"New" 03 Maxima SE
07-23-2006, 06:41 PM
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 66
"New" 03 Maxima SE
Hi Everybody!
After 3 years in driving a 1986 maxima wagon - sophomore through senior year at Lehigh University, I finally landed a nice job, and yesterday bought my dad's 03 SE from him. It's in PERFECT condition, bone stock, and still has a new car smell (literally).
you can also go to http://www.cardomain.com/id/kiker14 to see more pix of the new Maxima, my old Maxima, and my old RX-7 which I have sold :-(
oh, and don't worry, I'm not gonna rice out this Maxima like I did the last - if you're gonna be driving a 1986 wagon around in college, you might as well have some fun with it!
After 3 years in driving a 1986 maxima wagon - sophomore through senior year at Lehigh University, I finally landed a nice job, and yesterday bought my dad's 03 SE from him. It's in PERFECT condition, bone stock, and still has a new car smell (literally).
you can also go to http://www.cardomain.com/id/kiker14 to see more pix of the new Maxima, my old Maxima, and my old RX-7 which I have sold :-(
oh, and don't worry, I'm not gonna rice out this Maxima like I did the last - if you're gonna be driving a 1986 wagon around in college, you might as well have some fun with it!
5 including reverse. 
07-24-2006, 06:06 AM
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 66
haha, I wish it was a manual - my dad bought it as a commuter car in the DC metro area (terrible traffic around the beltway), and didn't want to deal with shifting... But oh well...
My next car will be a manual for sure, but this was the economical choice for me. There's a story behind all of this involving me getting a 350Z... but that's for another day.
Maybe I'll even do a manual swap some time - I haven't searched this forum at all so I don't know if anybody else has done it or if it's even feasable. I'll be on the forum a lot in the next few weeks reading up on all of this stuff though. Thanks for the welcome :-)
My next car will be a manual for sure, but this was the economical choice for me. There's a story behind all of this involving me getting a 350Z... but that's for another day.
Maybe I'll even do a manual swap some time - I haven't searched this forum at all so I don't know if anybody else has done it or if it's even feasable. I'll be on the forum a lot in the next few weeks reading up on all of this stuff though. Thanks for the welcome :-)
07-24-2006, 10:44 AM
#10
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 8
Well, 03 still has the same steering wheel mounted buttons as 01 model I have and it's been causing me problem. When I press the buttons sometimes there's no response, especially on cold days, not sure why. Not just one button, all of them (up down volume, change tracks, etc...) The new 05 & 06 now has audio control similar to Infiniti G35's and does not have that problem. Anyone encounter this problem and how to fix it?
07-24-2006, 05:22 PM
#17
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 66
Hey all, thx for the comments
I plan on giving her a good wash and wax this weekend and then I'll get plenty of more pix - the ones on the cardomain really don't do her justice.
as far as how much I paid - I got a SUPER great deal. I'm not sure how much you all know about Lehigh University, but it's approximately $40k/year - and my parents/grandparents paid for almost all of it for me (I had NO scholarship of any kind). My dad tacked on a few more $k to what I owed him for college, but is being incredibly flexible with my "pay back program" including making no payments until January 07 (as long as I bump my 401k WAY up).
I love the car so far, I am reminded how much fun driving can be. It's ::almost:: as fun as my 84 RX-7 GSL-SE was - but that little car was basically my dream car...
I do plan on doing some tasteful mods on this car, but I need to save up, and do my research (I don't want to hurt her!) I don't want to ask any stupid questions like: "what should I do to make it faster?" or "how do I make it sound better" or "what size rims fit" etc etc etc. I know all this stuff can be found by searching, so I intend to do so, and I'll ask other questions when I can't find an answer. I am no stranger to cars, I practically re-built two RX-7's and did a fair amount of work on the 86 max.
again thanks for the comments, and you can expect some more pictures soon!
I plan on giving her a good wash and wax this weekend and then I'll get plenty of more pix - the ones on the cardomain really don't do her justice.
as far as how much I paid - I got a SUPER great deal. I'm not sure how much you all know about Lehigh University, but it's approximately $40k/year - and my parents/grandparents paid for almost all of it for me (I had NO scholarship of any kind). My dad tacked on a few more $k to what I owed him for college, but is being incredibly flexible with my "pay back program" including making no payments until January 07 (as long as I bump my 401k WAY up).
I love the car so far, I am reminded how much fun driving can be. It's ::almost:: as fun as my 84 RX-7 GSL-SE was - but that little car was basically my dream car...
I do plan on doing some tasteful mods on this car, but I need to save up, and do my research (I don't want to hurt her!) I don't want to ask any stupid questions like: "what should I do to make it faster?" or "how do I make it sound better" or "what size rims fit" etc etc etc. I know all this stuff can be found by searching, so I intend to do so, and I'll ask other questions when I can't find an answer. I am no stranger to cars, I practically re-built two RX-7's and did a fair amount of work on the 86 max.
again thanks for the comments, and you can expect some more pictures soon!
07-25-2006, 12:05 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 235
Hey, Sorry to post on this thread but i have no idea what to do. Just bought a 2002 maxima GLE with the Bose HU, The buttons on the HU dont glow, is this the way it was made, or is it broken and can i fix it if it is.
Thanks a lot
Thanks a lot
07-25-2006, 10:48 AM
#19
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 180
Nice Ride! Welcome to the 5th Gen Forum. I am on my third Max, started with a 94, moved to a 2000 and now love my 2003. In my opinion, the 03 is the best Max of the bunch. I could have bought an 04 or 05 when I found my 03, but I didn't like the new body style, so I went with the 5.5 gen. No regrets! I plan on keeping it...forever!
07-25-2006, 11:53 AM
#20
Welcome to the club. I am also a former RX-7 owner, I had an 88 GTU with a few things done to it. That thing handled absolutely amazing. Good luck with the max. What mods do you have planned? I think my first mod was the AE pedals and Z dead pedal, they look great.
07-26-2006, 09:18 AM
#21
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 66
as far as mods right now - none. She will have to stay stock till I pay off college and the car, and then I will start to tinker with some things. I might add a high-end audio system around x-mas time if I get a big enough bonus, but we'll see what happens.
07-26-2006, 05:56 PM
#23
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 66
Originally Posted by laddy
Congrats, Sounds like just the car I'm looking for. Keep your head in the books plenty of time to tinker when you get out of school.
07-27-2006, 09:19 AM
#27
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Medford, NJ
Posts: 232
Originally Posted by kiker14
as far as mods right now - none. She will have to stay stock till I pay off college and the car, and then I will start to tinker with some things. I might add a high-end audio system around x-mas time if I get a big enough bonus, but we'll see what happens.
Read a lot of the old posts for ideas. there is a wealth of wisdom hidden among the flames. Once you learn what a FSB, RSB, etc. are.....then post your question.
You may get flamed for asking a question that has been asked many times before and is listed at the top of the forum. Besides that little detail, the people here are glad you joined us.
Don't forget to participate in the local clubs and meetings that happen on an occasional basis.
Thanks!
07-29-2006, 06:18 PM
#28
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 66
Hey Everybody,
I took a few more pictures:
There are more at the cardomain page http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2413919/2
I washed her today - tomorrow I'll add some daytime clean car pix :-)
I took a few more pictures:
There are more at the cardomain page http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2413919/2
I washed her today - tomorrow I'll add some daytime clean car pix :-)
08-10-2006, 11:21 AM
#31
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 66
sweet - i already managed to scuff her up a bit in my stupid garage - long story... but nothing a little touch-up paint won't fix (basically i scraped it against a pole while turning into the garage and it rubbed the passenger side valance - I didn't even realize it till it was too late - it made no sound and I didn't feel it although it's only like 2mm deep). d'oh.
But I still love the car, it's nice being able to pass on the highway with ease - my 86 maxima didn't really have ANY passing power... heh...
But I still love the car, it's nice being able to pass on the highway with ease - my 86 maxima didn't really have ANY passing power... heh...
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