davidg4781

So I bought a 2006 Nissan Maxima today. Excited, but scared (first time buying a real car in 13 years).

So, anything I need to look for or be prepared about? Any thing to be excited about? I normally do some kind of research but I went to Carmax today to buy the cheapest Altima I could find (old car died, needed something quick and cheap) and saw a great deal on this Maxima so I did it. It has 39k miles on it, so I'm sure I'm good for a while as far as timing belts/chains and stuff.

One question! It has a sunroof (moonroof?) and right near where the controls are there's an amber light glowing at night. Is there anyway to turn this off or does this serve a purpose? Well, besides lighting up the center console. Just a bit distracting on my first drive home.

nsnrider

iTrader: (59)

that light should not be on at all times, press on it and it should turn off.

as with any used car, expect something to come up.

I would recommend replacing all fluids with new quality fluids, at the very least. And don't forget air filter and in cabin filters.

post up some pics.

davidg4781

Any recommendation for fluid brands/places to go or stay away from? I used to do that stuff myself on my old ZX2 but I live out in the middle of nowhere right now and if I mess up with something I have to drive about an hour to the nearest O'Reilly's.

How do I post pics on here? I don't see a posting thing. Or do I have to host them elsewhere?

AznRyan

iTrader: (1)

If the pic is hosted somewhere else, you can copy the image location/link, and hit the button that looks like <---that, and just paste it in the box it brings up

davidg4781

Alright, here y'all go!

This is the only picture I have right now. Took it right after I drove it off the lot and right before I had lunch. Then I drove home and it's dark.

Where's the best place to host pics? I sent this to flickr since it's integrated with iPhoto, but was still a hassle to get the link since I still had to go to the site.

Alright, I can't figure it out... Click this... http://www.flickr.com/photos/39657108@N02/7399250442/

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

^^There ya go buddy ^^

nice ride


Photobucket has simple uploading (and an app too!), and they also have links that are in the proper [img] tag format for forums, just click on the pic you want and it'll give you the appropriate links.

davidg4781

Great, thanks! I couldn't think of the other photo sites. I normally just hang out on macrumors.com and they have a hosting thing to upload to.

Ok, so I've been reading a bit and have seen that this car may have transmission issues. Troubling! What do I need to look for or do to prevent/fix this? I have 5 days to return the car and swap it out with something else if I choose to so I need to decide quick. Grrr...

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

5 speed auto, right?

You're under 40K miles, so as long as you change your trans fluid soon (probably within the next week or two) you're fine, honestly. When you change, use the "drain and fill" method 3 times, or find a REPUTABLE trans shop to do a fluid exchange. NOT A POWER FLUSH!!!!!!! Fluid exchange is like dialysis for the car...new fluid goes IN as your own trans pushes the old stuff out.

And use Amsoil brand trans fluid...great stuff!

davidg4781

Yes, 5spd auto. So as long as I replace the fluids regularly I should be good?

I may do that on Friday, that and get the windows tinted. It's like they don't even have solar tint!

I'm still have some buyers remorse.

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

yeah you'll be good.

buyers remorse? why?

PetitFrereMaxima

iTrader: (2)

Wow. Great looking Maxima. And only 40k? That is a great find. Do all regular maintenance and you will be fine. Don't be too scared. You can go to the 7thgen (2009 to 2012) section and see that some guys with brand new cars have issues too. No car is immune to problems. So, don't be too scared. Do your regular maintenance and hope for the best. Atleast, that is what I do with my car. And I after 121k miles on my car, I am lucky I have been doing but regular maintenance stuffs.

Also, join my6thgen and you will be amazed at how much extra info you will find. It is just too much and super helpful. You will gain a lot of knowledge.

I too believe that if you do a transmission drain and refill, you will be doing something good to protect your transmission. Just find out what oil would be the best to replace your current fluid.

davidg4781

Here's my whole car buying experience....

1997 - Bought 1989 Nissan Pulsar NX for $2k.
1999 - Bought 1999 Ford Escort ZX2 for $12k, paid off in 48 months, swore to never buy new again
2010 - Bought grandpa's old Taurus for $2k
2012 - Taurus almost died on the way to buy 2006 Maxima

It's the largest purchase I've ever made (not counting college) and I could've got by with buying the cheaper Altima, although that thing was horrible to sit in.

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

good progression!

Personally, I think you did good, man!!! Enjoy the maxima!

2brosgixxer

See my sig for the How to Insert pics if you haven't figured it out already. Grats on the new ride.

davidg4781

Yeah, that's what everyone's telling me.

Ok, so what's the difference between a 6th generation and 6.5? And I was looking at Wiki and it seems like mine has a lot of options added to it (6disc changer, sunroof, Bose stereo). I'm guessing these were options as the way it's worded seems these came standard on SL models.

Just need to figure out how I can get my iPhone to play with the stereo. It has a tape player but that's not working. Hopefully that's covered under my 30 day warranty, although I'm not sure if they'll replace the tape deck.

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

6th gen runs from 2004-2009 iirc, and 6.5 is like the mid-cycle "freshening". I thought your 06 was the 6.5 gen but I could be wrong, since the pic is of the back end and not front.

Example...4th gen runs from 95-99, received an update in 97. So 4.5 gen is 97-99. Same with 5gen (00-03)...5.5 gen is the second half of that generation...does that make sense?

davidg4781

Ahh. How can you tell from the front? Mine has the side marker lights that turn on with the turn signal. From reading here, that seems to be a deciding factor.

Would this change any problems I may have?

Also, I can't for the life of me, figure out how to get the arm rest to go up. Seems like it's stuck or something. It's fine where it is, but just nagging to want to figure it out.

PetitFrereMaxima

iTrader: (2)

That is a 2006, so it is a 6th gen. Not a 6.5 gen.

nibs

Congrats on your purchase!

Transmission and Power Steering Fluid: Amsoil
Oil: Penzoil Platinum / Amsoil XL
Coolant: Nissan Branded from the Dealer
Fuel: Premium Chevron
Brake: ? (I don't have an opinion yet)

ATF
I like Amsoil for ATF, but I think you should only use it if you are doing the full old school flush and not drain & fill. I've read a few random reports of issues of mixing the Amsoil after only a d&f. My 5th gen is currently using non-synthetic Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle as a Matic D replacement, but I do an annual d & f and it doesn't get that cold or hot where I live. I think the 6th gen is more picky about ATF. If I move to a warmer or colder climate, I'll switch to Amsoil.

PS
From what I can tell, the 6th gen takes ATF as Power Steering fluid. Amsoil ATF is my recommendation there as well. Easiest way to deal with it is the "turkey baster", although something like this http://www.amazon.com/Custom-Accesso.../dp/B001DKQZ9Q works better than a baster. When I got my 5th gen, it took me 5 reservoir drain and refills before I was happy with the color. Reservoir on mine holds ~8 ounces. Since I like fresh fluid, and PS is soeasy, I do a drain and fill of the reservoir annually, and that seems to keep it happy.

Oil
It all comes down to personal preference here. People over at Bob is the Oil Guy seem to really like Penzoil Platinum in the VQ series engines. I'm running Amsoil XL at a 7,500 mi interval.

Coolant
Don't think there is a benefit to using anything other than the factory fluid for normal road use.