Hi my name is Bryan and I just purchased a 2003 Maxima SE titanium edition witha 6 speed. The best part about it, it has 279k on it. It runs ok it seems as if it could use some love. But overall it's been a good car so far. I didn't know if there was a welcome forum, so I'm just making an intro post.

The previous owner claims the engine and trans were replaced at some point he owned the car since 04 so I somewhat believe him. However he couldn't produce paperwork. If anyone has any suggestions for me or common issues let me know that would be great. There is a idle misfire but I'm pretty sure it's not coil related because its so unnoticeable. And I'm pretty sure I need struts all the way around.

 

how much did you get it for?

 

A very low price. Lol.

 

I'm also looking to buy some used struts springs for all corners.

 

Get. Rid. Of. The. Cats.

 

keep an eye on your oil level to verify if you have an oil burner

 

The oil level has been the same since I changed it. Ummmmm what can I do to get rid off the cats? Aftermarket headers and such??? It's running fine is that something I should really invest in?

 

Maximas are notorious for having their precats (located in the header collectors) break apart and, in extreme cases, get sucked back into the engine causing damage to the rings. It's already happened with mine, and really anybody who has one should invest in headers...but I'd imagine they may be about 1/2 the price you paid for your car, so I'm not sure you're willing to do that. haha.

 

I'd buy some if I got them cheap enough. I live in Michigan and it about to get cold. So car projects pretty much are halted until the spring. So I would like to get a new suspension for now and then deal with that come summer time. Granted I keep it and it continues to run good.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...n-writeup.html

there are a few things you need to do to make them fit properly, but a lot of people have them with varying degrees of success (SES light/ no SES light)

 

I could careless about the ses light. I just don't what a drop in mpg and more issues. Is there anyway to know that cat is shot?

 

Mine rattles when the RPMs are falling. For example, just hit the throttle in neutral and rev to 3k or so, and it'll rattle as the RPMs drop back down to idle. Does it 100% of the time - but I'd imagine it just depends on the severity and the orientation the broken pieces are sitting in.

The triggered SES light will not affect your gas mileage because it's for the secondary o2 sensors, which don't alter your A/F ratio. And just to note, even with the broken pre-cats and scored rings, my car gets over 30mpg on the interstate and I'm confident I could still run a low 14 at the track if i brought it again...

 

check oil all the time, buy my afc and wideband.

 

No weird rattles or anything like that. Lol I'm not touching it unless I get some really cheap. I think my fuel gauge is starting to work now. I have a feeling the previous owner didn't use premium fuel the last year or so. Since I've owned it and used 93 octane, it is ran better and better day by day band the idle has been spot on. Might do a fuel filter change today as long and this Michigan weather holds off.