any certain year maxima 6th gens i should avoid or maybe even VIN# range or something ? any specific engines problematic ? I am frm the city and will be going automatic of course and i am just trying to do my research before i throw my hard earned money into something that might fail or will eventually feel like a repair project rather than a A+ drivable car like it should always feel.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

i seen and 04 and i know they are the first 6th gens so im wondering if this year or any other year were problematic in any way or anything i might need to replace the second i buy the thing heh (if its a small simple thing)

 

every maxima from 85-2009 can have problems if not treated right. So, it doesnt matter what year the car is.. it's all about service records. I have an 04 SL... and knock on wood... no problems whatsoever. You just have to know how to get the car inspected. You can always tell a clean car from a car that's been treated like sh*t

 

Dont buy an '04 with the 4 speed automatic, make sure to chack and get the 5 speed. Only very early build models had the lesser transmission.

 

Whats your price range, use the economic slump to your advantage and try and get more for your money, drive the car, a good drive and check everything

Your location says FL, when you say city you mean Miami, cause Miami is suburban driving to me, NYC and the boroughs is city, stop and crawl

 

I am also in the market for a 04 Max...and have found 2 in my area(VA Beach/Norfolk VA)

1. A 04 Max SL, 51k miles, priced at 15,500 at a dealer

and another

2. 04 Max SL with nav, 43k miles, priced at 17,900 at dealer

Im going to check out both tommorow, but have no idea why the 2nd one is priced nearly 2500 higher than the first.

 

yea dont buy anything 02 and up...





all cars have their own problems... you can have a brand new car and it will have problems..

 

Go to cars.com, kbb.com and configure the car you want and see what the trade in price is, thats the price most dealer take the car for, so whatever the trade in price is plus the markup is what they want to make, used cars have a huge profit.

I would see what options the 2, 04 have, Nav may be looked at as a more money option but it actually causes the car to have a lower overall value cause the high price of replacement if it fails out of warranty, and if you want to upgrade it to something way better, factory nav looks good but 5-10 years later looks like an atari system in comparison to new systems

Technology is all about the newest, don't be willing to pay more for Nav cause the salesman makes you think you have to

 

The 04 SL (early models) came with the 4AT, at least ensure it has a 5AT. All 04 SE's came with a 5AT.

 

I just came back from test driving the 04 SL that was 15000, and the only issue seemed to be the car pulling strong to the right.

 

Check Carfax the cheaper car might have been in an accident, or maybe it has more options like leather, sunroof, spoiler, etc.

 

I test drove the cheaper car which is a 04 SE, has 42000 miles, carfax checked out, and the major differences between the SL and SE were these that I saw:

SL - regular sunroof
SE - panaramoc roof

SL - black leather
SE - tan cloth

SL - 51,000 miles
SE - 42000

SL - when test drove, seemed to pull a little to the right
SE - drove fine

I mistakenly said number 2 was a SL and had nav, it was a SE. They had the car listed for 17,900 but I negotated down to a buyers order of 16,053 out the door. I am going to my bank in the morning, but may counter at 15 OTD.

Oh yeah, number 2 also comes with 22 inch rims as well as the stock rims

heres a pic of no. 2:

 

I like choice number 2, the SE with NAVI. I would tint the windows and slap a 07-08 spoiler on it!!!

 

the SE doesnt have navi, but I would rather put an aftermarket NAV in it anyway

 

Is there any major differences between the SL and SE that would make one model better than the other?

 

Nice looking Maxima. No major difference between the two SL or SE just mostly option packages. You might want to get the tranny fluid check at the dealership, you can pull the dipstick yourself and see if it smells burnt or bad. That could be an indicator of bigger issues. Tranny is about the only major problem I've seen beside the stock RSA rubber cracking. Everything else if I recall correctly was pretty minor.

 

Buy an 05 and up there's alot of good deals up here in the north..

 

buy an 05 why?

 

I would buy an 05 as well, or at least a very late 04 model. 05 also comes with traction control standard. My 04 doesn't have TC. Check the build date on that car. Sticker next to drivers side door. Not a fan of cloth seats. Consumer reports gives better marks for the 05 over the 04.

Is the SE a 5AT?

Speaking of spoilers. I've been wanting 1 since I've had this car, but am afraid of the installer screwing my trunk up with the hole drilling, & possible rusting etc.

 

Would the build date be on the carfax as well?
Im not a fan of cloth seats myself, thats the major change Im gonna have to get used too(always had leather).

 

It is a 5AT as well, I checked the carfax it says 3/25/04 manuf. date

 

I don't think it is on the Carfax. I wouldn't get it if you wan't leather. It sucks to have regrets after you bought it. Find 1 with leather. Leather will make the car usually 1,000 dollars more in price.

 

Ok. You got a late 04 just like me. Mine was built in March 04 as well. No problems yet had car just over 1 year. Just have the front passengers side door lock stick, but the 05, and 06's have that issue too.

 

I did a search for 05s and the difference in price is on average 2000, with the mileage being about the same as the 04, and leather being there.
So do you spend 2000 more for a 05 with leather, same mileage, or a 04 with rims for 2000 less.
I think I can talk them down a little less as they seem to be motivated to move the car as the model years change. I would say if I can get the car out the door for 15 I would take it.

 

Usually towards the end of the month car dealers are more willing to lower the price. Best time to buy a used car is end of the month.

 

Good point. I plan on waiting till next weekend to complete any transaction, as these dealers months shapes up, and they are more flexible.

 

Next weekend should be nice timing! In the mean time I would still look for an 05 with leather. Maybe you might get lucky, and find 1 at a good price. AND make sure to check the Carfax out to see if its a clean car!!! (Important)

 

Good points LandsEnd. I will keep looking, and at least I know I have a pretty nice consolation in the 04.
Having the sunroof vs the moonroof for the current owners - which one is better?

 

Panoramic roof comes standard. I prefer the moonroof because it opens up to let the air in plus a bigger area to look out of. It will raise the price of the car some its an option.

 

The SE your looking at is all standard equipment with no options. The Maxima comes with a drivers preferred package, a sensory package, and a moonroof option. Look up those packages theres many things that come with as extras besides just leather/spoiler.

Models and Options

The 2004 Maxima is available in two models: the sporty 3.5 SE and the luxurious 3.5 SL.

A number of options and packages are available on Maxima, including a Premium Audio Package, with an 8-speaker 320-watt Bose? audio system with AM/FM/6CD, RDS and speed sensitive volume control; Sensory Package which includes the Premium Audio Package, plus leather-appointed seats, 4-way power passenger seat, heated front seats and mirrors and compass.

Also offered are the Driver Preferred Package (3.5 SE) with Sensory Package contents, plus rear spoiler, memory drivers seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with memory, memory outside mirrors that can also be folded electronically, xenon headlights, driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat and heated steering wheel; and Driver Preferred Package (3.5 SL) with Sensory Package contents, plus memory drivers seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with memory, memory outside mirrors that can also be folded electronically, driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat and heated steering wheel. The Maxima Journey Package includes Driver Preferred Package equipment, plus DVD navigation system with 7-inch color display and compass in navigation display (deleted from rear view mirror)

The Elite Package offers all of the Journey Package features, plus 2-passenger rear seating, rear center console, auto up/down rear windows, rear power sunshade with front and rear controls, heated rear seats and rear 12V power point.

Available options include a Power Glass Sunroof (replaces Skyview Roof), Helical Limited-Slip Differential (HLSD), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), full-size spare with alloy wheel and satellite radio capacity.

 

I was just looking that info up as you posted it.

 

My own personal search has continued and I found a 06 SE leather sunroof, priced to move at 16,000 with 50k miles on it.
when pulling the carfax, i see that it was a rental vehicle.

what are thoughts on this?

 

That might be why its such a good deal. People driving the car don't care about it, so it was probably driven hard by some of its customers. Might have mechanical issues that won't show up on a Carfax. With all those options on it there's got to be something wrong with it. That car should be priced higher. I wouldn't buy a rental car, & I would think they would have high miles normally. Should stay away from rental cars!! I looked at 1 near where I lived before I got the 1 I have now. This was in 2007, and the car was a 2005 with a good price. (All standard equipment.) The car had so many scratches on it, and many deep one's. (I think somebody washed it with SOS pads.) I drove it, it seemed fine, but can you really tell in a 4 mile drive. The interior looked good, but I would never get a rental. The internet pictures didn't show any of the scratches looked mint, but when I saw it in person it was like this is ridiculous. lol I don't know how tghat car would ever sell without a paint job first. Amazing how it looks better online.

 

I agree with the photos online, as 1 of the cars I test drove looked great online, only to see it in person and wonder if I was looking at the same car

 

I guess anything build after 08/04 should be fine. Much safer to go with 05 and up.

 

I have an 04 SL no problems, don't even miss that 5th gear. Upgraded to 18" wheels and 07 Spoiler

 

Its true...you never know. I got rid of a B5 Passat and got an 07 Max and the Max is now having a problem (just bought it a month ago) similar to the Passat...go figure

 

yea i am looking at an 04 SE..and i am uncertain about it, tell me what u guys think, it has 55,000 miles on it, the dealer is asking 13000 for it now,, it is a one owner lease vehicle, the car previously had lambo doors on it, they are no longer there, but i can tell by some wear in the paint on inside of door, the build date on this car is november of 03...the interior is MINT, cant even tell someone has been in it, and the paint is very nice, besides some dings and a scratch on the front bumper, it has the nice moonroof, and leather....i think it might have had bigger rims on it since there is 22" decals..and there is a slight shimmy from 20 to 30 MPH, is that a tranny problem, or something to do with tires/wheels....would you guys think about a car like this?

 

keep looking ryan