Shopping 6th gens - what should I know?
06-14-2007, 09:40 PM
#1
Shopping 6th gens - what should I know?
I'll find out tomorrow if my 5th gen is totalled - if so I may be looking at replacing it with a 6th gen.
What do I need to know about them? I read the sticky about the lemon law....what is that all about? Any other important things to look out for?
What do I need to know about them? I read the sticky about the lemon law....what is that all about? Any other important things to look out for?
06-14-2007, 09:47 PM
#2
It really depends on which model.
SE's- Shimmy, bad passenger hub, Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, (if you are going for the 6 speed, have Master cylinder for standard tranny replaced. That way you can avoid the 'dead pedal')- The cruddy Goodyear Eagle RSA tires. Pure junk.
SL's- Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, lumbar recall...check both models for the recalls.
If I can think of more, I'll post them. They are great cars, with minor hiccups. Really minor.
SE's- Shimmy, bad passenger hub, Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, (if you are going for the 6 speed, have Master cylinder for standard tranny replaced. That way you can avoid the 'dead pedal')- The cruddy Goodyear Eagle RSA tires. Pure junk.
SL's- Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, lumbar recall...check both models for the recalls.
If I can think of more, I'll post them. They are great cars, with minor hiccups. Really minor.
06-14-2007, 09:49 PM
#3
Originally Posted by 4MySwee
It really depends on which model.
SE's- Shimmy, bad passenger hub, Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, (if you are going for the 6 speed, have Master cylinder for standard tranny replaced. That way you can avoid the 'dead pedal')- The cruddy Goodyear Eagle RSA tires. Pure junk.
SL's- Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, lumbar recall...check both models for the recalls.
If I can think of more, I'll post them. They are great cars, with minor hiccups. Really minor.
SE's- Shimmy, bad passenger hub, Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, (if you are going for the 6 speed, have Master cylinder for standard tranny replaced. That way you can avoid the 'dead pedal')- The cruddy Goodyear Eagle RSA tires. Pure junk.
SL's- Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, lumbar recall...check both models for the recalls.
If I can think of more, I'll post them. They are great cars, with minor hiccups. Really minor.
I'll want an SE 6 speed for sure.....can you elborate on some of these issues?
06-14-2007, 10:19 PM
#4
Sure,
The "dead pedal"- From what I understand, you lose feel in the pedal. It engages at different heights from the floor. It can make you feel foolish. In traffic it can make you look like you can't drive a standard. Some Nissan dealerships recognize the issue and resolve it quickly. Others, will fight you.
The Goodyear Eagle RSA Tires- Cracked sidewalls. The aren't very good in water either. Hydroplanning is a common thing in places where it rains a lot. The tires are horrible. If your SE has these tires, I would strongly recommend you get the Yokohamas YK520's, or the Advans.
The Shimmy- There is a wicked shimmy when cruising down the highway. A few folks here have discovered a way to eliminate that. When you look up under the front of the car, there is a black guard. Remove or trim it altogether and it solves the vibration transferred up through the steering wheel, creating the 'infamous shimmy'.
Chrome strips along the top of the roof- Fade horribly in a short period of time. They come in 2 or 3 piece strips, and the center ones fade substantially faster than the rest of the chromy pieces.
Bose- Are quite common for their cd players locking up or not playing cds at all. Unfortunately, it is something you'll have to discover on your own, because it can be an on again, off again thing. Maybe look into an extended warranty.
Bad Passenger Hub- Have known about 6 people having had them replaced. For some reason this appears to be an SE issue only. Not sure why, but every last one that has needed this replacement was an SE. Some would argue that this is an issue because of lowering. Of the 6 I know, 3 are lowered, three are not. I personally don't believe that changing the suspension is the cause of this. But I am not ASE certified, so I wouldn't know for sure.
Swee
The "dead pedal"- From what I understand, you lose feel in the pedal. It engages at different heights from the floor. It can make you feel foolish. In traffic it can make you look like you can't drive a standard. Some Nissan dealerships recognize the issue and resolve it quickly. Others, will fight you.
The Goodyear Eagle RSA Tires- Cracked sidewalls. The aren't very good in water either. Hydroplanning is a common thing in places where it rains a lot. The tires are horrible. If your SE has these tires, I would strongly recommend you get the Yokohamas YK520's, or the Advans.
The Shimmy- There is a wicked shimmy when cruising down the highway. A few folks here have discovered a way to eliminate that. When you look up under the front of the car, there is a black guard. Remove or trim it altogether and it solves the vibration transferred up through the steering wheel, creating the 'infamous shimmy'.
Chrome strips along the top of the roof- Fade horribly in a short period of time. They come in 2 or 3 piece strips, and the center ones fade substantially faster than the rest of the chromy pieces.
Bose- Are quite common for their cd players locking up or not playing cds at all. Unfortunately, it is something you'll have to discover on your own, because it can be an on again, off again thing. Maybe look into an extended warranty.
Bad Passenger Hub- Have known about 6 people having had them replaced. For some reason this appears to be an SE issue only. Not sure why, but every last one that has needed this replacement was an SE. Some would argue that this is an issue because of lowering. Of the 6 I know, 3 are lowered, three are not. I personally don't believe that changing the suspension is the cause of this. But I am not ASE certified, so I wouldn't know for sure.
Swee
06-15-2007, 10:15 AM
#10
Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD
Posts: 10,202
Originally Posted by 4MySwee
It really depends on which model.
SE's- Shimmy, bad passenger hub, Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, (if you are going for the 6 speed, have Master cylinder for standard tranny replaced. That way you can avoid the 'dead pedal')- The cruddy Goodyear Eagle RSA tires. Pure junk.
SL's- Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, lumbar recall...check both models for the recalls.
If I can think of more, I'll post them. They are great cars, with minor hiccups. Really minor.
SE's- Shimmy, bad passenger hub, Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, (if you are going for the 6 speed, have Master cylinder for standard tranny replaced. That way you can avoid the 'dead pedal')- The cruddy Goodyear Eagle RSA tires. Pure junk.
SL's- Bose, Chrome Strips along roof line, lumbar recall...check both models for the recalls.
If I can think of more, I'll post them. They are great cars, with minor hiccups. Really minor.
06-15-2007, 11:39 AM
#11
if you by used. check the chrome roof stripes... if they are faded, make the dealer replace them for free. if they say no, then tell them you are going to another dealership....
trust me, they will replace those in order to get the sale. Those stripes cost 160.00 each not including install... save that money and get some lowering springs.... HA....
trust me, they will replace those in order to get the sale. Those stripes cost 160.00 each not including install... save that money and get some lowering springs.... HA....
06-15-2007, 12:01 PM
#12
Originally Posted by 2LEET4U
if you by used. check the chrome roof stripes... if they are faded, make the dealer replace them for free. if they say no, then tell them you are going to another dealership....
trust me, they will replace those in order to get the sale. Those stripes cost 160.00 each not including install... save that money and get some lowering springs.... HA....
trust me, they will replace those in order to get the sale. Those stripes cost 160.00 each not including install... save that money and get some lowering springs.... HA....
Just put your foot down and you get whatever u want
06-15-2007, 10:11 PM
#13
Ok so worst case scenerios, I'd be replacing a hub, chrome strips, master cylinder, and radio.
The chrome strips are $160 each....how many are there? What is the ballpark cost of a master cylinder and hub?
The chrome strips are $160 each....how many are there? What is the ballpark cost of a master cylinder and hub?
06-16-2007, 02:08 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Most everything has been covered in this thread.
In case you may not know, the 2007 Maxima is only available with the CVT (continuously variable transmission), so is 'off the table' for you.
The Yokohama YK520 tires were mentioned. They are a very good choice for the SL, but, unless something has changed in the last few weeks, they are not available in the SE (245/45X18) size.
The 2004s were made from January 2003 until July 2004 (a LONG stretch). If you opt for the '04 model, I would suggest getting one actually built in '04, or at least in late '03. The build-date is on the little plaque in the driver's door jamb.
To test for the shimmy, find a fairly clear road, place your fingertips lightly at the 3 oclock and 9 oclock positions of the steering wheel, then gradually increase your speed from around 30 mph to 70 mph (even faster if you are where you can get away with it). There will be some steering wheel vibration, but if, at any particular speed, it begins moving from side to side very visibly, the car has the dreaded 'shimmy'.
In case you may not know, the 2007 Maxima is only available with the CVT (continuously variable transmission), so is 'off the table' for you.
The Yokohama YK520 tires were mentioned. They are a very good choice for the SL, but, unless something has changed in the last few weeks, they are not available in the SE (245/45X18) size.
The 2004s were made from January 2003 until July 2004 (a LONG stretch). If you opt for the '04 model, I would suggest getting one actually built in '04, or at least in late '03. The build-date is on the little plaque in the driver's door jamb.
To test for the shimmy, find a fairly clear road, place your fingertips lightly at the 3 oclock and 9 oclock positions of the steering wheel, then gradually increase your speed from around 30 mph to 70 mph (even faster if you are where you can get away with it). There will be some steering wheel vibration, but if, at any particular speed, it begins moving from side to side very visibly, the car has the dreaded 'shimmy'.
06-16-2007, 05:57 AM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 25
I recently got a new 04 SE... There's always a vibration *sound*, but not a vibration in my steering wheel... I feel like some sort of resonant frequency comes from where the roof meets the windshield??
Is that the same as this "shimmy" you all speak of??
Is that the same as this "shimmy" you all speak of??
Originally Posted by lightonthehill
Most everything has been covered in this thread.
In case you may not know, the 2007 Maxima is only available with the CVT (continuously variable transmission), so is 'off the table' for you.
The Yokohama YK520 tires were mentioned. They are a very good choice for the SL, but, unless something has changed in the last few weeks, they are not available in the SE (245/45X18) size.
The 2004s were made from January 2003 until July 2004 (a LONG stretch). If you opt for the '04 model, I would suggest getting one actually built in '04, or at least in late '03. The build-date is on the little plaque in the driver's door jamb.
To test for the shimmy, find a fairly clear road, place your fingertips lightly at the 3 oclock and 9 oclock positions of the steering wheel, then gradually increase your speed from around 30 mph to 70 mph (even faster if you are where you can get away with it). There will be some steering wheel vibration, but if, at any particular speed, it begins moving from side to side very visibly, the car has the dreaded 'shimmy'.
In case you may not know, the 2007 Maxima is only available with the CVT (continuously variable transmission), so is 'off the table' for you.
The Yokohama YK520 tires were mentioned. They are a very good choice for the SL, but, unless something has changed in the last few weeks, they are not available in the SE (245/45X18) size.
The 2004s were made from January 2003 until July 2004 (a LONG stretch). If you opt for the '04 model, I would suggest getting one actually built in '04, or at least in late '03. The build-date is on the little plaque in the driver's door jamb.
To test for the shimmy, find a fairly clear road, place your fingertips lightly at the 3 oclock and 9 oclock positions of the steering wheel, then gradually increase your speed from around 30 mph to 70 mph (even faster if you are where you can get away with it). There will be some steering wheel vibration, but if, at any particular speed, it begins moving from side to side very visibly, the car has the dreaded 'shimmy'.
06-16-2007, 05:59 AM
#17
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 25
I always wondered why the strips on the back were shiny chrome but the ones on the top were just dull grey!! So they're SUPPOSED to be chrome huh? Prolly not worth $160 each though...
Originally Posted by 4MySwee
Chrome strips along the top of the roof- Fade horribly in a short period of time. They come in 2 or 3 piece strips, and the center ones fade substantially faster than the rest of the chromy pieces.
06-16-2007, 09:20 AM
#18
Originally Posted by lightonthehill
To test for the shimmy, find a fairly clear road, place your fingertips lightly at the 3 oclock and 9 oclock positions of the steering wheel, then gradually increase your speed from around 30 mph to 70 mph (even faster if you are where you can get away with it). There will be some steering wheel vibration, but if, at any particular speed, it begins moving from side to side very visibly, the car has the dreaded 'shimmy'.
What is the cure for this shimmy?
06-16-2007, 09:58 AM
#19
Rich,
The 'cure' for the shimmy, is the little black plastic piece hanging down from the nose of the car. Trim it or remove it altogether. That stops the dready shimmy. Regarding the hub, Ritz, quoted $55 each I believe. He does his own labor though also. Are you a 'hands on' fellow?
Mr. A Ali,
All strips along the roofline are supposed to be chromy. Not crummy. $160 is a bit steep. Our dealership here charges $70 each and install is on you.
Light, My dear friend,
I didn't even consider the Yokohamas and tire size, nice call. I have the SL and have those tires mentioned above. Maybe someone here could offer this nice chap some advice on good tires for the SE.
The 'cure' for the shimmy, is the little black plastic piece hanging down from the nose of the car. Trim it or remove it altogether. That stops the dready shimmy. Regarding the hub, Ritz, quoted $55 each I believe. He does his own labor though also. Are you a 'hands on' fellow?
Mr. A Ali,
All strips along the roofline are supposed to be chromy. Not crummy. $160 is a bit steep. Our dealership here charges $70 each and install is on you.
Light, My dear friend,
I didn't even consider the Yokohamas and tire size, nice call. I have the SL and have those tires mentioned above. Maybe someone here could offer this nice chap some advice on good tires for the SE.
06-16-2007, 08:14 PM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Posts: 58
Originally Posted by RHMax
Look for later built '04 and up where most of the issues have been fixed. I haven't had any problems with mine, 2 years and almost 25k miles.
06-16-2007, 09:15 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Max828 - As I mentioned in my post of 5AM Saturday, the build month and year are on the little plate inside the driver door jamb. I would avoid ones built between January 2003 and fall of 2003. The ones built in 2004 seem to be the most trouble-free.
mr_a_ali - No, the sound you hear is not connected to the dreaded shimmy. If I had sound coming from where the roof meets the windshield, I would probably look first at the overhead sunglass compartment; several have had buzzes and rattles in that area.
4MySwee - Well, we seem to share more than friendship; we are both riding on the same tires. And like them.
I'm glad you mentioned the plastic thingie under the front of the car as causing shimmy. I sometimes forget that. That is probably the easiest of all the potential cures for the shimmy. If that fails, the other cures can be difficult - working on/replacing tires/wheels, balance and alignment using the Hunter 9700 machine, tightninng/replacing the steering rack, etc, etc.
mr_a_ali - No, the sound you hear is not connected to the dreaded shimmy. If I had sound coming from where the roof meets the windshield, I would probably look first at the overhead sunglass compartment; several have had buzzes and rattles in that area.
4MySwee - Well, we seem to share more than friendship; we are both riding on the same tires. And like them.
I'm glad you mentioned the plastic thingie under the front of the car as causing shimmy. I sometimes forget that. That is probably the easiest of all the potential cures for the shimmy. If that fails, the other cures can be difficult - working on/replacing tires/wheels, balance and alignment using the Hunter 9700 machine, tightninng/replacing the steering rack, etc, etc.
06-16-2007, 10:07 PM
#22
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by 4MySwee
Rich,
The 'cure' for the shimmy, is the little black plastic piece hanging down from the nose of the car. Trim it or remove it altogether. That stops the dready shimmy. Regarding the hub, Ritz, quoted $55 each I believe. He does his own labor though also. Are you a 'hands on' fellow?
Mr. A Ali,
All strips along the roofline are supposed to be chromy. Not crummy. $160 is a bit steep. Our dealership here charges $70 each and install is on you.
Light, My dear friend,
I didn't even consider the Yokohamas and tire size, nice call. I have the SL and have those tires mentioned above. Maybe someone here could offer this nice chap some advice on good tires for the SE.
The 'cure' for the shimmy, is the little black plastic piece hanging down from the nose of the car. Trim it or remove it altogether. That stops the dready shimmy. Regarding the hub, Ritz, quoted $55 each I believe. He does his own labor though also. Are you a 'hands on' fellow?
Mr. A Ali,
All strips along the roofline are supposed to be chromy. Not crummy. $160 is a bit steep. Our dealership here charges $70 each and install is on you.
Light, My dear friend,
I didn't even consider the Yokohamas and tire size, nice call. I have the SL and have those tires mentioned above. Maybe someone here could offer this nice chap some advice on good tires for the SE.
I'm considering purchasing an '05. When I test drove it I noticed a slight thud...thud...thud...thud...on the right side passenger at very slow speeds (less than 15 m.p.h.). I could even feel it through the floor board when my fiance was driving. Is this the hub? What is the fix for it?
06-18-2007, 07:04 PM
#25
Originally Posted by 4MySwee
Rich,
The 'cure' for the shimmy, is the little black plastic piece hanging down from the nose of the car. Trim it or remove it altogether. That stops the dready shimmy. Regarding the hub, Ritz, quoted $55 each I believe. He does his own labor though also. Are you a 'hands on' fellow?
Mr. A Ali,
All strips along the roofline are supposed to be chromy. Not crummy. $160 is a bit steep. Our dealership here charges $70 each and install is on you.
Light, My dear friend,
I didn't even consider the Yokohamas and tire size, nice call. I have the SL and have those tires mentioned above. Maybe someone here could offer this nice chap some advice on good tires for the SE.
The 'cure' for the shimmy, is the little black plastic piece hanging down from the nose of the car. Trim it or remove it altogether. That stops the dready shimmy. Regarding the hub, Ritz, quoted $55 each I believe. He does his own labor though also. Are you a 'hands on' fellow?
Mr. A Ali,
All strips along the roofline are supposed to be chromy. Not crummy. $160 is a bit steep. Our dealership here charges $70 each and install is on you.
Light, My dear friend,
I didn't even consider the Yokohamas and tire size, nice call. I have the SL and have those tires mentioned above. Maybe someone here could offer this nice chap some advice on good tires for the SE.
06-18-2007, 07:43 PM
#28
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by 4MySwee
They really are minor. I believe every gripe listed above has a solution.
Let us know which you chose. I would like to hear the details.....
Swee
Let us know which you chose. I would like to hear the details.....
Swee
06-19-2007, 04:47 AM
#29
Oh, got you. I didn't respond to that, because I am not sure what that is.
No harm is having a goodyear or local tire shop check it out, WHILE ON A TEST DRIVE, not after you've signed and bought it.
No harm is having a goodyear or local tire shop check it out, WHILE ON A TEST DRIVE, not after you've signed and bought it.
06-19-2007, 04:49 AM
#30
Also, get in writing that you will have an extended warranty added, at their expense of course, just to cover your back in the event it is needed. It probably also wouldn't hurt to have Nissan look the car over prior to your getting it.
Did you pull a carfax on it? It doesn't catch everything, but it might give a little insight into said car.
Did you pull a carfax on it? It doesn't catch everything, but it might give a little insight into said car.
06-19-2007, 05:04 AM
#31
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by 4MySwee
Also, get in writing that you will have an extended warranty added, at their expense of course, just to cover your back in the event it is needed. It probably also wouldn't hurt to have Nissan look the car over prior to your getting it.
Did you pull a carfax on it? It doesn't catch everything, but it might give a little insight into said car.
Did you pull a carfax on it? It doesn't catch everything, but it might give a little insight into said car.
06-19-2007, 01:39 PM
#33
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
all this kinda makes me glad i went for my 02 se instead of this:
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true
06-21-2007, 10:29 PM
#35
Originally Posted by Seel
I'm considering purchasing an '05. When I test drove it I noticed a slight thud...thud...thud...thud...on the right side passenger at very slow speeds (less than 15 m.p.h.). I could even feel it through the floor board when my fiance was driving. Is this the hub? What is the fix for it?
06-22-2007, 06:30 AM
#37
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 18
I just bought a 2007 Maxima SL. In the process, I drove 3 SE's and 3 SL's. Every one of the SE's had the shimmy problem. The SL's were rock solid and took bumps and road cracks better. Handling is not quite as precise but the difference is not major. Believe me, I know...my other car is a Corvette with the Z51 performance & handling package.
06-22-2007, 12:28 PM
#38
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
What is this lumbar system problem the op mentioned? I have an 06 SE with DPP and the lumbar doesn't seem to stay put in it's setting. When I accelerate, and my back is pushed back, I can feel the lumbar support click and fall back. Is this the recall problem mentioned by the op??
06-22-2007, 08:41 PM
#40
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 170
just got 07
Replaced my 95 with an 07. Quite an upgrade. Car is amazing. Keyless start and entry saves lots of time on a daily basis. All of cars funtions intergrate perfectly with navigation monitor. Smart center console configuration. Front end and hood redesign makes a big difference for 07.
Cons:
Miss my manual.
E-brake boot looks like crap. Does anyone know if there is an alternative?
Slight tourqe steer under heavy acceleration.
Huge gap in front wheel well. Rear not as bad. What do you guys recommend as far as lowering springs to correct this uneveness?
photogus@mac.com
Cons:
Miss my manual.
E-brake boot looks like crap. Does anyone know if there is an alternative?
Slight tourqe steer under heavy acceleration.
Huge gap in front wheel well. Rear not as bad. What do you guys recommend as far as lowering springs to correct this uneveness?
photogus@mac.com