tbird2340

What up everyone... I'm in the process of pondering getting a Maxima.

How is the leg room in the back? Can a 6' 2" person fit back there comfortably?

tbird2340

Ok. Here's the story. About 7 months ago I was involved in a car accident and for a week I had a 2004 (or 05 don't know which) Nissan Maxima. That was one of the funnest weeks of my life driving. This car is FAST. VERY FAST! I was in love... When I had to give it back when my truck was done I felt like I was driving a turtle..

Now, my wife is pregnant and we will only have one car to transport the baby (being that my truck is not applicable to use). So, I thought of selling my truck and buying a used 04-05 Maxima.

Upon doing some research on the Max I have seen A LOT of complaints about some pretty major and some unmajor problems. I just don't know if I should spend the $20,000+ to buy a car that I will knowingly have problems with.

I plan on installing my carputer into the Max and the layout of the console is perfect for me to do so and that is the other major reason I want this car (first is the speed).

So, question is.. Should I pull the trigger?

PROS: Fast car, sweet looking in and out, 4 door sedan (family car), perfect for a carputer.

CONS: A lot of problems down the road?, won't have the truck to haul stuff anymore.

Give me your opinions please.

Thanks!

rays01se

Pull the trigger. Get the '05 Max SE and don't look back. Plenty of room for the baby, less problems in the '05 versus '04 (should be expected on any new platform anyway), very classy looking IMO and one of the sweetest V6 engines ever produced. Sounds like you have already been bitten by the bug by your own admission so get the Max and tell us all about it. Good luck. These Maximas are sweet. I've owned 5 other Maximas and my '05 is the best on yet.

04BlackMaxx

I have had no major problems...and the major things are warrentied for 60,000 miles. I have 36k now and it is truely a great car, and a bargain.

PapaL

iTrader: (2)

I traded in my 03 Element for an 05 Maxima. Best choice I had made so far. While I loved the space and layout of the Element, I never really fell in love with it. While test driving the Maxima, I knew this was the vehicle for me.
The problems people claim to have with their Maxima, I think are self imposed. Take of the car and it'll take car of you. Yes a few vehicles always come out a little different than the rest, but that goes for all brands, not just Nissan.
I have a son who is almost 3 yrs old, and getting him into and out of the Maxima is easy. At first I had him in the center seat, which is fully equipped to handle the latch and ***her system, and recently moved to behind the drivers seat. Both spots work great to get him in and out.
As far as hauling stuff, The Maxima has a large trunk, but nothing is going to compare to the size truck bed.

tbird2340

Yea, I definately want one bad. But then I think about losing my truck and the ability to do the things you can do with a truck and I start 2nd quessing myself.

The one good thing about my truck is that my wife never wants to drive it. So it's basically I have "my" truck and she has "her" car. BUT - It has been already stated that if we get a Maxima it won't be "my" car but more like "our" car which means it won't be my daily driver.

Rathmax

Leg room is fine, headroom is more of an issue if you get the sunroof. My son is 6' 2" and his head rubs against the roof when he sits in back.

tbird2340

Question.. If I do some modifications to the console (put a 7" screen where the stock information screen is and then move the stock screen down - which has been done by numerous people) will that void the warranty?

maxmale

i believe as long as this certian modification does not cause the problem then it will still be covered under warranty. and by the way i have had my max for over two years with more miles than i care to say and i still feel as if it is a new car. i am still in love and get comments daily. and no major problems to report other than a/c compressor.

darrinps

This is my second Maxima. It probably would have probably been my third or fourth by now, but my first one had so few problems that I just couldn't see letting it go sooner!

I had about 180,000 miles on it and drove it for close to nine years, and only had a couple minor problems (and all but one happened at the very end). In short, only one minor AC thing, a bad starter, and...actually, that's all I even recall having a problem with. Truly amazing when you think about it. The car used no oil, got great mileage and never failed me. Come to think about it, I should have kept "ole Bessy" another few years but my wife really liked the looks of the new Maxima so now I am a happy (so far at least!) owner of a 2005 SE 6 speed and can say that it is both fun and fairly economical to drive.

In short, go for the Maxima.

Wakkus_Maximus

My brother is 6'2" and he fits fine on it. Of course I've got the skyroof, so I don't know if it would be bad with the other sunroof. That's why I bought the Max and not the Z.

Mystery

I can fit comfortably in the back with an average driver. I'm 6'6. Now its another story if i'm driving. Only smaller sized people fit comfortably behind me. This car called out to me because of all the room it has inside.

clayman88

iTrader: (1)

I'm 6'6" & fit comfortably in the back seat. The only concern would be the headroom.

97Se5spd

ok, im plan to definetley buy a used 04 max in the next 4-6 months. The only thing is that i kno the 04's have a few problems but i was wondering if the problems are widespread, and that the people who traded in the car got rid of it becuase of, lets just say the struts. I should be able to notice anything like that wen i test drive right? thanks for any input

Defib

My son is 6' 2" and as long as the front seat isn't to far back he doesn't complain!
There's alot more room in my 04 than there was in my 98.

robm67

as long as the front seats are pushed forward, the rear room is good. might not be 100% comfortable for driver with a tall passenger behind him.

Wakkus_Maximus

Actually my brother fits ok on the backseat behind the driver's seat while I'm driving. I'm 6'0" and he's 6'2". I don't think it gets a lot better than that.

smokey04max

What kind of answer did you expect in a MAXIMA FORUM???

MAXNIX

I'm 6'1" and like the seat driver's seat all the way back and I haven't had any complaints of legroom behind the driver's seat. I'm in sales and I have had people of all sizes ride in my car with no problems. The only problem I could foresee is if you like the seat reclined. That will definately eat into the legroom of a passenger in the backseat.

chernmax

iTrader: (15)

PROS. SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY...

Do it...

msoemax

Wait until the 06 comes out. Buy an 06. The 05 are significantly better than the 04's but I would wait and see what the 06 yields. If you are going to buy new, BUY NEW! Buying an 05 will save you a little money, but the car will depreciate even more because it sat around for a year. In the end if you keep the car as long as possible it's doesn't matter, but it's worth the extra few bucks for the newest IMHO. Wait to see 1 month for the 06...then make up your mind.

eLMo

I've had two one was in a roll over and everyone survived so you know it's safe. Buy an 05 or wait like 2 months and get the 06.

msoemax

wait until the 06 comes out and buy a used 05. The 05's have far fewer reported problems than an 04. Find yourself an 05 dealer demo.

tbird2340

Yes, I figured I'd get the "Buy a Maxima" on this forum but I've also got some reasons why.

We are not buying new only because it makes no sense to. I can get an 04-05 with around 20,000 miles for around $20,000 or I can buy a new one at $28,000. Doesn't add up for me.

robm67

have had my 05 smoke se for about 3 weeks, so far it's great. would definately recommend buying one. a couple of small complaints, no lock on passenger side door, no lock on trunk, must use key fob or interior controls. i might be nit picky but i would of liked them on the car.

RHMax

The answer is:

darrinps

What options are you looking for?

You can get a base SE for about $24,000 (plus TTL).

RHMax

I have an 05, and no problems so far 5k miles. My in-laws have an 04, built 05/04, bought 07/04 and no problems to date (don't know exact miles, but regularly driven.)
Your window is 4-6 months, I agree with msoemax, get an 05 if you can.

Jayzmax04

Very smart going for the used one. Look for one with 10-20k miles on it. 04 or 05, not too much difference, and hopefully whoever had it first already fixed the few problems.

These cars havnet held up value very well, wish I would have boughten mine used....

Sexyass Maxima

Yeah I love my 05 but if I knew the 06 was a few months away I would have waited

RHMax

Base SE is pretty well equip, but with a baby, leather seats might be easier to keep clean. For $28k, the car should be pretty loaded.

Dblock905

PLenty of room in the back, and best of all, still lots of trunk space.

tbird2340

Well yea, but $24000 plus tax (7%) = $25,680 where as $20,000 plus tax = $21,400 which is over $4,000 difference..

Not much to some people but it is a lot to us.

I'm really not looking for any options in particular. They all have power windows / locks and I will be replacing / upgrading the speakers and stuff.

HzMajesty

iTrader: (1)

Pre owned is a good way to go IMO.... its amazing how much u can tell just from a test drive. I wouldnt let bad struts be a deciding factor to buying the car though (dealer will replace for brand new ones under warranty). Just make sure u drive her for an extended test drive, dont talk alot, dont turn on the radio (ull hear it all).

HzMajesty

iTrader: (1)

Pull de trigga!!!

JiuJitsuThug

iTrader: (1)

Do it - had mine 2 years and 4 months and have NO complaints - GREAT CAR!

MAXNIX

Pull the trigger! I just bought my second gen6, 05 SE, because I like the car so much. My 04 had 50K miles and I had no problems with it except for the rattle in the rear deck which i fixed before I knew there was a TSB on it. It's a great sports sedan for a family.

"Bran Da Man"

Do it!! Do it!! You only live once.

wrj

I have an 04 made about mid model year. I have been extremely pleased. No rattles, no vibrations, no shimmy, no..... Yes people have had some issues but that is what you hear most of the time on forums.

My Max is still very fun to drive for me after a year plus.

My only suggestions is to make sure you give the car you plan to purchase a very thorough test drive.

tbird2340

Ok.. Just did a carfax on the one that I am looking at. Note - I have not seen this vehicle in person yet.

The carfax states:

- This sedan has had 1 owner in Pennsylvania. It was originally registered to a rental agency and operated as a daily rental passenger vehicle.
- It was involved in an accident in Maryland that was reported to the police.

Now, I know how I hammered the car I had when I was renting it.. Do you think it is a bad idea to get a rental?

Also, I will follow up on the accident. In the report is just states "Accident Reported
Involving a front impact with another motor vehicle Minor or moderate damage reported"

Thoughts?

Reason I'm asking is because I'm not sure if I'll find another price this good. It's an 05 SE that has 23,000 miles and is going to be right around $20,000.