hey, i haven't seen any threads on here that list common problems with the 5th gens. i am going to look at a '01 se on monday and i am wondering what to check on it. it would be nice to hear what are some common things to look out for when buying a 5th gen so i can maybe have a little protection/bargaining power. the car looks promising so maybe i'll be spending a lot more time in the 5th gen forum in the future.

 

trust me, its been discussed

FAQs
search

 

well, in two hours of searching i have found about six posts about problems and three about how much it has been discussed
topic might be a good candidate for the stickies (since i couldn't find that info in them) so people like me stop asking.

 

then post in the newbie thread.

like i said, all the problems are discussed everyday. we dont need new threads asking what the problems are.

 

assume no accident (pull history) check the color on paint check all gaps, then
1. check for coils, see if there are gray dot on it(mean u dun gave to change it in the near future)...
2. MAF... i dun think you have the chance to check...
3. umm... cant think of any for now...

 

radio

 

when you test drive it...listen for noises that the front end may make.. and pay extra attention to the steering wheel for any abnormal feed-baq it may produce.. also check the driver's door and make sure it isnt sagging...if it is have the dealer fix it. its a common problem max's have with the hinges (doesnt necessarily mean it was in a wreck)

as funny as that sounds....actually yes, check the radio... bose systems speakers have a knack of either not loading and playing cd's (especially with the 6cd changer) or their speakers randomly cut off...

 

from what i read, coils and MAF are not an issue after 2000? the dot check is great but there is not much i could do to check the MAF. i knew about the Potenza re92s being a problem but i don't know how i can convince the dealer that it's a real problem that he needs to give concessions for. hopefully, they aren't on there. he said on the phone that the windshield had been replaced but didn't say why so that is a potential issue.
thanks for the advice

 

Do the hinges need to be replaced to fix the door sagging problem or can they adjusted?

 

i believe you can tell if the maf has been replaced by the different part numbers on maf.

how is windshield beeing replaced before a potential issue??? ever had a rock chip on ur windshield?

how many miles on this max u gonna look at? price?

 

i think a thread should be created for those looking to buy a maxima. i don't know all that much, but heres what i do know.

your maf will go out. your ignition coils will go out (idk about 3.5 maximas). if you get a 3.0L 5 speed, the rear main seal will start leaking. if you get the 2002-2003, you might get oil burning. if you get 6speed, you might have 3rd gear grind.

 

i thought if the windshield was replaced that might mean that it had an accident but if there is a record of only the windshield and nothing else than i guess you're right and it was probably just a rock or something.

off topic but: i saw two pedestrians get nailed by a car the other day wow, on guy went through the windshield and the other guy did a flip in the air higher than the roof of the car. it was bad... hopefully thats not why this car has a new windshield

ill look around for the part numbers for the old and new MAFs so thanks for the tip

the car is a '01 se 5sp with 100k and all the options (don't know if it has side curtain airbags, which i think was an option that year) for 7500. going to ge see it in person in a couple hours (in the dark...)

 

well i bought it. i talked them down to 6900. the rotors are warped, there is rust all around the flex section of the y-pipe, the rear tires were re92 and one was gashed(thankfully) on the sidewall and there moisture in the front right headlight. other than that it looked great, had all the 01 options and the catback was new(not sure how i feel about the magnaflow muffler that was on there though...) so i guess i will be spending a lot more time in the 5th gen forum now. thanks for advice.
luke

 

congratulations. good luck with the car.

 

A tire with a gashed sidewall shouldn't pass a safety inspection. Did the dealer do a safety inspection? Do you realize how thin the sidewall is? It should have been or should be replaced.

 

LOL @ fockers getting hit.LOL

 

i actually passed inspection today. the dealer hadn't seen the gash. i was going to take the wheel off and swap it out with my project (now) car that has the same rims but there was a security lug on it and i didn't find the key in the car so i am going to go to a dealership in the morning to see if they can take it off for me. i would be screwed if i had a blowout or flat...

 

Good luck. Most of the tire shops around here have a sign. Lug lock? No key? No service.