yuppers

 

After owning a 1997 SE and 2000 SE each to over 270,000 miles, I've started looking at 2002-2003's as the new daily drive (giving my 2000 SE to my wife as a replacement for her Hyudai). This forum has been very helpful in making me aware of some of the things to look for with the 3.5 engine.

Both the 97 and 00 SE's were very similar mechanically, very solid, had radiator and starter issues which were addressed, mass flow sensor (not unexpected with that mileage) but otherwise oil/tires/brakes/50K tune up type of cars. No repair has ever been the "$500 to change a Lexus litebulb" type of repair.

I was even able to transfer my jetski trailer hitch from the 97 to the 00.

A couple of quick questions, other that watching oil consumption, any other things to look for with the 3.5?
Is the strut bearing wear noise more of an SE issue? or across the model line?

Any thoughts on a 5.5 gen Maxima vs. a similar vintage Altima (3.5 only) ?
and,
Can I tranfer that U-haul brand trailer hitch to my third Maxima?

thanks,

 

I have no strut bearing wear noise, definitely keep an eye on the oil level and Altimas Do have Independent Rear Suspension unlike Nissan's higher model: Maxima

 

well after further research around this site, I decided that passenger side front "strut bearing" clunk I've had on both the 97 and the 00 may be motor mounts. Useful stuff to know, thanks.

As mentioned, I work my cars hard, 50-60K per year and sure have had good luck with the Maximas. I would be interested if any of the mechanic types on this site could give me an opinion on getting a 5.5 generation Maxima vs. a similar vintage 3.5 engine Altima. Hope that's not considered blasphemy around here. Also, I'm looking automatic trans only. Knee can't take all that shifting anymore despite Nissan's persuasive advertising.

thanks,

 

I know this is a newbie question (I am brand new to owning a Maxima but not Nissans as I have two others) but, what is the difference in a 5th Gen and a 5.5 Gen?

 

5th Gen - 00-01 model years with VQ30DE-K, non-HID headlights, dark framed tails, smaller front Nissan emblem with grill fixed to bumper, available in 4AT and 5MT, 2001 Anniversary Editions had VLSD and AE body kit.

5.5 Gen - 02-03 model years with VQ35DE, HIDs, chrome framed tails, larger emblem with grill that detaches from the bumper, available in 4AT and 6MT, HLSD was an option with the 6MT.

There are other differences but IMO those are the ones that usually come up. Maybe others can chime in too. I think there may be some info in the Stickies too, or even on edmunds.com or something.

 

Uh... no?

 

Thanks!! I knew it had to do with something like that but didn't know what.

 

I realized I had a typo... I meant 5.5 Gen is 02-03 model years.

 

I bought a 2000 SE 2 yrs. ago. I love the car. However, if I were to do it over I would have went with a 2002 or 2003. They have 255 hp i think. The 2000 has 222 hp.

 

I just bought a 2000 gle for my son, I guess I was in a hurry I taught it was a good deal. I paid $5 k for it.It' a siver with spoiler, sunroof ,leather in good condition, 127,000 miles. The owner showed me some records, all the ignition coil was replaced 6 monnths ago with 110 miles, the rear seal was replaced,newer tires the head light is new(both sides)& both axels.Today I spent almost 400 dollars just for parts, i'm going to do suspenssions . I bought struts (KYB) shocks ,pads ,rear rotors ,oil, transmission fluid,outer tire rods ,coolant & the front rotors resurface for 10 bucks a piece. Everything works on the car except it needs a shocks & struts.Is it a good deal?

 

Yes, a very good deal. A 5th gen will last for at least 200k if properly maintained. Just keep up on the regular maintenance items and you'll be right as rain.

 

ok i didnt get the se either. just too far to drive. i have found a 2003 gle with 44k miles. im paying $10,210. i dont think its a great deal, but the car is in perfect shape. im tired of looking, so im buying the thing. cant wait to be a 5.5 gen owner!

heres to 250k miles!

oh yeah, its silver with black leather.

 

Hello everyone,

I am thinking about purchasing a 2003 Maxima GLE with 77,605 miles and the asking price is $9995. My first question would be is what do the veterans here think about the price? I have been browsing through the site for a couple of hours now and have noticed things to look out for?

Also, I know that in the past the headlight thefts were a big issue for this Maxima. Any major concerns about it now? I have been doing searches and the only solution seems to be the data dots or the aftermarket kit and those do not seem to work.

Thanks.

 

I've got a 02 max se and its burning a lot of oil. cold starts are rough but its fine once it warms up.whats going on, new spark plugs? I got the oil changed a month ago and its probably down 2 quarts. heeelllpp

 

also my drivers side door wont open, it happened last year when it was cold then went away now its back and not opening at alll. all other doors open fine. what might be going on. I cant take the panel off if it wont open

 

The extra horses are nice, but my 03 has given me more issues in a year than my 00 ever did. My 00 had 165xxx when I sold it.

 

No matter what I'll end up putting this in the wrong place so I'll just use my judgement.

Looking at a 2002 SE Dark Blue Maxima with 65K on the clock, one owner. 6speed with frost leather interior and meridian package, heated seats, BOSE, roof, climate control etc.. Also has HLSD and is in excellent condition inside and out. Only option it doesn't have is NAV and if the TE was available that year it doesn't have the TE package. New tires as well. Price is $8900

 

sounds like a real good price to me I would jump on it if I was in the market. Damn wish I had a 6 speed.

 

Sticky, top of the forum - http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...info-here.html

 

It sounds pretty good, but I think it matters where you are located.

 

i didn't think that an HLSD was available in a 2002?

 

Correct according to the FSM, also the SE TE was in '03, not in '02.

 

Ummmm...... my 02 has HLSD

 

That's a good price!!

 

i would jump on that. make sure its mechanically all right though

 

As does mine.

 

How do you tell if you have HLSD again?? I've got an 02 SE with a 6 Speed?? No fancy pedals though

 

Check the VIN plate on the firewall, RS6F51H is HLSD, RS6F51A is open diff. That's only if it came factory though, if someone did a swap there's really no way to tell without getting your hands dirty.

 

Hmm... I have 51H and the "fancy pedals" as I've read in another thread but I'm certain that I don't have HLSD. Torque steer proves that...

can anyone verify???

 

Well, unless someone swapped in an open diff, you do. Have you tried jacking it up and spinning the wheels?

 

I'm the 2nd owner as far as i know. The car was leased from new to 102,000 miles w/ nothing done to it when I bought it that I know of.

Na, haven't tried that yet. Spin one and the other should spin w/ it or opposite direction correct?

 

and what explains the torque steer then? Obviously it's not as noticeable to me now that i've become accustomed to it... but it certainly has torque steer.

 

AND that seems like a good deal KLUTCH, assuming it's from a dealer.
Sounds nearly identical to my car but Cheaper than what I paid for my car w more miles on it. I also do not have climate control or heated leather seats.

 

I didn't think torque steer had anything to do with HLSD or not. Torque steer is because the axles are not equal length. More power to one side is lost because of the longer length axle.

HLSD means you get power to both the wheels equally almost all of the time which means it doesn't just provide more power to the spinning wheel. (aka 2 burnout tracks)

As far as I know and I could definitly be wrong, but we are talking about 2 different things. I am new to the Max, but not to cars and FWD.

Putting 250 horses to a FWD with unequal length axles causes torque steer. And mine sure has it. HLSD or not. I'm going to check tonight , but I don't think I have it.

If anyone can confirm or deny my thoughts/theory I'd appreciate it.

 

They should both spin in the same direction.

More like 210 horsepower to the axles, but minor details. One A33B I'm quite familiar with has had HLSD for the past two years, but still torque steered to holy hell.

 

Well I did not know that. I'm not new to cars but I was uneducated w/ the concept of torque steer and presumed that it was from uneven power distribution to each front wheel. After doing some research you are correct on it being caused by unequal length axles.
Sorry for my lack of knowledge & according to pmohr's VIN decoder I do have HLSD. aka 2 burnout marks

 

FWIW, leaving 2 tire marks from burnouts can be done regardless of LSD or open diff. Not a very good indicator.

 

well i have 51H and it does leave 2 burnout marks. I got new tires last spring!

 

That won't work. Myself and a few other members on here went through this exercise many years ago. Apparently the HLSD doesn't not "engage" if there's no torque load on it. It will behave just like an open diff when in the air. We never did come up with a proper test for it. You might be able to verify it by creating a load on both side using two people each with a long 2x4 to create drag on the wheels.

That said, I'm pretty sure I damaged the HLSD in my car by doing donuts in reverse on a wet parking for a somewhat lengthy period of time. This was many years ago when I was younger and dumber. I plan to locate myself a RS6F51H from a junkyard and swap transmissions when I eventually have to replace my clutch.