6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008) Discussion of the 6th generation Maxima. Come see what others are saying.

should i buy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-11-2006, 10:38 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
tasto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 21
should i buy

hey guys, i decided that Im going to purchase a newer car and the first one i thought of was the maxima. Then I started reading about all the problems with the 6th generation and started to get mad. So what do you guys think, do they really have that many problems? Maybe a 2005 would be better than an 04?

thanks,
pete
tasto is offline  
Old 08-11-2006, 10:52 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
MisterSparkle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 586
wuh problems are you talkin about? i mean there are a lot of people who haven't had problem with the car yet. lik i've had the 2005 SL and now the 2006 SL and both haven't caused me any problems. buh any problems you have can most likely be solved by the guys on the forums. cause they've probably been threw it know how to take care of it.
MisterSparkle is offline  
Old 08-11-2006, 11:14 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
tasto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 21
umm, the shimmy, the front struts, the rotors warping, etc... Also when you guys talk about a shimmy how bad is it. I know its not acceptable seeing the price of the car but is it that noticable?

pete
tasto is offline  
Old 08-11-2006, 11:41 PM
  #4  
*moderator*
iTrader: (5)
 
jsmithsole's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: So Cal
Posts: 5,494
No, no and no for me and I have an '04. Almost 3 years and not one problem except the peeling grill and skyview replacement (recall)
Don't get me wrong, people have had these problems but it's never really been narrowed down to which 04's have problems and why.
jsmithsole is offline  
Old 08-12-2006, 04:00 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
minsbang's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,085
off topic: Jsmithsole, I LOVE your .gif file!
minsbang is offline  
Old 08-12-2006, 05:17 AM
  #6  
Member
 
Rusty Nutz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 84
Every new car is going to have some sort of problem-no matter who makes the car. They are mechanicle things that will always have some problem at some time. I just got my 04 max and am very happy with it so far.
Rusty Nutz is offline  
Old 08-12-2006, 05:21 AM
  #7  
GrandPa
iTrader: (29)
 
ramberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY & Plantation, Fl.
Posts: 3,916
I have a '04 and have had no major problems. Knock mon wood.
ramberg is offline  
Old 08-12-2006, 06:21 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
4MySwee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Greer, SC
Posts: 2,499
I have an 05 SL, and absolutely love it! I have had very menial issues. Nothing intolerable! If I had to do again, I would!!!!!

No matter what crowd you talk to there is always going to be the 'drama queens'. With these Maximas, they are awesome cars and the absolute best bang for the buck! Consumer Reports loves these (even with some years that have minor issues, consumer still recommends them), Wards thinks they are the bomb.....And dealerships are getting pretty near sticker for these. Notice there aren't many rebates on them? No employee discounts......etc...

Jump in with both feet and don't look back! Get used to getting compliments on your car! Also, get used to passing in the fast lane, that's where these bad boys belong. They are 'sleeper family, 4-door rockets'.....

I wish you the best in your decision making process,

Swee
4MySwee is offline  
Old 08-12-2006, 06:40 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Majestic_MAx05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 980
I have an 05 SE and have not had anyproblems with it.
Majestic_MAx05 is offline  
Old 08-12-2006, 08:12 AM
  #10  
1993 SE
iTrader: (10)
 
swowlinc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Suitland Md
Posts: 2,038
04 SL no problems, would do it again. Buy one so you can start having FUN!!
swowlinc is offline  
Old 08-12-2006, 10:41 AM
  #11  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
tasto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 21
you guys bring up some good points, after looking at some other vehicles it seems there will always be problems. For example i looked at wrx's, the tranny's are weak and the paint chips easily, also the honda s2000 the tops go bad pretty fast and the paint chips. I think its odd that automakers can't solve these problems, almost seems like they rush a little too much. I would imagine that if someone made a car that was ultra reliable and had some good looks it would be unbeatable.

thanks,
pete
tasto is offline  
Old 08-13-2006, 07:47 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Killah Kane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 619
I have no idea what problems you are talking about, the only problem I have had is an extremely common problem---The struts failing....thats about it
Killah Kane is offline  
Old 08-13-2006, 07:48 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Killah Kane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 619
Originally Posted by tasto
umm, the shimmy, the front struts, the rotors warping, etc... Also when you guys talk about a shimmy how bad is it. I know its not acceptable seeing the price of the car but is it that noticable?

pete

The shimmy is no big deal for me, I notice it but its not something that would sway me NOT to buy the car.
Killah Kane is offline  
Old 08-13-2006, 11:22 AM
  #14  
Member
 
Pneumatic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 48
I have an 04 Maxima with 11k miles on it (bought it from a little old lady that only drove it to church ) and it has no shimmy yet. I don't dog the brakes so I don't suspect I will have a problem and if I do I will just replace the rotors
Pneumatic is offline  
Old 08-13-2006, 12:41 PM
  #15  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Nietzsche's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,014
Every manufacture has problems; Honda, Toyota, or Nissan. Toyota has a ton of recalls in recent years. Fact is no car is perfect. I can tell you that most everyone who has one maxima buys another. I have had zero problems with mine or any of the ones I have sold. The biggest testament to the reliabilty is the service department. More than half the time I'm back there they have absolutely nothing to do. I can't say the about the VW, Audi, Mercedes, Chevy, Pontiac, or Jeep dealers I have worked for.
Nietzsche is offline  
Old 08-13-2006, 12:59 PM
  #16  
Member
 
Pneumatic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 48
Originally Posted by Nietzsche
Every manufacture has problems; Honda, Toyota, or Nissan. Toyota has a ton of recalls in recent years. Fact is no car is perfect. I can tell you that most everyone who has one maxima buys another. I have had zero problems with mine or any of the ones I have sold. The biggest testament to the reliabilty is the service department. More than half the time I'm back there they have absolutely nothing to do. I can't say the about the VW, Audi, Mercedes, Chevy, Pontiac, or Jeep dealers I have worked for.
We had an '01 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was constantly causing us problems. My first inclination is to hit the web when I had a problem and without fail I found that there were a TON of people having the exact same problem (ie: AC issues, power window issues, transmission issues). I kicked myself dozens of times for not doing more research before I made that purchase.

With that in mind I did some research on the Maxima. The primary problems were minor and a simple upgrade to after market parts would likely fix the issue. That helped me make the decision to buy so just look around on forums (like these) and see what owners complain about. If it's something you can live with or don't mind fixing when it happens.... Go buy one.
Pneumatic is offline  
Old 08-13-2006, 08:42 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
eK9aT10pSi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,152
the maxima is a very nice car. i have a 04' SE 6spd with all the options and im loving it. the cd changer just died but they are replacing it. and also, the front grille is peeling.
eK9aT10pSi is offline  
Old 08-13-2006, 08:43 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
eK9aT10pSi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,152
with the jeeps, ive heard that a lot of their parts are proprietery [sp?] so it was harder and more expensive to repair them.

Originally Posted by Pneumatic
We had an '01 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was constantly causing us problems. My first inclination is to hit the web when I had a problem and without fail I found that there were a TON of people having the exact same problem (ie: AC issues, power window issues, transmission issues). I kicked myself dozens of times for not doing more research before I made that purchase.

With that in mind I did some research on the Maxima. The primary problems were minor and a simple upgrade to after market parts would likely fix the issue. That helped me make the decision to buy so just look around on forums (like these) and see what owners complain about. If it's something you can live with or don't mind fixing when it happens.... Go buy one.
eK9aT10pSi is offline  
Old 08-14-2006, 12:53 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
dopestar129's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 157
I have an 04 SE with about 49,000 miles. Only problems have been the peeling grill and had a leak in my sunroof. And an exhaust bracket that was cracked. Got the sunroof and exhaust bracket replaced under warranty and they really weren't a big inconvenience at all.
dopestar129 is offline  
Old 08-15-2006, 04:08 AM
  #20  
Member
 
Snobgoblin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 88
I had only a few problems with my 04, but i caused them myself.. But they can easily be fixed now that i know what i did to cause them. Like the grinding noise, I caused that when i put another resonator on. The guy at the shop was hacking away at my exhaust. I found out the grinding noise was the heat sheild and can easily be fixed.
Snobgoblin is offline  
Old 08-16-2006, 06:07 AM
  #21  
Member
 
wmanimal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 51
Very few problems with my 04 Max SE, and the few issues I've had were easily fixed.
wmanimal is offline  
Old 08-16-2006, 10:53 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Lovemycar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 834
good to no that i just bought an 04SE with 31K mint only had it for 2 months no issue yet
Lovemycar is offline  
Old 08-16-2006, 11:17 AM
  #23  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Defiant_Max04's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: NJ
Posts: 443
Jsmith..the original "chrome" tooth grille...yours peeled as well? Did you tell Nissan or have them replace it? I want to get it replaced for free then sell it, and buy a new one

And the stock one on the 04-06 is FAKE and not real chrome because it peels lol.
Defiant_Max04 is offline  
Old 08-16-2006, 06:47 PM
  #24  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
 
Maximam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,909
Originally Posted by tasto
hey guys, i decided that Im going to purchase a newer car and the first one i thought of was the maxima. Then I started reading about all the problems with the 6th generation and started to get mad. So what do you guys think, do they really have that many problems? Maybe a 2005 would be better than an 04?

thanks,
pete
2005 Max here and love it! Great car!
Maximam is offline  
Old 08-16-2006, 09:02 PM
  #25  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
tasto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 21
what time are your guys' 04 maxima's warrantys expiring, is it just around this time i guess if you bought it late 03?

'thanks,
pete
tasto is offline  
Old 08-17-2006, 05:54 AM
  #26  
Member
 
sdoow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 47
Originally Posted by Nietzsche
Every manufacture has problems; Honda, Toyota, or Nissan. Toyota has a ton of recalls in recent years. Fact is no car is perfect. I can tell you that most everyone who has one maxima buys another. I have had zero problems with mine or any of the ones I have sold. The biggest testament to the reliabilty is the service department. More than half the time I'm back there they have absolutely nothing to do. I can't say the about the VW, Audi, Mercedes, Chevy, Pontiac, or Jeep dealers I have worked for.
Yeah I agree, everycar is going to have problems...
sdoow is offline  
Old 08-17-2006, 07:53 AM
  #27  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
VigilanteMax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,442
Im addicted to this beast. Its family oriented, yet sporty and very powerful. i enjoy driving places. 2005 SE loaded.
VigilanteMax is offline  
Old 08-17-2006, 08:20 AM
  #28  
Banned
 
04BlackMaxx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,269
My ABS failed ($1400) and my seat has broken 3 times now (currently broken), CD player needed to be replaced for skipping, The driver seat memory is broken. I still like the car, but I will probably get something else next time around with a better bumper to bumper warrenty and hopefully less trips to the dealer for things breaking. Too many problems in 3 yrs with a car bought new IMO, especially compared to my dads lexus which nothing has broke.
04BlackMaxx is offline  
Old 09-13-2006, 04:08 PM
  #29  
Senior Member
 
Sarara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 125
Get B to B extended warranty and you will be happy camper.
Sarara is offline  
Old 09-13-2006, 05:16 PM
  #30  
Senior Member
 
willysmooo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 257
I had 71k when I got rid of mine. All I would tell you is to drive one first. I had the SE and honestly I loved it, although I wouldnt buy another one just because of how stiff the suspension was. The SL might be better, but I did have problems with it, but nothing really major. I could notice the trans was starting to get a little jerky here and there, and the rotors were bad, but I had 71k miles on it. Other than that, the shimmy was always there, but wasnt that bad. My only complaint was that a car like a TL rode much much better than mine, but like I said I loved my car. And my grille was replaced 3 times, but I would always demand nissan replace it. Glove box alignment, brake pads sueak, door molding bad, car seems to chip very easily, fog lights burned out too frequently, but sure was fun to drive.
willysmooo is offline  
Old 09-13-2006, 05:27 PM
  #31  
Member
 
chulo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 123
*** 05 SL , only problem was the passenger front strut went wrong and i ended up paying for it... mother F****rs .... other then that i have no problems at all.
chulo is offline  
Old 09-13-2006, 07:03 PM
  #32  
Senior Member
 
willysmooo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 257
you had to pay for it??? In my experience(i have had a 97,01 and 04 maxima) I would write a letter to Nissan and tell them that you were considering buying a murano or some nissan product for your wife, but now you are so mad you had to pay for it that you are gonna go elsewhere. Honestly I dont know if they are dumb or what but I have used the same threat about 4 times and they always end up paying for it
willysmooo is offline  
Old 09-14-2006, 05:06 AM
  #33  
Banned
 
04BlackMaxx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,269
Originally Posted by tasto
hey guys, i decided that Im going to purchase a newer car and the first one i thought of was the maxima. Then I started reading about all the problems with the 6th generation and started to get mad. So what do you guys think, do they really have that many problems? Maybe a 2005 would be better than an 04?

thanks,
pete
Don't get mad about it.
04BlackMaxx is offline  
Old 09-16-2006, 07:00 AM
  #34  
Junior Member
 
takenit2dmax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 22
If I had to do it over again I would have spent a little more and gone with a TL. I'm not 100% satisfied with the build quality, especially compared with the last gen Maxima made in Japan. Also, the resale value on the Max is much lower than the TL, so in the end it ends up costing close to the same. All that being said, I am still happy with my Max.
takenit2dmax is offline  
Old 09-16-2006, 08:05 AM
  #35  
SmokinMaxSE
iTrader: (1)
 
SmokinMaxSE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,129
Originally Posted by takenit2dmax
If I had to do it over again I would have spent a little more and gone with a TL. I'm not 100% satisfied with the build quality, especially compared with the last gen Maxima made in Japan. Also, the resale value on the Max is much lower than the TL, so in the end it ends up costing close to the same. All that being said, I am still happy with my Max.
The resale value for the Acura TL should be more in comparison with the Infinity G35. My last car was American and the Maxima will do much better in value for me.
SmokinMaxSE is offline  
Old 04-03-2008, 07:47 PM
  #36  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
DeepCs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Ok, so I have a legitimate question and have not hit my 15 reply limit to post. I am considering a 2005 SL, but I am concerned about the problems mentioned. The car has high miles (80k) but the seller claims it has been well maintained.
DeepCs is offline  
Old 04-03-2008, 08:34 PM
  #37  
Senior Member
 
dineth00i30's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Staten Island,NY
Posts: 700
Originally Posted by DeepCs
Ok, so I have a legitimate question and have not hit my 15 reply limit to post. I am considering a 2005 SL, but I am concerned about the problems mentioned. The car has high miles (80k) but the seller claims it has been well maintained.
80k? highmiles? lmao hahahhaaa these cars will be still be strong and happy at 80k. my car and 8yrs infiniti i30 still looks brandnew.(true story) when i braught it home like in august my neighbor askd my mom why did u buy a 17yr old a brand new car? lol. mine runns really strong so get one and be the envy of camry drivers.
dineth00i30 is offline  
Old 04-04-2008, 02:40 PM
  #38  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
DeepCs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 9
The guy is asking $700 above KBB. Do you thnk it is worth BB value even with high miles?
DeepCs is offline  
Old 04-04-2008, 02:52 PM
  #39  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
04MAX_ILLIN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Long Island
Posts: 553
No. What is the asking price? How many owners have there been?
04MAX_ILLIN is offline  
Old 04-04-2008, 03:04 PM
  #40  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
brad5868's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 6
Maybe a little old to be a good example here, but I had 150K on '91 max when I sold it. Never saw the shop except for regular mx visits. My current max is an '06. Brakes started to warp around 25k (warranty covered the repair), horn quit last week (also covered under warranty) but no other problems. I really enjoy driving this car. Currently at about 30k.
brad5868 is offline  


Quick Reply: should i buy



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:56 AM.