I'm considering purchasing a 2000 maxima GLE with about 73K on it. Price is $12,500. When compared to book value even with the mileage deductions it seems to be a great deal as book is about 19k conservitavely.

What do you guys think? It is stock and I beleive was owned by a businessman, as such high mileage would be impossible to acheive in the city anyway.

Anything I should be weary of for this year model? Seems like too good a deal to pass up. My mechanic has seen it and has given it the OK.
Also noticed on the service section of this site there was nothing about timing belt changes. Is it recommended at 60K like most cars? Is the maxima's engine an interference motor?
(please forgive the basic questions as I'm new to the car)

Being a miata.net forum member, I know there is no better a place for advice then enthusiast forums.

Great site and forum, and thanks for any comments.

Dave

 

The Maxima's VQ series engines use timing chains not belts, so you don't need to worry about that....until like 130k or something.

There were some TSB's on the MY2000 Max's on the auto tranny's. You'd probably want to look into those and see if they have been performed or not. There was a shift solenoid issue and possibly some valvebody issue?? Not sure exactly. Hopefully someone can clarify.

73k on a 2000 can only mean one thing though. 90+% highway miles which are the easiest miles on car. If none of those TSB's have been performed on the tranny then it's probably still okay since it would have spent so much time in 4th gear.

Also check Edmunds.com Used Car Values to see what it gives for that model.

 

Hi Dave, I have the same model year Maxima, Black GXE. I've had it for almost two years now and it's been 100% reliable, and I've only had to take it to the dealer once for a small electrical problem that they told me to fix by simply disconnecting the battery overnight.

Many on this forum will "warn" (read:whine) about a couple things with the Max:

1) The paint is no good. I have no problems with the paint myself, but enough people whine about it that you'd think air friction from backing out of your drive way is enough to peel the paint off your car.

2) Problems with tranny. Again, I've had no problems whatsoever with my automatic tranny and I personally think that I drive my car pretty hard. I do a lot of stop and go and I push the car pretty hard when traffic permits.

3) Problems with the CD player. I think ppl are just making things up about the Max, cuz I've never had problems with the CD player. Any problems are expected of any CD player: it's gonna skip if you drive over a 6" pothole, it's gonna skip if your CD is scratched up, and electronics of all types are sensitive to moisture and condensatiohn.

4) Rattling. I've never had a rattle in my Max that wasn't attributed to some object (book bag, groceries, Autolock, etc.) that was not attached to the Max.

5) Lots of wind noise. This one is kinda legitimate, but make no mistake, the Max has a very quiet ride. The only time I even notice the wind noise is when I'm doing 90+. Otherwise, it's a non-issue.

6) Cold weather starting issues. I live in Jersey and I've never had a problem starting my Max. It's currently 20 Degs F outside and my car starts fine. It's been starting perfectly for the last two years. Sometimes the start is so seamless, that I'll accidentally crank the starter after I've already started the car cuz I don't even notice that it's on! That's how solid of a car the Max is.

7) There are a variety of other issues that other ppl on the .Org will inevitabley whine about (and have already whined about), but for me, the Max has been 100% trouble free. Any problems were self incurred (like trying to switch my auto shifter for an AE shifter).

The only thing I would be cautious about is the fact the the car does have a significant amount of mileage on it. No matter what make a car is, any car with the type of mileage on it is more likely to have problems than a car with say 23K miles. However, if you visit the 4th Gen and 3rd Gen forums, many of those guys can attest to the build quality of the Nissan Maxima. In addition, the VQ has been rated as one of the most reliable engines by a couple sites.

Good luck with your decision. I thoroughly believe in the quality of Nissan products and obviously I think the Maxima is a great car with many qualities that you'd find in cars costing $10K more.

Chuck

 

I bought a 2000 SE two months ago, with 21K miles on it. Its a stock base-model; 16s, not 17s, no leather, no 'roof, etc. The car is basically mint, and I think and got a good deal. I paid 19K for it. Its an awesome car, and if you don't beat on it, will get decent gas mileage too!

 

well even if hwy 73mi is a lot of miles for a 2-year old car. Check if there're maintenance receipts. and if there's extended wtty available. As for the price, you're getting an excellent deal. My buddy just bought 98 SE 5 spd w/58K mi for 10,500 @ dealer autoauction. In comparison, 12.5K for a '00GLE is great.

 

Good call on the maintainence receipts. I always keep mine if I have any work done on my Max (tire rotation, oil change, check ups, etc.)

 

Look carefully at the transmission. Mine blew at 23k.

GC

 

Well I'm pleased to announce that I have taken the plunge and am now the newest Maxima owner.

Thanks so much for all the comments.

The car is in great condition and seems to have been well cared for. Interior looks like new. My mechanic said tranny feels great and that the car has had all its services as far as he can tell. Unfortunately records were not in the vehicle as it came from auction.
I may swith to synthetic, to keep things as they are in the wear department.

It is missing the keyless entry, has only one key( which looks like it was never used) needs one mud flap for the rear, and has no manuel. I consider these to all be minor things that I can aqurie via dealer, and should these be the least of my problems I'll be thrilled. The original keys and entry must have been lost.

Thanks again and I'm thrilled with the purchase.
Dave

 

We welcome you to the .Org

If you have any questions or problems, let us know, we'll try to take care of ya!