Hello,

I'm interested in purchasing a used Nissan Maxima w/ auto, however I don't want to deal with a CVT with all of the problems I've heard/read about. My question is what were the most recent (newish) years that they produced the Maxima without the CVT? I always thought it was 07, but I've read on a few threads here about guys with '06s complaining about theirs. So now I want to be sure, is '04-05 the newest I can search for?

Any positive feedback is appreciated thank you!

 

You have it backwards. The problematic transmissions are the 5speed automatics, found in some 04 models and all 05 to 06 automatic models. The CVT transmissions were used from 07+, and actually have fewer reported problems than the 5speed auto.

 

What he said^^^^

I had an 04 maxima, you want to steer clear of that generation. Good cars but to many known issues

 

Yeah, the 5 speed auto has the problems, however the people who do have CVT problems get ROYALLY screwed once past the warranty.

 

Thats pretty much where I'm at. Since I'm buying used cash, I won't really have the option of a warranty. Not a big deal normally.. but everyone I've heard or read from talks about issues (especially expensive issues) when it comes to the CVT, otherwise I haven't heard anything else (major) bad at all. Is the 4/5spd pre-cvt auto that much more unreliable than any other modern auto transmission or am I missing out on a lot of reading? I'm steady and reliable with my maintenance and have gotten the dreaded chrysler a604 to last me 200k without any issues, so I can't see how Nissan's normal auto could be any much worse? But when it comes to the CVT it usually sounds something in the amount of a 50/50 chance.. which is pretty high even compared to most other bad transmissions.

 

Trust me the 6 spd auto in the 6th gen was scary, that thing would slam gears. Send you for whiplash, before it eventually just dies. I can't speak for the cvt in the late 6th gen models but anyone who asks 04s, 05s, and such I just say NO!

 

I think you mean 5speed.

Also, I think you're exaggerating a bit about the whiplash. We have a measly 200HP at the wheels of this car. That is hardly enough to give you scary whiplash even with gears slamming. Its a little jerk here and there lol

To the OP i would suggest getting the 4 speed auto, it has significantly less instances of failure, or go with the manual, OR buy the car with the 5at and purchase a shift kit so that you prevent it from ever going bad. That would be my best advice to you. The 6th gen maxima is an awesome car, its the best generation if you ask me. Its the last one with a regular gear box, and its modern and relevant to the time we are in. the 4th and 5th gens are getting too old. In another 4-5 years they will be junk cars compared to the technology loaded in the newer cars. the 6th gen has enough to keep it "decent" for another 5-6 years.

See when I buy a car my priories go like this.
-Price
-Do I think it looks good
-Does it perform good in straight line
-Does it perform good in corners
-Does it look good to other people
-Does it have a good interior
-Does it get good gas mileage
-Is it safe (i know this is on the bottom of my list but I rode motorcycles for 4 years and I am that kind of person so shove off it)
-Does it hold its resale value
-What will insurance be like with full coverage.
ect..

I get a chuckle with all these people telling prospecting 6th gen owners to downgrade to a 5.5 gen because of the trans problems. They are old cars, and will continue getting older. Yes they are fast for what they are but they look like something parents give their 16 year olds to drive. The 6th gen maxima is an old car but it still leaves you with a car OTHERS will respect. If you are just interested in the car for yourself and you don't care what others think, than the Nissan Maxima is a waste of time at the end of the day as well. Get a 96 corvette for a little extra and find out what a real car feels like. Or get a real tuner car like a 300Z, 350Z, G35, impreza ect..

Lastly, if you compare a 200k mile 5.5 gen vs a 80k 6th gen WITH the VB failure, odds are you will be spending more money in small fixes with the 5.5 than on the 6th gen in the end. I had a 4th gen with 130k miles on it back in 2001 as my first car and I spent about 4-5 grand replacing the shocks, struts, left axle, wheel bearings, mass air flow sensor, sensors, calipers ect... all the things that go wrong with older cars. On this 6th gen I've spent about 1100 dollars replacing the cam shaft sensors, valve body with one that will never break and one axle. thats it!!! I have put 60k miles on it so far. Now which is a better deal?

 

Thats mainly what I'm looking for, a respectable daily that I can afford at my budget, not really looking for a performance project. Although low mileage takes priority where I can. I've had my own share of headaches with higher mileage vehicles, not really fun for a daily. Is the shiftkit you are talking about the one listed under the RE5F22A TRANSMISSION FIX thread? I'm interested in your opinion on how would you compare this to the CVT on the newer models and Altimas? Edit: I take that back, if I do get a Maxima I still plan on upgrading the suspension, and most likely the shift kit, but other than that I have no real plans for mods.

 

*Too*

 

 

Yes that is the shift kit I am talking about.

If you get the shift kit on a 5at maxima vs the newer model and altimas you will in the end save a bunch of money on a cheaper ride with lower miles. See dealerships are starting to realize the maxima is having problems with the trans at these higher miles and they are all coming up on the magic number where trans begin to go out, so they are going cheap. but because you are a forum member and have the wherewithal to fix such a problem you will be benefiting from this. If you plan to buy the maxima and immediately slap a shift kit in there I would not hesitate for one second, you will get a nice car for a great deal. IMO