bkea

My wife's 4th generation Maxima has about 145,000 miles and is OK, but has recently required more and more work to keep running. She needs a car that you get into, starts and drives. She wants a 6th gen car. How reliable are these models turning out to be so far? I know nothing about these models, but know a heck of a lot about the 3rd gen cars and more than I care about the 4th.

MAX2DAMAX

iTrader: (5)

well. you came to the right place, just look around, by the time you are done reading youll now more about the 6th gen than a nissan tech.

i love my 04 maxima, but if i were you buy either a brand new one or an 05, why??, just because newer its better(not always though),

be careful though, you might end up taking that car away from her for you to keep.

Atomic_Ed

I bought my 05 SE about 12 months ago and it has been very reliable so far. Only a few minor gripes but nothing that really affected reliability. I had a missing bolt on the exhaust flange which vibrated and made a noise at certain rpms but the dealer installed the missing bolt and all was well. The only other problem I had was with the crappy goodyear RSA tires that the SE comes with. I have been back to the dealer multiple times to get the wheels balanced and they only keep their balance about 2 weeks or so. Also they seem to los their shape from sitting overnight so the first 10 miles or so is vibration city, then it smoothes out again once the tires are warm. If I could change one thing on the new Maximas it would be to get rid of the RSA tires, other than that it has been a great car so far.

4MySwee

iTrader: (2)

One of the best cars I have ever owned. It has been reliable and dependable. This is my first Maxima and my 2nd Nissan. I love this car......

kdejour

I still have my 4th gen and I have the 04 sl. I love it so far. In all honesty most of us love our cars on this site. Take it out for a test drive. I wolud dare to say you might be in for a pleasant surprise. The reliability is great to me. I don't worry about it starting after sitting most of the week.

04BlackMaxx

My Problems in 50,000mi (In order of whenb they occured)
Watch for:
Bad CD player that skips in the cold. Mine was replaced under warrenty
Broken power lumbar. replaced under warrenty
Broken Power driver seat. replaced under warrenty (recalled)
Goodyear RSA's were bad and sidewalls cracked, all replaced as a defect
Skyview roof replacement for some '04s replaced under warrenty
Bad ABS unit. $1500, yet to be replaced but argued dealer into eating cost of it as they misdiagnosed the problem and I have been driving with BRAKE and ABS lights on for over a month.
Persistant Steering wheel shimmy has come and gone following tire replacement, in spite of multiple balancing. It is not a problem at the moment.

I think that sums it up...but if this was not a new car and you had to pay for all these repairs, you are talking about $4000 in repairs....needless to say, the car has had some issues. I still like it, but I wont buy a Nissan again, Im heading upmarket.

tubells

toyota corolla/ honda accord !!

for excitement: any gen Maxima!!

SmokeNismo

hmmm i think i might have the same problem. i hear rattles from somewhere close to the engine bay when close to 2000 rpm.

I'll get it checked out on the next oil change.


but yea regarding reliability, no real problems with my 05 so far (knocks on wood).

djfris

04 6spd elite package dude everyday I drive it I cant get enough!!!!

6thGenSmoke

iTrader: (1)

This is my 4th nissan and 3rd maxima. reliability has been amazing no problems so far. i have had the car since october 05.

chernmax

iTrader: (15)

This car has by far given me some of the highest levels of confidence and reliability I have ever had. 2+ years, 20k+ miles, and my ride has consistently started with one key turn, extremely pleased with performance and reliability...

Nate Finch

35,000 miles and only a couple very minor problems... getting my CD player replaced before the 36k mark due to the cold skipping bug, other than that, no problems. The engine starts up first try every time even when it's -10ºF and hasn't been run for a couple days.

-Nate

SilverMax_04

I agree. My 04 (bought in May of 03) has almost 44 K miles. I love the 6-speed and the dependability. The RSA tires suck, but I now have Michelins and they are great. The car is not perfect, but the best I've ever had. Try a test drive. A new one would be best. If buying used, test drive it at speeds up to about 70 mph to determine if any wheel shimmy problems exist. (There are lots of posts here on the about 40% or so of the early models that had this problem -- mine didn't).

ramberg

iTrader: (29)

I have had my car for over 2 years and 57,000 miles and the only major problem was the RSA tires which I changed to F1's. I just had the drivers seat wire changed do to a recall. Other that that I love my car.

Some members have had different problems with their cars which you can read in the 6th gen forum threads. No car no matter the price is totally trouble free. Good luck in what ever choice you make.