Please jump to the 9:15 mark of the above vid concerning the Max? Never owned the 5.5 gen version of the vehicle, but in the market for one; is it prudent to avoid the 2002-03 versions of the vehicle. Wondering what past owners of the vehicles think of it since they had newer engines? Also, does the 03 CVT transmission failure rate an issue as this Ytube guy states? Thanks in advance

 

The 5.5 gen is most commonly known for burning oil. This can be the result from blown precats. As long as the car has a good maintenance record and low miles, the precats should still be in shape and not blown apart yet. Mine has 136k miles and burns hardly any. I always check my level though. Ditch the precat and you'll be good. Also check for radiator support rust, but this is common on both the 5th gen and the 5.5 gen.

 

Appreciate the response; recently saw a 2003 w 143xxx miles that the owner is looking to unload for $2700; have a test drive scheduled for the weekend

 

Keep an eye on how the transmission shifts, any noise, suspension feel, etc. If you can, ask to see the car at the sellers house where it hasn’t been started yet. This will be the best way to listen for a timing chain noise. It’s common for the chain to rattle for a second and then go away. But if the noise persists, stay away. However, 5.5 gens don’t really have timing chain problems.

 

It doesn't have a CVT, it has a 4 Speed Automatic or a 6 speed manual.

I know some people have had good experiences with the 5.5 gen, but based on my experience, I would say stay away. Find a 2001 model year or earlier.

 

Versa only $10,000

But if your going to go for under 5
Dont get any car thats equipped with Takata airbags unless its had the recall. And I say this after reading about a 2002 honda that had takata inflators.

The driver was pronounced dead on the scene! Id be concerned with that first.

 

I would not touch a Versa...rather spend that money on 2009-2015 Maxima; found some in the Houston area near that 10k range

 

Good idea, the Maxima is affected from 2001-2003

 

get a scooter, thats an affordable daily driver

 

5.5 Gen and HR Swap it. Oil consumption problem no more..plus more power.

 

you need to swap upper oil pans too?

 

Wow, there was a lot of misinformation on the Maxima in that video! That guy had no clue what the heck he was talking about. '02-'03 5.5 Gen Maxima did not have issues with Timing Chains or Tensioner (6th gen problems), and none had CVTs. Actually, the CVT wasn't introduced until mid 6th Gen ('07 I believe). The transmission issues that he spoke of occurred with the '04 & '05 Maxima (5 speed Auto), which actually have a different trans than the trans that was in the '02 / '03 which is a 4 speed Auto. On the whole, the 4th gen is a little more reliable than the 5th gen due to the IAVC / ECM issue, and the 5.5 gen due to Oil Consumption and cat issues. Overall, all are good reliable used vehicles! As an org member who has had all of these vehicles at one time or another, I definitely prefer the 5.5 gen as there is no substitute for horse power!

 

Thanks Sanford7575 and all the other members who opined on this issue. Have my eyes set on this one due the price and lowish miles for the year
https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/ct...468074033.html

Will use extra $$ saved to deal with any recurring issues

 

I say if you can repair the car yourself/ mechanically inclined the 5.5 is a good car. If you cant repair the car yourself then stay away. 2002-2003 maxima does use oil so you have to check it more often than you would most other cars. My opinion is the same as someone elses. The 4th gen 95-99 maxima is the most reliable, not very many sensors to worry about going wrong ect ect.

 

Not a mechanic, but I've owned a used 2000 Max SE from 2007 to 2016 that I bought from a dealer @ 118,xxx miles till it was stolen, and it had it fair share of issues, but nothing backbreaking expense wise; about a year into ownership, I had to change the ignition coils(all six); then in 2012, had to change "throttle body" since had to press gas pedal when starting the vehicle. Also, changed the starter that same year; I think the most expensive repair was replacing shocks/struts in addition to the CV joint a year later.

 

that isn't a bad price. Another Houston member

 

I can't understand why people still recommend the 5.5 gen. OP, the 02-03 max and 02-04 i35 are oil burners. Stay away. Find yourself a clean 4th gen max/i30. Or maybe a max beyond the 5.5 gen. Don't throw your money away on a 5.5 gen, it will not be an inexpensive daily.

 

what 15 year old car dosen't burn some oil ??

 

"Some" oil? How about a whole lot of oil. I speak from experience, I owned an 04 i35 for 9 years. I bought her in 08 with 40k miles on the odo, and let me tell you...it didn't wait 15 years to start burning oil. I'm about as meticulous as they get when it comes to cars, so no, I wasn't beaten the **** out of it. I took great care of that car. I took her up to 200k miles before getting rid of her. In its final 3 years or so I had to carry a quart of oil with me at ALL times. The oil is just one issue, I can go on and on, on why the 5.5 gen sucks *** and would be a horrible choice for a inexpensive daily driver..especially for someone who is not mechicanly inclinlined. Why spend money on a car knowing this is a HUGE problem? Oh, but to answer your question. What car doesn't burn oil at 15 years old? My 98 i30t and my 97 Integra GS-R. So there you have it OP. Two very good choices for a inexpensive daily driver.

 

I agree these cars 5.5 gen are not a good choice for an inexpensive daily driver for a non mechanically inclinded person. Things can get expensive very quickly, I said to myself if i did not know how to make repairs on this car everytime something went wrong or broke, I would not be able to afford to drive this car. The most reliable maxima is the 95-99 model or 96-99 i30. I believe this was the last japan built model and they had to make up for reliability/ transmission and engine problems in the 3rd gen maxima. 4th gens have the least problems.

 

My point exactly, for a inexpensive daily the 5.5 gen is not the right choice here.

 

maybe for this thread a beat up 5thgen may be not the best for a cheap daily, but i have had a 5th gen for 11 years, and the burning is pretty slim and not an issue at all. just checked it this morning since im half way through my oil change interval, and full. 227k miles here.

every car is diff, some burn a lot some burn little, i may be... in the minority, but not all burn the amounts people talk about.. to completely trash the car .. in general... just makin that clear.

 

yea probably not an ideal "cheap" DD choice.... and IIRC early 5th gens up to the middle of the 2002 production year were the last Japanese built maximas ( so mid 2001)

 

every car is diff, some burn a lot some burn little, i may be... in the minority, but not all burn the amounts people talk about.. to completely trash the car .. in general... just makin that clear.[/QUOTE]
Good point, every car is different. I can agree. But there is no point, in 2018, knowing what we know about this motor to buy a 5.5 gen that is or will eventually burn oil. Who wants to take a chance on it burning a little vs a lot? Just buy a car that is not known for oil consumption. I'm glad yours is not bad, I've read some horror stories.

 

The 98' didn't and the 2000 still doesn't.

Yeah, the 2003 I have is currently burning a litre every 500 kilometers. I don't like to hate on cars, and the 2003 has it's moments and is the last one built in japan. But between the oil burning, the turning radius (which is somehow worse than the 5th gen), the maf, the camshaft sensors, the radio, motor mounts, I would not recommend this car for an inexpensive daily, but rather as a fun project car (5.7 swap).

 

Wow...just checked back on thread, and lots of interesting nuggets in the last 24 hour; may sway me to consider other options although I don't remember having too many issues with my previous 2000 Max SE...wish I still had her..Thanks everybody

 

Yes not to menchen the lack of an egr valve in which over time the pre cats get sucked into the engine and help with the oil burning and the annoying detonation /spark knock I hear on most cars with this motor.

 

I have never heard bad things about the 00-01 max/i30 with the 3.0 motor. It's the 02-03 max 02-04 i35 with the 3.5 motor that we are telling you to stay away from.

Mines used to knock all the way down road while under load at about 2500-3000 rpm. The factory Bose 6 disc CD decided it didn't want to work anymore along with the factory sub. Radio still worked though. The knocking became my music.

 

I have an '02 5.5 gen max, and it did burn about 1qt of oil in between intervals until I got headers and switched to AMSoil 5W30, it's been smooth sailing ever since...then again I do most of the maintenance myself.

 

I bought mine recently knowing it to be a project car, but there is just NO arguing the benefits of the power to weight ratio in the 5.5's. After I replace my struts, and front brakes, I am soooo going to spank all these 20 something jagoffs running around in their Jettas by the university thinking they've got the ultimate ride. Not to go too much off-topic, but the 02-03 maximas were the not the only Nissans known for oil burning. The VK45DE in the '02 to '06 Q45's were also notorious for this problem, probably also becasue of the pre-cats. I had a '99 with the more reliable but underpowered VH41DE, but one guy actually started running Shell Rotella diesel oil in his 4.5l V-8... talk about overkill!!!