Hi all,
Last Friday I was in a 5 car crash on I93 in Ma. My 1998 Maxima SE was totaled along with a Gen 6 Maxima, 323i BMW, Chrysler 300 and a Ford Ranger.
Look like I will do ok from the ins. (BTW: The 300 caused the accident).
Found a 2000 Maxima SE with everything for $6500. It is at my mechanic's now to have him check it over.
I really like my 1998 Maxima SE a lot, just don't want to be disappointed with a Gen 5.
-quadcells

 

If possible, I would go with the 5.5 Gen (Years 2002-2003)

 

I would say go with a 5.5...personal choice lol. Was your 98 auto or 5 speed? Is the 00 auto or 5 speed? This "will i like" depends on many factors...looks, performance, comfort blah blah blah.

 

the 98 00 are 5-speed.
What's wrong with 00?

 

nothing wrong with the 2000, but I think you might find the 5.5 more appealing as it comes with a bunch of upgrades over the 2000-2001 models. such as xenon headlights and the 3.5L engine, and If you can find one, a 6 speed manual.

 

i have an 03 for sale in the for sale area

 

Nothing wrong with 00/01 cars. The 02/03 gives you the 3.5 motor, the 6 speed and the HID headlights.

I had a 95 5-speed, my wife is in a 00 and I have an 02 6-speed. The 02 6-speed is by far my favorite out of the bunch.

 

unless you can find an ae model for the 00-01 cuz those are the only ones that look nice with the lip kit and stuff...other than that if you can find a 5.5 gen it has a more agressive front end

 

Hey bro. I have had a 94, a 99, and now an 02 Max. My brother has an 01 Max, so I have driven everything from a 3rd gen to a 5.5 gen. The 5th gen is far and away much faster/nicer than my 4th gen was. Granted, my 4th gen was an auto and the 5th gen is a 5spd. I have never driven a 4th gen 5 spd, however, I really can't see the 5th gen 5spd being slower than a fourth gen, I know the 01 max is quite faster than my 99 was.

The 5th gen interior I found to be more spacious and better designed than the 4th gen. It gives the car a nicer, classier feel to it (considering both cars with leather interiors). The sound systems are comprable.

The only area I believe the 4th gen to truly trump the 5th gen is stock handling. I felt that the 4th gen handled much better than the 5th gen, at least until some work was done to it. Performance tires, springs/struts, as well as a RSB will give it a better feel, although you're stuck with the horrendous turning radius.


Overall, I think you will be quite happy transitioning to a 5th gen from a 4th gen. I believe this was the original question you had.



However, to jump on the bandwagon, the 5.5 gen (If you can afford one) does offer a lot of extra goodies over the 5th gen, but I just feel like the 5th gen is smoother. Can't really explain it other than that.

 

I've never owned a 5 gen, but have driven an auto 01 before. I do believe the engine is smoother then the 3.5, but man was this thing slow compared to an auto 5.5 gen. If your going auto I say stay away from the 5 gen. If manual then hey whatever your wallet allows.

 

Thanks all,
Well I can only spend so much, (son in college two daughters right behind him). Waiting to here from the insurance adjuster to see how much I will get. They are taking in account all the work I have done this year: New clutch, new exhaust system and new tires. If I can get 5500 I would be very happy.
BTW: My good friend has a Gen 5.5 2002 auto and yes the headlights are nice but I do like the look of the 00 I am looking at. Plus the tails look better on the 00 imo. I’ll let you all know what I end up doing.
-quadcells

 

I have a 2000 SE auto, so I can't speak for the manual end of it. My brother has a 97 GLE and I've driven that as well. I think you'll be much happier with the 00 vs your 4th gen. As already stated, it's a little bit nicer and a touch larger as far as the interior goes.

I do want to echo what everyone else has said, and that is to say that the 5.5 gen is probably a better car than the 5th gen (I'd prefer one over my 2000). I was on a budget when I bought my Max (first one I've ever owned) and I still think the 5th gen is a good deal for the money.

 

Go for the 5.5 dude! I went from a 96 to a 5.5 and boy what a difference. Although I still really loved my 96.

 

I have no doubt that you will love the 5.5gen. My friend had a 4th gen and i have a 5.5 and the difference is major even compared to the 5th gen.

My vote goes for the 5.5 gen.

 

The 5th gen has a more reliable engine... VQ30DEK FTW!

Not all 5.5's have a bad 3.5 in them, but definantly no where near the relaiblity of the 3.0.

To the OP if your 2000 is getting checked out, have it checked for updated coils packs and MAF sensor.

 

I agree. Everyone here keeps on yellin "GO FOR THE 5.5 LOL!!!!"

Well no kidding. The OP asked for comparison between a 4th gen and 5th gen. I think it's amazing how many people just write off the 00-01 model year because going to the 02-03 model year is a bigger jump. Lets see you guys find a decent 5.5 gen for 5 grand. The guy is looking at a 2000 and coming from a 98, the 5.5 gen doesn't play a factor here.

Yes, the 5.5 gen seems to be preferred to the 5th gen. That doesn't mean there is no gain in getting a 5th gen from a 4th gen, and the existence of a newer model car doesn't make the older models it was derrived from unworthy of consideration. And like upstate said, the 3.0 is more reliable...

 

GO WITH THE 5.5 Gen....and this is coming from the owner of a 5th gen

5.5 GEN = slightly crisper and cleaner looking (crappy nissan) paint, lol
as well as MORE power, a few extra bells and whistles, and THOSE BEAUTIFUL HEADLIGHTS +1

 

Hi,
My mechanic said that the car is clean underneath, no rust, paint is original with no signs of accidents, over spraying of paint, no dents ect. He said it has high milage 100K? I wouldn’t think that was that high for a 2000 Maxima. All powered windows and locks worked. Sunroof works great with no noise. But he said it was hard to start cold. This is what I found about that: “Cold-starting problems: The engine may idle too slowly or stall when first started (below 40 degrees F). Reprogramming of the powertrain-control module is required. (2000) “
Is that true?
He also said that the car has many original parts like belts and spark plugs that most likely need to be replace to pass emmisons.
What do you guys think? $6500 too much? I am going to try to talk him down3-4 hundred to pay for belts and plugs and whatever tune-up stuff.
Edmunds is saying $7195 for good condition.
-quadcells

 

but not if you enjoy keeping your oil IN your engine.

 

Now that you say that, My buddies 2002 Maxima burns quit a bit of oil.
Would be with the 2000 too?

 

Nope the VQ30DEK is bullet proof.

 

No the 3.0 is a pretty rock solid engine, the 3.5 in the 02-03's seems to have Piston ring problems that allow them to burn oil and sometimes gets bad enough to need a new engine.

 

I just got a 5.5 gen and was searching for a long time, and drove several...if u can afford it, def go for the 3.5 l engine..its strong and pulls hard and u can't go wrong w/ the xenons either...just alot more car IMHO...

 

I would like to have further clarification on this.

 

id get the 5.5 if i were you. almost the same car but id say its a better car overall inside and out. compared to the 5th gen, you cant lose.

 

Knowing that some 3.5's burn oil, and that the 3.0's don't, if I was looking at a use Max I would go with the 2000-01 (3.0L).

 

I have 2 3.5 motors (03 G35 and 03 Max SE)and neither burns a drop. Definitely get a 3.5

Always get the newest car you can for the money you spend.

 

The numerous people with oil buring problems and then the few that had a 3.5 suck a bolt down the intake.

 

Sucking a bolt down the intake is horrifically rare, far more rare than a DEK’s failed VIAS. It’s much more common with the QR. In all honesty, I’ve only heard of it happening once. Yes, I do agree that the 2988CC is more reliable, but stating it in the fashion you did is invalid. Yes, some have OB problems, but other than that, the whp is way worth it. Yes, the 3.5L does not idle as smooth as the 3L, but hey,. I’d take THE EXTRA POWER anyday.

 

I moved from a 3rd gen to a 5th gen (01 SE 5spd) this past September and have been very pleased with the car (save for the faulty MAF issue, but ah well). My motor is butter smooth, thanks to the regular 4500 mile oil changes using Valvoline SynPower fully synthetic oil that the previous owner had been using in this car. Yes, the extra HP is nice with the 5.5's, but I'm not going to complain about the acceleration of the VQ30DE-K engine in my car. I'm not out to drag race it. I'm out to enjoy my daily 40 mile commute.

My biggest gripe about the car is the 5spd manual - primarily the fact that is lacks a 6th gear (RPMs are high during cruising speeds, but it does place the engine in its sweet spot). The gas mileage experienced is about 25mpg (even with my faulty, still not replaced MAF), though it really needs premium fuel. Compared to a 95 GLE 4th gen, the 5th gen has the handling and chassis rigidity game played out right, it handles well and is predictable to drive.

Good luck on your purchase!

 

[QUOTE=aksansai;6014003]Yes, the extra HP is nice with the 5.5's, but I'm not going to complain about the acceleration of the VQ30DE-K engine in my car. I'm not out to drag race it. I'm out to enjoy my daily 40 mile commute.
QUOTE]

Exactly!
I think my question here got lost. I wanted to know if going to the 5th Gen(2000) from the 4th Gen(1998) which I really like to drive, would I like it.
A little history:
I am 45yr old, I have had many muscle cars in the past like 1970 Challenger w/318, 1972 Cougar convert w/351, 1969 Chevell Malibu and others. I am done with those type of cars. I have been driving a 1998 Saturn SL1 5-speed the past 4 years. 274,000 miles on it w/original clutch. Love the gas mileage, reliability was unmatched by no other cars I owned (except my 1985 Nissan pick-up truck). Only complaint was it’s ability to accelerate getting on to the hi-way.
When my son gave me his 1998 Maxima SE 5-speed 3 weeks ago I instantly fell in love with it. It’s acceleration and handling. Remember I was driving a Saturn. Last week I get hit in a 5 car accident on I93, totaled my car. I wanted to go out and get another 1998 Maxima SE, then I saw this 2000 SE and since it has the 3.0lit engine, I thought it would be a nice to have a car that wasn’t as old and less miles on it.
I do like the 2000 SE and made the seller a offer, he counter offer and I said yes. $6200
Sorry to be long winded.

Thank you all for your input. Maybe in the future I will be looking at the 6th gen.
Thanks again.
-quadcells

 

^^You wont be too disappointed......I love my 5th gen, THE 3.5 is nice however..But like you stated I prefer to just go to a 6th gen when the time is right...FOR DOUBLE THE HORSEPOWER

 

...............................

 

 

That was funny.

 

Had to add that to my sig for tEh future laughs

 

I think you're going to like the 5th gen a little better than the 4th gen. I was in a similar situation when mine was purchased. Since I had driven my brother's 97 GLE a few times, that's what I was looking for. Then I ran across a 2000 SE with 73k. It was priced at market value and was fully loaded with nearly-new tires. I had to pay more than I had budgeted, but it's been well worth it.

The 5th gen actually got a hp boost over the 4th gen even though the displacement is the same. I believe the intake was reworked a little bit and boosted the stock output to 222hp. IIRC, the 4th gen was only around 197hp.

Enjoy!!

 

They added the VIAS, your correct.

 

You'll definitely like it better bro.

 

good for 20 more whp!