Are the 04's that bad?
 

Hey guys-

I've been reading here and it looks like the 04' models seem to have the most problems, are they that bad that I would wait for the 05's to come down a little when the 06's come out and snag one?

Jeff

its not that they are that bad. i have an 04 and really have no performance problems at all. my only problem is with my a/c. nothing a new compressor wont fix. but just like any new model year. there are always bugs to work out. but hey you might get lucky and get a good one like i did. i also just got the base model. so there are less things to worry about going wrong. all i wanted was the engine.

I haven't had a single problem with my '04.

Yeh, I'm looking for something a lil' more.. upscale than I am currently driving.. :)

I've done the whole "build a race car thing" the next car will be on that I can get in, start it up if I have a headache and not wish I was in a completely different car or if I can make it over speed bumps, etc.. :) I love my current car and I know I'm going to miss the performance, but I've been driving a 97' Maxima while my car is being "fixed" and am thinking this is the road I need to take.. :)

Maxmale - I love your grill man..

Wait for the 06 to come out and see what's up. If you can save $3.5k-$4.5k then I would look into the 05. If it's less than that buy an 06 and don't loose the money on depreciation. If you are going to buy new buy the latest model.

Nah, I don't (well not anymore) buy new cars.. So, I will be trying to find something with around 20K on the clock..

Thinking the current 05' prices will drop when the 06's hit..

no problems with mines so far.....nothing major.

mine is great. any car will have minor warrantied issues. if i wasn't anal about my car, i'd only have needed the struts replaced.

No problems with mine - replaced one strut under warranty. That's about it...

No problems with my 04 it has 17000 miles. Did have the Nav screen replaced under warranty.

My '04 is doing great too. I can't speak for its entire existence, since I bought it used. But I've never had any real issues with it...and it's got well over 30k miles now. It wouldn't hurt to go the '05 route though, since there do seem to be less problem-cars in that model year.

I have an 04 with about 18K now. Only problem I had was a bad CD player
that was replaced under warranty. Other than that, the car is GREAT.

Besides a broken shift knob clip, condensation in one headlight, and chrome roof trim fading......all fixed under warranty, no problems. Nothing wrong with the 04 models. Why is everyone afraid of them. You can get some AWSOME deals on them.

small chrome strip issue here and the warranty coverd it....... thats it..

No major problems here yet, with 22,000miles on the meter (11months) :D

data
 

I get the clear impression that there are more problems with the 04's than the 05's. My impression is from anecdotal information from this site, not from hard statistical data. I test drove a 2004 and it had the "shimmy" problem. I had to pay a little more for my 05, but I'm glad I got a 2005 model.

Great car besides having both struts replaced (another one sounds like it is going now), glove box out of line, roof trim faded, piece of trim in the back window area needing replaced, drivers seat pops to the left, rotors needing turned twice before 15k, one splash guard popped out of place, a new rack and pinion is on order, wheel bearings, new rotors, and Michelins replacing the factory tires trying to get rid of the shimmy. Other than that it really has been a great car to drive. I am just one of the unlucky ones going through all the crap.

Go for an 05 the bugs are about gone in an 05! Don't be one of those stuck with a problem like me. With all of that said I still love it.

I like alot of people have had my fair share of problems with my 04......some just much worse than others...... but the car itself is a nice ride. I would opt for the 05 though, most of the major fixes have already been applied from the factory.

no major problems here...

No, Ive logged about 38k and the car has no problems that made me wish I didnt buy it, its a great driving car.

45000KM and 2 yrs in 5 days time ..... biggest problem I've seen with max's .. is the DRL burning out (changed mine 3 times and see a whole lot of other Max's with theirs burned out) ... but you will not have that problem in the US!

Rock on.. You guys make me feel much better about getting an 04'.. However, I think I may just opt for the 05' after the 06's come out.. it will be a few months until I can get into a position to find TIME to buy a new car.. :)

I ran out my warranty on a 5K mile trip. I'm now home with 37.5K miles on her and time to change the oil again. My biggest problem were the OE tires which I replaced at 32K miles. I believe the 05 and 06 models have the same tires. Other than a few minor warranty issues, nothing big.

If the used 05 prices will go down when the 06s come out, the 04 prices will also go down at the same time. Look at both and pick the best you can find for the money

I drove my new '04 SL for six months, carefully checking and listing every tiny discrepancy, then took it in with a detailed listing of what needed fixing.

The heated steering wheel switch was replaced, the passageway latch/lock between the right rear seat and trunk was replaced. The rubber bumper on the glove box lid was replaced with a longer one for proper alignment, and the power sunroof left 'A' pillar drain tube was unblocked. I also had the HID low beams lowered below specs, as I felt more comfortable knowing I was not blinding other drivers.

That was it. The dealer fixed them all, and there has not been even the whisper of a problem the last eight months. And I am a very particular driver who wants everything just right.

I cannot tell in words just how much I enjoy driving this car. Knowing everything is absolutely perfect (at least as far as I can determine), I would not swap this car even-up for an '05 or '06, although those are doubtlessly wonderful vehicles.

My 04 has been Rock Solid, considering all the Modding I have done to it. Only problem my 04 had was a slight hessitation problem and the stealership fixed it under warrenty with 3 new spark plugs... Still only 16K TLC miles and my b!tch sleeps in a garage... Good Luck...

Do any of you guys know if you buy a used vehicle still within warranty specs of Nissan will honor that warranty?

Yes.

+10char

For extra insurance you can always extend the warranty.

misspelling
 

Yes, anything under 3 years /36K miles is still covered under factory warranty...

I've had almost all the problems mentioned on this board...
'05 models should have improved on most of them and '06 should be even better.

And the powertrain warranty is for 60 months or 60 K miles.

Excellent catch... Another Bonus... :mardi:

Sweet.. that helps. :)

I have't had any problems thus far. I have an 04 SL, full Nav, fully loaded.

Front right strut blew at 800 miles, replaced both of them when it went in at 850 miles. Outside of that, my only issue is the numerous creaks and moans and the uneven glove compartment box, but nothing mechanical has broken or been in need of repair.

Right now I have over 45 thousand miles on the car and the only major problems were the RSA tires. There are treads on these tires. Otherwise its a great car. Warren

I've had mine for almost a year and have not experienced any significant problems with it. The only issue I had was one of the fog lights wouldn't light.

I bought my 04 at the end of July this year... I'm one of the unfortunate ones with the infamous "Shimmy Issues" (elsewhere on the forums). Besides that, no major problems, but haven't had that long none-the-less. The shimmy oddly enough isn't that bad for me to down this great car.. have been a fan of maxima's since they came out!

I've had mine for about a year with only 12000 miles on it.......so far so good.... :thumbsup:

The only problem I had which I fixed and is also apparent on the 05 and 06 is the Wheel Gap... :naughty: Other than that, Rock Solid... :doublethu