hurai

I'm an Audi burnout who's tired of all the little problems with these German cars... thinking of a Maxima as I hear they're a good combination of performance and reliability. Now the real question is what year is the best as far as performance, reliability, and all the rest. I agree that the 1995-1999 look is a bit better than the 2000-2003 models... but looks aside what's the best all-around?

Thanks!

meccanoble

iTrader: (22)

hmmm, if i could go back i would get a 2000, obviously 2003 if i can afford it but 2000 looks good in the right color, 4th gens have experienced a lot of tranny problems, more than i would want to take a chance with from what i hear

if u wanted 4th gen, i would go with 97-98...99, problems with some aftermarket mods plus i heard somewhere they were a little slower due to special restrictions...

my choice, 2000
second choice 97-98

92 SE-R 02 SE

1st and ONLY choice a 2002-03 6spd. Again, IMO, the best looking and FASTEST max ever made....

hurai

Ok, but now say your MAX budget is about $12k... and really I'd like to spend less than $8k and save a couple thousand $ to use for suspension upgrades, etc. Any more thoughts?

Thanks again!

naidd

$12k will buy you a 2000 SE in stick. If you are interested in leather, etc, it will be a little more.

For under $8k, I would look for a 97-98, as previously suggested.

nice95GLE

If I can do it again I would get a 98 or 99 (BLACK).

Best looking Max
Easiest to Mod
Best Looking when Modded
Fastest

Check out Araffio's car
and Sadler's car

Period...

Nice

Vyrus

iTrader: (4)

You want speed + lots of mod money left over? 1995 (lightest)
You want speed + few nice factory updates? 1998 (digital odometer)
You want speed + luxury? 2000

-Cyrus

ch13f

I'd go with a 97 or 98 5spd personally, it'd perform better than a 2k and cost less also. With the money you save, assuming you put the difference back into the car in the form of aftermarket parts, it could easily be as fast as a stock 2k2+, and totally smoke one in terms of handling. I think its a better looking car as well, but thats all a matter of opinion.

97GLES

iTrader: (5)

get a 97-99 4th gen.

kingrukus

iTrader: (41)

IMO 2k2-2k3 6 speed is by far the best maxima in terms of performance and looks...reliability wise though, nothing beats the 3rd gen. My dad's uncle had one from new and did only routine maintenance on it, and it lasted him till 350,000 miles. They sold it after that and it was still running strong.

bigdo26

iTrader: (3)

driven in a 92 - runs strong, smaller than the new ones, dont like the looks too much though
96 - almost bought one a few years ago... easy to mod, look nice
own a 2k2 - awsome power, harder to mod, very comfy ride
just a lil overview of my (somewhat limited) experience. dont buy a camry tho if you want performance (i've been down that road...)

Wicked

iTrader: (2)

id go with 02-03. Looks very nice and a ton of power. Be sure to get it stick though. I dont like the 00-01 cuz they are slow in my opinion and heavy. At an ontario "meet" I took out a 00-01 by two three cars. I am a 97 stick, and he had intake, exhaust, y-pipe. I think it was an auto, cuz it was very slow, but still, im all stock.

95emeraldgxe

i'd definitely go for a 1998 White GXE, and then add all my own crap such as stereo, spoiler, body kit, etc

meccanoble

iTrader: (22)

a 12k budget with room to experiement? i would get a 97 with low mileage for maybe 7.5-9 grand and throw a turbo/supercharger if u care about speed, suspension/basic bolt ons if u care about handling, audio/chrome accessories (dash kit, kick panels, door handles, etc.) if u care about looks.

If u care about all these, suspension may cost u 750 + install for all that u need, basic bolt ons will run u 450-500 + install, and audio/looks can run u between 400-3,000+ depending on how u feel

Alteen16

im also thinkin of buyin a max... i hav about 10k to spend wat would u guys recommend??

Frank Fontaine

Have you driven a Maxima?

Anyway if it were me I'd go 1998+ just to rule out odo tampering. Make sure the alternator was replaced under warranty, I don't know what the procedure is if it hasn't but you don't have the recall notice. Check it for leaks--power steering pump and rack, manual tranny o-ring where the reverse switch is, and oil sender unit. I hate to join the Nissan dealer camp but nobody is gonna be able to explain the varying degrees of oil consumption on this car, you'll drive yourself crazy if you check the dipstick all the time. The car should definitely be able to go 5k miles without topping off. If you can get a car under 60k that is good too, because there is a side air bag problem--if not under warranty that is gonna cost $$$. Check the clutch for chatter, again Nissan is gonna tell you it's normal but if it ain't there 4-3 shifts even better. Pop the air cleaner out--if it's dirty, you know the owner did not care for the car. It affects highway mpgs big-time, so anybody who pays attention is gonna keep it clean. Check for a noisy blower motor, esp on low speed. Make sure the auto climate doesn't change vent positions when you hit a bump. Look at the color of the brake fluid--should be clear not black. Look at the rear muffler, probably starting to split apart after 5 years. All these items add up to big $$$ if you don't take care of them before you buy. good luck.

Black95Se

iTrader: (2)

I'd get the '95...but then again I'm biased, haha

Ian

Nismo87SE

LOL @ everyone. The best maxima without a doubt is the 81-83 RWD maximas. Sure it looks like a shoe box and is small on the inside but it would out handle/accelerate anyother generation stock max with alittle *work* .

Street Reeper

This is easy, hands down the first choice would be a 2k2 - 2k3 six speed.
Then a 95-96 www.car-stats.com the 96 GXE is just plain fast (but of course I am biased too )
Then a 97-99 (third fastest but in my opinion one of the best looking)
Then a 2000 - 2001, great looking car just a little slower than the 4th gen, but of course the AE edition was part of this class which I feel is still the best looking and cleanest max, just needs the 2k2 headlights.

Of course last and definatly least the 2k4, the maxima that turned it's back on the sedan enthusiast, and was tageted towards the general populous that liked the altima

max95q

iTrader: (10)

He summed it all up right here

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

If you want to mod the car and are on the budget you specified I'd get a 97 or 98. They look better than 95-96 and contrary to what all these other people have said they are no heavier. And you can still get an ECU for them, you can't get an ECU for a 99 that's the only reason I wouldn't go for a 99.

BTW I have a 96.

dmontzsta

I can truely say this with confidence.

Drive a VE 5 speed before you make your decision...hell drive that, a 4th gen 5 speed and a 5th gen 5 speed before you make your decision, I can say this with confidence.

Alteen16

so wut yr do u guys think is the best 4th generation overall??? in terms of quality, speed, etc, etc...???

meccanoble

iTrader: (22)

97-98

dmontzsta

quality?

ch13f

The weight difference between 95/96 and 97-99s is not really a big deal, if you compare the same trim level that is. I'd go with a 97 or 98 cause you get the better looking front and rear bumpers, and you can get red/clear tail lights much more easily.

kingrukus

iTrader: (41)

98 GXE.

Bonka

iTrader: (13)

Any 4th gen. I prefer the 97-98 years myself. It's awesome because the resale value continues to go down for these cars. I wish I waited a bit longer to get a Max, paid a FAIR bit for my 98 SE.

Naija

iTrader: (1)

I would go for a 4th gen, a 98 or 99. If IMO I would try finding a 99 SE-L.

my .02

dmontzsta

Funny how everyone picks their own cars without even thinking of driving any others.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

how about I30 5speed
if not 4th gen owns all


ok....

Ratings 0-5(5=highest)
_______looks----performance----quality
95-96....3-----------4-------------3
97-99....5-----------4-------------3
00-01....3-----------4------------4.5
00-01(*)3-----------3.5----------4.5
02-03....3-----------5------------4.5

* = 17in wheels

dmontzsta

Not really 3rd gen came first and still owns all.

deezo

iTrader: (3)

97 to 99, hands down.

99Maxima5sp

well since 99 is the only year you cant get the ECU, id say go with a 98. I wish i had now, but ive decided to give up on speed and go for the looks department. Ive got enough for my taste in the speed/performance department...


Eric

Ceasars Chariot

iTrader: (16)

95MT
97MT
03MT

in no order unless you want the fast and glorious 03

kingrukus

iTrader: (41)

I chose my car as the top 4th gen...because it is the most rare of them imo (98 GXE w/ 5-speed), besides the SE-L. I actually prefer a GXE to an SE because it didnt come with the horrible stock leather, hard to alter Bose stereo, and other electronic gimmicks. I had multiple chances to get an SE, but I actually wanted a GXE base with 5-speed, as I will be modding the **** out of it within the next few years. Also 98 was the first year with the digital odo, had the great looks of the 97+, you didn't have to get unique aftermarket parts like the 99's needed (SC mounting brackets, fstb, etc), and I am sure there are others that I haven't mentioned.

billy_corgan

ive never had a problem with any modding of my 99. fstb fit perfect, exhaust fir perfect, no ecu probs. see sig for my opinion

bonzelite

iTrader: (2)

the "general maxima discussion" forum is dominated by 4th gens. and 5th. so let me raise a glass and toast to the 3rd gen SE 5spd - am A31 derivative on the J30 chassis; a cousin to the R32 4dr sedan. it is smaller, potentially more agile, older, classic styled, and highly moddable. but you are getting vintage by now with that generation. yet one cannot deny, as a maxima enthusaist, that the 3rd gen is magical. so open the wallet, and take some time off to preserve this timeless car. if not that, then jump out of the box a bit and get a skyline GTR -the paternal alpha male uncle of the maxima.

for the record, the 4th gen SE wheels come standard stock on the skyline R34 25 GT-X Four and GT. (RB25DE)(N/A) >>> RWD 200hp stock.

-to all of you 3rd gen guys. and others.

nissanman7

A 4th Gen 5-speed in the best condition you can find.

SteVTEC

Get a 97-99 5spd

After a year and a half of ownership, I'm still loving my 99 5spd with Tan Leather, Bose, Fogs, Heated Seats, etc etc. My particular year has the least modding potential, but I'm not really into modding anyways so that doesn't bother me - would rather save my money for other things.

97-99's have the upgraded front/rear bumpers (better crash test scores), look a bit better than the 95-96's (opinion), have better looking rims (opinion, 5 spoke vs old blade style), some nice upgrades (98+). All-out modding potential still goes to the 95-96 models though - less emissions control crap. The fastest 4th Gen guys are all 95/96's.

The only thing that stopped me from buying a 2002 6spd was the fact that 5th Gen's have slightly less interior room than the 4th Gen's, and that ended up being a problem for me, so I got a 99.