Right now I own a 1995 GXE Maxima 5 speed. I am thinking about getting a 00 or 01 maxima 5 speed. I wanted to know some of the changes and things they did to improve on the maxima. Like the tranny, motor and other stuff. How much different do they drive also? Please let me know. Thank you.

 

2000-2001 Maxima has a VQ30DE-K, same as the 4th gen VQ30DE except with VIAS variable intake system - better than MEVI. Drives smoother than 4th gen IMO (I drove a 1995 automatic)

I think it's a really great car (personally)

 

Different cams I think also.

 

i test drove a few 4th gens, and from what i remember, the handling was tighter and less body roll compared to a 5th gen. power i cant really comment on, i never really drove a 00-01 enough to really remember it.

 

The body is different also.

There are a few revisions with the engine internally that, judging from your post, wouldn't make much sense to you and only prompt you to ask stupid questions about it.

So in short, this is what you need to know.

Smoother, better power up top.

 

What about the 5 speed tranny because I know a lot of 4 gen trannies are not very strong and most need to be rebuilt.

 

Can't comment on the 5 speed, I've got an auto (and don't like it). Thinking about the 5 speed conversion. The auto has that issue of slipping from 1-2 at higher rpms.

 

Thats easily fixed.

I needed new tranny fluid and a reprogammed or new TCM.

 

WOW u really are a hater, so many nasty posts man, but that cat looks funny as hell
anyway i love the 5th gen, id recommend 01, but even more so id recommend for you to get a nice mint 98 or 99. i personally just love the 4th gens. the only thing that i think the 5th has on the 4th is the nicer interior we got, its modern, updated, and very ergonomical. the VI is nice but can be put on a 4th as well, 4th is lighter, a bit smaller and just looks a bit sharper. but 00-01s are a bit more eleant and very smooth, good luck.

 

auto tranny on 5 gens are horrible if u do get one get the valve body tuned

 

I am looking for info about the 5 speed tranny. Do a lot of them need to be rebuilt or are they stronger than the 4 gen.

 

i think i may have heard they are stronger then 4th gens, but i may be wrong. either way they are excellent, havent heard too many people with problems, short shifter is a must!

 

I wouldn't feel too bad about the auto transmission issue on Nissan's 5th gen's. Honda's 6th gen V6 Accords and TL/CL's went through the same fiasco, but whereas here it sounds like a valve body gets stuck open, the 2nd gear was not being lubricated properly so it burned the transmission up.

Even good manufacturers have their slipups.

 

Don't mean to post ***** like a bish...
Get a manual for sure... less problems, more fun!

 

Is there anything eles I should know about the 5 gen maxima?

 

Most common problems: MAF, coils, rusty exhaust and wheel bearings.


The first performance and cosmetic mod should be suspension (coilovers or spring and struts then goto the lower tie bars).

Best bang for buck speed mod: HotShot Headers, yes they can work on a 00-01 Maxima; you will need to move the front primary o2 sensor and if you get a 2000 with an EGR you need to have the rear manifold fitted with a EGR fitting. If you are really strapped for cash and time, Y-Pipes do really well on them as well (they make about 6-7 less WHP).

Intakes: Stock intake is great on a mostly stock Maxima, if you do anything do the GAB that is free and has proven gains. If you need the bling factor and decent performance the Berk intake is great; if you need pure bling then the Injen is for you.

Catbacks: They do almost nothing for our cars, the only thing that adds any power is the B-Pipe. You can get a Cattman or Frankencar B-Pipe and bolt it right to the stock muffler.

Highflow Cats and Race Pipes: Also do almost nothing performance wise, but can add a nicer tone to the car if that is what you are after.

 

Is the knock sensor a issue because I know on the 4 gen they are?

 

I think they are on the 5.5gen but not on the 5th gen.

 

Don't forget about the horrible, thin chipping paint!

 

Also easily fixed...


When your front end looks like crap, drive around old people and they will hit it in no time, then you get a free paint job.

Thats what happened to me over the summer.

 

LMAO!

From my experience:

98 GXE Auto (sold):
- No problem with transmission whatsoever
- Engine oil leak, not from oil pressure switch, maybe from upper oil pan
- Everyone once a while have problem starting the car, turning the key
doesn't do A THING, starter doesn't even click, engine doesn't even turn,
but turning the key to off then start again works
- Power windows down from remote was sweet

01 GXE Auto (current):
- No problem with transmission, no oil leak, no starting problem
- No power windows down from remote =(
- Much better looking interior, better looking exterior (subjective really...)
- Auto dimming rear view mirror and homelink (maybe it was optional?)
- Manual climate control acts a bit different than the 4th Gen's,
in certain vent settings the circulation button have no effect,
maybe mine is faulty? LOL
- Loves the steering wheel mounted stereo controls
- Center armrest can pop up to give better support for some drivers
- Option to have the horn on or off when locking the doors from remote
- Digital odometer displays 2 lines instead of just 1 (98-99)
- My only problem right now is the fuel smell through the vents every once
a while, and getting ****ty MPG, maybe that's directly related

97 SE Auto (just purchased)
- No problem with transmission
- Oil leak from the same spot as the 98!!!

 

Anyone mention the Nissan OEM rotors...?

 

how about the auto tranny's on the 5.5? i am looking to getting a 5.5 in the future. so i also would like to know the pro's and cons.

 

def get the 5speed in the 5th gen. very fun car to drive, and good bang for the buck. a stock 5 gen 5spd will run 0-60 in about 6.8 seconds if you shift well. used to have a 2000 se 5spd...i miss it so much i would do almost anything to get it back. tranny started to leak at 115,000 miles but thats because i usually drove it hard. I replaced the MAF sensor and igniton coils and burned a slight bit of oil, other than that no problems. great car, great looking, sleeker than 4th gen, bueatful interior. smooth and easy drivability.

Southstar = I like my auto in my 5.5....but i already had it replaced once under warranty at 49,000 miles. Its OK, but i would look around and get yourself a 6speed.

 

Its the pads, not the rotors.

 

yea but arent they more harder to find? ide like a 3rd gen with the VE5. but after a while to much work. so 5.5 is next since the 6thgen is expansive and looks like a pig. haha

 

What is the 0-60 and the 1/4 mile in the 00 or 01 maxima?

 

That's asked about 10X a day. I'm too lazy to search for you. Look around maybe you can find it.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It looks like a job for Puppetmaster!

 

You can find those answers in the dyno forum, there is a Sticky there with stock times.

 

What am I? The frickin librarian?








































If only I got paid for it.....

 

From my perspective, after owning a 99 SE for 2 years and moving to the 2k SE... the interior is MUCH nicer in the 2k and it is an excellent road trip car. Overall I am much happier with it on a daily basis.

The 2k/2k1 got ABS standard and many got side air bags (our car has them)

The 99 did feel "tighter" and more sporty or nimble but some say a different set of springs will change how the 2k handles.... no money to mess with this right now.

 

I've owned both and here is my perspective:

There are more interior hard surfaces on the 5th gen, although the design is much more modern and nicer to look at (subjective). The 4th gen is quieter at all speeds, including engine noise and wind noise, but the 5th gen pulls hard to redline and has a better induction note because of the variable manifold. 5th gen steering is more tight, quite a bit more from a 95-96 model year that if you go from a 5th gen to a 4th gen 95-96, the difference is startling. Leather has more graining on 5th gen, which lends to a perception of finer materials used. Handling, my 1996 felt alot lighter and tossable, but my 5th gen felt more solid and buttoned down driving in traffic. The H4 headlights on the 5th gen is light years ahead of the 9004's on the 4th gen, plus the doors shut with a more substantial noise. The 5th gens rear end didn't side-step as much over one wheeled bumps, its probably the best live-axle FWD set-up I've driven in terms of feeling like an independent suspension (VW's side-step as well).

 

o1 anniversary SE rocks

you wont be disappointed...unless you get a manual

 

?

(10 char)

 

there is not much difference in handling and power. The 5ht gen is a little tighter in turns but the power is not that better :P Maybe because my 4th gen was an GLE and my 5th is an SE. I also lliked the interior of the 4th gen better than the 5th. If i was you ill get a 99' SE 5 speed black/silver on black lether with low miles and get the 5th gen rims. Just an idea :Pp good luck

 

hey here is a quick question hopefully someone can clear up for me. On the 5.5 gen do the metal drilled petals mean it has the hlsd? Thanks