Yes, my wife and I are the original owners. We drove it off the lot back in 2001 with only about 200 miles on the clock. I got a speeding ticket in it a couple of days later

 

You haven't changed the gear oil in the transmission in 400k miles??

I change mine every 30k! haha. And I have a GTI as well, so i know what you mean. The maxima is perfect for oil changes. I can do it without getting a drop of oil on myself.

 

The gear oil may have been done at some time. Maybe during one of the clutch jobs? I really can't recall. I've not done it myself, though. I'd remember doing that.

 

Ah yes, definitely requried during a clutch job (or any time an axle has been removed)

 

But...but...dyno oil would do 400k, too, with little wear!

Says every dino oil apologist on earth.

I have no doubt that a 3.0 could do 400k on good dino, but I highly doubt tolerances are still going to be tight as is the case with syn.

 

Well, there you go, then

For the record, this Maxima is bone stock. The only additions are a sunroof deflector and a strut tower brace. I did try a K&N drop-in air filter briefly, but the MAF died very soon after, so I went back to paper filters. I'm not saying there was causation, but...

Right after we got it, I had the dealer install (under warranty!) the rarely-seen fuel-filler pipe protector. It goes over the fuel pipe that sticks-through the rear wheel well. A lot of Maximas left the factory without this piece installed, but it's on the parts list (or, at least it used to be.) 74844P, if anyone's interested.

Last year, my wife went to adjust the rear-view mirror while driving, and the mirror assembly fell off the windshield, taking a large chunk of the glass with it. So, there's a new windshield. I think it's the second windshield, actually.

Amazingly, the car has been involved in exactly one fender-bender. A hit-and-run bent the driver's front fender while the car was parked. Had a new fender installed. No other damage.

This car has also had the 0420 trouble code practically from day-1. It's never seemed to cause a bit of trouble. Luckily, we don't have inspections where I live, so a CEL that's always on isn't an issue. I get the codes pulled occasionally, just to make sure there isn't something else wrong, but it's always just the 0420.

 

Holy snaps, two very big thumbs up!

 

My 4th Gen's Auto has never had its ATF changed during my possession and im not sure about the previous owner, around 450-475K on her.

 

Oh wow 400k? And I am close to 250k with a short list of trouble parts needing replacement.

 

400k. Congrats! I guess some people are luckier than others. I consider myself lucky with my 124k mile '02 even though I've had to replace a power window motor, the HVAC motor, the obligatory power steering high pressure hose, and the radiator. 70k miles and 6 and a half years of service and I don't consider the above repairs bad at all for that time frame. Considering you haven't had to replace any of those after all those years and mileage though? Go buy a lottery ticket.

I really wish my rear trailing arm bushings weren't leaking and my VQ doesn't like drinking oil like Tara Reid does alcohol though. I'll never put anything but Castrol GTX in it because of the oil use, and that's a shame as I would prefer to run synthetic.

 

Respect, sold my first 4th gen at 380k and to my knowledge it still runs today. VQ for life.

 

lol ima beat you guys. im at 196 right now. long way to go

 

6,813 miles on Trip A, quite the commute if it was a "trip".

 

Heh. I doubt he ever re-sets it.
My wife had a considerable commute, which is why the mileage is so high. Her daily commute was 120-140 miles round-trip. Mostly interstate, luckily.

 

If you look through my posts here, you'll see that I've had to do more than a few jobs on this car over the years. In addition to the things mentioned in this thread, I've also replaced the radiator. At least one CV joint. I think I've mentioned replacing the steering rack last year. Replaced the HVAC blower and fan assembly. Both front strut mounts.

We had the horrible front brake shudder right after we got it. The dealer just kept replacing the rotors with new Nissan pieces (yay warranty!) but the shudder always came back. We finally switched to aftermarket rotors (nothing fancy...just not Nissan) and we've not had the problem ever since.

The foglight buckets are held in-place with zip-ties because the factory bolts and their receivers rusted apart

And, we're starting to see the beginnings of rust around the rear wheel arches. Time does take its toll.

 

Pics of the car!

 

Congrats to you Bro!!!! That's alot of freakin driving! You must be afraid of flying....LOL?

 

If you ever reach 1 million miles, hopefully Nissan gives you a brand new maxima. Just like honda gave million mile joe a 2012 accord. Haha!

 

Anyone whining about a 100-150k Maxima... :matt93se:

My family has owned several 100+mile Nissans with zero issues.

We currently have:
-06 Frontier with 140k
-04 G35 coupe (mine) with 235k
-04 G35 coupe (mom's) with 127k
-05 G35 sedan (sister's) with 110k(?)
-03 350z with 150k

No problems from any of them. Previous vehicles were two Maximas, and an Altima. With no issues from them, either.

 

same here. 186k and no trans issues. knock on wood

 

You had to ask when it's pissing rain and all I have is my crappy old flip-phone camera

Here you go for now. The interior, having been used by a 23-year-old for over a year is looking a bit...lived-in. It'll have to be swept-out before pics of that. For the record, the interior is grey cloth.

 

well, IT'S STILL LOOKING GOOD!

 

Car looks great! Your story is very encourageing.

 

Thanks.
Of course, the rain and crappy camera help hide the peppering of tiny stone chips all along the nose and front of the hood.

 

400k and it looks better than a majority of 5th gens out there, wow. Congrats on the milestone!

 

If I saw that Maxima in a parking lot I'd never guess it had 400k on it that's for sure.

 

how about the common issue of the high pressure power steering hose going, and the radiator getting a leak on top and having to be replaced. Has that happened over the 400K miles??

 

Yes. I replaced the radiator about 2 years ago, due to leakage at the top hose connection and various joints. Haven't replaced the high-pressure steering hose. But, I did just replace the vacuum hose yesterday (that's the hose that runs from the reservoir down to the pump)

 

congats man my 4th gen is at 203 and is settin in the yard as im putting a new tranny in it now

 

that high pressure hose doesnt even last 100k cant believe its not leaking, u should have been through 4 of those hoses by now

 

Very cool! This gives me hope! I have 125k and I am now thinking I can give to our daughter in 5 years. Had some problems but in great shape. I love my max.

 

Auto's > Manuals.

I find this crazy because this car is manual and it lasted that long, the auto? Mannnnnnnn, not even a problem.

See! That's what's so nuts!!!

 

WOW, that a MILESTONE..........on that mileage, I'm amazed by the engine's feats that can last. I suspected what I have been told by Nissan salesperson when I got mine brand new that they say it can go 500k miles without any major issues. It all depends on how it was service and care after. Mine is only 79k on the odo, i guess I don't drive her much as I used too since I got a Jeep GC driving that a lot.

 

Say it isn't so!!! Autos may be more reliable than the manuals, but manuals will always always always be more fun.

And, about your "bored at 4 AM" video?

 

Auto more reliable than manual? How?

 

Wow, just had a future resident come in the Rental Office and he's got a '96 with 472,329 on it and it's his D.D. Says it burns a little oil but other than that it's perfect.

 

I think he means in terms of maintenance...no clutch to replace. Personally, I have my original auto tranny and have over 230,000 miles on it. I think modifying my valvebody, putting a tranny cooler in, and using sythetic ATF are keeping it running smooth with no issues.

 

Congrats! my 2000 now has 386,000 miles, original engine and auto. Radiator is leaking again though so I guess they only last about 180k! I'll keep that car till it dies. 02 next to it in the driveway now has 191,000. Ok car, hate how it uses oil and it's not as well put together as the 00, more rattles etc. Had a 97 I drove to 278,000 it was running fine when traded it for the 00. Not sure what to replace the 02 with as not a fan of 6th gen. Maybe an Altima.

 

Sounds like you have a similar history with Maximas as we do. We originally had a '91 SE that we drove to 314,000 miles before we sold it and got the '01. That 3rd gen was built like a tank.

 

Congrats on the 400K! I just crossed 200K tonight, so I should plan on a few more years service ( averaging about 40K per year).

Chuck