So hi guys. Sorry if I failed to find a good thread on this, but my phone sucks.


So here's some background, and my main question. I've had a 2003 max for a few years, and I mostly like it. Really the only things I don't like are the mpg and her thirst for premium gas. But now she's pushing 230k, the suspension needs attention, and it has that famous rattle noise at ~1800 rpm (y'all know what I'm talking about)...might be getting retired soon. Still, it's never failed to start, and the a.c. even works.


Now to get to the point, from here, and from various folks at shops and parts or tire stores, there seems to be a common opinion that the 5/5.5 gen is 'bulletproof,' or 'the last maxima that was good' and other similar themes. I know from my own observations, that I see like a dozen 5th gens still on the road for every 1 6th gen. I am aware that the 6th gen is when they started making them in the US and using cvt trannies. I am aware that cvt, especially these early ones, is best avoided. Now i'd certainly appreciate just general opinions on the 6th gen and newer ones, but my main question is this: is the cvt the only reason for such opinions as stated above? Because if I do get a newer max, it'll definitely be a manual. Or are there other factors in play here? Like, my 2003 has a timing chain...did they start using belts instead at some point? Stuff like that.

 

Cvt was used in 07 and 08 in that Generation.. Previous years had a different transaxle and had many problems with that. Nissan found a cheap supplier to save money. 6th Gen cars can be had cheap... and make great Daily drivers.
Overall a great Gen..
People have opinions about anything and everything. If you can find a low mileage 6th gen and its well kept and cheap,
What not buy that car?
3.5 is still chain driven.
Cvt transmission if taken care of can last , its all about Maint with these cars or any car.
Don't expect a car with 150k with multiple owners and no records to be reliable. A car is only as good as its owner. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.. Preventative Maint goes a long way!

 

Well I might get one if the right one comes along. I've kinda got my heart set on a manual this time, makes for slim pickins. Another max could be advantageous just cause I'm somewhat familiar with the motor. I have the 3.5, it probably didn't change much. But to me, max is a thirsty gas hog. I once had a crx that would sometimes get 60 mpg. If I'm gonna pay for all that gas, something with more cargo utility would be nice. A 5 spd maxima wagon would be awesome if they weren't all from the last century.

That reminds me, doesn't the Quest van have pretty much the same engine?

 

In terms of reliability, it's all relative. New technology, new problems. Each gen has certain issues.

I had a 2003 Altima 3.5 and my father has a 2007 Maxima SL. They are very similarly built. My father has had zero service on his CVT. If you like a 6th gen look at Altimas. They made them with manual transmissions until 2010 or so.

My mom has a 2008 Quest, same engine. They are even worse on gas.
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I'm a 5.5 gen owner, previously owned a 05 Altima SE-R (6 sp). I wouldn't buy a 6th gen Maxima because in my opinion they're butt ugly inside and out. The 07-08 models are a bit better but then the manual is gone.

Timing chain tensioners are much more common to fail on '04+ 3.5L motors. You can drive with it broken if you're OK with the awful noise it makes.

 

As a current owner of a 2000, 2001 and 2004 maximas I can tell you that the 6th gen was seriously designed with cheapness in mind. It suffered from the "constantly evolving and lets keep up with the competition engineering strategy. Keep in mind that the 6th gen was build in the USA. I am not entirely sure if the 5.5 gen was build in the US or Japan but I can tell you for a fact that attention to detail in my 2000 and 2001 is far superior to the 6th gen. The one really big thing I really like in the 6th gen was the fact that Nissan moved to an independent rear suspension. In my mind that was a major upgrade. Aside from that I really don't see anything on the 6th gen that I wished I had on my 5th gens. For a comparison my 2000 had 245K, it is a 5 speed manual and aside from replacing the famous failing ignition coils i have had zero issues engine wise. My 01 is a 20th anniversary and it only has 120K. My 6th get has 125K and i need to replace the tensioner already something I have never done on neither of my 5th gens VQ30 engines.

 

I'm at 163K miles. Original trans. Change/flush/replace all fluids always (as needed, of course-brake fluid too). Finally got my dealer to replace the external CVT filter and strainer inside the trans. Needed wheel bearing, rear control arm rusted out, links were gone, front control arms (rubber separating on one). New motor mounts-the dogbone and the one under the motor. No engine or transmission problems whatsoever. Maybe I'll replace my alternator just for "fun" since everyone keeps talking about it going out. (Those repairs were over an 8-yr span since I bought the car new).

 

Do you have an 07 or 08 Max? I have an 05 and its been a great daily driver apart from the occasional rattling noise coming from passenger side engine area