Hello, I'm new here.
I bought a 95 Maxima, auto, basic model with 122,00 miles on it. I spent about $1000 on a new axle and all new pads, etc. drove the car non stop from Monday to Friday, starting in Manhattan, going through PA, VA, TN, AR, TX. On Friday, I drove from Laredo through Guadalajara in 12 hours (usually done in 15) and I averaged speeds of 95-115. I found out that the computer limits the speed at around 115mph.... oh it was nice to have the chance to find out :-). In Monterrey, I got caught by highway patrol and $40 US solved the problem amicably. I have to say, this is my first Maxima and I really like the gear-hp ratio. the car glides with low stress at 100 mph at about 3500 from what I recall. By the time I got to GDL, the shocks were gone, I think.... the car was loaded with lots of stuff, since I am moving here. Still, from San Luis to GDL I took a windy, scenic and dangerous road and the car felt predictable and safe. The engine is stock and unmodified. I cannot imagine how much better it can get!
the only troble incident involved the "check engine" light. It went off on Wed night as I was entering Texas. I took it to a mechanic, they hooked the computer up, and they could not find anything wrong.... they reset the light, but it came back on later that day. The cars seems to be running fine, like I said, it just needs shocks, feels like and old car right now.
Anyway, wanted to share this story, Ive been a lurker for a while and your page helped me decide to buy a used Maxima.
Cheers,

Pedro Diaz

 

Congrats.. and i thought my Atlanta to CT was far.

$1000 for axle?

 

Thanks! I am learning about mods as I read here. My next project is getting good shocks and struts. Which are good for city driving with bad roads?

 

if you are in NY you might want to go with some H&R's and KYB AGX's ... H&R's provide the best setup for handle with keeping close to stock comfort. You will need that in NYC. I hate driving in NYC.. the roads are horrible.

 

actually, I moved from NYC to guadalajara... is even worse here!!!

 

That must have been a nice trip. I love road trips.

 

me too... but only when there isn't any traffic...

 

That's quite a drive for the maxima. I took mine once to Mexico, to Michoacan when it was semi stock. The car didn't complain at all. Even when using the ****ty Pemex gas. I would like to go back tho, I just love those twisty scenic roads. I just want to tear them up in my max. You also gotta love the toll roads.. Smooth, long and straight.. Good for top speed runs..

 

Wow thats one hell of a trip, its really great to see how reliable our cars are even at higher mileage... makes me wanna go hug my car

 

opps... read that wrong

 

KYB GR2's Nice firm ride that will soak up bumps and maintain stability very nicely.

 

How many miles was that?

 

I did refueling points at
123085
123327
123536
123835
124137
124490
124779
124897

and three more refueling stops while in Mexico, but I had to be on the defensive, could not stop and write on my log... Too many people offering to clean your windshield, check your oil, etc. At certain spots is intimidating, up to 5 or 6 guys coming to you car and surrounding it, offering their services. I just stopped, got gas and got the hell out of there. I do not mean to be stereotypic... this is only in the big transited highways, where people from all places stop a lot and the locals are just looking for easy money. It is not necessarily unsafe, just overwhelming.

 

just got back from a month in Puerto Escondido. Beautiful but hot as hell. The roads in Mexico are insane so I'm glad your Max made it! In the whole time I was in Mexico I saw 3 Maximas, all 4th gen. I know what you mean by aggressive people trying to get a couple easy bucks- Mexico city was chaos.

As for suspension, get Tokico Illumina over KYB-AGX with H&Rs.

 

i used to live in tampico when i was a kid and i loved it...damn i miss texas

 

 

hey polak, got any more pics of your drop? BTW pedroboe thats one heck of a drive. Im scared to drive my car more then 30 miles away from home cause of this damn s/c, keeping a stock belt doesnt even help my fear.

 

Hmmm....Tampico, we make that at my work.

I drove from LA Cal to Oklahoma City non-stop both ways. Took me 20 hours each way. I was ****** tired after that....picked up a ticket in New Mexico on the way, only $40 fine, HAHAHAH what a joke.

 

california to michigan in april 2200 miles one way.. total for trip was about 5000k wheni got back home. loved the maxima on the trip.28 hours to get there 32 hours to get home

 

YEAA Baby, the max is a Road car!! Gas mileage really goes up on the road. You could just have a bad rear o2 sensor, since the car is preforming well!!

 

That's one hell of a trip. Did you drive alone, or were you with someone?

 

I met this girl...... a week before the trip. We clicked fine, so I asked her to come along, at least for part of the trip.... she stayed with me until we hit Dallas and I dropped her at the airport. The visit to Graceland was especially nice. We had lunch in Nashville, had some awesome food in downtown. we also had lunch in Little Rock at a great new restaurant/brewery. I kept wondering where all the people went in Little Rock (coming from NYC); overall a great experience and my female companion was impressed with the machine. The Max definitely "represented"....
By the way: I took my car to an honest shocks guy (an oximoron ) and he told me my shocks are fine; that they feel hard because they are gas shocks and that my tire thread is a little low.... hard to believe , this may be the original shocks! at 125,000!
Also, I disconnected the battery for an hour and the "check engine" light has NOT come back .. hurray!

Cheers,


Pedro