97Se5spd

Hey guys I jus test drove a 03 SE with 92k on it. I am serioulsly considering buying it becuse I believe it is a fully loaded TE for only 10995. But while I was driving it today, I noticed a jump in RPMs as the car would shift. You could not feel anything at all; smooth as silk. Is this noraml or is there a possible issue there? Its an automatic also.

ope2k4

iTrader: (4)

Is this an Autotragic or 6 speed?
This will help

97Se5spd

Its an automatic.

fishpony

iTrader: (2)

92k miles is quite a bit for a 5.5 gen tranny. I would be a little hesitant on buying it unless you know how to or know someone to help u change the transmission sometime. You can get a low mileage tranny for like $500. I will be selling my pretty loaded 03' TE with 40k miles this summer more than likely and will be asking around $12500 so i think you could do a little better

ope2k4

iTrader: (4)

if its a private owner selling it to you, ask him if you could take the care to your mechanic to check for problems. If he says no, ask him for the problems that he knows or that he had experienced with the car (ofcourse he could always lie.)
I dont think you should pay more than 10K for this car. Even KBB values the car at $10,510
heres the link
http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.u...;;ucp;&4;NI;D4

97Se5spd

Well for a Maxima, i think 92k is nothing. I know someone who has 139k on there car everything is original including the clutch. So im assuming that the 5.5 gens are even more relaible and this car has been maintained very well its a one owner and was for person use. Does anyone know the expected life of a 5.5 gen auto tranny?

fishpony

iTrader: (2)

I have 145k on my 97' with no problems but im not going to expect my 03' tranny to last half that long. I wouldn't say that 5.5 gens are more reliable either but only time will tell. Look at all the transmission problems the auto 5.5 gen guys are having.

97Se5spd

Well I think im going to drive it again and see how it feels. I jus wanted to see if the slight jump in rpms is normal or not.

ope2k4

iTrader: (4)

tranny lifespan hm very difficult to predict. It has too many variables like the driver, the terrain and its maintenance. I know someone that has changed his trans twice already with only about 48K miles on his 02 Maxima. Then again you never know

97Se5spd

The salesmen told me the car would be under warrenty for 6 months anyway so

ope2k4

iTrader: (4)

#1 rule never believe salesmen they tell you anything to get their sales.
What if the tranny problem does not show up until after the 6 months warrantee period?

97Se5spd

No there is a warrenty its a large used car dealer and they provide it with the purchase. Is the jump in rpms nothing to worry about?

NYPD-Arnold

iTrader: (8)

The tranmission is slipping if it jumps an extra bit before shifting. The slip in an auto shouldn't be noticeable like that...and when it is, that's a tell tale sign that it's about to go. Avoid the car.

Arek

That what my car did for about a month and then one day I had only second gear and had to replace transmition.

Fezzak

I have an 02 SE auto ( ), and the RPMs go up SLIGHTLY when going into overdrive, but this is something that has happened with every car I've owned or driven that has overdrive. Did the RPMs on the car you drove go up with every shift, or just into OD (4th)?

bigboi_MD

What do ya'll think about transmission additives? Slick 50 etc. Do they work? I have 130 on the odo and it shifts well, I was thinking about adding an additive (that was weird) to keep it shifting that way.

AAA MD

Maximax2

Let's be specific:

If the RPMs go UP when the car shifts, tranny is on the way out. Don't buy the car.

If the RPMs go DOWN, but just take a second or two to shift - probly the same, but mine has done that on the 1 - 2 shift for about a year when cold (and under heavy throttle), but works perfectly when warm. Note though that I'm taking it in before the warranty runs out to have it checked thoroughly.

Now, here's my opinion - Nissan did not match the tranny to the engine well in 2k2 and 2k3s. Unlike my last max, I probably won't run this one past about 80k before selling, I'm not convinced the tranny will hack it. Mine has 55k on it now, and is on it's second valve body...

And finally - I personally wouldn't pick up a car with more miles on it just for a diff tranny, but it's your money.

Good luck!