I'm officially Gross
 

I went to get my car smogged and failed due to high NO (PPM) which was way pass the acceptable levels. I'm getting random misfire code P0300, and lean codes in Bank 1 and 2. I'm **** out of luck for this to happen to me now, since I'm relocating back to NY in about 2 days. cant get my Reg, don't have money to be spending on coils, i purchased 6 Laser plugs ($60+) but if i knew it was just 1 coil i would return them to purchase the coil since it's just $20 more($80+). I'm at the end of my rope with this car, should of just kept my 94 Legend Coupe.

i was getting cam codes 1 and 2, purchased them from the dealer and installed them myself a couple of months ago. codes were still poping up, went to the dealer and was told the ecm has to be flashed for the new sensors, along with an idle relearn, everything went fine. i was told my MAF sensor signal is weak meaning that its on its way out, i changed it. after all that i go to the smog only shop yesterday with clear codes, told the tech i had no issues no SES light on, he goes up to my car which i left idling for about 2 minutes, he call me and says my SES light is on, REALLY? this is the most disappointing Nissan Maxima I've ever owned, i need to get the hell out of Cali, i gave up my place( have to be out by Monday) left my side job( its all i had) and now my car will probably leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere in who knows what state along Interstate 80. when it rains it pours i officially hate this car now. the reason for the post title is because my car is now considered a Gross Polluter.

Did you abuse the car?

I think Maxima reliability kind of sucks. Coming from 2x Toyota Camry and even having a 08 Nissan Altima 3.5 from ~0km - 160k (not a DD for me though), this 02 Maxima has been a money pit... Evap canister, O2 sensors, Exhaust leaks, Electrical issues etc all before it even hit 200k. My two Camry lasted me through high school and a bit of early upper education so imagine how little maintenance I did but both lasted me over 350k

<-- This is all KM

Drop it off in MO on your way over, I'll buy it.

No sir, I respect any vehicle that I've owned, if we abuse our cars we cant be surprised when they let us down. since i owned this car from back in 2006, its been one thing after another, I've had to change the Gearbox, ECM (not cheap even used 600+ for a 6 speed), IACV, 2 MAF sensors, Cam sensors, and a long list of other items. last night I'm driving behind a van and i see a flicker from my reflection, i pull over into a parking light, my driver side headlight went out. went into my glove compartment where i have backups, popped the hood. something told me turn it off then back on, it comes back on for the rest of the trip, i know its on its way out now, but that's to be expected that's why i have backups since you cant go into the local store and purchase D2r bulbs.

I've had an 85 Maxima, 89 SE 5-speed, and now this 02 Se, with a few Acuras in between, out of all the cars, this one is the most problematic. the older Maxima's were almost pullet proof, a MAF once in awhile and that was about it strong engine. i cant believe how much money I've put into this car and it keeps punishing me.

So why are you dumping thousands of dollars into your maxima for headers and exhaust, tuning etc?

Man nobody in Norcal can help me out with a few coils?. i put my XBOX up on CL for sale at least i can hopefully get enough to purchase 2 duralast aftermarket coils. i hate feeling helpless, this sucks, and time is running out on me. i hate to have to try and make that trip with a intermittent blinking SES, and that damn rattling sound every 15-18 seconds (misfire interval) i times it.

ECU and IACV? What are you smoking. It's not a 5.0 gen. And 600 bucks? Yeah...I paid about half that for TS reflash ECU. Even ebay would be cheap. Sensors go with age as do headlights (sure the sensors could be improved like all metal a la new altima ones), but it's not your 1980 design 22r motor).
Idk how you would kill a 6 spd and a lot of this is retarded Cali laws for ya.

The auto ecu are a dime a dozen, but a manual one is gold. Then of course I had to take it to the dealer to have the keys programmed to it. I got the 6 speed gearbox for $200. Go figure

If my Legend Coupe was 6 speed, I would still have it and sell this off as is.

observation made when i removed my front coils to inspect the plugs, the coil pack in the middle was shaking like something was loose inside, i did purchase 1 coil pack ($80+) from Kragen since that's all the had in stock . tomorrow im going to attack it again, install my new laser plugs, and inspect the other four pack, i purchased 1 about 5 months back.

i just finished a 2,900 mile journey back Home to New York, and was getting a steady 28mpg. prior to me heading out i changed my plugs NGK Laser platinum, changed my oil and, swapped back in my old MAF sensor, which the dealer told me needed to be changed because it was giving a low signal. i made it with just needing to top off my oil every 1K, and I'm thankful for that.

Sorry to hear about all the issues you've been having. Really makes me second guess buying a 5.5 Gen.

Good question.

Glad you made it safely man.

I've heard mostly good things about the 5.5 and owning one, I think it's been great so far.

I think there are bad apples in every batch and previous owners tell a lot about a used car IMO.

Thanks Tex, I only lost a rim with a week old brand new tire, other than that it was a uneventful trip. fast forward from Friday to Today, my RPM have been dipping ever so often while at idle, and today while in traffic it dropped below 500 RPM and it shut off on me, it did start right back up, so i guess that new MAF is in my near future after all. at least i had an early warning so i knew to expect that failure sooner or later.