I stole it. My friend however has a 350 Z that’s using a ½ a quart per 1000 mi. I think a problem does exist with a few of the 3.5’s, but don’t let it sway you. Hands down, the 3.5 is more powerful and as far as reliability, we’ll just have to see how it does over time.

 

I had a 2k and it ran great untill the day I totaled it. Now I have a 02 and it also runs perfect with 75k on it I've had no problems at all. The 02 motor and mt feels smoother and as you all know deffinately more power. Plus both of my cars were loaded and the 02 has more options.

 

This topic has already been discussed to death.
The simple truth is:
built quality & refinement: 3.0 > 3.5
power: 3.0 < 3.5
Peace

 

i got a 2k with 108K no oil consumption or any problem at all yet
The 3.o was made in Japan the 3.5 is made here would that make a difference?
I think it does.

 

Camry V6 97-02 - be prepared for a engine around 60-70K miles
Accord V6, 98-02- be prepared for trannies every year or less
3.2TL 99-03- be prepared for a tranny every 20k> if you drive hard.
Maxima 00-03- be prepared for a MAF blowing up.
Galant V6- be prepared for bad lifters, slipping trannies, blown head gaskets, oh and pretty soon lack of any dealership support when Mitsu goes bankrupt.

You make your decission, Toyota and Honda reliability is way over rated- why ? its cause their Corollas and Civics WHERE reliable back in the day, so this makes their whole line up look "reliable". Regardless of what you will buy, each car has its pros and cons. Just so happens that You can get a MANUAL with a Max, yet none of these other cars even offer a manual with a V6.

I got over 120K miles on my Max without any mechanical problems what so ever. Car has enough life left in it for 300+K miles- which I intend to hit

 

Actually Black bird , Camry V6 comes with a Manual tranny just very rare
Also, Ride 2Max the 3.5 in years of 02-03 are still Made in JAPAN its the 6th Gens thats are being built here in the U.S

 

But didnt your tranny mess up and thanks to your skills you were able to fix it? I mean maximas are very nice cars, but their reliability is not that great. Lets see in the max I have now, I have changed: Coils, Motor Mounts and Axel. I had the car for 16k miles and the tranny is already going, jumping in shifts, the ecu is giving errors and IACV-AAC valve (TB) is defective. Getting an avg of 250 miles to 15 gallons of gas 93 (40 bucks to fill up).

I rather get a V6 honda that wont break until it hits 200k but I just like the feel, look and comfort of the max. Im looking into saving up for a 350z

 

camry CE-V6 had a manual back in the late 90s. smooth shifting.

suspension is way too soft though.

 

I agree with the power statement but 'quality and refinement 3.0>3.5'????
The 5G must be up there with Lexus then because the only problem I've had with my 5.5G is a blown MAF sensor (early on) and now a possible ABS sensor....outside of those, the car's been ROCK solid!!!

 

The VQ30DE-K is actually more refined than the VQ35 found in the 5.5 gen - the dyno graphs prove that much. But I prefer the power and looks (except the amber in the tailights) of the 5.5 though.